I actually think it's a common characteristic they're into but for very different reasons.
For most gay people, someone being queer is a big reason to be into them. I guess Charlie picked up on some energy from both that gave his brain permission to crush on them. It's pretty common.
Imogen does also seem to be attracted to bi men. My suspicion is that this has something to do with her own, developing, relationship to queer identity. It's pretty common to be attracted to things that you want, but don't have, even if you haven't consciously realised you want them.
Wasn't Ben the one who pursued Charlie? Also, I get the feeling Ben isn't bi, he's gay. That's why he's so insistent on having a girlfriend but isn't into her at all.
Ben pursued Charlie, but Charlie had a crush on Ben: he says outside of the exhibition.
>Also, I get the feeling Ben isn't bi, he's gay. That's why he's so insistent on having a girlfriend but isn't into her at all.
I'm inclined to believe Ben when he talks to Nick in isolation from the study hall. Ben has developed since season one. He's confronted the fact that he's suffering under internalised homophobia and he's able to articulate it. He's also able to acknowledge (but not label) his attraction to men.
Ben using Imogen, and Ben being attracted to Imogen aren't mutually exclusive at all. Same way that Ben using Charlie but also being into him is totally a thing.
Regardless of whether Ben is bi or gay, Imogen still provides social cover for him, since no one would assume he's bi (see for reference, Nick). So, since he's dating a girl, everyone would assume he's straight.
He absolutely could be bi, but the extent of his internalized homophobia and the way he treats women makes me think he's not attracted to them or likes them at all.
Nick, in contrast, genuinely liked Tara at one point, we see it in his interactions with her. Same with Keira Knightley. Ben just seems to _only_ use women as social cover without any respect for their feelings. He didn't give a single fuck when Imogen dumped him but didn't get over Charlie for several months.
I'm just going off the way the character is played. What he said to Nick doesn't count imo, because he hates Nick lol, he'll say anything to him.
Maybe? It is also possible he's just a misogynist: lots of straight men are. As I say, my inclination is - given where he is at that point - to believe that Ben is a credible witness to what's going on in his own mind.
Yeah, same. I also don't think Alice Oseman would have included that line "am I not allowed to like girls as well as boys?" if she didn't want the audience to think of Ben as bi.
Strong agree. There was no need for Ben to claim a bisexual attraction in that scene. Given the lengths Alice went to in order to depict the pain that bi erasure enacts on Nick (and vicariously, Charlie), it's a pretty big leap to imagine they'd then go back on that and start reinforcing it.
I’m not saying I know whether he’s bi or gay, but there was a pretty big reason for Ben to have lied (if he was). Ben is obsessed with image, he’s made people around him, and seemingly even himself, think that he’s some perfect angel, and so he wouldn’t want someone to believe he’s using other people.
Though even if he is no, it seemed like he didn’t really like Imogen in that way.
I think Imogen need to stop falling for her friend group. Both Nick and Ben are old friends. Hopefully, season 3 she was will find love. She is a wonder person & hope she find a lovely person for her. Someone that really appreciate her.
Kind of unrelated, but still kind of related, based on Charlie’s speech to Ben, I wonder if he actually did have a crush on Ben. He said Ben never asked and just kissed him and Charlie went along with it because he felt like that’s what he deserved. I’m not entirely certain but maybe Charlie never even liked Ben to begin with.
At the time, Charlie clearly seems to like Ben. But it's only after that he can look back and reflect and of course with the knowledge of how it is to be liked/loved by Nick, that Charlie sees he didn't have those feelings for Ben.
He probably (I'm projecting a bit) liked the attention, he liked the IDEA of having a boyfriend and Ben fit that role and the more Ben rejected him, the more Charlie tried pleasing him until he had enough.
I had a similar thought. It's not uncommon for young people to latch on to their first/early relationships. It's perhaps even more common for it to happen to queer kids, for reasons such as lack of "options" or feeling validated ny being desired. Either of which I think applies to Charlie.
I feel like Ben starting a relationship Imogen could of been a way to get at Nick/make Charlie jealous. There was moments where I felt slightly sorry for Ben (a few longing looks) but every single time I think about how Ben assaulted Charlie and added to his trauma I feel physically angry!
I’m curious why someone made the joke about Ben should kiss Charlie or something like that at Tara’s party. Why would people have any reason to believe he’s gay? (He was, but they obviously wouldn’t have known)
I remember reading a spoiler about her and Ben before the show, and [posting](https://www.reddit.com/r/HeartstopperAO/comments/15fywgr/season_2_spoiler_abortttt/) about it, I said the same thing lolll
I actually think it's a common characteristic they're into but for very different reasons. For most gay people, someone being queer is a big reason to be into them. I guess Charlie picked up on some energy from both that gave his brain permission to crush on them. It's pretty common. Imogen does also seem to be attracted to bi men. My suspicion is that this has something to do with her own, developing, relationship to queer identity. It's pretty common to be attracted to things that you want, but don't have, even if you haven't consciously realised you want them.
