Love, Victor
"One last chance to feel the love."
Overview
"Love, Victor" follows Victor Salazar, a new student at Creekwood High School, the same school from the film "Love, Simon." As Victor navigates the challenges of a new city, making friends, and dealing with family drama, he finds himself on a profound and often confusing journey of self-discovery regarding his sexual orientation. Over three seasons, the series explores Victor's struggles with accepting his identity, the process of coming out to his conservative, religious, Latinx family, and the complexities of his first relationships.
The narrative expands beyond Victor to chronicle the lives and romantic entanglements of his close-knit group of friends, including his best friend Felix, his first girlfriend Mia, and his eventual boyfriend Benji. Each character grapples with their own set of personal challenges, from mental health and family issues to exploring their own identities and dreams. The series as a whole is a coming-of-age story that balances the angst of teenage life with humor and heart, highlighting the idea that every person's journey to self-acceptance is unique and valid.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "Love, Victor" is an exploration of the idea that self-discovery is a personal and non-linear journey, unique to each individual. While its predecessor, "Love, Simon," presented a more idealized coming-out experience, "Love, Victor" deliberately contrasts this by showcasing a more complex path, fraught with cultural and familial hurdles. The series posits that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the act of embracing the scary and uncertain parts of life, whether that's admitting who you are or who you love. Ultimately, the show champions the message that finding oneself requires introspection, making mistakes, and learning that there is no single "right" way to be you, particularly within the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and cultural heritage.
Thematic DNA
Identity and Self-Discovery
This is the central theme of the series. Victor's entire arc across three seasons is a journey of understanding and accepting his sexual orientation. Initially, he reaches out to Simon for a roadmap, only to realize his path—shaped by his Latinx family, religious background, and personal anxieties—is vastly different. The theme evolves from Victor's internal struggle in Season 1 to navigating the external challenges of being an openly gay teen in Season 2, and finally to a deeper exploration of what he wants for his future and who he is beyond his sexuality in Season 3. Other characters also explore their identities, such as Lake discovering her bisexuality and Mia figuring out her place within her complicated family structure.
Family and Acceptance
The series provides a nuanced look at familial acceptance. Unlike Simon's easily accepting parents, Victor's parents, Isabel and Armando, struggle significantly with his coming out due to their religious and cultural background. Season 2 heavily focuses on Isabel's difficult journey from rejection to eventual, fierce acceptance, culminating in her confronting her priest. Armando's journey is quicker, driven by his desire to support his son, leading him to join a PFLAG group. The show illustrates that acceptance can be a process, requiring education, unlearning biases, and prioritizing love over ingrained beliefs. It also explores found family through Victor's supportive friends.
First Love and Relationships
"Love, Victor" deeply explores the messy, exhilarating, and often painful nature of first love. Victor's relationships—first with Mia, then the central will-they-won't-they romance with Benji, and his brief connections with Rahim and Nick—are milestones in his self-discovery. The series portrays how relationships are complicated by external factors like family approval, personal insecurities (Benji's alcoholism), and the simple fact of being teenagers figuring things out. The central love triangle between Victor, Benji, and Rahim in Seasons 2 and 3 highlights the difficulty of navigating feelings for multiple people and making choices that define one's path.
Intersectionality
The show is notable for its exploration of intersecting identities. Victor's experience is not just that of a gay teen, but a gay, half-Puerto Rican, half-Colombian-American teen from a working-class, Catholic family. This intersectionality shapes his entire journey, creating specific conflicts and fears that Simon did not face. The introduction of Rahim, a gay teen from an Iranian Muslim family, further broadens this theme, allowing for conversations about how different cultural and religious backgrounds impact the coming-out experience and the privilege inherent in Victor's own journey.
Character Analysis
Victor Salazar
Michael Cimino
Motivation
Initially, Victor's primary motivation is to fit in and avoid conflict, especially with his family. He craves a simple, uncomplicated life and fears that being gay will disrupt everything. As the series progresses, his motivation shifts towards a desire for authenticity and happiness. He wants to live truthfully and love openly, even if it's difficult. By the end, his motivation is to build a future based on who he truly is, not who he thinks he should be.
