Heartbreak High Season 2 review: A binge-able banger that’s found its footing

The second season of Heartbreak High has made its return, once again following the beloved characters as they continue their journey through adolescence in Australia. Here’s our review.

A sophomore season of Heartbreak High, the popular Australian comedy-drama on Netflix, returns with more relatable coming-of-age and politically charged storylines.

As Season 1’s beloved cast returns to delve further into the exploration of sexuality, Amerie (Ayesha Madon) takes the lead while previous supporting characters take on a more prominent role in navigating the ups and downs of high school.

Season 2 of this Australian drama brings a fresh sense of mystery to unravel, along with new characters that add to its overall strong footing.

Heartbreak High Season 2 sees the return of old characters and the arrival of some fresh faces.

Iconic characters make a triumphant comeback

Picking up where the previous season ended, Season 2 delves into the enigma of “Bird Psycho” — a mysterious adversary with a mission to destroy Amerie and her reputation.

Fortunately, Amerie now has the backing of Harper (Asher Yasbineck) once again, as the show delves into their friendship and its growth now that they have reconciled.

Some other recognizable individuals in the group are Darren (played by James Majoos), who is reconnecting with Ca$h (played by Will McDonald), Quinni (portrayed by Chloe Hayden) who is determined to uncover the true identity of Bird Psycho, and Malakai (played by Thomas Weatherall) who is coming to understand and accept his sexuality.

This season, there is a shift in the roles of Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish) and Missy (Sherry-Lee Watson) as they become more prominent. The dynamic between the two also takes an interesting turn, with unexpected tension arising. Ant (Brodie Townsend) and Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran) make a comeback as well, with Ant providing comedic relief and Sasha continuing to be a source of frustration.

Rowan joins the cast in season 2 — Netflix

Rowan is one of the fresh faces this season, bringing plenty of drama and a new love triangle.

However, Season 2 offers more than just a repetition of the previous season as it introduces new characters to the cast. Among them are transfer student Rowan (Sam Rechner), PE teacher Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson), and sworn celibate Zoe (Kartanya Maynard). These three individuals bring significant conflicts to the season and ignite some fresh romances within the group.

The latest season of Heartbreak High showcases even more powerful performances, demonstrating the cast’s ease in portraying their characters. Both the writing and acting have been elevated, resulting in fewer instances of the first season’s tendency towards forced performances.

Despite the occasional awkward lines or preachy moments, the season as a whole is still enjoyable and easily forgivable.

The Art of Crafting Compelling Conflicts and Dynamic Character Development

During breaks between Bird Psycho’s assaults, season 2 of the show focuses on the ongoing political feud between Jojo’s (Chika Ikogwe) SLTs and Voss’ CUMLORDS. As a school election approaches, Amerie attempts to restore her reputation by standing as the SLTs’ candidate for school captain.

Despite the intense competition, Spider takes the lead and represents the CUMLORDS under Voss’ “pro-male”leadership. Meanwhile, Sasha prides herself on her ethical standards and often adopts a self-righteous attitude, causing her to alienate her intended audience.

Despite the obvious choices of Spider’s “toxic masculinity”and Voss’ extreme ideologies for criticism, Heartbreak High effectively addresses and highlights the real issues brought to the table by each political party. It takes a refreshing and nuanced approach that does not shy away from difficult conversations, allowing every individual to have a voice and be represented at the table.

Despite the main plotlines, each character is given the opportunity for personal growth as their individual struggles are explored. Heartbreak High is unafraid to address uncomfortable and intricate issues.

The portrayal of Harper’s journey in the aftermath of her assault was particularly impactful. Despite the potential for mishandling, the show tackled this sensitive topic with great sensitivity, effectively depicting the fear and suffocating feeling that many survivors experience while trying to navigate the legal system.

Despite the taxing process of pursuing justice, Harper’s ultimate decision to drop the case and focus on her own healing journey was an important message that highlights how many perpetrators often evade consequences.

Harper’s conversation with Ca$h is an important one, and Heartbreak High handled it with nuanced care.

One of the most notable moments in Harper’s conversation with Ca$h was when she emphasized that young viewers should take it to heart that they do not have to make those who have hurt them feel better for their own benefit. She stated, “I’ve never blamed you. But I’m not going to help you feel better about it. Because it was awful. It truly sucked.”

Heartbreak High Season 2: A Review

Despite its standout performances and captivating storylines, Heartbreak High season 2 still has its flaws, making it a binge-worthy show.

The climax of this season was undoubtedly its most prominent issue. The previous episodes had effectively captured the essence of Australian youth, with a touch of exaggeration, by incorporating a variety of relatable problems. However, the final showdown between high school teachers, which involved setting the school on fire, seemed a bit too unrealistic.

The reveal of Bird Psycho’s identity was a clever surprise, but the explanation may have been too far-fetched for some viewers to connect with. Ultimately, Heartbreak High shines when it delves into the ordinary lives of its characters – a vibrant and enjoyable portrayal of everyday life that isn’t afraid to tackle more serious themes. The more outlandish elements are better suited for a show like Riverdale.