The cute teen drama grows up

TV’s cutest teen drama grows up. In the third and best season yet, bottles are popped, F-bombs are dropped, and cherries… well, that’s it Heart stopperTherefore, the prospect of sexual intimacy is discussed with the necessary level of respect and sensitivity. While Heart stopper has hardly developed into a Gen Z Skins – No one asks, “Should we do a little key?” like Charli XCX – the previous hint of tweeness is gone and it feels more real.

Writer and creator Alice Oseman, who adapted the show from her own webcomic and graphic novel series, manages this shift in tone without sacrificing anything Heart stopper‘s warm-hearted charm. It’s still fun spending time with nervous Charlie (Joe Locke), his rugby-loving friend Nick (Kit Connor), and their predominantly (though not exclusively) LGBTQ+ friendship group. And with eight episodes being around 35 minutes each, this is becoming increasingly rare – a season of a Netflix show that doesn’t feel bloated.

The first half focuses on a storyline that was hinted at from the start: Charlie’s depression and anorexia. In episode four, heart stopper’Worst of all, his condition becomes so serious that he has to go to a clinic. Oseman’s script cleverly shows that an eating disorder is a very internal problem that also affects friends and family members. As Charlie opens up to sympathetic therapist Geoff (Eddie Marsan), Nick asks his aunt Diane (Hayley Atwell) for advice on how to support Charlie without smothering him.

The second half is more about sex. Charlie and Nick consider whether to make their relationship physical, while Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao) wrestle with a similar decision – one that is still difficult for Elle as a young trans woman whose relationship with her own body is evolving becomes more difficult. In the sixth episode, she is invited onto a local radio show to discuss her growing popularity as an Instagram artist, but is met with stark questions about “single-sex spaces” and the “culture wars.” Elle’s visible discomfort is a heartbreaking echo of the otherness faced by many trans people who appear in mainstream media.

Unfortunately, some subplots feel rushed. Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) try to slow down their relationship while grappling with the seismic realization of who they are as individuals. Tara’s pursuit of academic excellence and the impact this has on her mental health is a thorny dilemma that could be explored further. Still, even though there’s probably too much going on, Heart stopper zooms along to a bouncy indie-pop soundtrack featuring Romy, Billie Eilish and Beabadoobee.

Meanwhile, self-proclaimed “ally” Imogen (Rhea Norwood) continues to provide light relief. When offered a glass of wine at a teenage house party, she asks earnestly, “Is it sustainable?” I’m trying to do my part.” The result is a transformative season that renews itself cardiac arrestR’s sense of purpose and relevance, particularly for LGBTQ+ viewers. This coming-of-age show has grown up and seems more vital than ever.

The third season of “Heartstopper” will be available to stream on Netflix starting October 3rd