SPECS Panther Column - An analysis of “Heartstopper” season 3

SPECS Panther is a mascot for SPECS (sex positive education for college students) and serves the Middlebury community. As a part of Health & Wellness Education, SPECS Panther seeks to educate and spark independent dialogue, not be the end-all be-all resource on campus. We encourage Midd Kids to break down the walls of silence by engaging in sex-positive conversation — wherever, with whomever and about whatever is most comfortable, easy and safe for you. Our editions will be educational! 

In a time when the country — and world — seems to be immeasurably divided, the default reaction of many is to escape reality and seek out alternative media forms. Whether through social media apps, pop culture, film, or television, on-screen production has the potential to be both a safe haven or a step further to spiraling. If you’re looking for a particularly lighthearted, syrupy sweet show to get lost in, look no further than Netflix’s “Heartstopper.” This past October, season three was released, proving to be a crucial addition to the already-acclaimed series. Anchored by the charismatic leads Joe Locke (Charlie) and Kit Connor (Nick) but further elevated by an outstanding supporting cast, the newest season matures and explores the difficulties of teenage love, anxiety and shame while never losing its nostalgic, heart-wrenching touch. 

Throughout the eight episodes, the characters face traumas including eating disorders, internalized stigma, hate culture and uneasy family relations — all very real hardships that today’s adolescents grapple with. They also tackle sex and societal pressures, delving into the bubbly side of schoolhood sexual discovery while still directing attention to negative mental health consequences. Through a SPECS lens, the following (beware: spoilers!) is an analysis of season three of “Heartstopper” and why it is the perfect, albeit ephemeral, antidote to today’s world brimmed with hate and cynicism. 

In episode one, Charlie is initially nervous about his newfound discovery that he loves Nick. Nick, after taking notice of Charlie’s abnormal eating habits, takes him aside privately to ask if he thinks he has an eating disorder. In a panic, Charlie denies and deflects, a common unhealthy coping mechanism for teens who struggle with eating disorders. The couple’s disagreement begins to strain their relationship, as Charlie builds an emotional wall to avoid appearing fragile and Nick’s concern for his boyfriend’s safety gnaws at him. The approach that “Heartstopper” takes to on-screen eating disorders is commendable, a feat that few shows attempt at the teenage level and even fewer shows succeed at. Acted with sensitivity and relatability, Charlie’s emerging eating disorder — later formally diagnosed in episode four as anorexia nervosa paired with OCD — has spillover effects in his friend group dynamics and his relationships with his parents, sister and boyfriend. Eating disorders, especially among teenagers and young adults, can be linked with sex, sexuality and gender dysphoria, especially true for Charlie and his history of severe in-school bullying. 

By episode four, Charlie’s mental health reaches a fever pitch, and he admits to Nick that he is likely undiagnosed and in need of acute treatment. In a heartbreaking scene, Charlie, while holding Nick’s hand, sits his parents down to read from a prepared note that he is mentally declining, struggles with food and wants to be connected with professional resources. Equal parts sad in its emotional genuineness and hopeful in its demonstration of a supported and loved teen seeking help, the episode cements Heartstopper’s unique ability of blending real-life emotions and experiences with optimism and sympathy. Charlie is admitted to an in-patient facility and connected to a therapist, which he ultimately reflects upon as helpful while the script still acknowledges the dark history of psychiatric facilities. For many, disordered eating is an ingrained part of culture, especially heightened amongst queer individuals. By dedicating a significant chunk of airtime to properly address the steps of eating disorder recovery, “Heartstopper” succeeds in representation beyond for its own sake. 

Throughout the middle episodes, the supporting characters and friend group are given the opportunity to shine and follow their plotlines. Isaac comes out as asexual and aromantic, and stands up for himself when he feels ostracized from the couple-heavy friend group. Tao and Elle’s relationship flourishes despite the distance between their schools, with their respective documentary and artistic passions being followed. Elle’s storyline in particular stands out — she embraces her intersectional Black and transgender identity, even in the face of harassment. Once the two decide they want to have sex, Elle reckons with complicated emotions stemming from her gender dysphoria, and while the show not-so-subtly throws in public health messages, it showcases the challenging and awkward sides of young adult sex. Darcy and Tara provide for viewers an endearing portrait of sapphic love, with the former later exploring their nonbinary identity with support from their girlfriend, friends and grandmother (but notably, not mother). Imogen and Sahar, two characters who were given precious little attention in earlier seasons, were likewise afforded time to develop. Sahar, who is bisexual, hooks up with Imogen at the Halloween party, resulting in friction between the two close friends and a moving scene from Imogen who admits she has always faked liking boys because of societal pressures. 

Charlie’s sister further develops in the new season, as does the relationship between Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk, two teachers who portray an intimate examination of adult queer joy. As one Buzzfeed reviewer noted, “Heartstopper” can be simultaneously heartwarming, healing and gutting for some. For older generations, or even Millennials and parts of Gen Z, the diverse and proud queer romance and authenticity in the show was — and perhaps, still is — not their lived experience. Another critic wrote that the show “helped heal the hurt teen inside me,” a testament to the powerful ability of a simple television series to mend past emotional wounds. By the final episode, the crew seem to all be in good places, and Nick learns the hard but valuable lesson that codependency in his relationship with Charlie is both unhealthy and unnecessary. Near the finale's conclusion, Charlie and Nick have sex, and Charlie takes off his shirt, a symbolic representation of his successful, albeit long and nonlinear, road to recovery. Ultimately, Nick and Charlie emerge stronger than ever, their resilience shaped by personal growth and the steadfast support of their friends.

With a killer soundtrack (see: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Maggie Rogers, Birdy and more), mesmerizing performances and a rare demonstration of unbridled queer joy and hardships, season three of “Heartstopper” upgrades its impact and makes for the perfect feel-good escape.