Talk (episode)

Episode Information

Airdate

October 3, 2024

Written by

Alice Oseman

Directed by

Andy Newbery

Run Time

37 min

Episode Guide
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"Home"	"Journey"

Talk is the third episode of the third season of Netflix's Heartstopper, and the nineteenth episode of the series overall.^[1]

Synopsis[]

It's a new term, and Tao misses Elle now they're at different schools. Charlie plans a birthday surprise for Nick, who's still worried for his boyfriend.

Plot[]

Nick’s alarm goes off and he looks at his missed text messages from Charlie. He smiles as he reads one text saying how three weeks felt like a year; to another where Charlie wishes him good morning and tells him how he can’t wait to see him. He quickly puts on his uniform and says goodbye to Nelly on his way out.

As he is getting to school, Nick gets another text message from Charlie asking him if he is at school yet. He then tells Nick in a subsequent text message to hurry up because he wants to kiss him.

Meanwhile, Tara arrives at her sixth form homeroom, and her teacher there welcomes her. She congratulates Tara on her amazing GCSE results, and tells the young teen she should think about applying to be a prefect because she would have a real shot at it. Darcy greets their girlfriend shortly thereafter and Tara notices that Darcy is wearing trousers instead of a skirt. When asked about it, Darcy states that it's only fair they get to wear trousers too since sixth form boys have to as well.

Tao texts Elle wishing her good luck on her first day at Lambert.

Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk arrive at school together , and Mr. Farouk tells his fellow teacher he should get out first. He then remarks how they can’t get caught by the kids because they will not shut up if they find out the two of them are dating. As it turns out, they have been seeing each other all summer. So when Mr. Farouk says he hopes they are, Mr. Ajayi leans over and kisses him. Unfortunately, they are caught by Coach Singh who tells them that they need to work hiding their relationship a bit harder, if she caught them kissing in the parking lot.

Eventually, Nick and Charlie reunite and two boys embrace tightly after not seeing each other. What felt like ages. Unable to take it any longer, Nick drags them to an empty room and the two boys make out for good while.

Earlier, during his trip to Manorca, Nick continues his talk with his aunt who offers him some solid advice. Such as mentioning to Charlie things that have concerned Nick while in a safe space for the curly haired boy. But to also let Charlie know that Nick cares about him as well. But most importantly, to try to avoid making the conversation about food and weight. She tells her nephew to remember that it will be okay and that Charlie is fortunate to have someone like Nick around.

Later that day, Tao ends up irritating Charlie and Isaac with constantly updating on everything Elle is doing at Lambert.

At lunch time, Charlie arrives at the art room and asks Mr. Ajayi if it’s okay with him if he has lunch here. His favorite teacher agrees and Mr. Farouk puts his leftover lunch away. Eventually, Charlie admits to Mr. Ajayi that it’s less stressful to eat in the art room, and that he is not doing well mentally lately. He tries to say more but finds being unable to say anything else. All he gets out is that he has a lot of rules when it comes to food. Worried, Mr. Ajayi asks Charlie what happens if he breaks those rules, and the teen admits that he doesn’t know but thinks it would probably be something bad. Just as Mr. Ajayi was going to press for more information, Nick arrives.

Charlie ends up changing the topic by telling Nick how he believes that Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk are dating, and how he sensed a weird flirty vibe during their Paris trip the year before.

At the library, Charlie ends up falling asleep on Nick, who asks his boyfriend if he has not been sleeping well. Charlie admits that he has had no energy lately. The two say I love you to one another and James sighs as he wishes he had a boyfriend. Isaac jokes that he can’t do that as he needs at least one single friend because he has been getting third wheeled as of late. Which has been no fun for him. James further mentions to Isaac how he read about with an aromantic character after what happened with them during the Paris trip. Which makes Isaac smile at the thoughtfulness.

At the Spring household, Tori awkwardly wishes Nick a happy birthday when he arrives to pick up Charlie. He thanks her for reaching out to him about Charlie’s eating disorder. Nick then further explains how he is trying to be there for Charlie and hopefully get him to talk to his parents about it. Teary-eyed, Tori thanks him for trying.

