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Heartstopper 2022 Season 3 »
Recap

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Whole season

  • Canon Foreigner: Nick has an aunt, Diane, who wasn't in the original comicnote .
  • Cast Full of Gay: With the sole exception of Tao, all main characters are queer.
  • Idiosyncratic Episode Naming: Each episode has a One-Word Title, much like the chapter names from the source comic.
  • One-Gender School: Truham Grammar School for Boys and Harvey Greene Grammar School for Girls (abbreviated to Higgs), natch. Both schools are within close distance of each other, as Tori and Charlie take the same bus and Elle expectantly looks out into the walking crowd for Tao. Many of their events and school trips are combined.
  • Painting the Medium: In scenes of heightened emotion or romantic tension between characters, animated objects appear in the frame like leaves blowing, snow falling, pulsing hearts or electric sparks. This connects to the source material being a webcomic.
  • Related Differently in the Adaptation: In the original comic, Oliver is Tori and Charlie's little brother. In the show, he's their cousin.
  • True Companions: The Paris Squad (Tao, Charlie, Elle, Isaac, Nick, Tara, Darcy, Sahar and Imogen).

Episode specific

    open/close all folders 

    1. Love 
  • Background Music:
    1. "the way things go" by beabadoobee is played when Charlie practises saying "I love you" in front of the mirror, reflecting his feelings.
    2. "It’s Euphoric" by Georgia is played when the Paris Squad meet at the beach, reflecting everyone's emotions.
    3. "Paradise Calling" by Birdy and RHODES is played when the Paris Squad is at the beach, reflecting everyone's emotions.
    4. "Happy, Healthy, Well-Adjusted" by Max Bennett Kelly is played when the Paris Squad make sandcastles, reflecting Charlie's feelings about everyone else.
    5. "a letter to myself at 17" by Baby Queen is played when Nick and Charlie go into the sea.
    6. "Duet" by Frankie Cosmos is played when Charlie is at Nick's room, reflecting his feelings for Nick.
    7. "Best Day Of My Life" by Tom Odell is played when Nick and Charlie tell each other "I love you", reflecting their feelings for each other.
  • Beach Episode: Half of the episode happens when the Paris Squad go to the beach.
  • Cannot Spit It Out:
    • Charlie struggles the whole episode with telling "I love you" to Nick.
    • Tara struggles the whole episode with telling Darcy that she doesn't want her living at her home anymore.
  • Continuity Nod:
    • In season 2, Tao gave Elle Flowers of Romance. Now, she gives them to him.
    • In season 2, Charlie caught Nick peeking him, and told him it was allowed because they were in love. Now, Nick catches Charlie peeking him, and says those words back to him.
  • Easily-Overheard Conversation: Tori overhears Charlie rehearsing telling "I love you" to Nick.
  • Easter Egg: At the beach, Isaac is reading Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, showing the character's -and the show's- stance against bigotry.
  • Food Fight: Paris Squad have one on the beach.
  • Funny Background Event: Imogen taking selfies when the rest of them are talking.
  • Imagine Spot: Charlie imagines Nick rejecting him.
    Charlie: I love you.
    (Scene cuts to Charlie's point of view, where Nick is surrounded by black mist)
    Nick: (in a severe tone) Oh. Well, thank you. I think it's too early for me to say... that. Sorry.
  • Interrupted Bath: Nick is taking a shower, Charlie makes his Love Confession and runs away, so he abruptly goes out of the bathroom with a Modesty Towel.
  • Intimate Lotion Application: Nick and Charlie with each other when they're on the beach.
  • It Amused Me: Isaac and Charlie with Tao because of him and Elle being Sickeningly Sweethearts.
    Isaac: Aww, Tao, you're probably not going to see her for five whole minutes.
    Charlie: Oh, are you gonna be ok?
  • Last Resort Takeout: Tao and Elle do so after Tao is proven to be a Lethal Chef.
  • Living Emotional Crutch: Darcy inadvertently makes Tara this, eventually learning to have a healthier relationship with her.
  • Losing a Shoe in the Struggle: After Charlie tells him he loves him, Nick goes outside so quickly that he forgets to put on his shoes.
  • Lots of Luggage: Imogen brings a lot of stuff to the beach.
    Sahar: I did tell you not to bring all of that.
    Imogen: But I'm bringing the fun.
  • Love Confession: Nick and Charlie tell "I love you" to each other.
  • Mood Whiplash: Tao is excited to talk about Elle. The shop worker... not that much.
    Tao: It's for my girlfriend. She's over there. Official girlfriend. We've only been dating for, like, three weeks, but it's been a whirlwind.
    Worker: That's £4.98, please.
  • Oblivious Guilt Slinging: Darcy tells Tara that is wonderful to live with her, not knowing that Tara is thinking of suggesting her to move with her grandma instead.
  • Palatial Sandcastle: Tao tries to do one at the beach, unsuccessfully.
  • Photo Montage: Done with the photos at Nick's room, leading to the moments when they were taken.
  • Poorly Timed Confession: Charlie tells Nick he loves him for the first time... while Nick is on the shower.
  • Romantic Candlelit Dinner: Tao and Elle have one.
  • Screw This, I'm Outta Here!: Charlie reacts to Nick's Stunned Silence after he told him he loves him by going back home.

