It feels like it’s been so long since I last watched Heartstopper, but really there’s been just over a year between the second and most recent seasons. It’s probably because there are so few episodes and the show is just so addictive.
This season, now that Nick and Charlie are official and everyone knows about it, it’s time to tackle other big issues. What was more pleasant is that we got to experience them through different characters this time around. Of course, a little more attention was paid to Charlie, whose illnesses finally caught up with him. It was nice to see on screen how Nick could go about helping Charlie without making him angry. Still, even if people tell you something is wrong with you until they are blue in the face, real change isn’t going to happen until that person is ready for it. Luckily, Charlie could tell he was at the end of his rope. After spending some time in a facility, he is aided the rest of the season in help dealing with his eating disorder and OCD.
Some of our other main characters are also still dealing with identity which is something that most teens go through. Now at least there are words, definitions, and groups to help you along the way. Isaac, who feels like a third wheel to his two best friends’ relationships determines that he is both asexual and likely aromantic. Imogen thinks she might be bisexual, but is still so unsure of most things by the end of the season. Sometimes it’s not that easy to figure yourself out! Darcy has determined that they are non-binary, while their girlfriend, Tara, is feeling the pressure of university. She’s brilliant, but her passions are more creative. I foresee some more conflict in her journey in future seasons. Elle, though she has been trans for some time and is confident in herself, still faces bigotry in life. Tao tries his hardest to be there for her and understand what she’s going through.
Though Nick might just seem like the supportive boyfriend, and he totally is, his life without Charlie constantly in it is a bit in limbo. He claims that since coming out he knows himself better, but he’s struggling with how to integrate that into parts of his “former” life. By the end of the season he is struggling to decide where to go to university. He wants to stay close to home to be near Charlie, but it’s clear that a university farther away is really calling his name. Charlie’s sister and parents are involved more than ever this season, and while Tori is a constant support, his parents seem to never be able to connect with him like he hopes. It’s clear they care and love him, but their relationship requires some more communication, as I’m sure is the case with lots of teenagers and their parents.
Overall, it was another brilliant season that tackled a slew of difficult subject matter with seriousness and levity. It’s truly one of the best, all-encompassing things out there and I hope we get at least one more season of it. I’m not sure how much story there is in the webcomic and graphic novels, but that author is the creator of the show, so I’m sure she’s steering the ship for as long as Netflix will foot the bill.