Character Arc
Victor begins Season 1 as a confused and fearful teenager, struggling to reconcile his burgeoning feelings for men with the expectations of his family and his desire for a "normal" life. He dates Mia as an attempt to suppress his true self. His arc in Season 1 is about internal acceptance, culminating in him coming out to his parents. Season 2 shifts to the external challenges: navigating his parents' mixed reactions, his first real relationship with Benji, and finding his place as an openly gay person at school. By Season 3, Victor's journey becomes more about self-actualization. He explores different relationships and learns to be comfortable with himself, independent of a partner. His final choice to reunite with Benji comes from a place of maturity and self-awareness, having learned that he is brave enough to handle life's complexities.
Benji Campbell
George Sear
Motivation
Benji's motivation is to find stability and genuine connection. Having navigated a difficult coming-out and a struggle with addiction, he longs for a relationship where he feels seen and supported. A major driver throughout the series is his love for Victor, but his arc forces him to find a new motivation: his own sobriety and mental health. He learns that he cannot be a good partner until he takes care of himself first.
Character Arc
Benji is introduced as a confident, openly gay musician who seems to have it all figured out. However, his arc reveals significant struggles, particularly with alcoholism stemming from the pressure he felt before coming out. His relationship with Victor is a source of both immense happiness and significant stress, which triggers his relapse. Season 3 is pivotal for Benji, as he enters rehab and focuses on his sobriety. His journey becomes about learning to prioritize his own well-being and establishing healthier boundaries, even if it means being apart from Victor. His decision to get back together with Victor in the finale is made from a place of greater strength and self-knowledge.
Mia Brooks
Rachel Hilson
Motivation
Mia is motivated by a deep-seated desire for a stable, loving family. Having grown up with an absent mother and a frequently traveling father, she seeks connection and emotional security. This initially draws her to Victor. After their breakup, her motivation evolves into a quest for self-reliance and understanding her own worth, learning to build the supportive family unit she craves through her friendships and her relationship with her father and Andrew.
Character Arc
Mia starts as Victor's popular, kind-hearted girlfriend, seemingly living a perfect life. Her arc begins when she is heartbroken by Victor's coming out, which forces her to confront her own identity outside of her relationship. Throughout the series, she becomes increasingly independent, dealing with her largely absent father, meeting her estranged mother, and navigating a new relationship with Andrew. By Season 3, Mia's journey is about defining family on her own terms and making brave choices for her own future, culminating in her decision to move to California to be with her father and new step-family, while committing to a long-distance relationship with Andrew.
Felix Weston
Anthony Turpel
Motivation
Felix's core motivation is to find stability and belonging. He craves the loving family environment he lacks at home and finds it with Victor's family and his friends. He is driven by loyalty and a desire to help and protect the people he loves, sometimes to his own detriment. His journey is about learning to also advocate for his own happiness and navigate relationships where he is seen as an equal partner.
Character Arc
Felix begins as the quirky, unpopular neighbor who becomes Victor's first and most loyal friend. His defining characteristic is his unwavering support for Victor, being the first person Victor comes out to. His own arc deepens significantly with the revelation that he is the sole caretaker for his mother, who suffers from depression and hoarding. His relationships with Lake and later Pilar challenge him to balance his own needs with his deep-seated desire to please others and be part of a family, a void left by his own unstable home life. The finale sees him reconciling with Pilar's family, reinforcing his place as an integral part of the Salazars' lives.
Symbols & Motifs
The Ferris Wheel
The Ferris wheel symbolizes pivotal, defining romantic moments and the concept of taking a leap of faith in love. It is a direct visual and thematic link to "Love, Simon," representing a safe space for public declarations of love within the Simonverse.
In Season 1, the Winter Carnival Ferris wheel is where Victor, struggling with his feelings for Benji, instead asks Mia to ride with him, marking a significant step away from his truth. In the series finale, the Ferris wheel reappears as the setting for Victor and Benji's reunion. Victor initially boards it alone, signifying his acceptance of himself, before Benji joins him, bringing their story full circle and giving them the iconic romantic moment they were denied in the beginning.
