whenever i remember that phil's ex boyfriend cheated on him it fills me with RAGE
imagine PHIL LESTER is in love with you
and then you cheat like ... WHAT
cheating on someone is never ok but also, what exactly are you looking for? someone better? YOU ALREADY HAD THE TOP TIER MAN SEBASTIAN YOU HAD HIMM ‼️ D:
No hate to the author of this article, but I think they’re wrong. I think Ben, despite his status as a horrible person, is an important character.
Yes, he does traumatize Charlie. Yes, he is a nuisance to the other protagonists. However, Ben is a realistic and common archetype of queer person that the audience members either will encounter or have encountered in their lives, and Charlie telling him off sets a good example for young queer people who have been in or will be in similar situations. Ben exists so Charlie can teach us what type of person to avoid, and how to set boundaries. Ben exists so Nick can show us how to show up for other people and how to be brave.
If that isn’t enough of an argument for the importance of Ben’s role, then consider this: there are people right now who are coming to terms with their queerness in toxic environments and are full of rage which they are ready to misplace, but watching Ben make his terrible mistakes may be the wake up call they need to avoid making their own. Seeing the harm that Ben does may be enough for them to realize “oh shit - I don’t want to be that guy” and walk away from the Charlies they were about to hurt and do some inner work.
I’m glad that the season includes Ben, because Ben is a hell of a lesson on what not to do.
A moment of appreciation for Sebastian Croft, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, and Jack Barton for playing their parts so well and making me which I could punch a character through the screen. Much love to them, they're incredible