Netflix’s Heartstopper has finished another season with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%. Season 3 is a challenging watch, and viewers should read the trigger warnings before watching. However, the finale ends on a sweet and hopeful note.
Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) return to the screen together, and they share three special words. They are joined by a familiar cast, where each character grows and discovers their identity. This season also hints at what a possible Season 4 could be about.
Heartstopper’s Focus on Charlie’s Mental Health
Charlie and Nick continue to grow emotionally. They say “I love you” for the first time and become better at talking to each other. Towards the end of the season, they show intimacy in a fun, awkward, and trusting way.
However Charlie’s mental health and struggles with disordered eating are important topics throughout the season. Nick tries to address these concerns gently, and eventually, Charlie confronts his issues directly.
In the finale, Charlie’s mental health journey reaches a hopeful conclusion as he talks to his therapist (Eddie Marsan) about his new approach to health. After being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and OCD, Charlie learns to overcome his compulsions and follow a healthy eating plan.
He understands that not every day will be perfect in his recovery, but he knows he can rely on his support system, which includes more than just Nick. Charlie learns to seek help and be open about his feelings.
The end of Season 3 symbolizes his healing journey. As Charlie and Nick become more intimate, Charlie is hesitant to take off his shirt.
Throughout the season, he has vulnerable moments where he looks at his scars in the mirror. When Charlie finally takes his shirt off in front of Nick and asks him to do the same, it shows how much he has grown and his willingness to be vulnerable.
Tao and Elle’s Journey in Season 3
Season 3 also follows Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney), another couple ready to be intimate. Elle experiences gender dysphoria and feels uneasy about being vulnerable.
Later in the season, she is invited to do a radio interview about her art, but the host shifts the conversation to gender politics. Elle, who just wants to discuss her art, feels disconnected from her creativity after the interview.
In the finale, we catch up with this couple briefly. Elle shares her plans to study art in Europe, and Tao jokes about getting a job to pay for her travel.
Still from Heartstopper (Credit: Netflix)
This shows that Elle is reconnecting with her art, thanks to Tao’s inspiring video. She has struggled to trust him with her artistic side, but she learns that she needs to trust him with her emotions too. Tao also shows his growth by overcoming his fears of abandonment.
Showing Sexual and Gender Identity in Season 3
Heartstopper is dedicated to showing love and identity through its supporting characters. Isaac’s (Tobie Donovan) journey of discovering his sexuality continues as he identifies as asexual and aromantic. He proudly shares this with his friends during a heartwarming scene at the zoo.
Meanwhile, Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) experiments with they/them pronouns and comes out as non-binary to Tara (Corinna Brown), showing support and love. Tara also learns to set boundaries with Darcy and shares this wisdom with Nick, who has his own concerns.
This reflection starts after she kisses her best friend while drunk, but they agree to stay friends. Imogen begins her confusing journey of self-discovery with the support of her friends.
Charlie’s big sister, Tori (Jenny Walser), also experiences a sweet romance this season. She meets the quirky Michael (Darragh Hand) during New Year’s but avoids labeling their relationship.
At the carnival in the finale, Michael asks if she is his girlfriend, making Tori run away. After Michael encourages Charlie to talk to her, they have a heartfelt conversation on the Ferris wheel. Charlie helps Tori understand that she should focus on her own life and happiness.
Setting the Stage for Season 4
Although Netflix has not confirmed Season 4 yet, Heartstopper hints at future conflicts in the finale, especially regarding Nick’s storyline. Throughout the season, Nick has prioritized Charlie’s health, but now he is looking toward the future.
He insists he wants to stay close to Charlie when choosing universities, but he also has an interest in a school four hours away. If he chooses this school, it means he won’t see Charlie as often.
Tara, Elle, and Darcy remind Nick that his need to please others might hurt his happiness. Nick has not told Charlie about his university choice, leaving us wondering how Charlie will react.
The finale is titled “Apart,” which may suggest that the couple might soon need to learn how to be independent in their relationship. Nick has relied on Charlie since coming out, so if he goes to university, he will show his identity without Charlie.
Still from Heartstopper (Credit: Netflix)
Heartstopper Season 3 shows Charlie and Nick’s emotional growth, focusing on Charlie’s mental health journey and their evolving relationship. Tao and Elle faces intimacy amidst gender dysphoria, while supporting characters discover their sexual and gender identities. The season concludes on a hopeful note, hinting at future challenges for the couple.
Heartstopper Seasons 1-3 are available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
The Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power changes everything for the players in Middle-earth, especially the Elves. The fall of Eregion is a big loss for them and a significant victory for Sauron (Charlie Vickers). However, there is a small hope in this dark time.
