It's a new term, and Tao misses Elle now that they're at different schools. Charlie plans a birthday surprise for Nick, who's still worried for his boyfriend.
Diane provides Nick with guidelines for how to talk to Charlie about getting help for his mental health. It's only a list of four key points. Nick has them written down but they are seared into his mind as well. He knows the priority of having this conversation. It's all about finding the proper moment. He may be the only person capable of getting Charlie to admit to his family that he needs help. Charlie is fixated on the idea of creating a "perfect day" to celebrate Nick's birthday. The Paris squad has a ton of fun at the zoo. Even then, it's clear Charlie isn't capable of interacting with his friends like before. He's hesitant to appear in pictures. He's tired and exhausted all the time. He snaps when Nick brings up going somewhere else to eat. He doesn't want the darkness that lingers over him to derail this perfect day. And yet, that's only the caption for the image he shares on Instagram. That only tells so much of the story. Nick knows that. He sees the image with that context. There are plenty of safe spaces in order for him to start this conversation. It's all about getting Charlie to listen. It's agonizing getting to that point. But it's also a profound relief when Charlie actually asks for help.
Charlie doesn't lack agency in this story either. Yes, the sheer mention of lunch plans is enough to send him spiraling in his head. However, he's willing to open up to Ajayi about the thoughts that rule his relationship with food. He can't express all of it. He still views the art teacher as a trusted resource to confide in. He disrupts the date Ajayi and Farouk had. He clocks it too. They aren't the best at hiding their relationship. That doesn't matter to Charlie. Moreover, his eating habits aren't demonstrably different when he's in a safe space with Nick. His boyfriend always offers that suggestion. He believes Charlie can be more of himself when it's just the two of them. He has the trust and respect to share his deepest self without judgment. And yet, he breaks his sandwich apart only to take little bites. That's the way he makes it through the day. Even then, he's tired and falls asleep on his boyfriend later on. He doesn't have a dramatic fainting spell like he suffered in Paris. However, Nick is still required to be the shoulder for Charlie to rest on repeatedly. That's true in many situations.
Nick appreciates that Tori reached out to him. They are both concerned about Charlie. Nick is trying his best to get Charlie to share what's happening with his parents. Everyone feels pressure. They want to make things easier for Charlie. They don't want his struggles to worsen. There is only so much they can do. They are powerless in a lot of ways. They don't know what to do. They are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Every mention of food delivers a pointed message. Charlie insists he's fine. The people who love him know that's his instinctive response. They see him struggle in his private moments. The voices in his head are growing louder. He can't control them. He's powerless too. That's devastating and absolutely gut-wrenching. Everyone is so excited for a new term of school to start. It offers the promise of so many new opportunities. Instead, the day is no different for Charlie. His behavior in school is the same as it has been throughout the summer. That only intensified during the time away from Nick. It became more obvious to more people. Charlie still tried his best to keep his issues hidden. He continually chases perfection. That's meaningless if he isn't healthy and willing to engage with the world as it is.
Tao and Isaac have a huge fight. Isaac criticizes Tao for spending all of his time with his girlfriend and forgetting his friends. Elle even points out it's the exact same way Tao felt when Charlie decided to ignore him for Nick. It's a fair criticism. Everyone sees the obsession. It's what happens when people get into a relationship. It's what they desire from this situation. That's not the kind of happiness Isaac pursues. He values his friendships. He doesn't want to lose another one to a romance. He is coming to terms with what it means to be asexual and aromantic. He comes out to the group. They offer complete support. Their share their experiences in accepting who they are too. Nick is at place where he can laugh about crying over an "Am I Gay?" test on the internet. It ultimately doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. People should be happy and celebrated for who they are. These teens are all at varying stages of that journey of sexual orientation and gender identity. Imogen is defensive when Isaac suggests everyone is paired up as a couple. She isn't dating Sahar. No one suggested as much. It's how she perceived the comment. That's telling. The same applies to Darcy's reaction upon being referred to as a "lady" or having to wear a skirt at school. These are pointed examples of questioning what works for them. Isaac and Tao made some rude comments. However, it got them to the truth of what they've been feeling for the last while.
Tao realizing he has been a bad friend to Isaac lately makes him finally see that something is going on with Charlie. He confronts Nick about it. Nick is defensive as well. He doesn't want something drastic to derail any progress Charlie has made. He doesn't want to ruin any possibility of getting Charlie to open up further through someone saying the wrong thing. It too qualifies as Nick snapping. He too feels the pressure of handling this delicately. The friends will absolutely offer Charlie love and support. He just isn't ready to share his experiences with them. He confides in Nick a little bit. Nick has to drag more out. At that point, it's hard for Charlie to even look at his boyfriend. He loves him so much. He gave a very thoughtful birthday gift that harkens back to Charlie's birthday in the first season. The show is full of so much rich history at this point. It can offer those callbacks with confidence knowing they provide meaning to the new situations the characters face. Nick stands by in support for Charlie as he shares with his parents the need to seek treatment. Tori is right there on the stairs listening in on all of it too. The family is devastated. Yet it's cathartic to receive this acknowledgement of the truth. They can be proactive now. Charlie no longer has to wage this battle by himself. He has never been alone. The thought of reaching out for help seemed too daunting. Nick made it better. That's the way he continues to be a loving and supportive boyfriend. He had to at least try even though Charlie was terrified of being a burden. That's what love and respect means in this relationship.
Some extra thoughts:
- It's a fascinating role reversal to see the first day of school from Nick's perspective. He's now the person walking into the building desperately looking for his boyfriend. That provided comfort for this couple in the past. Charlie was reassured by the sheer slight of Nick. And now, Nick gets to feel that expression as well - although it happens by the lockers and not in their form room.
- People at school still make remarks of astonishment over Nick and Charlie being a couple. They've come to learn it doesn't matter what others say about them. Sure, it means they pull each other into an empty room in order to make out. That's what makes them feel comfortable. They want that release after three weeks apart.
- Farouk has now become the teacher of Nick and Charlie's form room. They still get called out for talking when they are meant to be quiet. Moreover, Farouk pointedly makes a comment on the presentation of Ajayi's class. That's mostly a way to distract from any potential rumors. Again, it doesn't last very long before they're busted.
- Coach Singh essentially knew about Ajayi and Farouk's coupling the moment it happened. It's still amusing when she makes a comment after catching them kissing in the car in the morning. That's a true friend right there.
- Naomi and Felix were also accepted into Lambert. That means Elle has at least two friends at her new school. She still complains about having to adjust to a new environment all over again. She doesn't have any regrets about her decision. Plus, she's still there for all the group events planned amongst the friends.
- James already knows what it means to be asexual and aromantic. He learned it from a book he was reading. That prompted more research especially after Isaac's reaction to their kiss. The two are great together as friends. Though there is still the glimmer of James pinning for something more.
- Tara was invited to join an Oxford prep group based on her GCSE results. And now, she's encouraged to apply to be school prefect. Those are added to her responsibilities despite previously feeling like she was dealing with a lot.
