Heartstopper season 3 episode 2 “Home” left me bawling. We’re just going to dive into that right away because there’s no other way to start this review than by saying that. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t have an eating disorder like Charlie and connects in that manner. But I do have a mental illness. Multiple in fact. And this episode made me stop and think about what it must be like for others in my life when they see me struggling. If I’m seeing this now in my thirties, I don’t know if I can fully appreciate or understand what a lot of these scenes in Heartstopper season 3 episode 2 can do for a teenager who doesn’t fully understand what’s going on within themselves or to their loved ones. Maybe now they do. And maybe now they’ll get the help that they need.
But we’re going to shake off the feelings for a second and break down some of our favorite moments in Heartstopper season 3 episode 2 titled “Home.”
The conversation between Nick and his Aunt Diane.
While I am mourning the fact that Olivia Colman was busy doing fabulous things to be in Heartstopper season 3, I’m really glad that Aunt Diane, played by Haley Atwell, was there for Nick. You don’t have to be a teenager to understand what Nick is going through. All of us love someone. And at one point or another, the person that we love is going to go through something hard. Maybe we’ll have the tools to help them or maybe we won’t. And maybe we will be the one that needs help and our loved ones don’t know what to do. The point is, sometimes we feel pain at the very thought that we might not be able to ease the hurt that our loved ones are in. We could only be there for them like Aunt Diane was there for Nick.
That conversation at the end of the episode was special because Aunt Diane listened, acknowledged that this is a lot of weight to carry, and gave Nick advice on what he can do to help himself but also his loved one. Because there’s no easy fix to what’s happening with Charlie. There never is when it comes to mental illnesses. And Nick can’t destroy himself in trying to help Charlie. That’s why it was so important that Aunt Diane didn’t brush Nick’s concerns off or tell him to suck it up or dump Charlie. She held him close and provided a safe space for Nick to admit that he was scared. For many, that might seem like weakness. But it’s so important for anyone watching to know that admitting that you’re scared is a strength. It’s acknowledging your own emotions and reality.
I also really loved that Aunt Diane told Nick, “People need more support than one person can give. That’s love darling.” It’s not Heartstopper as a show telling the audience that Nick can’t do anything but sit by Charlie’s side. It’s the show telling Nick and the viewer that no one does this alone. And when someone really needs help, it’s okay to bring in other people. There’s stigma around it and it’s absolutely terrifying to talk about your problems with others. But you can. And the love and care that was taken within this particular scene of episode 2 of Heartstopper really leads me to believe that this show has taken the time to create a show that is understanding of the teenage experience without looking down upon them on so many levels. Because we were all teenagers at one point or another.
Isaac, my precious unicorn.
Heartstopper isn’t forgetting that Isaac is there. In the hands of anyone else, Isaac would have disappeared into the background never to be seen again. But Isaac’s storyline is just as valuable as anyone else’s. And it even doesn’t have to do with him being asexual. His experience is something that anyone that is third wheeling in a group where everyone is paired up. The people that are in romantic relationships want to explore these new budding feelings, that are exhilarating. But being teenagers, it’s easy to lose focus and maybe not realize that other people’s lives are still going on while they’re in this honeymoon phase. And life is especially going on for Isaac.
Our precious little unicorn is the only one of the group of friends that is really acknowledging that the group dynamic has changed. He’s also the one that’s noticing more than anyone in the friend group that there is something wrong with Charlie. You should never underestimate those quiet ones. Especially someone like Isaac. Because sometimes the quiet ones are the ones that are more in sync with the people around them. And sometimes, they’re better at verbalizing what they’re feeling too. That’s why I loved that Isaac decided to leave when Elle and Tao were all over each other. That’s cute and all and Isaac is definitely happy for them. But his emotions matter as well. And so do Charlie’s.
Isaac going over to Charlie’s was a pivotal moment for his character. Firstly, Isaac asked if he could enter Charlie’s room. It’s respect at its most baseline form, something that a lot of people don’t have nowadays. Then there’s the fact that Isaac brought up that Charlie has been ignoring his messages and how the group has changed. He gave Charlie the safe space to talk without being pushy. And when the conversation was over, he asked if Charlie wanted him to leave. The way that Isaac handled this conversation made Charlie feel comfortable enough where they could sit down and watch Emma together. That was an olive branch. One that matters for Charlie’s future recovery but also Isaac’s place on this show.
MORE: Isaac is a unicorn but even he breaks. Read our review for Heartstopper season 3 episode 3 “Talk.”
Charlie taking important steps.
I think Heartstopper season 3 episode 2 “Home” left me crying not only because of the conversation between Nick and his Aunt Diane, but also the fact that I didn’t think that they would have Charlie admitting there’s a problem so early on in the season. I thought they were going to drag it out. But the show continuously surprises me and had Charlie doing his own research and then telling someone he trusted that he had an eating disorder. The first step is always the hardest. But Charlie did it. And I would be so interested to know what others with eating disorders felt about that conversation between Charlie and Nick. But I would also love to know what other people have experienced when coming out to their family with this issue or seeking help.
Even though I’ve never had the same issues as Charlie, that doesn’t mean that I can’t empathize with his problems or the way that he feels. And I really hope that this is something that other people appreciate when they watch this episode. I also hope that people who are watching and have no experience with something like this, understand that it will take time for Charlie to move forward. He might struggle with it for the rest of his life. But he’s about to go through something really really difficult and all we can do is have empathy and understanding that he is not alone, his feelings are real, and that he is so loved by his friends, family, and boyfriend.
He’ll be okay and the viewers who are going through something similar, I hope they’re okay too.
Let’s not forget the older gays.
I did not expect to see Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk in Heartstopper season 3 episode 2 “Home.”
In season 2, we only got these two for a little bit in Paris. But those moments of feeling queer joy even later on in life, it added a new facet to Heartstopper that I never knew I needed. And it seems like season 3 is going to continue exploring the relationship between these two. Remember kids, just because these two aren’t teenagers anymore doesn’t mean that they don’t get butterflies like everyone else does. They absolutely do. And you will too when you’re an older queer. There’s the exhilaration of starting something new with someone who makes you laugh, teases you in small moments, and then respects you at the same time. It’s the same as the teenage butterflies but with a little more experience under your belt.
Here’s hoping that we get more of Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk, because as much fun as it is to see the little baby gays and teenagers figure out their lives, the romance continues later on in life. And it’s nice to have a reminder that we’re still here. Long after high school and college, we’re still here and we’re still falling in love or experiencing something for the first time. We never go away. We’re just part of life.
MORE: If you want more of Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk, read our review for Heartstopper season 3 episode 3 “Talk.”
Heartstopper season 3 is now available on Netflix.