As they retreat, Elrond (Robert Aramayo) guides the Elves to a safe place, a beautiful valley on the western side of the Misty Mountains. This valley is known as Imladris. Many viewers may recognize it as Rivendell, and its appearance in the finale suggests it will be important in Season 3.
Elrond Discovers Rivendell While Retreating From the Battle in Eregion
The fall of Eregion is one of the saddest events in Middle-earth’s history. Celebrimbor’s (Charles Edwards) realm was a place where Elvish culture was celebrated for its beauty. It also strengthened friendships with other races, such as the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.
In The Rings of Power, the great battle that begins in Episode 7, “Doomed to Die,” is led by Adar’s (Sam Hazeldine) forces from Mordor. Sauron cleverly plays both sides to his advantage and ultimately wins, destroying Eregion and gaining a new army.
In the books, things happen differently. For example, Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) does not fight in the battle; he stays in Lindon. Instead, he sends Elrond with an Elven army to face Sauron. Sauron is there to take the Rings of Power from Celebrimbor, including the three Elven Rings.
However, Sauron’s army is too big, preventing Elrond from reaching Eregion and forcing him to go north, where he finds Imladris. In the series, Eregion’s defenses are led by Celeborn, who is Galadriel’s (Morfydd Clark) partner. They also head north. Most survivors of Eregion’s attack find their way to Imladris, and Elrond makes it his stronghold.
“Imladris” is a Sindarin word that means “Rivendell” in the common language. “Riven” means “split apart,” and “dell” means a small valley among the trees.
This perfectly describes Rivendell, which is a small valley that splits a part of the Misty Mountains. It is a lush, hidden place that is hard to reach but full of resources and shelter. There is no better place for Elrond to establish his home, and he wisely makes use of it.
Elrond Makes Rivendell a Safe Haven for the Free Peoples of Middle-earth
In the Second Age, Rivendell becomes so important that it takes the place of Lindon as the center of Elven decision-making. Most strategic, political, and military meetings happen there. Gil-galad secretly trusts Elrond with Vilya, his Ring of Power, knowing Lindon is an easier target.
Later, in the books, it is in Rivendell that Gil-galad and Elendil (Lloyd Owen) form the Last Alliance of Elves and Men to defeat Sauron. As The Rings of Power moves toward a full-scale war against Sauron in Season 3, Imladris will likely play an important role in the series.
Moreover, Elrond turns Rivendell into a safe place for anyone seeking refuge in Middle-earth. Eventually, it is known as “the Last Homely House East of the Sea,” showing its role as a space for rest, guidance, and healing, far away from the dangers of the road. Before travelers enter the wide and dangerous lands of Eriador and reach the sea, Rivendell provides them with comfort.
In The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, both Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) notice the beautiful scenery and calm atmosphere that fill Rivendell, where the beauty of nature combines with the Elves’ elegance.
Still from The Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
After the fall of Elendil’s realm of Arnor in the Third Age, Rivendell also helps keep the legacy of Númenor alive. All that remains are the Dunedáin, who work to maintain peace in Eriador by forming the Rangers of the North. Elrond is related to Elendil through his brother, Elros Half-Elven. Over the years, he has taken care of many members of Elendil’s line, including Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen).
By the end of the Season 2 finale, Elrond changes his mind about the Elven Rings of Power. This reflects their role in strengthening Rivendell as a refuge. Vilya is connected to air and has the power to preserve and heal.
Elrond uses it to protect Rivendell from outside dangers and to enhance its natural beauty and peacefulness. When the One Ring is destroyed, Vilya’s power fades, removing protection from Rivendell. This is one of the reasons that urge the Elves to leave Middle-earth for Valinor.
Rivendell Is Based on a Real-Life Location in Switzerland
One of the most fascinating facts about Rivendell is that it is inspired by a real place. In one of his letters, J.R.R. Tolkien shares details about his trip to Switzerland in 1911 when he was 19. He went hiking in the Lauterbrunnen valley and other areas in the German part of Switzerland.
He talks about how this trip helped him create Rivendell as a tree-filled, pine-scented sanctuary. The peacefulness and beauty of Lauterbrunnen, along with its remoteness, match the qualities of Rivendell, making it a perfect model for the Elven home.
Still from The Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
In the Season 2 finale of The Rings of Power, Elrond leads the Elves to Rivendell after the fall of Eregion, turning it into a haven. Inspired by a real Swiss valley, Rivendell becomes crucial for Elven decision-making and a refuge for all seeking peace in Middle-earth.
Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is available to stream on Prime Video.