    2. Home 
  • Background Music:
    1. "it gets better" by Martin Luke Brown is played when Nick meets his aunt, uncle and cousins to go to the holidays, reflecting Nick's feelings for Charlie.
    2. "I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Trying)" by Rachel Chinouriri is played when the students pick their GCSE grades, reflecting all students feelings about it.
    3. "Shell" by Ethan Tasch is played when Isaac is left behind by everyone and Charlie lurks on his room, reflecting both situations.
    4. "My Vine" by Wasia Project is played when Nick tells Diane about Charlie's eating disorder, reflecting Nick's feelings for Charlie.
  • Big Damn Hug: Diane gives one to Nick when he confesses her that Charlie has an eating disorder.
  • Book Smart: Tara gets 9 on all her grades. Mr. Ajayi suggests her to join to Oxbridge prep group.
  • Easter Egg: When the students pick up their grades, Isaac is reading You and me on vacation by Emily Henry, which is fitting because is about friendships on summer.
  • Grand Romantic Gesture: Once the two of them start dating, Tao takes Elle on dates almost every day. She points out that this is Trying Too Hard.
  • Friend Versus Lover: Tara and Darcy scold Elle for spending too much time with Tao.
    Tara: We did not drag you away from your boyfriend just so you could be texting him all evening.
    Darcy: You've been very Tao obsessed. We've hardly seen you.
  • Helicopter Parents: Darcy's Abusive Mom calls her multiple times to try to get her back home, but she refuses.
  • Internal Reveal: Tori finds out about Charlie's eating disorder.
  • Imagine Spot: when he's in Menorca, Nick imagines Charlie going there and struggling with food.
  • Lethal Chef: Downplayed with Julio. His roast is flavorless.
  • Living Emotional Crutch: Tao inadvertently makes Elle this, eventually learning to have a healthier relationship with her.
  • Love Cannot Overcome: Diane tells Nick as such when giving him advice on how he should help Charlie with his eating disorder.
    Diane: I know that you love him so, so much. And I know that you think it's your job to save him, and I know that it feels like you are each other's whole world, but that dependency isn't healthy for anyone. Charlie needs someone who isn't his 16-year-old boyfriend. He needs help from a doctor or a therapist, someone that understands eating disorders and knows how to treat them. Love can't cure a mental illness.
  • Love Confession: Tao and Elle tell "I love you" to each other.
  • Mass "Oh, Crap!": the Paris Squad when Isaac reminds them they were supposed to hang out together after getting their GCSE grades.
  • Mood Whiplash: Tao and Elle are tickling each other... and they find Tao's father old camera.
  • O.O.C. Is Serious Business: When Tori is worried about Charlie because his eating disorder is getting worse, she hugs him and tells him she loves him out of nowhere.
  • Paper Destruction of Anger: Darcy crumples her grades as soon as she gets them.
  • Psychological Projection:
    Tao: You're gonna do amazing, and even if you don't, you're still amazing. And, you know, GCSE, they don't matter that much anyway. There's A-levels, then uni...
    Elle: You're more stressed about this than I am.
  • Screw This, I'm Outta Here!: Isaac gets tired of being a Third Wheel with Tao and Elle when the three of them are watching a film, so he walks away.
  • Secret Relationship: Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk hide their relationship at school to avoid gossip.
  • Shirtless Scene: Nick when he's in Menorca. He even sends a picture to Charlie like this.
  • Sickeningly Sweethearts: Aunt Diane teases Nick about him and Charlie being so.
    Diane: I am diagnosing you with a severe case of smitten and growing symptoms of head over heels.
  • Starting a New Life: After being Forced from Their Home and living temporarily with Tara, Darcy moves with her grandma.
  • Suspiciously Apropos Music: "Vertigo" by Griff is on the background when Darcy is settling at her grandma's, reflecting Darcy's feelings.
  • Tragic Keepsake: Tao's father old camera.
  • What Is Going On?: Isaac asks Charlie that.
    Charlie: I'm ok. I'm just missing Nick a lot, and my mum's been really annoying, and... That's it. Just don't feel like doing anything.