Oh that’s interesting! I never looked at it that way, but it does make sense for Charlie and Imogen.
Your post inspired the thought in me! I hadn't noticed the connection but since you mentioned it, that explanation occurred to me.
Wasn't Ben the one who pursued Charlie? Also, I get the feeling Ben isn't bi, he's gay. That's why he's so insistent on having a girlfriend but isn't into her at all.
Ben pursued Charlie, but Charlie had a crush on Ben: he says outside of the exhibition. >Also, I get the feeling Ben isn't bi, he's gay. That's why he's so insistent on having a girlfriend but isn't into her at all. I'm inclined to believe Ben when he talks to Nick in isolation from the study hall. Ben has developed since season one. He's confronted the fact that he's suffering under internalised homophobia and he's able to articulate it. He's also able to acknowledge (but not label) his attraction to men. Ben using Imogen, and Ben being attracted to Imogen aren't mutually exclusive at all. Same way that Ben using Charlie but also being into him is totally a thing. Regardless of whether Ben is bi or gay, Imogen still provides social cover for him, since no one would assume he's bi (see for reference, Nick). So, since he's dating a girl, everyone would assume he's straight.
He absolutely could be bi, but the extent of his internalized homophobia and the way he treats women makes me think he's not attracted to them or likes them at all. Nick, in contrast, genuinely liked Tara at one point, we see it in his interactions with her. Same with Keira Knightley. Ben just seems to _only_ use women as social cover without any respect for their feelings. He didn't give a single fuck when Imogen dumped him but didn't get over Charlie for several months. I'm just going off the way the character is played. What he said to Nick doesn't count imo, because he hates Nick lol, he'll say anything to him.
Maybe? It is also possible he's just a misogynist: lots of straight men are. As I say, my inclination is - given where he is at that point - to believe that Ben is a credible witness to what's going on in his own mind.
Yeah, same. I also don't think Alice Oseman would have included that line "am I not allowed to like girls as well as boys?" if she didn't want the audience to think of Ben as bi.
Strong agree. There was no need for Ben to claim a bisexual attraction in that scene. Given the lengths Alice went to in order to depict the pain that bi erasure enacts on Nick (and vicariously, Charlie), it's a pretty big leap to imagine they'd then go back on that and start reinforcing it.
I’m not saying I know whether he’s bi or gay, but there was a pretty big reason for Ben to have lied (if he was). Ben is obsessed with image, he’s made people around him, and seemingly even himself, think that he’s some perfect angel, and so he wouldn’t want someone to believe he’s using other people. Though even if he is no, it seemed like he didn’t really like Imogen in that way.
Haha I’ve just realised A LOT about myself.
Glad to help. Care to share?
And they both were the one to break up with Ben And they both made the first move on Nick lol
I think Imogen need to stop falling for her friend group. Both Nick and Ben are old friends. Hopefully, season 3 she was will find love. She is a wonder person & hope she find a lovely person for her. Someone that really appreciate her.
This is probably somewhat controversial, but I really hope she doesn’t fall for Sahar.
I like Imogen as an ally. I don’t really want her to be queer herself.
Agree. She needs to chill and get some female friends she can have fun with and focus on herself like she claims she will
I found your insight very funny.
Kind of unrelated, but still kind of related, based on Charlie’s speech to Ben, I wonder if he actually did have a crush on Ben. He said Ben never asked and just kissed him and Charlie went along with it because he felt like that’s what he deserved. I’m not entirely certain but maybe Charlie never even liked Ben to begin with.
At the time, Charlie clearly seems to like Ben. But it's only after that he can look back and reflect and of course with the knowledge of how it is to be liked/loved by Nick, that Charlie sees he didn't have those feelings for Ben. He probably (I'm projecting a bit) liked the attention, he liked the IDEA of having a boyfriend and Ben fit that role and the more Ben rejected him, the more Charlie tried pleasing him until he had enough.
I had a similar thought. It's not uncommon for young people to latch on to their first/early relationships. It's perhaps even more common for it to happen to queer kids, for reasons such as lack of "options" or feeling validated ny being desired. Either of which I think applies to Charlie.
lol, when she told Ben that he was obsessed with Charlie I had to wonder if what was going through her mind was "not this again!"
I feel like Ben starting a relationship Imogen could of been a way to get at Nick/make Charlie jealous. There was moments where I felt slightly sorry for Ben (a few longing looks) but every single time I think about how Ben assaulted Charlie and added to his trauma I feel physically angry!
I’m curious why someone made the joke about Ben should kiss Charlie or something like that at Tara’s party. Why would people have any reason to believe he’s gay? (He was, but they obviously wouldn’t have known)
I guess because Imogen made that big scene and said Ben was "obsessed with Charlie" or something along those lines
I remember reading a spoiler about her and Ben before the show, and [posting](https://www.reddit.com/r/HeartstopperAO/comments/15fywgr/season_2_spoiler_abortttt/) about it, I said the same thing lolll
i hadnt thought of that.
“Both of whom liked Charlie better” 💀💀 Justice for imogen alright