THERE WILL BE SPOILERS, SO IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED SEASON 2, DO NOT READ!!!!

That being said, here we go.

Thoughts on HSMTMTS Season 2 (through episode 9)

Ricky: there is just so much to unpack with Ricky. At first, he just seemed super clingy to me, never really wanting to part from Nini. I can understand considering what they went though last season. But I realized that he is trying to keep things from changing. Everything is changing so fast for him and he cant keep up. He just needs to talk to a therapist or SOMEONE cause he keeps bottling it up and it's not good.

Like what he said to Ms Jenn, with the whole "mom" comment made me want to smack him. Yes he owned up and apologized, but it was so uncalled for. And he is letting his insecurities get the best of him, which I can completely understand cause he is a teenager trying to navigate a lot of changes. BUT HIS SONG AT THE END OF 2X09 WAS AMAZING. It truly showed his heartbreak, but he is beginning to work through it. And I love how is reconnecting with his mom.

Nini: I have a love/hate relationship with Nini. 1st, she shouldn't waited until the last minute to tell Ricky about YAC. 2nd, and this is more on the writers, the Yac storyline was literally 4 episodes. Only 2 were actually at the school. Like all the build up amd for what??? I do think that she is making smart decisions tho. She is doing what she loves for her future and that's all anyone can do.

Rini: I love them, but the clingyness and cringyness that has been this season just hurts. Its definitely relatable but at the same time gives high goals. That being said, I actually live the directing they are taking Rini in. They are showing a relationship growing with the characters. But the best part is that it's no where near perfect. As much as the Break Up scene *sob* hurt, it was very mature and a great decision. Both Ricky and Nini are changing as people and its reflected in their relationship. Both of them admitted they didnt like the people they were becoming. So it might hurt but it shows an actual relationship. When I was little and growing up, all the relationship would work out in the end, there might have been small conflicts, but nothing major. I think the biggest was decision like this was the Miley/Jake/Jesse drama, so it's nice to see the actual struggles and not have such unrealistically high expectations.

Rina: I was always iffy with this ship, like I can see the chemistry but still. But after this season so far, I'm sorry but Rina is a no for me. Gina doesn't quite know how to handle her feelings and Ricky is just being Ricky. We got the flashback to Gina admitting she has feelings for Ricky in an abstract way. I genuinely can't tell if Ricky understood her or if he didn't. Cause if he did, then he has been INTENTIONALLY leading her on. If not, he just thinks he is being nice and friendly. But the part where he asks Gina "hypothetically, if we were dating" I swear I almost reached through my screen to smack him. And yes, I can see where he is just being a good boyfriend and staying loyal to Nini, but that just crossed a line. Sorry, so Rina is not an option for me anymore. Gina deserves better and Ricky needs to just become less oblivious.

Gina: This girl just needs a hug, but also a small smack to reality. Like I didn't know if I wanted to shake her to reality or hug her some times. I can understand her reasons for certain things. She never had the chance to be in one place for a long time, so friends, feelings and relationships are new to her. When it gets too overwhelming, she wants to run. She wants to hide, but I think she is finally starting to see that she has a family and people that truly care for her.

EJ: MY MAN EJ HAS EVOLVED THIS SEASON AND I AM HERE FOR IT. I will admit, I was hesitant with EJ last semester but I'm loving the character development for him. First of all his entire Duke storyline? Loving it. He didn't get in, was sad, persevered through it, found a new passion, and when he dad pulled strings and got him in, he didn't want it cause he didn't earn it. EVOLUTION!!. Also, I recently just like completely fell in love with Matt so I've been paying closer attention to EJ, oops. (And can I just say both Matt AND Josh like, bulked up this season?? Like, tmi but I have a thing for arms and both of them are just oof). Second, his love for Ashlyn. Any time this season when she is feeling down or insecure, he is right there to see if shes ok. They are more like siblings than cousins and I take no criticism. And vise cersa, he knows he can gl to Ashlyn when he is in need. And that brings me to EJ and Gina, aka Portwell.

