Heartstopper Season 3: Charlie and His Eating Disorder
Season 3 of Heartstopper has been out for a few weeks now, and we can’t stop thinking about it! Everyone knew this season was going to take a much darker turn but what we weren’t ready for was the fact that they were able to accomplish this while still maintaining the light and positivity that Heartstopper is known for. The issue of Charlie (Joe Locke) and his eating disorder, which was teased artfully right from the beginning of the show, took center stage this season, and we’re astonished by the grace with which it was handled.
The origins of Charlie’s eating disorder are both very complex and utterly simple all at the same time. It’s rooted in the confines of the closet and the difficult and fearful emotions of wondering if those around you will still love you if they knew your secret and the layers of anxiety that can cause. However, the whole thing is also incredibly simple because Charlie was bullied about his sexuality, which triggered these emotions in the first place. If that hadn’t happened, his eating disorder would likely have never manifested. Therefore, it’s complex, but simple too.
Something that television hasn’t historically done very well is representing mentally ill people in real terms. They’re often portrayed as completely messed up, unable to hold it together, while acting destructive towards themselves and the relationships they have with others. And while that is true of some people who have mental health struggles, it’s certainly not the case for everyone.
In Charlie’s case, he’s clearly not doing well. His anxiety, which is now so deeply rooted inside of him, is inhibiting his ability to eat – or even want to eat – and he’s developed a really complex relationship with food that will definitely impact his physical health if it remains unchecked. However, what is so awesome about the mental health representation with the character of Charlie is that he’s also able to function as a human – like so many people with mental health struggles do.
While not perfect, he maintains his relationships with his friends, and he’s able to carry on a healthy, functioning relationship with his boyfriend, Nick (Kit Connor). Maybe that’s because of who Nick is as a person, or maybe it’s because of who Charlie is as a person – perhaps it’s a little of both. Nick really understands Charlie’s struggles and has slotted himself into Charlie’s life as a support mechanism. Some argue that Nick loses himself a little in this process, but we’d argue that Nick is just doing the right thing at that time. Even though Nick focuses on himself less during this time, he isn’t outright neglecting himself either.
In our interview with Alice Oseman, they said that the idea behind Charlie and Nick’s relationship this season is to purport the message that, despite how much you can love someone, love can’t fix a mental health issue on its own. This idea is captured so artfully with Nick and Charlie in Season 3. Regardless of how much Nick loves Charlie, he can’t fix the one he loves with just his love alone. Charlie knows this too and they manage to continue loving each other while doing what they can to keep Charlie afloat.
The other factor in this representation in season 3 is that, even though he’s struggling with himself, Charlie is still capable of both giving and receiving love. Media often depicts mental health as a barrier to both of these things, which is also not true for everyone in real life. The creators of Heartstopper have artfully captured the pain and torture that poor mental health can bestow upon someone, while at the same time demonstrating the the reality that, in order to get better, a person needs these things in their life as a component of their treatment.
Media often depicts people with eating disorders as unable to seek treatment, or unable to accept help. And again, while that may be true for some, Charlie and his journey embodies another message that is also true for some: help is possible, and you don’t need to wait until you’ve hit rock bottom to get it. And so, Charlie goes to treatment.
As we continue to rewatch Season 3 of Heartstopper, we are awed at the nuance that is applied to Charlie and his story. Alice Oseman says that the overall message of Heartstopper is one of hope, with the projection of the idea that things will get better in time, and season 3, especially the story arc of Charlie and his eating disorder, depicts that in the best way possible.
We are begging Netflix to renew Heartstopper for season 4. There is still so much storytelling left within this world, and we’re dying to know how their lives will play out as they move from adolescence into adulthood. Netflix, hear our cries! Give the people what they want!
All 3 seasons of Heartstopper are available to stream exclusively on Netflix. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix
