#the queer self-discovery-journey of ashlyn is so amazing

[raggedynimrod]

jumping in here just to say that hsmtmts is my current obsession and i love every single thing about it

[witchybibliophile]

HEYYYY HSMTMTS PEEPS LMK THOUGHTS ABT S3 FINALE 🤯 alsoo spoiler alert for this entire post - AND pls feel free to dm abt this

cause honestly I’m so disappointed with it aaaaaaahhhh the way they focused more on grand musical numbers than the individual character arcs hurt me for realll. Except for Kourtney’s, Emmy’s, Corbin’s and Nini’s arcs which were honestly pretty near immaculate and I’m so here for them ❤️

But yeah especially Ashlyn, EJ, Gina and Ricky deserved better 🥹

EJ first - Soo EJ’s coming to terms scene with his dad hanging up on him seemed like a small thing to sway him and I’d have loved to see more an aha moment for him after that, like a solo song for instance? Overall I do like the idea of his arc being focused on finally fully letting go of the pressure from his dad and living life authentically for himself, but it wasn’t handled in the best way and I sincerely hope they give us more on this next season.

Gina - I guess this goes quite well after EJ lol, anyways I’m a kinda sad that EJ couldn’t go on his self-discovery journey TOGETHER with Gina and that they’d be that supportive couple more that got through hardships together. There was potential that they’d reconcile this episode for instance after EJ’s dad hung up on him. He could’ve got this epiphany that damn he will fight for who he loves and tell Gina he’s ready to commit to their relationship.

Okay sorry that EJ got into Gina’s arc but honestly I just think this was a missed opportunity with them. Overall Gina was amazing this season standing up for herself as well as being so supportive of EJ in their relationship. The basketball confidence song and playing the leading lady role while also remaining so true and supportive of her friends (esp “sister” Kourtney) were definitely highlights of her arc for me this season.

The moments with Ricky could be interpreted as loaded with romantic tension and him admitting he had feelings for her earlier on kinda foreshadowed where they’d end up. I do like the idea of these two as a couple but honestly giving Gina A MONTH to admit her feelings for him just feels a bit dragged out and inauthentic. Them getting gradually closer and closer as friends only to finally admit their feelings for eachother is what I think I was missing here and what made that final kiss feel a bit hollow to me.

Ricky - I’m happy Ricky decided to dump Lily immediately starting the season and seeing him head back to his true friends did feel right. I love how he supports Jet with his relationship issues with his sister so much ❤️ that was probably one of my fave things abt him this season.

The way he’s always a reliable friend to Gina (I guess conversely to EJ who’s so busy with the whole director thing) is also sweet and I guess this does give the vibes of friends getting closer to lovers as they already established a close friendship bordering on romance back in S1. But it just feels a bit off as Gina is now with EJ, and giving us thoughts of Ricky and Gina’s romance throughout the show makes me think that they really didn’t give Portwell much of a chance 🥲 I guess this reflection paragraph actually made me feel more okay with the end’s confession and kiss, but then the 1 month time skip feels a bit unnecessary as Ricky and Gina have already come so far together.

Ashlyn - Her queer awakening in ep7 was EVERYTHING and I just felt so sorry for her that she ended up hiding that part from Big Red in this episode. Idk what to feel about them now, because there were scenes showing them seemingly happy together like nothing had changed and then scenes where Ashlyn was clearly uncomfortable. I do hope that she gets the queer storyline she deserves and that it really gets some focus on it next season. The whole Big Red being bi bomb at the end also felt like it stole a bit of her moment, by throwing yet another change at her. Honestly I don’t think she needs a serious romantic relationship right now, she should be free to explore her queerness on her own.