Portwell: I started with this ship, like many others, at the end of season 1 when we found out EJ bought Gina a plane ticket to come back. Like can I have a boy do that for me??? Please?? But seriously their chemsith this season is INCREDIBLE. At Carlos's Quinceaneró, EJ just wanted to know how she was and didn't even have the camera on yet. He was genuinely curious. And when they are joking and Gina snorts (which was so adorable omg) and EJ is just teasing her?? PLEASE THAT WAS SO CUTE!! And let's not forget to mention the end of 2x8 where EJ finally let's out all the doubts he has about himself and Gina tells him all the good he doesn't see. Like they just melted my heart. AND WHEN HE PUT THE DUKE SWEATSHIRT ON HER TO KEEP HER WARM??!!! THE LOOK ON HIS FACE WAS ONE OF OURE ADORATION!!! AND SHE WORE HIS DUKE SWEATSHIRT TO THE AIRPORT!!! And EJ just SHOWS UP AT THE AIRPORT!!! Gina's face when he did that was one of pure adoration I swear!

So I think it's safe to say I'm really shipping Portwell, oops. Although although times, I find it weird because Sofia is 17 and Matt is 22. (Its kinda like the Juke thing with Madi and Charlie, just separate the actors and character and as long as they aren't making anyone uncomfortable for a tv show, I'm cool)

Ashlyn: My girl has pipes and she is finally getting the appreciation she deserves this season. First off, YES GIRL FOR GETTING BELLE!! I'm so proud of her, especially with all the body image issues she is feeling I get that too, cause I am not a skinny girl. I carry all my weight in my stomach and thighs, so I get it. But she is always there for her friends, especially Gina and EJ. I also love how they are developing her relationships with other characters, not just Big Red (which I will get to in a moment). Ashlyn, to me, is one of the most relatable characters, cause she is a lot like me and I love seeing that.

Big Red: where do I even start with this man. My love for Big Red has TRIPLED this season. First off, he is adorably in love with Ashlyn, super supportive, and wanting what's best for her. The fact that he was worried he couldnt live up to her upcoming stardom was so sweet yet real. And him literally hyping up Kourtney and Howie dating made my DAY when I saw the episode. But seriously, his friendship with Ricky is the purest thing in this show. As soon as Ricky came to him at the end of 2x08, he was there with a hug and a shoulder for Ricky. It didn't matter that he was spending time with Ashlyn, and she didn't intrude in any way either.

Big Red/Ashlyn ship: (idk their ship name, if anyone knows, please tell me) they are so ridiculously adorkable I can't with them. Big Red getting jealous of the French Exchange student is hilarious but so relatable. It's also funny cause Larry and Andrew are such good friends in real life. One thing I was kinda mad at Ashlyn for though, was when she made Big Red the vision board. Yes it was sweet, but she was kinda imposing what SHE wanted him to do, not what HE wanted to do. However, she saw his reaction, thought about it, and immediately jumped into support mode. That is what a healthy relationship is. If someone is in the wrong/disregarding feelings (even without realizing it), they should think and figure things out. And that's exactly what they both did.

Kourtney: Kourt is my girl and I am loving her storyline this season. She is breaking out of her shell and becoming more confident in herself. Taking on the role of Mrs. Potts, working at the pizza shop. Her friendship with Nini is just growing and her relationships with the other characters is amazing. Her, Ashlyn, and Gina are a POWER GROUP AND NO ONE CAN SAY OTHERWISE. And how she deals with Howie. They were so cute, flirting and all. And how Kourt kept denying it. Idk how I feel on how she handled the situation with him being Beast for North High though. I completely understand that she was betrayed amd heartbroken, but Howie had a point. If he had told her who she was, she more than likely wouldn't have given him the time of day.

Howie: I'm gonna say this now and no one is allowed to come for me. I LOVE HOWIE WITH MY ENTIRE HEART, I DON'T CARE IF HE IS NORTH HIGH'S BEAST! He is adorkable when it comes to pretty much anything (hello he confesses his feelings to Kourt using a Harrt Potter metaphor) and he truly cares for her. He didn't say anything cause he wanted her to get to know him as him, not as the competition. I agree that he should have told her, instead of her finding out the way she did though. His voice, however, is ANGELIC. OH MY GOD DID ROMAN COME FROM HEAVEN???!!!

