Heartstopperseason 3 finally redeems the show’s biggest missteps by giving two of its best supporting characters — the bookish Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan) and antisocial Tori Spring (Jenny Walser) — the roles they really deserve. Even though Isaac is one of Charlie’s (Joe Locke) best friends, and Tori is his supportive sister,both characters have been sidelined throughout the Netflix adaptation’s first two seasons. Given the show’s impressive ensemble, it’s no surprise that the members ofHeartstopper’s cast of charactersdon’t all get equal screen time. Still, a revamp of Isaac and Tori’s stories (and characters) was long overdue.
Picking up whereHeartstopperseason 2’s endingleft off, the third outing of the coming-of-age romantic drama sees Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) both struggling to tell each other something important. While Charlie wants to tell Nick that he loves him, Nick is worried about Charlie’s worsening mental health. Theambitious and matureHeartstopperseason 3knows that its supporting cast is just as vital to telling these stories. However,the show wisely gives the duo’s friends deeper storylines and more screen timeof their own too, especially where Isaac and Tori are concerned.
Heartstopper Season 3 Finally Gives Isaac & Tori The Roles They Deserve
Isaac & Tori Have Stronger Relationship Dynamics & More Screen Time
In the first two seasons ofHeartstopper, Isaac and Tori were more like bit parts than fully realized characters. Not only are they vital to Charlie’s mental health journey in season 3, but they get enough screen time to cultivate their own narratives as well. In the show’s sophomore season, Isaac discovers that he’s asexual and aromantic. While his friends are obsessed with relationship milestones,Isaac is happier to be friends with the people he loves most.Heartstopperseason 3allows Isaac to delve more deeply into his nuanced identity and, eventually, share what he’s learned about himself.
Both Isaac and Tori are instrumental in Charlie’s mental health journey too.
While Isaac is comfortable sharing his identity, he still has a lot to learn as well. Over the summer,Isaac starts to feel like the third wheeland becomes frustrated when Charlie refuses to share important things with him. Isaac understands that his friends must navigate their romantic partnerships, but he hasn’t quite realized where that leaves him. Meanwhile, Tori is also doing a bit of self-discovery inHeartstopperseason 3. On an online forum, she admits that her brother, Charlie, is also her best friend. Clearly, Tori wants a close friend group but doesn’t know how to obtain that.
Heartstopper Season 3’s Most Satisfying Friendship Was Secretly Set Up In Season 1
Heartstopper season 3’s most surprising and satisfying friendship is finally solidified after a great tease in the Netflix show’s first-ever season.
Both Isaac and Tori are instrumental in Charlie’s mental health journey too. When Nick suspects that Charlie has anxiety and an eating disorder, he isn’t quite sure how to bring it up. Tori, who has also noticed changes in Charlie’s disposition, winds up contacting Nick and encouraging him to speak with Charlie again. For his part, Isaac confronts Charlie about what’s changed, but he gets dismissed. Later,Isaac bravely reminds Charlie how hurtful it is to be brushed aside, reiterating the importance of trusting one’s instincts when it comes to a friend’s well-being.
How Isaac & Tori’s Arcs Are Important Outside Of Charlie’s Journey
Isaac & Tori Finally Feel Like Fully Formed Characters In Heartstopper Season 3
ByHeartstopperseason 3’s ending,both Isaac and Tori have gone on journeys with Charlie and satisfied arcs of their own. Isaac comes to understand his particular loneliness — something that happens when his identity brushes up against societal expectations. Meanwhile, Tori is able to navigate her discomfort around other people to begin a relationship, be it romantic or not, with Michael Holden (Darragh Hand). By giving Isaac and Tori the stories they deserve, the show reiterates thatHeartstopper’s sense of community is its strongest asset. Hopefully, this meaningful character trend continues inHeartstopperseason 4.
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age teen romantic comedy based on the webcomic/graphic novel created by Alice Oseman. The show is viewed through the eyes of a young gay British teen named Charlie Spring, whose crush on a classmate grows into something more meaningful as they slowly get closer throughout the series. The show navigates the challenges of LGBTQ+ youth during tumultuous adolescent years.