Simon's Jean Jacket
Simon's jean jacket represents a mantle of courage, acceptance, and belonging within the LGBTQ+ community. It's a tangible piece of advice and support passed from one generation to the next.
During Victor's trip to New York in Season 1, Episode 8 ("Boys' Trip"), Simon gives Victor his iconic denim jacket from the movie. This act serves as a physical affirmation for Victor, a reminder that he is not alone and is part of a larger community. He wears it during key moments, drawing strength from what it symbolizes.
Brasstown Coffee Company
The coffee shop where Victor and Benji work symbolizes a neutral ground and a starting point. It's the space where their relationship first begins to blossom, outside the pressures of school and family. It represents the potential for a new beginning and the everyday setting where life-changing connections are made.
Throughout the series, Brasstown is the primary location where Victor and Benji's bond develops. Their initial interactions, shared moments of vulnerability, and early flirtations all happen over the espresso machine. It's where Victor first sees an openly gay person living a normal life, which is crucial for his own journey.
Memorable Quotes
I'm gay.
— Victor Salazar
Context:
Said in the final moments of the Season 1 finale, "Spring Fling." After a season of confusion and dating Mia, Victor finally kisses Benji. He returns home to find his parents have just announced they are separating. Overwhelmed but tired of secrets, he interrupts them to finally say the words out loud.
Meaning:
This simple declaration is the culmination of the entire first season. It represents Victor's first step in embracing his true identity and setting the stage for all the conflict and growth to come. It's a moment of immense bravery and vulnerability, spoken directly to the people whose acceptance he craves and fears losing most.
And no matter what you or the church say, I know in my heart that God loves my son. My beautiful, perfect, gay son.
— Isabel Salazar
Context:
From Season 2, Episode 7, "Table For Four." After Victor's church makes him feel unwelcome, Isabel confronts the priest, Father Lawrence. When he offers platitudes instead of acceptance, she delivers this speech and quits her role as music director, fully defending Victor.
Meaning:
This quote marks the powerful climax of Isabel's character arc. After struggling immensely with Victor's sexuality due to her deep religious faith, she fully chooses her son over the doctrine she was raised with. It is a profound statement of unconditional love and acceptance, demonstrating her complete transformation.
The scariest things are the most important things. Like admitting who you are, or who you love.
— Victor Salazar
Context:
From the series finale, Season 3, Episode 8, "Brave." Victor gives an acceptance speech for a "bravery" award at school. He redefines bravery not as fearlessness, but as the willingness to do what scares you because it's important. His speech inspires his friends to make their own brave decisions.
Meaning:
This line encapsulates the series' central message about bravery. Victor, having lived through the fear of coming out and navigating his relationships, articulates the core philosophy he has learned. It signifies his growth from a scared kid into a young man who understands that true courage lies in confronting fear for the sake of authenticity and love.
I just wish that you doing the most important thing you've ever done didn't make me feel like sh*t.
— Mia Brooks
Context:
From Season 2, Episode 1, "Perfect Summer Bubble." After avoiding Victor all summer, Mia finally confronts him about their breakup. She expresses her support for him coming out but doesn't hide the deep pain it caused her, acknowledging the complicated and conflicting emotions of the situation.
Meaning:
This quote gives a voice to the often-overlooked pain of the 'first love' who gets left behind in a coming-out story. Mia validates Victor's journey while also honestly expressing her own hurt. It's a raw, complex, and mature moment that highlights the collateral emotional damage that can occur, even when someone is doing something necessary for their own well-being.
Episode Highlights
Welcome to Creekwood
The pilot episode establishes Victor's world: his move to a new town, his loving but tense family dynamic, and his immediate connection with both the charming Mia and the intriguing, openly gay Benji. It skillfully sets up the central conflict of Victor's journey of self-discovery and introduces the framing device of his messages to Simon.
This episode lays the entire foundation for the series. It introduces all the main characters and their initial relationships, establishes the central theme of Victor's struggle with his identity, and connects the show to the wider "Love, Simon" universe, setting the stakes for Victor's journey.
Boys' Trip
Victor travels to New York City to meet Simon, hoping to find clarity. Though Simon is away, Victor spends the day with Simon's boyfriend Bram and their diverse group of LGBTQ+ friends. He experiences a gay bar for the first time, plays basketball in a gay league, and finally meets Simon in person, who gives him his iconic jacket.
This is a pivotal wish-fulfillment episode where Victor realizes he is part of a large, vibrant community. It's the first time he's truly immersed in an LGBTQ+ space, which both intimidates and liberates him. The episode is crucial for his self-acceptance, showing him the possibilities of a future where he can belong.
Close Your Eyes
At Mia's father's wedding, multiple relationships reach a breaking point. Victor and Benji break up after a fight, and Rahim confesses his feelings for Victor and kisses him. Felix, torn between Lake and Pilar, seeks Victor's advice. The episode ends with a cliffhanger as Victor, having made a decision, runs to a door and knocks, leaving the audience to wonder if he chose Benji or Rahim.
This finale propels the series into its central love triangle, setting up the main conflict for the final season. It represents a major turning point for multiple characters, forcing them to make definitive choices about their romantic futures and leaving the audience in suspense.
Brave
In the series finale, Victor gives a moving speech about bravery at a school awards ceremony, inspiring his friends to make bold romantic gestures. Mia and Andrew commit to a long-distance relationship, Lake and Lucy reunite, and Felix and Pilar find a way back to each other. After breaking up with Nick, Victor makes one last plea to Benji, who ultimately shows up at the Winter Carnival Ferris wheel for a romantic, full-circle reunion.
This episode provides a heartfelt and conclusive ending for the series and its characters. It ties up all the major storylines, brings the central romance to a satisfying conclusion, and reinforces the show's core message about courage and self-acceptance. The final scene on the Ferris wheel is a direct, poignant homage to "Love, Simon," solidifying the series' place in the Simonverse.
Philosophical Questions
Is there a 'correct' way to come out?
The series consistently explores this question by contrasting Victor's journey with Simon's. Simon had a grand, public coming-out, while Victor's is a slow, painful, and private process that happens in stages. The show argues that there is no one-size-fits-all experience. It examines the factors that influence this journey—family, religion, culture, and personal fear—and concludes that the 'right' way is whichever way is authentic and safe for the individual. Victor's story is a testament to the fact that the journey is personal and valid, even if it's not cinematic or easy.
How does one reconcile faith with unconditional love for family?
This question is at the heart of Isabel Salazar's multi-season arc. Initially, her Catholic faith creates a barrier to accepting Victor. The series delves into her internal conflict, showing her prayers, her attempts to find answers within the church, and her ultimate realization that her love for her son must take precedence over the condemnatory aspects of her religious upbringing. The show presents a powerful argument that true faith and unconditional love are not mutually exclusive, and that personal conviction can lead one to challenge and reinterpret institutional doctrine in the name of family.
What does it mean to be brave?
The series finale is titled "Brave," and the concept is explored throughout. Initially, Victor believes bravery is a grand gesture, like Simon's. However, through his experiences, the show posits that bravery is found in small, terrifying steps: the first time you admit the truth to yourself, the moment you tell a friend, the difficult conversation with a parent, or even the courage to be alone. Victor's final speech redefines bravery not as a lack of fear, but as the act of confronting what scares you because it is important, a theme that resonates across all the characters' final decisions.
Alternative Interpretations
While the series finale was largely received as a happy, full-circle ending, some viewers and critics offered alternative interpretations. One perspective is that Victor's return to Benji represented a regression. This view suggests that Benji and Victor's relationship was often codependent and tumultuous, and that Victor's personal growth in Season 3 would have been better served by him either ending up with the more emotionally mature Rahim or choosing to be single for a while to solidify his own identity. Some critics argued that the finale prioritized a fairy-tale romantic ending over a more realistic depiction of growth, potentially undermining Benji's need to focus on his sobriety and Victor's journey toward independence. Another interpretation focuses on the ensemble, suggesting that despite the title, the show became less about Victor's journey and more of an ensemble piece, and that the finale's rush to provide a happy ending for every character felt narratively convenient rather than earned, particularly for side characters whose arcs were resolved very quickly in the final episode.