As it turns out, for his birthday, Charlie surprises Nick by taking him to the zoo and having all his friends there to celebrate. Later while the gang is spending time with some animals, Darcy and Tara can’t help but notice the romantic tension between Zahar and Imogen.

As some passersby need to get through where Darcy and the girls are, a blonde woman politely excuses herself and calls them all ladies. Darcy admits she hates being called a lady because she does not feel like one.

Meanwhile, Elle admits that it has been a lot being at Lambert because she has had to make new friends and make her way around a new school. But admits to Tao that being with him and the rest of the gang is like being home.

Surprisingly, Isaac finally has enough and blows up on Tao telling him how he has not been a very good friend lately because all Tao seems to care about is his relationship. Tao retorts that Isaac just seems bitter and asks him what happened with James .

Charlie continues to struggle with eating as he finds it hard to eat some french fries. Meanwhile, Isaac and Tao continue to not speak or even look at each other after their fight from earlier. Elle pipes up that it’s getting really uncomfortable but neither boy refuses to apologize. So Elle instead takes Tao for some ice cream. Imogen tries to cheer up Isaac by telling him that Elle and Tao will get over their honeymoon phase. She explains how she was just as obsessed with her first boyfriend, then when she liked Nick and even with Ben Hope.

After getting matching popsicles, Elle brings up how what Tao said to Isaac was kind of mean. But Tao points out that Isaac has been passive aggressive all week when it comes to them. Elle mentions that maybe Isaac has the right to feel the way he does because they have been ignoring him and the rest of their friends since getting together. Elle then brings up how Tao got angry at Charlie for doing the same thing with Nick the year before. Which knocks some sense into him.

While watching some jelly fish, Tao apologizes to Isaac and vows to be a better friend. Isaac for his part also apologizes for feeling bitter and admits that being in a relationship is not something he wants. Thus when the entire group gathers to watch the jellyfish, Isaac confides in his friends that he is coming to terms with being aromantic and asexual. Which is scary because it changes everything he thought he knew about himself.

After his talk with Isaac, Tao begins to sense that something isn’t right with Charlie. So at the gift shop, Tao asks Nick about it who doesn’t feel like it’s his place to say anything.

At Nick’s house, Charlie gives him a birthday bag which turns out to be every jumper he has ever borrowed from Nick. Charlie confesses that the reason he is returning them is because they no longer smell like Nick. Nick hands over the latest jumper had worn to Charlie and admits that he likes seeing Charlie wear his clothes.

At night, Charlie is tucked to Nick's side, who is scrolling through Instagram and sees his friend have posted pictures of the zoo. Along the way, he also comes across a post from Jack Maddox who is in Bath. Eventually, Nick tells Charlie that he needs to talk to someone about what he has been going through lately. It can be his parents or a doctor, but Nick thinks it’s serious enough after seeing how lethargic and stressed Charlie has been lately. He is worried about him and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him because he loves him. Seeing Nick on the verge of tears, Charlie apologizes and ends up sobbing on his boyfriend’s chest as he admits that he doesn’t think he can get any better. Nick corrects him by saying he knows he can get better, but first Charlie needs to ask for help.

Later, with Nick by his side, Charlie finally tells his parents about his eating disorder. Tori listens in from the stairs as she gets teary eyed while her brother takes the first step by asking his parents for help and seeing a doctor about his mental health struggles that have made his eating habits (or lack thereof ) worse. Charlie finishes by saying how he wants to get better.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest-Starring[]

Quotes[]

To be added.

Trivia[]

Some of the books Isaac Henderson is seen reading include: This How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, Queer City by Peter Ackroyd, It's Not OK to Feel Blue (and other lies) by writer and activist Scarlett Curtis and The Year I Didn't Eat by Samuel Pollen.^[2]
- As well as The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James.^[3]
New filming locations include filming at Whipsnade Zoo, the UK's largest zoo, located just outside of Luton.^[4]