Non-dialogue Moments Of Page To Screen Continuity 

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) + book quotes

"We just have to keep it very casual, of course. I just can't afford for you to fall in love with me."

//

"I thought, this is the most incredible thing I have ever seen, and I had better keep it a safe distance away from me. I thought, if someone like that ever loved me, it would set me on fire."

1000 dead 700 injured and some were never heard from again

alice oseman: very few people asked, but this is my favorite moment in the heartstopper show. the look between them - this is the moment nick realises that he is safe with charlie. and allows himself to be truly vulnerable in front of him

nick nelson + fixing his hair, requested by anonymous

i think it is so important for characters like Nick Nelson to exist because it shows people that even if you didn’t always know who exactly you are attracted to, you are still entirely valid in your sexuality. Charlie tells Nick that he always knew that he was attracted to boys, which is portrayed many times in literature in media, that a character always knew they were gay and i think this is very relatable for some people. but i think that some people don’t realize that even if you spent your whole life thinking that you only liked certain people, that doesn’t mean you can’t find out now that you are actually attracted to other people. we as people are allowed to grow and learn things about ourselves and it is entirely valid for this to apply to your sexuality as well. 

Nick’s so in love with you it’s a little unbearable to watch sometimes.

nick becoming comfortable with who he is and how charlie makes him feel showed in the moments right after he kisses him

+

I've been spending a lot of time in the Heartstopper tag(s) while I've been sick. It's so wholesome and fun! I noticed something though:

A lot of people of all different ages have reacted to this show by thinking about how they never had, and never will have, "that."

Whether "that" is Nick and Charlie, or "that" is the friend group, or "that" is coming out in a supportive way, or "that" is the caring and supportive mentor / sibling / parents ...there's this overwhelming theme of loss and loneliness (and assumption that no one else will get it, and from adults, guilt about being so into a show about teenagers) that breaks my heart.

I think there's a lot of strength to be pulled from this story if you look beyond the "oh no, I'm experiencing nostalgia for something I've never had" feeling. The representation goes deeper and wider than just queer identities. It ranges from experiences as deep and scary as suicide ideation (however abstractly stated) to the comparatively simple but super relatable problem of being extremely awkward and showing how much you care in ways that others may find frustrating or unhelpful. (There's even more in the comics, but I'm trying to stay focused on the show.) They show us that anyone and everyone deserves to be happy, to have a good community, to be supported and loved.

"But I'm not in high school anymore—"

That doesn't matter. It really doesn't. I don't think it's ever too late to find friends and build community and be yourself and actually live your life...but god damn, I know it's hard as hell. It requires breaking down so many barriers and overcoming so many fears. I get it. I'm struggling with the difficult problem of how to do that myself.

It can be done though.

And maybe there are a lot more people out there that feel the same way you do than you think.