What We Learned From Heartstopper Season Three

After a long wait, we finally got to watch the third season of Heartstopper and it was worth it. It’s a fact that Nick and Charlie have stolen our hearts, and the only thing we want for them is happiness. However, in this season, we realize that love is way more than just saying “I love you.” In each episode, there’s something new to learn about life, relationships, sexuality, family, love and mental health. We think that, by far, Heartstopper season three is the one that left us feeling the most. We cannot help but think about what we learned from this beautiful show.

Content Warning: In this article, we are going to discuss serious topics such as mental illnesses, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders. We at The Honey Pop encourage everyone reading this to check the trigger warnings before watching the TV show, reading the comics, and reading this article.

Also, be aware that there are many spoilers in this article. Please don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Love Can’t Cure Mental Illness

During his vacation in Menorca, Nick has a meaningful conversation with his aunt. He talks about how worried and frustrated he feels about Charlie, who is going through a lot. Nick feels useless because he wishes he could help Charlie how he wants to. His aunt, who’s also a psychologist, tells him that it is understandable to feel frustrated. However, it’s important to know that love can’t cure mental illness, and Charlie needs professional help. But Nick can help Charlie in different ways, like by being with him, asking him how he could make him feel better, and supporting him.

There’s Always Help, Even When You Don’t See It

Sometimes life gets hard, and things may seem terrible. This season, we see Charlie going through a lot, and his mental health isn’t the best. The truth is that there’s a lot of trauma in Charlie’s life and asking for help is hard for him. His relationship withhis parents is not the best, and he doesn’t want to make Nick feel bad for him. Charlie feels like a burden to everyone around him. 

After a lot of encouragement, Charlie speaks with his parents about how he truly feels. It’s a realistic conversation that shows us a vulnerable Charlie who wants to get better. The best thing for Charlie was getting into a psychiatric hospital for a while. We watch his journey to this place, including discussions with his therapist, Geoff, and getting diagnosed with OCD and anorexia nervosa. If you are feeling bad or don’t know how you’re feeling, please speak up, because there’s always someone who will help you.

Take Your Time

Being a teenager isn’t easy, and believe us when we say we know about it. Each character in Heartstopper is going through something, but we want to highlight Tara’s process of getting into uni. When you’re finishing high school, everyone is thinking about the future, and that’s one of the most stressful times in life. Tara is struggling with her future because she isn’t sure where she wants to go or what she wants to study. She feels pressured because she doesn’t want to disappoint those around her. Teenagehood is difficult. The reality is that life isn’t a race – and if it were, you’re the only one running – so take things slowly.

Sexuality Is A Spectrum

One thing that Heartstopper will never fail to do is portray different sexual orientations, which is so important. In season 3, Isaac comes out as asexual and aromantic, a sexuality that isn’t very well represented in the media. Because of that, having a character like Isaac allows us to learn that there are people who don’t feel romantic attraction to anybody, and that’s perfectly fine. With Isaac’s plotline of getting to know himself, we learn that sexuality is unique. Every day of your life, you are learning something new about yourself. For example, Imogen realizes that even though she thought for most of her life that she was heterosexual, she never really liked a boy. Her story also shows that sexuality is dynamic.

Having a TV show like Heartstopper is crucial nowadays. People worldwide are watching these characters’ stories and feel seen. We are sure that this Netflix show is going to last for a long time in the memories of those who found a safe place in Nick’s and Charlie’s story. For us, the beauty of Heartstopper season three was all the things that made us think about life and how we should be living it to the fullest!

Who was your favorite character this season? Let us know in the comments below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPop! You can also visit us on Facebook and Instagram!

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