GayTV Recap: Head High (Episodes 2x7-2x8)

The New Zealand drama Head High recently brought its second season to a close. The final two episodes put some focus on the gay recurring characters, Niko (played by Dylan Thuraisingham) and Steven (played by Richard Crouchley). After Niko's breakdown in the arms of leading lady Renee in Episode 6 because of his father's bullying, Episode 7 began with Renee's husband Vince watching Niko and the rest of the Southdown High School rugby team practicing. Coach Vince was flanked, as usual, by Niko's extremely invested father Mitch. 

While watching the boys train, Vince (played by Craig Hall) thought back to his conversation with Renee who told him about Mitch's bullying of his son. Vince casually asked how things were at home with Niko. Mitch (played by Robbie Magasiva) told him that he had a chat with Niko and he now understands his true priorities. Vince wondered what that meant. Mitch then told him that he tried to protect his son only for it to backfire. He moved his son to town to get him away from the gay scene and was disappointed to see him with "one of them" anyway. This left Vince unsettled.

Vince told Mitch that the world has changed. He told Vince there's been a big culture shift with inclusive policies for everyone and the rise of Rainbow Rugby as well. Mitch got defensive and chuckled, wondering if Vince would really settle for his own son Mana being relegated to Rainbow Rugby instead of playing in the elite national "All Blacks" rugby team. Vince told him that he would want his son to be happy. Mitch said that was bullshit and it didn't matter because Niko's been straightened out.

A bit later, Steven was shown leaving the posh St. Isaac's along with his twin sister Imogen. As they walked home, she tried to convince him to go shopping with her since she had to get a gift for their soon-to-be stepmother Frankie. She complimented Steven's shopping taste and his ability to tolerate Frankie, in hopes that he would agree, but he told her that he usually hangs out with Niko after his rugby practice. They then spotted Niko in a car with his father going in the opposite direction. Imogen noticed and called it out. The troubled Steven confirmed that it was Niko. 

Seeing Steven's look of disappointment, Imogen said that it must suck to have a boyfriend in the closet because he's a rugby player. Steven told her that Niko wasn't in the closet. He was just dealing with his father who was problematic. Imogen scoffed at the mention of old men obsessed with rugby, given her own ongoing abuse issues at the hands of their school's rugby coach. 

The next day, Steven got a visit from Niko at his house. He was happy to see Niko and offered him a ride to school, but Niko told him that his father was waiting for him in the car. Steven's demeanor instantly soured upon hearing that. Niko said that he just needed to talk for a minute. He told Steven that he was sorry but he can't hang out with him anymore until after the rugby finals. Steven listened as Niko told him that he needed some space. 

The upset Steven wondered if Niko really needed space, or if it was his parents that wanted him to have space away from him. Niko assured him that it was just going to be until the finals were over. He needed to stay focused on his rugby dreams. Niko told him that it wasn't just his father's dream. It was his too and if he wanted to play professionally, he couldn't handle any distractions. He hoped Steven would wish him luck, which he reluctantly did. Niko then made a quick exit.

It was later time for Southdown's big semifinal game. Niko's parents were both in attendance, sticking close to Coach Vince on the sidelines, while the boys, including Niko & Mana (played by Jayden Daniels), warmed up. Steven showed up and watched from afar with a smile for Niko when their eyes met. Niko then immediately went over to Mana, asking him to do him a favor and go ask Steven to leave. A confused Mana wondered if they had a fight or something. Niko then told him that he didn't need his father on his back today while they were getting ready for the big game. 

Mana went over to Steven, telling him that Niko thinks it would be best if he didn't stay to watch the game. Steven looked upset. Mana then lied, telling him that it's player superstition. They don't really invite any of their partners to the big tournament games. Steven said that he guessed he couldn't really argue with superstition. He then asked Mana to tell Niko that he can come over to Steven's place after the semifinals. He mentioned his stepmom Frankie having a party for her birthday, which piqued Mana's interest given his ongoing secret affair with Frankie and the knowledge that Steven's dad was out of town. 

The big semifinal game was soon underway. With his parents watching, Niko joined the team in playing their best, leading to a big victory. Meanwhile at Steven's house, Frankie's cocktail party was in progress. Steven sat with Imogen who filled him in on her search for other girls that might have been taken advantage of at the hands of their school's coach, JW. He was happy to see she had a lead. She asked him to come with her and Mana's brother Tai to talk to the girl, but Steven wanted to stay behind to wait for Niko. Imogen couldn't hide her disbelief that he was still waiting for Niko.

