Critic Reviews

Not only is the writing ballsier in Season 2 (at some points, quite literally), it’s also more complex.

The message of the show never takes over the entertainment value. It’s just a consistent hum throughout. Be yourself. Love who you are. Stand up for what you believe in. Although groundbreaking in and of itself in many way, Victor’s story is most special because of how normally the show treats it and its charismatic and adorable title character. There’s just so much here to love.

The narrative at the heart of “Love, Victor” is overall charming, nuanced and real.

In its second season, “Love, Victor” delivers more of the charming, quirky characters and tender teen romances that gave it such a strong start.

It is charming and endearing in all the ways Love, Simon was, playing just the right kind of melody on your heart strings to keep you invested in a 10-episode run.

It’s sweet, funny, goofy, full of emotion, a little rocky in parts, sometimes a little overloaded on heavy backstory, and not particularly interested in subtlety. But for a first season especially, it’s impressive how effectively it turns Love, Simon’s epistolary structure against itself.

This show is equally as fun as its bright young cast, and it depicts enough of a twist on the classic coming out story that you’ll want to watch more.

Character development is strong across the board, with each of the teens feeling real and specific beyond their teen comedy tropes. ... Love, Victor makes good on its promise to expand beyond the narrow confines of Simon’s story, but it doesn’t get very far.

Though it doesn’t take as many bold chances as I’d hoped it would, Love, Victor does still possess an undeniable charm.

“Love, Victor” is a sequel that almost plays as a reboot, despite the cultural and economic differences between Simon and Victor.