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Content warning: this article contains mention of eating disorders and mental health.

Moving past middle school-like awkwardness, Netflix’s “Heartstopper” season three is grown up. Stars Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) take on serious moments from saying their first “I love you” to seeking help for mental health.

Based on a comic book by Alice Oseman of the same name, the third season of “Heartstopper” was released Oct. 4 and has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. After two seasons of Nick and Charlie developing their relationship with the support of their friend group, they take on their biggest challenge yet. When Charlie’s mental health deteriorates, Nick struggles with helping his boyfriend. Though Nick and Charlie remain the focal point of the season, it also thoughtfully explores other challenges LGBTQ+ teens face.

“Heartstopper” shows LGBTQ+ youth they can have a life that isn’t sexualized like other LGBTQ+ media, like in “Elite” or “Young Royals.” The show tells stories applicable to both LGBTQ+ and heterosexual, cisgender teens’ lives.

Nick’s relationship with his mom, played by Olivia Colman, is one of these storylines that any viewer can benefit from. Unfortunately, Colman couldn’t fit this season into her busy work schedule.

Nick and his mom’s interactions in the first two seasons show a healthy parent-child relationship. At the end of season one, after Nick and Charlie start dating, Nick comes out to her in one of the show’s best scenes. Their dynamic is one that many can learn from and the stunning performances by both make it even stronger.

When I heard Colman wouldn’t be in this season, I knew I would miss her in this scene when Nick opens up about his worry for Charlie’s disordered eating while on vacation. I hoped to see this beautiful scene of her reminding Nick that he can’t “save” Charlie, but that he can help him in other ways. While the scene is recreated with Nick’s aunt, it doesn’t have the same effect it would have had with Colman.

Alongside Nick and Charlie’s relationship, the show also follows several plots within the pair’s friend group. Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) struggles with her transgender identity as she and her boyfriend — Tao Xu (William Gao) — explore their sexuality. Her story is one of many that have not been frequently told in popular media.

As Elle gains followers on Instagram for her art, a talk show invites her on to discuss her newfound fame. On the broadcast, the journalist drills her about transgender issues completely unrelated to her art, forcing Elle to walk out. Her decision to leave the studio is empowering, allowing transgender audience members to understand they don’t need to remain in hostile situations where they’re seen only for their gender identity.

Through the main friend group, “Heartstopper” fully and strongly represents the LGBTQ+ community. The show also highlights Isaac’s asexuality and Darcy’s first use of they/them pronouns in this season.

The standout of the season is its fourth and saddest episode, titled “Journey.” Charlie is admitted to an eating disorder treatment program after his mental health spirals tragically. The episode follows Nick and Charlie’s separate journeys throughout Charlie’s recovery, as Charlie prepares to return to everyday life and Nick processes his absence.

Nick narrates the beginning of the episode, detailing his experience without Charlie. Nick feels isolated as Charlie is gone for longer and longer. When Nick attends a Halloween party lost in loneliness and internalized emotions, the show’s sound and visual editing enhance the moment’s tension.

As the night continues, Nick becomes increasingly intoxicated and starts to disassociate. We begin to hear less and less of the crowds of people partying around him. In one shot, Nick is sitting alone on the couch staring off into space amid blurry images of partygoers and intense music. The shot is coupled with jump cuts, creating a frantic feeling. This scene shows it’s OK to not be OK when helping someone you love go through recovery.

The episode continues into Charlie’s narration of his recovery. Throughout the season, we see Oseman’s cartoon drawings on the screen — sometimes in wholesome moments and other times to depict darker mental health themes. When Charlie faces his main stressors, like pressure from his mom or his eating disorder diagnosis, the screen flashes to illustrated cracked glass.

Instead of showing his mental health episodes graphically or exploitatively, the show maintains Oseman’s light-hearted visual style. Though viewers can empathize with Charlie’s feelings in these scenes, they remain accessible to younger audiences because of the cartoon portrayal.

While Charlie is away, Tao creates a short film about what his friends are up to so he doesn’t feel like he missed anything. The film saddens Charlie but also makes him feel loved. It’s a reflection of how people can send comfort to those in recovery.

The show recognizes the importance of having support and feeling loved during times of mental struggle. It’s Nick and Charlie’s friends who support Nick when he is lonely, and it’s also them who remind Charlie that he’s loved when he returns.

“Heartstopper” is exactly what teens need to understand how to support their friends or partners, and that it’s OK to struggle. Though I wish I had like it when I was in middle and high school, I’m glad the next generation can benefit from it.

Published on October 21, 2024 at 8:59 pm

Contact Rosina: rlboehm@syr.edu