Wanted to come here and say I 1000% agree with your deep dive into this. They absolutely have a beautiful give and take between them, a “loving dance of continual reactions” as you so beautifully described it. My initial post was more referring to Wille’s confidence with Simon sort of subverting expectations just because he was still figuring things out about himself and what he likes. Simon already knew and was comfortable with the fact that he likes boys. We see Wille (Prince Back-and-Forth - perfect description of Simon’s perception at that point) internally struggle to come to terms with his feelings for awhile. Regardless of that, he feels comfortable with Simon, so comfortable that he becomes completely unafraid to caress him, kiss him, move his body on top of Simon’s. I can definitely agree that there are many times this is in response to Simon versus Wille just doing it out of the blue.
I can’t help but think of the Love, Victor dynamic, where Benji sort of has to “hold Victor’s hand” through everything “new” he is experiencing. Because Benji has been out forever the same way Simon has (although I would venture to say that Benji was significantly more sexually experienced than Simon). Or Darcy and Tara in Heartstopper; same kind of thing. Any time there is a dynamic of one person is out and the other person is still learning who they are, there is always a lot of the former sort of guiding the latter through everything. But not here. Wille struggles at first but it’s like, once he’s come to terms with liking Simon as more than a friend, it’s almost intuitive to him. The wanting to kiss Simon and be physically and intimately close to him and he doesn’t hold back even a little. And I think that’s so beautiful, to see how he’s so confident to really show Simon how he feels about him without questioning or hesitation.
Thank you, truly, for sharing your take on this. There were definitely some things you mentioned that made me think deeper about certain specific interactions (like the reason Simon asks Wille if he remembers what he said last night being because he felt Wille was aroused and was trying to figure out if he actually liked him or just wanted a hook up 🤯 - never thought of it like that but it absolutely makes perfect sense). My intention was never to look at them through the lens of heteronormativity or to place cishet expectations on the way they express love toward one another, it was just to appreciate Wille fully embracing his feelings for Simon (romantic and sexual) and never holding back or expecting Simon to always lead things when they are together.
Simon is out and proud; he and everyone else is well aware that he’s gay. He (and they) have probably known for awhile now. Wille on the other hand is still figuring things out. This is all so new to him. He’s not even out to anyone but Simon. I find such a beautiful juxtaposition between those facts and the way they are together.
We see Wille frequently take the lead. He’s the initiator the morning after Simon rescues him. We see him taking on the more active role, clearly perfectly happy to please Simon, to worship his body, to explore. Simon’s pleasure is Wille’s pleasure. He initiates the encounter in Simon’s room as well and their body language paints Wille as the one who is more forward, the one who is setting the mood and the pace.
Given what we know, it would make sense that Simon would be the more physically confident of the two. But it’s like, once Wille gets a taste of Simon, he can’t get enough. He just needs to touch him and stroke his hair and kiss him and taste him and hold him and love him. Like he’s been dying of thirst and Simon is the only thing that can quench it.
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simon's s2 wardrobe, an analysis:
episode 1 & 2 - episode 3 & 4 - episode 5 & 6
here, we find simon wearing his beloved purple hoodie. if i'm not mistaken, this is the first of two times he's wears this item in season 2. now, let's check in with where simon's head is at this point:
wilhelm is no longer an option. he betrayed simon and doesn't seem to fully understand the consequences he suffered due to the s*x tape and wilhelm's subsequent denial. despite this, simon is struggling to move on. (see: plaid shirt)
enter marcus. he is kind, lovely and unafraid to express his interest in simon - i.e. the perfect guy. this strengthens simon's resolve to move on with someone new. (see: orange hoodie)
unfortunately, all of simon's attempts to move on fall short as simon is still pining over wilhelm. (see: the purple shirt he wears underneath his clothing during his dates with marcus + the orange top that looks very similar to wilhelm's sweater)
simon doesn't understand why he can't fall for marcus. in fact, he seems annoyed that marcus likes him so much. but the truth is highlighted right there in his clothing: simon still loves wilhelm. any and every attempt to smother his feelings will always lose out.
it's the next day and simon's back in his 'second-date-with-marcus' fit. and what does that mean kids?
simon still loves wilhelm but is trying to move on with a shabby reflection of him.
that's right.
it's in this fit that wilhelm decides to confront simon about marcus. it definitely catches him off-guard as wilhelm's question forces simon to acknowledge two things: (1) what marcus is to simon and (2) how simon feels about that.