    3. Talk 
  • Alone Among the Couples: at the zoo, everyone pair up, leaving Isaac alone.
  • Anger Born of Worry: Tao notices there's something going on with Charlie, and gets angry with Nick because he doesn't tell him about it.
  • Background Music:
    1. "Car Park" by Nieve Ella is played when everyone goes back to school, reflecting Charlie's feelings for Nick.
    2. "Genesis" by Grimes is played when Tao constantly shows Elle's pictures to Charlie and Isaac, reflecting Tao's feelings for Elle.
    3. "One That Got Away" by MUNA is played when the Paris Squad is at the zoo.
    4. "complex" by Katie Gregson-Mac Leod is played when Charlie tells his parents about his eating disorder, reflecting his inner turmoil.
  • Big Damn Hug: Nick and Charlie after Nick gets back from his 3-weeks vacation.
  • Big Sister Instinct: Tori talks with Nick about Charlie's eating disorder.
  • Birthday Episode: Nick's 17th birthday.
  • Brick Joke: during the previous seasons, Charlie has been stealing Nick's jumpers. Now, he returns all of them.
  • Coming-Out Story: Isaac comes out as Asexual and Aromantic.
  • Easily Forgiven: Tao and Isaac forgive each other pretty quickly after arguing.
  • Easter Egg: At school, Isaac is reading This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar.
  • Flashback Echo: Nick recalls Diane's advices when trying to talk to Charlie.
  • Funny Background Event: everyone else when Nick and Charlie are talking at the end of the visit to the zoo.
  • Gaydar: Tara and Darcy sense there's something going on between Imogen and Sahar.
  • Good-Times Montage: when they're at the zoo.
  • Hates Wearing Dresses: Darcy, so much that she switches from skirts to trousers on her school uniform.
  • Hypocrite: Previously, Tao got mad at Charlie for constantly spending time with Nick and accused him of abandoning him. Now, he frustrates Isaac with his constant flirting with Elle, to the point where he feels like a Third Wheel. Elle lampshades this, and Isaac snaps at him.
    Isaac: It's so painful for you to hang out with us and not with your girlfriend.
    Tao: Why do you have to be so bitter about me and Elle dating?
    Isaac: I'm not bitter! You've just not been a good friend lately, Tao. All you care about is your relationship.
  • Innocently Insensitive: Imogen when she makes comforting Isaac about herself.
  • Love Makes You Crazy: Downplayed with Tao.
    Tao: I've had, like, romance goggles on. [...] It does feel pretty magical.
  • Relationship Upgrade: Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk establish officially that they're dating.
  • Sleepyhead: Charlie turns into this because of his eating disorder.
  • Smells Sexy: Nick and Charlie think so about each other.