Cultural Impact
"Love, Victor" made a significant cultural impact by expanding the narrative of mainstream LGBTQ+ teen stories. While its predecessor, "Love, Simon," was groundbreaking, it centered on a white, upper-middle-class protagonist with a highly accepting support system. "Love, Victor" intentionally complicated this narrative by focusing on a character from a working-class, religious, Latinx family. This allowed the series to explore the intersections of sexuality, culture, and faith in a way rarely seen in mainstream teen dramas, resonating with a more diverse audience. Critics and audiences praised the show for its heartfelt storytelling and for providing a more realistic, and at times more difficult, depiction of the coming-out process. The series was particularly lauded for the nuanced arc of Victor's mother, Isabel, whose journey from rejection to fierce advocacy provided a powerful and hopeful storyline for parents of LGBTQ+ children. By moving from Hulu to a simultaneous release on Disney+ for its final season, the show broke new ground, bringing a story with mature LGBTQ+ themes to a major family-oriented streaming platform, increasing its visibility and affirming its place as an important piece of queer representation.
Audience Reception
"Love, Victor" was generally met with positive reception from audiences throughout its three-season run. Viewers praised its heartfelt tone, relatable characters, and its importance as an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story, particularly for its focus on a Latinx family. The first season was celebrated for building on the world of "Love, Simon" while creating its own distinct and more complex narrative. Season 2 was often cited as a high point for its deeper exploration of the consequences of Victor coming out and its nuanced handling of his parents' reactions. The love triangle introduced at the end of Season 2 created significant fan debate, with audiences passionately divided into 'Team Benji' and 'Team Rahim.' The final season received a more mixed, though still generally positive, response. While many were satisfied with the happy, full-circle ending for Victor and Benji, a vocal segment of the audience expressed disappointment, feeling the ending was rushed and that other potential relationships, particularly with Rahim, were underdeveloped. A common point of criticism for the final season was its shorter episode count (8 episodes compared to 10), which some felt led to rushed resolutions for the ensemble cast. Overall, the series is remembered fondly by its fanbase for its emotional depth and positive representation.
Interesting Facts
- The series was originally developed for Disney+ but was moved to Hulu, reportedly due to its more mature themes, such as alcohol use and marital issues, being considered a better fit for Hulu's demographic.
- Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who wrote the screenplay for the film "Love, Simon," also created and served as showrunners for "Love, Victor."
- Nick Robinson, who starred as Simon Spier in the movie, serves as a producer on the series and provides the narration for Simon's messages to Victor. He also makes a guest appearance in Season 1.
- The show's creators made a conscious decision to give Victor a different background from Simon—a working-class, religious, Latinx family—to explore a coming-out journey with different and more complex obstacles.
- Ana Ortiz, who plays Victor's mother Isabel, and James Martinez, who plays his father Armando, are both of Puerto Rican descent, adding authenticity to the portrayal of Victor's family.
- The third and final season was released on both Hulu and Disney+ simultaneously, a significant move that made the LGBTQ+-centric story accessible to a wider and younger audience.
Easter Eggs
The Creekwood High Winter Carnival and Ferris Wheel
The setting for the climax of "Love, Simon" is used multiple times in "Love, Victor." In Season 1, it's where Victor chickens out of a moment with Benji and asks Mia to ride with him instead. In the series finale, it's the location of Victor and Benji's reunion, bringing the Simonverse full circle.
Mr. Worth, the Awkward Vice Principal
While Tony Hale's character from the film doesn't appear, he is mentioned. Ms. Albright tells Victor that the former vice principal went to India to "find his bliss" and was bitten by a monkey, putting him in quarantine. It's a fun nod to a fan-favorite character.
Simon's Jean Jacket Hand-Off
In Season 1, Episode 8, when Victor finally meets Simon in New York, Simon gives him his signature denim jacket from the movie poster. This acts as a symbolic passing of the torch and a welcoming of Victor into the community.
Bram's Appearance
Keiynan Lonsdale reprises his role as Bram, Simon's boyfriend, in Season 1's "Boys' Trip." He acts as Victor's guide to queer life in New York City, strengthening the direct connection between the show and the movie.
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