Fans of Heartbreak High have no doubt been dreaming about 'strawberry kisses' since the dramatic end of season one.
The high school show reeled us in with the spicy 'Map-Bitch' drama but it was Harper's (Asher Yasbincek) unexplained right hook on ex-bestie Amerie's (Ayesha Madon) freshly made-up face that really commanded our attention.
The gripping teenage angst and melodrama served in the first few minutes of episode one matured into a complex narrative involving sexual harassment and attempted abduction. It embraced queerness in a sweepingly romantic way that would make Heartstopper proud and explored the challenges of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world.
Each storyline fed into the compelling mystery surrounding Harper and Amerie's fallout and the climax was well worth the anxiety-inducing wait.
Now Heartbreak High is ringing in a new school year with season two, but avid fans who are expecting to be salivating over the tension within minutes will be sorely disappointed.
There is a new mystery to unravel – 'Who is Bird Psycho?' – but, from the outset, it's not nearly as interesting as the juicy Amerie and Harper puzzle of season one.
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In fact, while it initially seems as though it will drive the plot, Heartbreak High quickly steers the focus away from dead avians. It's a while again before we even realise that this perceived 'footnote' holds major significance in the story.
Those who have come flocking to the latest season in hopes that it will build on the cliffhangers left behind in the previous season will be somewhat satisfied.
However, while Harper's trauma over Chook (Tom Wilson) lingers in the background, steering her actions throughout, the pressing tension of the situation dies out pretty quickly following her big decision.
Instead, all eyes are, once again, on Amerie, who is left having to defend her character when someone starts a hateful thread on the school messageboard, detailing all her past mean-girl transgressions. The fresh new wave of hate that follows her instantly impedes her candidacy in the race for school council and it is this, coupled with the will-they-won't they Malakai (Thomas Weatherall) drama that pulls focus.
Compared to season one, season two's narrative starts out feeling somewhat trivial, as though Heartbreak High has morphed into a straight-laced, 2D teen watch. It has, but this is but a clever ruse to subvert expectations while planting seeds for a more intricate, complex story that slow-burns into existence as the characters reveal more about themselves.
Thankfully, it's hard not to be obsessed with the messiness in Amerie's life until the dark and twisty elements of the story come to pass to help ground the season two arc.
Amerie's past comes back to challenge her in the most unexpected way while Harper is forced to deal with her present, the trauma of which sends her on a path of self-discovery.
It is perhaps Quinn (Chloé Hayden), however, who has arguably the most interesting character development. The show expands on her neurodivergent experience by exploring her autism in greater detail. How she perceives herself and her sense of self-worth is both challenged and challenges her friendships as she struggles to find a way to live an authentic life.
Heartbreak High continues to open up the world of asexuality through Ca$h (Will McDonald) and Darren's relationship as Darren (James Majoos) struggles to suppress their sexual needs in order to make their relationship with Ca$h work.
The show also manages to address toxic masculinity in new ways (albeit on rather a surface level) and how it tells the stories of bisexual characters is filled with so much nuance.
There is a lot to contend with but once again Heartbreak High leans into what it does best; it takes all those seemingly unconnected plot points and weaves them into a beautifully dramatic finale. A swan song, if you will, to Bird Psycho.
While we may have enjoyed season one's high tension more than the low-murmuring build-up of season two, Heartbreak High's second outing is, nevertheless, every bit the bold, brass, heartwarming and queer drama you remember.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
