This review contains spoilers and a soft trigger warning. Discretion is advised.
Hi — season three of Heartstopper is here, and I’m a mess.
I have been watching the Netflix series since its release in 2022. After finishing the first season, I turned off the TV and immediately read the graphic novels in one sitting. This season brought the pages to life, and some scenes are a one-to-one remake. I deeply appreciate the effort to stay true to the original work.
Nick and Charlie are back, but as their relationship becomes more serious, so does the season’s content. This season dives deep into conversations and actions surrounding mental health, eating disorders, sex, etc. It is a natural progression of teenage relationships and talks about the queer dating experience as well. It tugs on your heartstrings, more so than in previous seasons.
We see Charlie come to terms with his anorexia and OCD, which has been foreshadowed but comes to a boiling point. This show did a fantastic job of showing how mental illness can change the dynamic of families, relationships and showing that a significant other can’t fix one’s mental illness. They need your support, but the burden of curing mental illness rests on a professional therapist or doctor. Episode four was a tough watch but was beautifully handled in showcasing both sides of the coin, and it was definitely my favorite episode.
The supporting cast shines in this season. Elle is confronted with her transexuality within her relationship with Tao and the digital world, Imogen deals with being comphet and her journey with Sahar (we love a good character redemption), and Isaac being the single asexual friend within a friend group dating each other. Darcy is exploring being nonbinary with Tara’s support, but the stress of Tara’s academic perfectionism is getting to her. There is character development from all, but some plotlines felt rushed. That is what we get when trying to fit whole character arcs into only eight episodes. However, their friend group is so cute. I wish them all the best.
Overall, it was joyous, heartbreaking, wholesome and bittersweet. Given the emotional whiplash I experienced, I will send Netflix the bill for the emotional damage this show has caused me.
The Goods
- Playlist/score
- Character growth
- Heartstopper plot entwined with bits from Solitaire
The Bads
- No Olivia Coleman (I know it was because of scheduling conflicts, but I’m still mad)
- Some side plots were rushed/not followed through
- The emotional damage