The celebration of Southdown's big victory was underway and Niko was present there, partying with the rest of the team and their families, which included his parents. Mana pulled him aside, bringing up Steven's invitation for him to go over to his house. He wondered if Niko was going to go, but Niko told him that he was still keeping his distance from Steven. Mana wondered if it was because of his dad, but Niko assured Mana that he just needed to get through the finals and everything would be okay. 

Episode 8 had all of the show's characters looking forward to the tournament finals which would pit the Southdown team against St. Isaac's, with connected characters on both sides of the rivalry. Coach Vince did his best to pull the Southdown team together and get their heads focused during an intense practice session. Niko was present with the team, and listened closely as Vince urged them to remember that whatever else is going on in their lives doesn't matter now. They need singular focus. He repeated Niko's suggestion that they "fuck the world." 

Later, Niko & Mana were walking together at school with Niko sharing his hopes for getting into the national rugby team. He was surprised that it wasn't Mana's only focus. Mana mentioned being very close to his birth dad Jessie getting him a contract to make big money playing out of the country. He then encouraged Niko to follow his dream, noting that it all starts with winning the finals tomorrow. Mana then gave him some of Vince's advice, which was to start being who you're going to be. Niko appeared to take this to heart, not just with regards to the game. 

Later, Niko went to St. Isaac's to see Steven. He caught up with him in the parking lot, where he asked to talk. Steven reminded him that he's the one who stopped talking to Steven. Niko apologized for his recent behavior. He tried to get Steven to understand how much he wants to play rugby professionally. He had to chase his dream but the tournament was going to be over soon. 

 

Steven said that he understood now that he would always come second because there was always going to be another game, or another tournament. This left Niko frustrated, saying that wasn't true. Steven said that not once since they've known each other has Niko ever asked him about his dreams. Niko finally did. Steven told him that his dream was to be loved by someone who wasn't ashamed of him. Niko was saddened to hear that as Steven walked away.

Game day arrived. Steven showed up with his sister Imogen, as Steven wondered why they were bothering to attend. He suggested they were torturing themselves, given Imogen's issues with Coach JW and Steven's rift with Niko. Imogen then told him that they were there to support their friend Tai, who walked over at that moment, revealing to Imogen that he had convinced another of JW's victims to talk to Imogen, brightening her day as she agreed to let the girl sit with her and Steven for the game.

Coach Vince gave his team once last pep talk before the game got underway. With Steven watching from the stands, Southdown took on St. Isaac's in the tournament finals. St. Isaac's team got out to a quick lead and that lead began to widen as the game progressed. As the game reached the halfway point, it wasn't looking good for Niko's team.

During the halftime break, the Southdown team was shown returning to the locker room. Vince, angered over his own marital woes, surprised his son Mana by urging the team to do whatever it takes to get back into the game, even if it meant playing dirty. He told them to do what they needed to do, but not to get caught. While the tactic appeared to bother Mana, Niko was more than happy to agree. 

The game resumed and Mana watched as the Southdown team employed several dirty tactics to get cards pulled on their opponents. This included Niko licking one of the opposing team's players, causing him to use hateful language, causing a warning from the referee. With St. Isaac's thrown off and Southdown getting close to evening things up in the score, Mana convinced his father to get the team back to playing fairly, which he did. As the game winded down, Mana made a critical pass to Niko who was able to score the winning play, to the elation of his parents watching from the sidelines. 

The Southdown team and their supporters all celebrated the tournament victory, which came at the hands of Niko. Praise came flooding in Niko's direction but he soon left that behind after spotting Steven. He rushed over to him, pulling Steven into a kiss in front of the fans, players, and cameras. Steven was left surprised by the kiss, but it soon led to another as Niko's parents were also shown witnessing the public display of affection. Mitch pulled his wife to turn their backs and walk away, while Niko took Steven's hand and pulled him into the growing mob of celebration on the field. 

The game was followed by a huge celebration for the tournament champions. While enjoying the festivities, Vince & Mitch shared a congratulatory hug. Vince credited Niko with the game-winning play, as Mitch returned the favor, calling out Mana's great pass. They agreed it was a great day. Vince then warned Mitch not to go after Niko for what happened with him and Steven after the game. Mitch told Vince not to worry. He was leaving his son alone ... for today. He walked off, leaving Vince looking unsettled by his last words on the matter.