Heartstopper season 3 review: Is this the perfect Sex Education primer?

4.0 out of 5 star rating

Breaking news: Heartstopper has confirmed that, sometimes, gay couples do more than just kiss.

Absolutely, in season 3, the show is evolving to delve deeper into the complexities of relationships beyond simple dates like milkshakes, movie nights, and beach days. However, rest assured that these enjoyable outings remain highly recommended for their charm.

In this third installment, Alice Oseman seems to have masterfully designed a comprehensive guide for sex education – a term that carries double meaning in this context. Firstly, the series humorously exposes the shortcomings of traditional school-based sex education, often glossing over or skipping entirely discussions about sexual orientation, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Many viewers may find this reminiscent of their own past, undeniably. I recall vividly my own encounters with such “lessons” at a Roman Catholic high school, where the lone openly gay student felt compelled to withdraw in protest. The Religion instructor who led these discussions later confided in me that he aimed for all of us to feel “uneasy” about the topic of sex.

It’s been over a decade since then, but judging by Heartstopper season 3, progress doesn’t appear to have moved at an astonishing pace. It’s no surprise that many young people find themselves ill-equipped to navigate these complex situations. Perhaps this series can help provide some much-needed clarity.

Absolutely, Heartstopper season 3 functions as an effective aid in real-life sex education, and additionally, it provides a good introduction to Netflix’s Sex Education series. While Sex Education was lauded for its informative content on various topics, its graphic depictions of intimacy make it unsuitable for younger audiences.

Fortunately, Heartstopper season 3 continues exploring themes of consent, intimacy, and sexuality in a manner consistent with its clean-cut and family-oriented image. Nevertheless, it sets up the foundation for viewers to transition (when ready) to Sex Education, where these concepts are further developed as only a more mature series can do.

To clarify, these upcoming episodes don’t solely revolve around bedroom activities; instead, they take a deeper dive into Charlie’s struggle with an eating disorder. His feelings of embarrassment about his physical appearance are a central focus throughout the series, and as the story progresses, his situation becomes increasingly dire.

Locke gives an outstanding performance since the show’s debut, showing his skills in handling heavy subject matter, such as a poignant scene where Charlie experiences his lowest moment. Oseman’s writing skillfully approaches sensitive topics with thoughtfulness, maintaining the series’ reputation for offering supportive messages and guidance in a way that feels genuine.

In a soothing role, Eddie Marsan portrays Charlie’s therapist, Geoff, adding to this season’s impressive lineup of prominent guest stars. Hayley Atwell skillfully takes on the part previously held by Olivia Colman, stepping into the shoes of Nick’s fashionable Aunt Diane. She provides sage advice and a pleasant atmosphere, making her the kind of family member you wouldn’t mind running into during Christmas gatherings – quite the opposite of someone you’d dread seeing!

In a nutshell, among all characters in Ted Lasso, Annette Badland’s portrayal as Kizzy Edgell’s grandmother stands out as the most impactful performance. Her character delivers lines in a straightforward manner that is reminiscent of her past roles, and it’s undeniably the strongest line delivery of the season.

Instead of building anticipation, unfortunately, I must say that Jonathan Bailey’s guest role in Bridgerton falls short of expectations. Despite my admiration for him as an actor, his screen time is minimal and lacks substance, resulting in few memorable moments. Yet, it’s still pleasant to see him make an appearance, I suppose.

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that the challenges I’ve noticed in Heartstopper season 3 seem to share similarities with the series as a whole – aspects that have been there since the beginning. Some of these issues, though, might even be viewed as strengths by fellow enthusiasts, given their deep-rooted nature within the show’s design.

Though Oseman’s scripts seem to get better with each passing season, there are instances where dialogue becomes overly cumbersome to subtly introduce a specific theme whenever it seems fitting. These awkward moments can feel discordant, yet they might be essential for preserving the educational and entertaining aspect of the series. I sometimes yearn for the discussions to feel more organic in their presentation.

The acting team exhibits occasional inconsistency, with Kit Connor’s powerful performance sometimes drawing undue focus. William Gao and Yasmin Finney are largely less dynamic compared to their counterparts, but Finney gets a standout scene that underscores the significant rise in transphobia we’ve witnessed recently.

Among the supporting actors, there seems to be an insufficient amount of on-screen interaction, particularly between Imogen (Rhea Norwood) and Sahar (Leila Khan). Their bond appears to have developed significantly away from the camera, which makes viewers less emotionally attached to their relationship compared to other characters.

In conclusion, there are still several instances of montages featuring General Happiness, such as playing at the beach, dancing at parties, acting playful at the zoo or, naturally, affectionate moments with your partner. I appreciate the importance of portraying queer happiness, but these scenes can become overly sweet rather quickly; everyone’s tolerance for this may differ, and that’s perfectly fine.

In a balanced approach, Oseman highlights that co-dependency isn’t beneficial, emphasizing that one’s happiness should not solely depend on another individual’s presence or validation.

Additionally, the series provides greater depth for characters Isaac (Tobie Donovan) and Tori (Jenny Walser), who initially had less development when the show first started. However, they now seem more authentic and well-rounded as their stories unfold.

Heartstopper Season 3 continues the familiar charm, but creators Alice Oseman and the cast effectively develop the narrative, venturing into deeper themes. The series delves into complex topics such as eating disorders and first sexual encounters, adding depth to the sweet romantic drama.

Absolutely, it might not have the same level of intensity found in content intended for more mature audiences. However, for our younger audience members, this season seems to offer a comforting navigation tool during challenging times, which is certainly worth acknowledging and appreciating.

Starting from October 3, 2024, you can watch Heartstopper season 3 right here on Netflix! Additionally, Netflix can be accessed on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream as well.

2024-10-01 10:34

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