(1) what marcus is to simon. at this point, simon didn't have to define what he and marcus have. sure, to his friends, marcus is just a rebound. sara and linda probably assume that marcus is his boyfriend. but simon didn't need - or want - to define what marcus is to himself. you could argue that simon knows perfectly well that marcus is a rebound but, as we see in the soccer field, simon is actively trying to fall for him.
so what is marcus to simon? as an audience, we already know: simon still loves wilhelm but is trying to move on with a shabby reflection of him. simon either doesn't know or doesn't want to recognise this. but he's gives an answer regardless.
"we're hanging out."
not a strict definition per say, but definitely categorises the relationship as something more than platonic. but why so vague? well, we have to consider:
(2) how simon feels. he still loves wilhelm and doesn't want to hurt him. just look at the scene below.
you can't tell me that this isn't a boy trying his hardest not to hurt someone he loves. but simon doesn't have to keep the relationship vague for wilhelm's sake. he's not entitled to any comfort whatsoever. yet simon does it anyway cause he doesn't want to fully close the door on him and wilhelm. we see it in his clothes - he's still wearing that damn purple shirt, while he's with marcus no less.
simon wants space, he wants to move on - but he still tenderly cares for the fragile string that tethers them together. only, now, he feels wilhelm slipping away from him and it's the first time we see him panic at that prospect.
then we get the bus scene where simon's clearly torn over the situation. he's starting to realise or, at least, acknowledge that his plan to get over wilhelm isn't working. and not only is it not working, it's not what simon wants.
he's still wearing the purple shirt but gone is the orange top - it's been replaced with a green one. and while it seems to be in some plaid print, it mimics camo from afar. i propose that simon's still trying to camouflage his feelings for wilhelm but has decided he won't involve marcus in the equation anymore.
simon goes back to his 'second-date-with-marcus' fit to break up with said-marcus but, this time, he's wearing his jacket. same points from before still stand:
jacket as armour to protect his resolve to move on.
purple shirt worn underneath representing his feelings for wilhelm. (not seen here but 99% sure he's wearing it)
orange top because, unfortunately, marcus rejects simon's attempt to breakup with him (...what?) which forces simon to remain on the same rebound course.
fast forward to episode 4 and simon finds out that wilhelm's kissed felice. ouch.
back to yellow again, are we? yup. it's not as strong as the original orange garb but definitely indicative of simon's desire to move on. it seems as though he's hit some sort of middle ground, knowing that rebounding isn't the answer but still searching for a way to lessen his feelings.
probably doesn't help knowing the love of your life's kissed someone else though, huh?
interesting to see there's no purple whatsoever this time. though, i don't think it signifies simon's lessening feelings. other than the over-shirt, his entire outfit is in black and white. so it's probably safe to assume simon's feeling devoid of any emotion. poor baby.
only adding this scene cause (1) jealous!simon supremacy and (2) @grizviser pointed out how simon's green sports tag could signify the little green-eyed monster sitting on simon's shoulder. what a splendid little detail!
anyway, after we get a taste of jealous!simon, things get a little angsty. wilhelm and simon find themselves alone in the changing room and the latter seizes the opportunity to bring up the felice kiss.
and, yes, simon isn't wearing anything in this scene but just hear me out. at this point, he's found out the boy he loves is going around kissing other people. simon's shtick with marcus isn't working out yet wilhelm seems to have no problem scouring for his own rebound.
