Heartstopper’s approach to sex in season 3 should silence the critics

As a therapist who has spent years helping young adults navigate their emotions and relationships, I can wholeheartedly appreciate the importance of shows like Heartstopper. Having worked with countless individuals grappling with their own feelings towards sex and self-worth, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful honest conversations about these topics can be.

Heartstopper season 3 spoilers follow.

When Nick and Charlie initially burst onto our scene with the enthusiasm of playful golden retrievers, their blossoming romance struck a chord due to its genuine sweetness and purity.

In a world filled with series like Skins and Euphoria that highlighted the wild side of teenage parties, Heartstopper stands out as it focuses on a different kind of spark – one that’s more pure and unique.

In a softer, more genuine manner, there might be fleeting glances filled with affection or moments of hesitant hand-taking. These subtle actions carry just as much authenticity and emotional depth as the commonly depicted drunken mishaps and car encounters in media. However, this rings particularly true when portraying love between queer teenagers.

Straight romantic relationships are portrayed extensively across various levels of intimacy, both subtly and overtly, on screen. However, the representation of queer love is relatively scarce, especially within mainstream media.

In the gaming world, experiencing the raw and authentic portrayal of young love between two boys in Heartstopper’s early seasons was a groundbreaking moment, at least within mainstream media. I mean, while Boy’s Love shows have been cherished by gay communities in Asia for quite some time now, it’s still not common to see these heartwarming stories shining brightly on the global stage as they should.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to say, some folks just couldn’t help but criticize Heartstopper, labeling it overly innocent. They seemed to think those tender kisses between Nick and Charlie, the ones that sparkled like magic on screen and left us all swooning, were far-fetched. But to be honest, I found this criticism rather narrow-minded.

Similarly, while some teenagers engage in behaviors such as attending parties, using drugs, and having casual sex which could potentially have severe consequences on their heart health, it is important to note that there are numerous others who do not partake in such activities, regardless of their identity.

Heartstopper demonstrates that stories about two boys falling in love can be every bit as engaging and charming as any other romance narrative. It’s heartwarming to cheer them on as they find the courage to express their affection for one another.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: In our journey together, even the purest of bonds eventually evolve into something more mature. You can only keep kissing for so long before things move forward. For Nick and Charlie, that moment of change slowly unfolds in season three, starting with Charlie’s discharge from the clinic where he received treatment for his eating disorder.

Spending so much time separated naturally intensified their feelings for one another, as evidenced by the increased tension and attraction between them at the beginning of episode six, symbolized by an adorable animated spark that floats across the screen.

In a later conversation with friends, Charlie confides that the pair have only been physically affectionate while clothed. He’s concerned that Nick might not be prepared and also worries about his own body image issues preventing him from being comfortable with intimacy. However, at a party, after drinking too much, Charlie boldly brings up the subject of sexual relations with Nick.

On the following day, they delve deeper into the topic, with Charlie expressing his apprehension about moving forward. He confides in them about his concerns regarding his self-harm scars and not having a six-pack like Jonathan Bailey’s character, Jack Maddox. However, Nick is unfazed, comforting him by emphasizing that he finds Charlie incredibly attractive. Indeed, he should feel the same way!

In the series titled “Heartstopper“, conversations such as those between Charlie and his therapist regarding his body image and self-worth hold significant weight, perhaps even surpassing the importance of the sexual encounters themselves. This show emphasizes the emotional aspects associated with sex rather than the act itself.

Each conversation around this topic is imbued with the kind of heartfelt honesty that will surely help younger viewers who are navigating their own feelings towards sex and relationships in a similar way to the boys.

This year, it’s not just Nick and Charlie who share a similar eccentricity. Tara and Darcy have been pairing up, and they seem to be discussing their relationship more openly in season three. Additionally, Elle and Tao’s romantic journey provides an additional, essential perspective to conversations about queer relationships.

In the early stages of our gaming session, things took an unexpected turn as Tao ventured to explore new territories on my character, Elle. This unexpected touch sent a jolt through Elle, causing her to leap back in surprise.

Elle says that when you touched that spot, it intensified my feelings of gender discomfort significantly. It was as if my body didn’t feel like mine, and I felt disconnected from myself. I apologize.

In agreement with Tao’s observation, it’s understandable that Elle might not feel the need to apologize. After all, dealing with such intricate emotions is challenging for most people, especially for someone like Elle, who’s still discovering and defining her identity as a young transgender woman in the realms of sexuality and intimacy.

Hereafter unfolds a beautiful moment as Elle opens up about her feelings to her trusted transgender companions. They encourage her, assuring her that there’s no rush, and she shouldn’t feel compelled to act unless she’s genuinely ready. However, if Elle feels strongly about Tao, as it appears she does, they advise her to take the leap of faith.

Shortly following the New Year’s celebration, Elle indeed carries out her action, but we only get to see the beginning as fireworks erupt in the sky above. Similarly, the anticipated scene where Nick and Charlie consummate their relationship occurs at the end of episode seven, though what follows is left unseen.

Instead of immediately embracing passionately and tearing their clothes apart, the significant moment occurs after they both reveal their deepest insecurities. Charlie opens up about his struggles with an eating disorder, while Nick shares his difficulties in discovering his identity as a young bisexual teenager who’s unsure of his own desires.

One thing he does want though, the thing he wants most, in fact, is Charlie. And it’s through this intimacy and openness that the pair open up to each other physically as well.

In a realistic and authentic manner, Heartstopper skillfully portrays this crucial scene without deviating from its characteristic, heartwarming tone. Despite the absence of an explicit sexual encounter, as the camera moves away and credits roll after their kiss, the scene resonates deeply with viewers as if it were genuinely happening, even more so than many traditional sex scenes.

Critics may persist in finding fault with “Heartstopper” for its method, potentially claiming that by omitting the explicit aspects, they’ve weakened this narrative thread. However, they would be mistaken. Not all productions need to depict the (literal) intricacies of sexual acts to effectively portray the emotional intimacy inherent in such relationships.

And if Heartstopper had, then it wouldn’t have felt like Heartstopper anymore.

Heartstopper is available on Netflix.

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2024-10-03 14:19