Ep 2. Stoplight Party

Love, Victor season 1 episode 2, titled "Stoplight Party," continues to explore Victor's journey as he navigates the ups and downs of high school life as a closeted gay teenager.

The episode opens with Victor's family having dinner, where they discuss the upcoming school dance, a "stoplight party" where students are encouraged to wear red if they're taken, yellow if they're unsure, and green if they're single and ready to mingle. Victor's parents tease him about going to the dance with a girl, but Victor remains quiet, internally struggling with his own feelings towards his classmate, Benji.

At school, Victor meets up with his friend Felix and they discuss the stoplight party. Felix, who is openly gay, encourages Victor to come out and be himself. Victor is hesitant, fearing the repercussions of revealing his true self to his conservative classmates.

As the day goes on, Victor tries to figure out if Benji is gay and interested in him. He starts to obsess over Benji's every move, and his thoughts are interrupted when Mia, a girl he kissed at the previous episode's party, approaches him and invites him to the dance. Victor once again finds himself at a crossroads: should he continue to hide his true feelings and go to the dance with Mia, or risk it all and be honest with himself?

Meanwhile, Victor's little sister, Pilar, is struggling with her own issues at school. She's paired with a difficult lab partner in science class, and the two of them clash over their different work styles. However, they eventually bond over their shared love of "Hamilton" and become friends.

Back at home, Victor's parents, who are struggling with their own marriage issues, discuss their concerns about Victor's behavior. His mother, Isabel, is worried that he's pulling away from her, while his father, Armando, is preoccupied with trying to fix their marriage. It's clear that the family is dealing with a lot of unresolved issues, and Victor's journey of self-discovery is only adding to their stress.

The episode culminates in the stoplight party, where Victor decides to take Felix's advice and be true to himself. However, as he leaves the house, he bumps into Mia, who is wearing a green shirt. Victor realizes that he can't lead her on and decides to be honest with her about his true feelings. He tells her he's not ready to date anyone, which leaves Mia upset and confused.

As Victor arrives at the dance, he sees Benji wearing a red shirt and realizes that his crush might not be reciprocated. However, as he's about to leave, Benji tells him that he's wearing red for his girlfriend, but that he's also not straight. Victor is overjoyed, and the two of them bond over their shared experiences as gay teens.

Love, Victor season 1 episode 2 is a powerful exploration of the challenges and triumphs that come with being true to oneself. The episode showcases the complexities of coming out, as well as the emotional toll it can take on both the individual and their loved ones. Through Victor's journey, we see the importance of self-acceptance and the value of having a supportive community.