The sex scene in the third season of “Heartstopper” is tender and emotional

SPOILER ALERT: This column contains spoilers for the third season of “Heartstopper,” now streaming on Netflix.

The first two seasons of Heartstopper, Netflix’s popular teen series, were about falling in love. In Season 2 of “Heartstopper,” viewers watched as quiet and insecure Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and his new boyfriend, confident and protective Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), navigate their new relationship. In Season 3, in episodes centered around mental wellness, sex, and significant life changes, author Alice Oseman – adapting her own graphic novels – focuses on the demands of work relationships and what it means to to thrive or die as new feelings and expectations come to light.

Sex is a major theme in Season 3. Charlie and Nick have sex for the first time and their friends Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao) also take their romance to the next level. However, Oseman doesn’t just offer unnecessary scenes of teenagers letting their hormones run wild. She presents thoughtful conversations about insecurities, sexual wellness, privacy, and the emotions of sexual intimacy.

The third season of “Heartstopper” premieres three weeks after the second season finale. In the last month of summer vacation, Charlie, Nick and their friends head to the beach. Although he’s absolutely thrilled with Nick, Charlie is clearly not doing well mentally. In the first three episodes of the season, viewers watch as his mental health and eating disorder continue to spiral out of control. It wasn’t until the end of Episode 3, “Talk,” that Nick persuades Charlie to talk to his parents, which led to the couple being separated for two months as Charlie went into inpatient treatment. A big aspect of healthy relationships is security and feeling comfortable enough to have a positive sex life. Long before their first sexual adventure, Nick positions himself as Charlie’s protector. Charlie, in turn, is the person who allows Nick to understand himself in his entirety – and gives him the resilience he needs to help his friend through a very challenging time.

While the first half of season three is about getting Charlie into a mental state, Elle and Tao explore the physical aspect of their relationship. Like Charlie and Nick, their bond is based on deep trust and friendship. When things get hot and heavy and Elle gets nervous, she and Tao openly talk about her body dysmorphia as a trans woman. Together they progress at a pace that suits both of their comfort levels.

When it comes to teenagers and sex, abstinence and protection are often top of mind. There’s a lot of talk about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention, and perhaps a brief talk about consent. But “Heartstopper” shows that security also means open and honest communication and the maturity to engage in challenging conversations with a partner. Additionally, the series shows the importance of balancing emotions with the physical being.

Additionally, the adults in “Heartstopper” are mostly well-meaning and trustworthy, although Charlie has arguments with his mother Jane (Georgina Rich). Nick confides in Charlie’s illness to his aunt Diane (Hayley Atwell) when things become too scary for him to cope on his own. Beyond mental well-being, transparent communication between young people and adults about sex is crucial, even in the midst of their awkwardness and discomfort. Since Charlie initially focuses on his health, sex doesn’t become the focus until Episode 6, “Body.” In the episode, Charlie talks to his therapist Geoff (Eddie Marsan) about his insecurities, which include his slim frame and self-harming scars. This exchange and the framing Geoff provides encourages Charlie to bring his concerns to Nick.

In healthy relationships, the initial magic doesn’t completely wear off, but it does simmer, especially in the transition years between adolescence and adulthood when there’s so much going on. Young love and teen sex are often viewed as trivial, but this is anything but trivial. These feelings are real and this crucial and transformative chapter in life can change perspectives forever. By depicting the fullness of sexual exploration (not just acts of penetration) but also talking, fun, sensuality, kissing, awkwardness and cuddling, “Hearstopper” dismantles the reactionary taboos surrounding teenage sex and instead presents it as it should be: pleasurable and pleasurably exciting human experience.

“Heartstopper” Season 3 is now available to stream on Netflix.