‘Heartstopper’ Season 3 Review: Alice Oseman’s quirky coming-of-age drama returns with an emotional season


A still from 'Heartstopper' Season 3

A still from ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3 Photo credit: Netflix

Arguably no other young adult queer romance has as much heart, spunk and success as Alice Oseman’s Netflix original, Heartstopper. Even when clouds of darkness cover your world in blues, here’s a series that manages to warm your heart with all-embracing love from its neon butterfly doodles, pastel postcard aesthetics, Adiskar Chase’s tune, sensitively written interpersonal dynamics and its brilliant lead. letters

Since its premiere in 2022, Heartstopper To keep things light and breezy, the go-to well has been drama. However, as a meta-commentary on how fleeting that breeze can be, Oseman returns with a third season that hits you with the inescapable reality of it all: the gang is growing up. And what really amazes is how the author has managed this transition without corrupting the syntax of his story-telling. Each season builds towards a celebratory event (sports day or prom or GCSE results or Christmas) while the main characters themselves pivot through deeply personal journeys.

A still from 'Heartstopper'

A still from ‘Heartstopper’ Photo credit: Samuel Dorey/Netflix

After experiencing the highs and lows of their Parisian summer of love in season two, we begin with our chipa gang hitting the beach in an adorable opening episode that immediately reminds you of everything you loved about the show. We see Charlie (Joe Locke) desperate to tell Nick (Kit Connor) that he loves her, while the latter is still figuring out how to convey his fears about Charlie’s eating disorder. The new couple in town, Tao (William Gao) and Eli (Yasmin Feeney), are having what Tao calls their ‘Summer of Romance’, but Eli is worried about Tao’s abandonment issues. Tara (Karina Brown) hopes that Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) understands her need for personal space, while the latter begins to embrace and explore their non-binary identities. Our dear friend Isaac (Toby Donovan) is still figuring out what it means to be asexual and aromantic in a friend group so obsessed with romance, partnership and intimacy. Charlie’s sister, Tori (Jenny Walser), also gets her fair share of screen time.

in truth Heartstopper Fashion, none of these concerns last long, and the eight-episode third season brings a whole new layer that unifies them all — the chaos of young adulthood and all that it brings. As Charlie braves the journey against OCD and anorexia nervosa, Nick and co. Try to be the pillar of support he needs most right now. Several relationships move forward with their own challenges. The arc Ellie finds herself in is truly heartbreaking.

Heartstopper Season 3

the creator: Alice Oseman

the cast: Joe Locke, Keith Connor, William Gao, Yasmin Feeney

episodes: 8

runtime: 30-40 minutes

story line: explores the lives of a group of queer high-schoolers who navigate friendship, youth, romance, identity crisis, and queer living in a cis-heteronormative society.

First, the third season learns from the criticism of its predecessors and adopts more nuanced language. Written with the finesse and sensitivity he’s known for, Oseman’s script this season also boasts some clever ideas that make a mark. Charlie’s conversation with Isaac about ‘The Gun of Achilles’ is familiar to Madeleine Miller’s book and adds a subtle veneer to why Charlie warns Isaac of its end. You also can’t help but chuckle at how a nod to Marvel finds a symbolic callback; Nick dresses up as Captain America for a Halloween party, and the episode may have a thing or two to say about the superhero serum that keeps our Nick a pillar of all — love.

One must take a breath to understand why, contrary to what we are used to, Charlie’s OCD may choose not to express these self-imposed ‘rules’ he charts for himself. Perhaps, even we, the audience, have to make peace with how much Charlie lets us in and let him have that space. In another moment, you’re told about Isaac’s grappling with feelings of abandonment, and until he returns to the screen, you’re left to wonder how he’s dealing with this changed reality, making his final outburst at Tao all the more justified.

A still from 'Heartstopper'

A still from ‘Heartstopper’ Photo credit: Samuel Dorey/Netflix

Some of the minor problems of the second season overshadowed the follow-up, such as the unnecessary romance track between Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farooq. You’re also initially skeptical enough of Sahar’s equation with Imogen (our token sis-hate friend is gone), however, they might find some takers from bi-curious and questioning audiences if the upcoming season does some justice to the subject. Such snags, however, seem more redeemable in a series with consistently good character writing. Seeing the continuity between how Nick walks and talks around Tao tells you a thing or two about how aware the creators are of even peripheral character arcs. With such short writing, how do you deal with having to wait longer to be around these fictional characters?

Its third season Heartstopper By far the heaviest, Oseman takes on some deeply moving subjects to explore. From Nick’s aunt Diane’s (guest appearance Hayley Atwell) advice on how to be there for a friend struggling with mental illness to what Isaac’s perfume says, there’s a lot that speaks to both teenagers and adults in the world we live in. As has always been the case, Heartstopper A soul-stirring exploration of the idealistic art of showing compassion to all.

Heartstopper Season 3 is currently streaming on Netflix



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