as a result, simon's emotions are a mess - he's frustrated, angry, sad, jealous, snarky, petty and, most of all, still in love with wilhelm. he's feeling all these emotions at once and it's making him act out. we know most people do out-of-character things when faced with emotionally challenging situations but i believe simon's actions are especially indicative of this in episode 4.
cause what do we know about simon? that he's emotionally guarded. he doesn't like to show his hand and he doesn't like putting himself in a vulnerable position. the whole point of marcus was to prove that he doesn't need wilhelm and that he's perfectly ok with moving on yet his actions post-felice expose the exact opposite - he's definitely still in love with wilhelm and is still emotionally affected by him.
unwittingly, simon's shown his hand and put himself in a vulnerable position. and what better way to portray that than stripping him of his wardrobe?
+ bonus! simon being able to argue with wilhelm in a naked state aka simon being ok with emotional vulnerability when it involves wilhelm vs. simon covering up as soon as possible with marcus while discussing his fishes' (lack of) a name aka simon being being unwilling to grant marcus 100% of his heart or bare himself emotionally.
simon's last fit in episode 4 is his hillerska uniform. i don't really discuss its symbolism in my episodes 1-2 wardrobe analysis cause it doesn't feel substantial on its own. i felt it was better to analyse every instance in which he wears it altogether. and, yes, i'll also be briefly discussing its symbolism in episode 6. (read my episodes 5-6 wardrobe analysis here)
i believe the uniform illustrates two things throughout season 2: (1) wilhelm and simon's understanding of their relationship and (2) the class difference between wilhelm + simon.
(1) wilhelm and simon's understanding of their relationship
while simon is wearing his hillerska uniform, wilhelm doesn't know where he stands with him.
episode 1: wilhelm doesn't know that simon is still hurting - to the point of establishing a boundary between them.
episode 4: wilhelm doesn't know that simon is still in love with him and is gearing himself up to let him go.
episode 6: wilhelm doesn't know how simon's feeling about the august / sara situation and how it will affect their relationship.
the uniform is neutral ground. to wilhelm, simon could go either way.
but, surprisingly, simon is pretty decisive when he's wearing his hillerska uniform.
episode 1: simon decides to establish a boundary with wilhelm and go on that date with marcus.
episode 4: simon decides to bring marcus to the ball to make wilhelm jealous.
episode 6: simon decides against reporting august and chooses to pursue a relationship with wilhelm.
in the same way wilhelm held the reins in their relationship during season 1, simon holds the reins in season 2. when he's wearing the uniform he's at peak decisiveness. he's set his mind to one outcome for their relationship and can hardly be swayed from it.
(2) the class difference between wilhelm + simon
one key difference in each episode is the context in which the uniform is worn. in episodes 1 and 6, simon is wearing the uniform along with his classmates. as far as an outside observer is concerned, simon is one of them. they're all on equal ground. (debatable)
but how about episode 4? simon is one of the few people with his uniform on, everyone else is wearing their costumes. not only does this highlight class differences within the school, it especially highlights how alienated wilhelm and simon are from each other.
wilhelm is on the cusp of giving up on simon and simon's unknowingly pushing wilhelm away with his actions. both parties are misinterpreting the other - wilhelm genuinely believes simon is in love with someone else while simon believes wilhelm will come back to him the same way he did before.
the stark juxtaposition between simon's uniform and wilhelm's princely garb emphasise the difference in their social standings and perspectives on their relationship, whether it be their own or from the outside world. and YET simon pushes through it all.
remember what i said about simon being decisive in his school uniform? what does simon do when he feels wilhelm slipping from his fingers?
within a few minutes, simon does what he's struggled to do throughout the whole of season 2 - align his mind and heart and go for the one thing he wants: wilhelm himself.
thus, we are blessed with one of the best wilmon kisses.
episode 1 & 2 - episode 3 & 4 - episode 5 & 6
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