Carlos: my love for Carlos has only grown this season. First off, he is just straight SAVAGE taking nothing from nobody. ("I'm sorry is your phone HUNGRY" gets me every time). He truly wants to do well and being on stage scares him. We sae that a little last season when he had to quickly go on as Chad. But him admitting it to Gina made me want to hug him. And the entire Quinceaneró episode was so beautifully dedicated to Carlos and I loved it so much. Not to mention that he chose Ms Jenn as his god mother (MY HEART!)

Seb: he is, in the words of my friend, a sweet baby angel that we don't deserve. Seb is so pure and adorably clueless half the time. Although I have to say, I'm kinda mad at everyone for basically taking their frustrations out on him. (Ms Jenn and Carlos both calling him Sebatian in times of annoyance). Liek yes it can be funny but at some point it gets mean. But his undying faith and love for his friends is too sweet. The entire scene with Kourt and the message he sent saying that he is her family now had me tearing up. AND HIS VOICE!!!!

Seblos: Seblos is one of my favorite ships amd they are just so cute together (although it looks like we are headed towards one drama if 2x09 and the 2x10 promo were any indication). Seb setting up the Quinceaneró for Carlos was so so sweet. And his rendition of The Climb BLEW ME AWAY. JOE SERAFINI HAS AN AMAZING VOICE AND IS HIGHLY UNDERRATED. And their kiss was MONUMENTAL. it was short, sweet, and simple nothing made a big deal because they are together. Simple as that. But, if I'm correct, this was the first openly gay couple to kiss on screen on a Disney show. That is HUGE! (If I am wrong please correct me).

Ms Jenn: what on earth can I say about Ms Jenn that will do her justice. NOTHING! This woman is someone I aspire to be. She cares so much for her students, as if they were her own kids. Yes, she cares about the show and winning the Menkies, but her top priority are the kids. Her talk with Nini was such a touching moment. And even if Ricky snapped at her, she heard him out when he came to apologize and gave him the best advice she could. She literally told him she wouldn't continue to see his dad because it made HIM feel uncomfortable. The amount of care she has for the kids is above and beyond that she will put her own feelings and love life on hold because ONE student does not feel safe anymore. Also, can I just say she ROCKS that hair style???

Her love triangle/square: now her love triagle/square thing it just super entertaining. I love the backstory with her and Zach, it think it's super interesting and I love how we keep unpacking it. Please her dance with Zach, INCREDIBLE. (I mean come on its Derek Hough). I personally LOVE her and Mike, I think they are really sweet together, but I can see where it could potentially become a problem, especially with Ricky involved, as we saw in 2x06. But her and Benjamin Mazzara have an adorable chemistry. It's been made pretty clear that he has feelings for her. But idk if she reciprocates those feelings, or if she just sees him as a friend. Either way, I am here for some Ms Jenn romance cause she fully deserves it.

Lily: THIS BITCH HAD BETTER WATCH OUT CAUSE I AM COMING FOR HER! Seriouslt I have hated her since the minute she was introduced and it's only gotten worse from there. While I was binging to catch up, I was watching with a friend so she could get my reactions in real time. And ANY time Lily was on screen, our only words were that full of hate towards this girl. First, she insults everyone by saying she and Gina are the only true contenders for Belle. Then she LAUGHS at Big Red when he falls (side note: Ricky helling him back up and hyping him up with one of the sweetest things all season). Then she becomes petty and switched schools, like how is that even allowed??? And then she has the nerve to insult, not only Ms Jenn, but Ashlyn to her face. And she instills more doubt into Ricky, which he was already feeling, about Nini. (Althougg looking back on it, that probably was a semi good thing cause it made them talk things out and realize things they needed to). BUT STILL I WANT TO K-WORD THIS BITCH EVERY TIME I SEE HER!!

Ok so these are my overall thoughts for season 2, through episode 9. There are probably a million more things that I am forgetting to mention but oh well. Let me know your thoughts and reactions as well.

Also this is officially 2615 words, my bad.