As this episode of Heartbreak High begins, the guys of Hartley High are busy digging holes. Voss (Angus Sampson) urges them to put their backs in to it. He talks to them about pain. The hole is a judgment-free hole. Voss explains they’re going to bury their feelings. Amerie (Ayesha Madon) and her friends find out what’s going on. Woodsy (Rachel House) sits next to Cash (Will McDonald). She thinks it would be inappropriate for them to meet on school grounds even though the charges were dropped. Woodsy refuses to let him come back. Amerie tells Harper (Asher Yasbincek) and Missy (Sherry-Lee Watson) about how they’re going to try things without labels. She thinks something is up with Malakai but she isn’t sure what.

Rowan (Sam Rechner) and Malakai (Thomas Weatherall) talk about what they wrote down. Amerie believes she should ride out whatever this is until he realizes he wants to be with her. The boys get rid of their feelings. Amerie hugs Malakai when he comes over, but he seems standoffish and leaves in a hurry. Cash returns home to Darren (James Majoos) and they talk about busting him out. Darren apologizes for making Cash feel like they didn’t trust him. Cash doesn’t tell Darren where he actually went. Nan (Maggie Dence) learns Cash is going to have free time so she bursts in and gives him ideas. She suggests talking to the stuck-up principal about going back. Cash says she couldn’t pay him enough to go back there. They learn that Nan already has a live-in boyfriend. Darren has to run to avoid being late for school.

At the school, Zoe (Kartanya Maynard) tells everyone that Sasha’s party is ahead in the polls. Spider is in second and Amerie is last. Anything can change after today’s fundraising competition. Ant (Brodie Townsend) tries to help Harper and offers to be her reference. She gets a call from Harry’s. Harper gets a trial shift. Quinni (Chloe Hayden) tells Amerie that Ant is her top suspect. She believes it’s only a matter of time before they slip up since they have a handwriting sample. Quinni can start ruling people out after she collects a few more writing samples. Woodsy tells the candidates about the Sydney Inter-Outer East Women’s Association Pitch Day. The party that raises the most money usually goes on to win the election.

The women will listen to their campaign promises and give them money if their ideas sound promising. Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish) offers to drop out of the election if Sasha and Missy raise more money than he does. Missy may agree to something she’ll regret. Malakai apologizes to Rowan for not calling after what happened. He admits this is new to him although he’s not against it. Rowan suggests seeing where this goes. Malakai tells him it’s complicated with Amerie. Rowan doesn’t want to get caught in the middle of anything. Malakai is trying to figure everything out but he’s not there yet. Cash gets bored at home and almost cuts off his hair. He ends up getting high instead. Woodsy tells the candidates to act natural. Amerie speaks to a woman who says she wants the gossip.

Sasha is surprised Spider is doing so well. Missy decides to play dirty so she tells the woman what he said earlier. After hearing Amerie’s story, Anita tells her that Malakai might be gay. Amerie doesn’t want to believe it. Malakai struggles at lunch. Darren notices and checks on him. Malakai asks about the code of not outing someone if they’re gay. He admits he thinks he might like Rowan. Darren knew it. Malakai still cares about Amerie so he’s a bit trapped, confused, and frustrated. He doesn’t want to hurt her. Darren says you can’t hide who you are to protect other people. Darren urges Malakai not to pretend things haven’t changed. Later, Darren calls Cash to tell him about the drama at Hartley High. Spider strikes back at Missy who only makes things worse. Quinni manages to get Ant’s writing sample.

It’s not a match. Woodsy tells the candidates that they’re wrapping up. Anita urges Amerie to ask Malakai. She would back Amerie’s campaign but she’s broke. Spider talks about being a better man and holding other men accountable. Missy isn’t happy that it goes so well. Amerie asks Harper about the threesome. She admits she thinks Malakai might be gay. Amerie tries to speak to Malakai who gets away from her in a hurry. Harper goes to her trial shift at Harry’s. Cash freaks out when he hears Chook (Tom Wilson) outside his home. Cash hides. Chook warns him that he won’t be able to hide forever. Cash goes to Harry’s to wait around for Darren. Harper sees him there. Amerie and Quinni dig up the boy’s notes to see if the handwriting matches.

Amerie finds a note that says, “Forget Amerie.” She rips it up and tells Quinni they should go. Cash tries to speak to Harper after her shift. She tells him she didn’t drop the case for him. Cash says he still doesn’t see Chook. He apologizes for being a coward and admits he should’ve kicked the windows out or something. Harper has never blamed him, but she isn’t going to make him feel better about it either. Cash tells her that Woodsy told him he can’t come back to school. He’s going to look for a job. Harper tells him that Harry’s doesn’t pay great, but her dad didn’t leave her much. She wants to save enough to get her own place. Missy has a wet dream about getting with Spider. Woodsy gives Harper a driving lesson. Harper asks why she’s helping her. Woodsy insists she actually cares about the kids.

Harper asks about Cash. Woodsy doesn’t think it’s appropriate for them to discuss other students. Later, Quinni tells Harper, Amerie, and Darren that Bird Psycho is not a cumlord. Missy asks Jojo (Chika Ikogwe) about not liking what you’re feeling. She says it starts as a fantasy and becomes something that you want to do. All she can do is think about it until it’s something she never wants to think about again. Jojo reminds her she doesn’t have to act on it. She goes on to say it’s also important to explore why she feels ashamed. Enacting a fantasy can be healthy as long as it’s consensual and no one is getting hurt. Chook asks Cash if he is avoiding him. Cash says he’s just trying to stay out of trouble. Chook roughs him up and argues that Cash owes him.

Woodsy sprays him with the water hose and tells him to leave Cash alone. Chook spits on Cash before leaving. Woodsy asks Cash if they should go inside for a chat. Zoe reveals that Spider is poised to take the lead after doing so well during the fundraising event. Spider asks Missy when she’s going to deliver on the bet. Cash is allowed to come back to Hartley. Voss interrupts to ask who messed with the feelings garden. Spider blames the girls in SLTs while Ant complains there’s no trust left in the world. Spider finds a picture of Amerie reading one of the notes. They blame her although she claims it was Bird Psycho. Woodsy breaks it up and learns about the photo. Amerie tries to convince Malakai that she didn’t do it. She asks if he’s gay.

Malakai just wanted space to figure everything out. He declares that he’s bi. Malakai says he can’t do this anymore before leaving. Woodsy wants to speak to Amerie. When she catches up with the others, she tells them Woodsy has banned her from campaigning for two weeks. She also has to write handwritten apology letters to the cumlords. Quinni talks about how Malakai and Rowan behave together. She suspects there is mutual sexual desire. That seems to break Amerie. She wants to find Bird Psycho and punish them. Amerie yells that this is war. Malakai tells Rowan that his relationship with Amerie is over. They begin making out and getting naked.

 

Heartbreak High Review

This episode of Heartbreak High pushed some stories forward while intensifying the campaign for school captain. The series obviously isn’t for everyone because of the representation and how far that goes, but it is still worth giving a chance. The characters are so unique and compelling in their own ways. With so many interesting personalities, there is really something for everyone.

Although this is heavy on progressive issues, it is trying to balance it out with the inclusion of Voss and his ideas. They’ll probably turn that whole thing into a farce before all is said and done but it’s compelling at the moment. There are lots of shows like Heartbreak High, but it tends to be better than the rest thanks to the strong characters and relationships.

While the humor doesn’t always hit the target, it doesn’t matter because Heartbreak High is at its best when it comes to the raw emotions. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Heartbreak High can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our work at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this show with others at the Reel Mockery Forum.