On Thursday, October 2, the third (and darkest) season of heartstopperthe popular LGTBIQ+ fiction on Netflix. We are facing the most intense episodes, based on volumes 4 and 5 of the graphic novels by Alice Oseman (also creator of the series). We review everything Nick has been through (Kit Connor), Charlie (Joe Locke) and his friends until now so that this new batch can be fully enjoyed. Hearstopper, although it has never been one of the most viewed series on the streaming platform. It has had a great cultural impact on the younger audience, which is why after the premiere of the first season, Netflix decided to renew it for two more. Now, the young protagonist couple is going to face the biggest problem in their relationship: Charlie’s mental health problems. Also, saying that one of the most beloved characters is not going to return. Who is it about?
heartstopper It burst onto Netflix almost without promotion (like a vast majority of the platform’s products) and thanks to word of mouth, it became a phenomenon among younger viewers. It is true that, in global data, the first season did not do great things, hence the renewal was in doubt. But when those responsible for the Red N company realized the cultural impact that the series had had (and taking into account that it is a fairly cheap product), they decided to give the green light to two more installments.
The key of Heartsropper is to approach the LGTBIQ+ experience from innocence, beauty and respect. In a television sea loaded with mainstream products aimed at young people in which the plots sexualize and exaggerate adolescence, Alice Oseman’s seemed like a beautiful, simple series but with a much deeper psychological depth than it might appear.
The first season focused on the birth of the love story between Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) and in the acceptance of his bisexuality. During the second season, Nick fought against his own prejudices to come out more socially while we began to see Charlie’s mental health problems (anorexia and self-harm), a consequence of his years of being bullied in high school.
Kit Connor in ‘Heartstopper’.
What is the third season about?
Season 3 places us at a crucial moment for the protagonists, who are about to start university. Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. And Nick also has something important to say to Charlie.
The summer holidays are about to end, the months go by very quickly and the protagonists realize that the new school year will bring them many joys and important changes. They will learn more about others and relationships, they will think about all that college can offer them, but they will also have to learn how to seek help when things don’t go as planned.
This season is the adaptation of volumes 4 and 5 of the graphic novels created by Alice Oseman, so (attention, spoilers) we will see the caida to the hells of Charlie, who will be unable to control his mental problems. The best thing, at least in the books, is that it does not resort to the morbidity of the situation but instead explores how the loved ones of a patient of this type should react. Hence one of the most shocking phrases in the novels is said by Nick’s mother to her son (we won’t reveal which one it is). Precisely this character is the one who is not in the third season.
Joe Locke in ‘Heartstopper’.
Until now, Nick’s mother was played by the great actress and Oscar winner Olivia Colman but as she herself confessed, she was unable to balance work schedules to be able to participate in the third installment of Heartstopper.
Nick’s mother’s place is taken, this time, by an aunt of his played by Hayley Atwellbest known for playing Peggy Carter in Captain America: the first avenger. She will be the one who pronounces the aforementioned phrase that gives meaning to the entire plot.
In addition, this third season will also raise the sexual relationships between the characters and the emotional responsibility they entail.