    4. Journey 

    5. Winter 
  • Am I Just a Toy to You?: Sahar asks that to Imogen.
    Sahar: I don't wanna be just an experiment to you. Especially when you know you're the reason I realized I was bi in the first place.
    Imogen: Wait. I didn't know that.
  • Background Music:
    1. "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!" by Sufjan Stevens is played when Tori goes to Charlie's room at Christmas morning, foreshadowing the day.
    2. "Are You OK?" by Wasuremono is played when Paris Squad text each other.
    3. "Bruises Off The Peach" by Ryan Beatty is played when Charlie runs off to Nick's, reflecting his feelings.
    4. "So Clear" by Miya Folick is played when Charlie and Nick hang out at Nick's, reflecting Charlie's feelings.
    5. "Too Much Time Together" by San Cisco is played when Nick and Charlie drive to New Year's Eve party, reflecting their situation.
    6. "Enjoy Your Life" by Romy is played when everyone dances at New Year's Eve party.
    7. "Devotion" by Arlo Parks is played when Tao and Elle dance at New Year's Eve party, reflecting their feelings for each other.
    8. "In My Head" by Nell Mescal is played during New Year's countdown.
  • Christmas Episode: The episode covers Christmas holidays.
  • Dinner and a Show: Charlie's family gather for Christmas Eve.
  • Easter Egg:
    1. During Christmas Eve, Isaac is reading Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson.
    2. During New Year's Eve, Isaac is reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke.
  • Family of Choice: Discussed by David and Nick.
    Nick: You got a real family who actually wanna hang out with you.
    David: You know, dad is family.
    Nick: I think family are the people who actually give a shit.
  • The Mentally Disturbed: Charlie's family, except Tori, treat him like this.
  • New Year Has Come: the second half of the episode happens at New Year's Eve.
  • New Year's Kiss: Nick and Charlie, Tara and Darcy, Tao and Elle, Imogen and Sahar. Subverted with Isaac and James.
  • Oblivious Guilt Slinging: Tara's family tell Tara how proud they are about her academic achievements, not knowing the pressure Tara is feeling.
  • Over-the-Top Christmas Decorations: Sahar's house when throwing New Year's Eve party.
  • Politically Incorrect Villain: David says that Charlie's eating disorder is him being an Attention Whore.
  • Precision F-Strike: Nick to David. It's more of a shock because season 1 and 2 had a lower rating than season 3, so this is the first time that Nick properly swears.
  • Red/Green Contrast: omnipresent color combination for Christmas.
  • Screw This, I'm Outta Here!: Charlie gets fed up with his family, so he runs off to Nick's.
  • Their First Time: Tao and Elle.
  • Trans Relationship Troubles: Tao's attempt to have sex triggers Elle's disphoria.
  • When the Clock Strikes Twelve: they do a countdown on New Year's Eve.
  • When You Coming Home, Dad?: David expects Stéphane to come home for Christmas. He doesn't.

    6. Body 
  • Bait the Dog: Elle is excited when the interview starts because she was told it was about her art... and it quickly turns it into a debate about trans rights without her permission.
  • Battle Couple: Mariam and Richard defend Elle when the interviewer asks questions they hadn't agreed on.
  • Better as Friends: Imogen and Sahar agree on being this after their Will They or Won't They? storyline.
  • Binge Montage: they drink alcohol at Charlie's birthday.
  • Birthday Episode: Charlie's 16th birthday.
  • Celebrity Cameo: Jonathan Bailey plays Jack Maddox, the fictional celebrity Charlie has a Celeb Crush on.
  • Easter Egg: In class, Isaac is reading The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love by Janet W. W. Hardy, which is fitting because they are on a sex education class.
  • Establishing Character Moment: Michael's introduction quickly establishes him as quirky but kind-hearted.
  • Flashback Echo: when Imogen and Sahar are talking, it cuts briefly to when they were children.
  • Framing Device: Charlie's therapy sessions.
  • The Gadfly: Richard when Elle is about to do an interview about her art.
    Richard: If you're lost for words, you can just talk about what great parents we are and how everything you've achieved is thanks to us.
  • Hangover Sensitivity: everyone the morning after Charlie's birthday.
  • Paralyzing Fear of Sexuality: Charlie feels anxious about having sex with Nick.
  • Senior Year Struggles: Tara struggles to balance her studies with everything else on her life.
  • Sex Miseducation Class: Their sex education class only teaches to put a condom on a cucumber (which they had already been taught the previous year) and to Scare 'Em Straight about STD.
  • Wild Teen Party: Charlie's 16th birthday,

    7. Together 

    8. Apart 
  • Extreme Doormat: Elle accuses Nick of being one, saying he puts aside his own feelings and prioritizes other people over himself.
  • Easter Egg: During the fete, Isaac is reading I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, a book about teens journeys, which could hint to his own friends' group journeys,
  • Did You Just Have Sex?: Tao and Isaac notice Charlie is different, quickly deducing he had sex with Nick.
  • Relationship Upgrade: Michael tries to do so with Tori by asking to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but she avoids him because she doesn't want to answer.
  • Talking in Bed: Nick and Charlie after having sex.

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