'Heartstopper's obsession with shirtless Kit Connor actually serves a very important purpose' (original) (raw)

Warning: This article contains some spoilers for Heartstopper season three

You've probably heard already that this is the year Heartstopper grows up, that this cute, wholesome show is a little less cutesy now, three seasons in. Part of that's down to the parties, which, while not exactly on the same scale as Euphoria, do see the kids drinking and even swearing, just as many British teens actually do.

Then there's the sex. Well, actually, the implied sex. Because even though Nick and Charlie do get it on this season, the camera moves up and the credits roll just as they start to match each other's freak between the sheets. This is still Heartstopper, after all.

But the show is still surprisingly horny, despite all that. Because as innocent as the actual sex might be, Heartstopper's newfound obsession with Kit Connor is anything but. And by "Kit Connor", we mean Kit Connor…'s chest. And abs. And extremely broad shoulders. Pretty much everything to be found in his general torso region.

For example Charlie finally tells Nick he loves him, but he does it while Nick's in the shower, causing some confusion that ends with a heartfelt declaration in the street. (Netflix)

On a superficial level, it's easy to see why. Connor's clearly been working on his physique over the past year, sparking rumours that he might be playing a Marvel superhero in the near future, just like Joe Locke is doing right now in Agatha All Along. Cue a huge uptick in the amount of filthy Wiccan/Hulkling fanfic published online. Ok, fine. Cue a huge uptick in the amount of filthy Wiccan/Hulkling fanfic I've been publishing online.

Heartstopper leans into this with what could be described as a relentless number of shirtless scenes for Kit Connor. The first episode alone reintroduces us to Nick in a vest, which Charlie's a big fan of, and then we immediately jump to the beach where Nick takes said vest off and keeps it off throughout. It's strange to think that proof of God's existence would come in a show like this, but there you have it.

Read more: Agatha All Along star Joe Locke reveals one scene completely broke him

The season three premiere ends with an iconic moment lifted straight from Alice Oseman's graphic novels where Charlie finally tells Nick he loves him, but he does it while Nick's in the shower, causing some confusion that ends with a heartfelt declaration in the street.

All these shirtless scenes make sense, but then why does Nick also receive his GCSE results via text while standing semi-naked in a pool? Why is Connor's physique such a focal point this time around? Are the editors and directors as horny as the fans or is there something more going on?

While it's tempting to suggest Heartstopper might be pimping Connor and his pecs out to prove this season is more 'adult', the truth is this has nothing to do with Connor or Nick it's to do with Charlie. (Netflix)

While it's tempting to suggest that Heartstopper might be pimping Connor and his pecs out to prove this season is more "adult" and "edgy", the truth is this has nothing to do with Connor, or even Nick when it comes down to it either. No, the reason why Heartstopper is just as fixated on Kit as we are is actually because of Charlie.

As season three develops, it becomes clear that Joe Locke's character is suffering from a severe eating disorder and that he really needs help. Nick struggles to understand at first, although he tries his best, but after a touching heart-to-heart with Hayley Atwell's new character (who just so happens to be a therapist), Nick helps Charlie admit the truth to his parents who in turn help him find the medical support he needs.

Read more: Heartstopper praised for 'respectful' portrayal of eating disorders

As we come to learn in episode four (a highlight of the season and Heartstopper as a whole), Charlie's eating compulsions are rooted in OCD rather than a desire to change his physical appearance. He's not anorexic or bulimic, per se. Yet Charlie's fixation on food does make him increasingly paranoid about his body still, especially in regard to the scars he developed through self-harm a few years prior.

To make matters worse, Nick's body is absolutely banging in a traditionally attractive, muscular sense, the kind many gays go gaga for. As a result, Charlie feels bad about taking his clothes off in front of Nick, and even keeps his shirt on when they do finally match each other's freak at the end of episode 7.

As season three develops, it becomes clear that Joe Locke's character is suffering from a severe eating disorder and he struggles with how he looks. (Netflix)

When Charlie drunkenly talks about doing it together a few days earlier, he brings up Jack Maddox, Jonathan Bailey's hottie scholar, and points out that he doesn't have that kind of six-pack. Charlie's skinny, and he has scars, so in his own eyes, he is somehow lesser than.

It's a painful yet deeply relatable confession that almost anyone watching might relate to as we all strive to have the so-called "perfect" body, particularly as a gay man in a community more obsessed with looks than most.

Charlie knows he doesn't "look disgusting" — as he mentions during one of his therapy sessions — and rightly so. But the pressure to have perfect skin or be at a perfect weight is there regardless, holding him back from taking his shirt off in front of Nick, a person who couldn't be more in love with Charlie if he tried. That doesn't matter though because those demons are in his head regardless, and Nick of all people is the person who does have the body he'd like to have himself.

That's why Heartstopper flaunts Connor's physique as much as it does, establishing how comfortable Nick is with his body emphasises Charlie's own discomfort in comparison. (Netflix)

That's why Heartstopper flaunts Connor's physique as much as it does. Not (only) because the show is horny, but because establishing how comfortable Nick is with his body further emphasises Charlie's own discomfort in comparison.

It's easy to compare yourself unfavourably to others when you feel a certain way, and that's especially true for people in same-sex relationships if one feels they're not as conventionally attractive as the other. Now imagine those feelings amplified by hormones and a severe eating disorder. It's a wonder Charlie still loves himself at all, but he does, thanks in part to his friends and his family, but also because of his boyfriend's unconditional affection.

Who knew that flaunting the kind of unattainable body type so many gay men strive for would actually help establish the point that all body types are beautiful and valid? Yet here we are, thirsting with a purpose. If that's not maturity, I don't know what is.

Heartstopper season three is out now on Netflix.