Heartstopper season 3 finally redeems the show’s biggest missteps by giving two of its best supporting characters — the bookish Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan) and antisocial Tori Spring (Jenny Walser) — the roles they really deserve. Even though Isaac is one of Charlie’s (Joe Locke) best friends, and Tori is his supportive sister, both characters have been sidelined throughout the Netflix adaptation‘s first two seasons. Given the show’s impressive ensemble, it’s no surprise that the members of Heartstopper‘s cast of characters don’t all get equal screen time. Still, a revamp of Isaac and Tori’s stories (and characters) was long overdue.

Picking up where Heartstopper season 2’s ending left off, the third outing of the coming-of-age romantic drama sees Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) both struggling to tell each other something important. While Charlie wants to tell Nick that he loves him, Nick is worried about Charlie’s worsening mental health. The ambitious and mature Heartstopper season 3 knows that its supporting cast is just as vital to telling these stories. However, the show wisely gives the duo’s friends deeper storylines and more screen time of their own too, especially where Isaac and Tori are concerned.

Heartstopper Season 3 Finally Gives Isaac & Tori The Roles They Deserve

Isaac & Tori Have Stronger Relationship Dynamics & More Screen Time

In the first two seasons of Heartstopper, Isaac and Tori were more like bit parts than fully realized characters. Not only are they vital to Charlie’s mental health journey in season 3, but they get enough screen time to cultivate their own narratives as well. In the show’s sophomore season, Isaac discovers that he’s asexual and aromantic. While his friends are obsessed with relationship milestones, Isaac is happier to be friends with the people he loves most. Heartstopper season 3 allows Isaac to delve more deeply into his nuanced identity and, eventually, share what he’s learned about himself.

Both Isaac and Tori are instrumental in Charlie’s mental health journey too.

While Isaac is comfortable sharing his identity, he still has a lot to learn as well. Over the summer, Isaac starts to feel like the third wheel and becomes frustrated when Charlie refuses to share important things with him. Isaac understands that his friends must navigate their romantic partnerships, but he hasn’t quite realized where that leaves him. Meanwhile, Tori is also doing a bit of self-discovery in Heartstopper season 3. On an online forum, she admits that her brother, Charlie, is also her best friend. Clearly, Tori wants a close friend group but doesn’t know how to obtain that.

Both Isaac and Tori are instrumental in Charlie’s mental health journey too. When Nick suspects that Charlie has anxiety and an eating disorder, he isn’t quite sure how to bring it up. Tori, who has also noticed changes in Charlie’s disposition, winds up contacting Nick and encouraging him to speak with Charlie again. For his part, Isaac confronts Charlie about what’s changed, but he gets dismissed. Later, Isaac bravely reminds Charlie how hurtful it is to be brushed aside, reiterating the importance of trusting one’s instincts when it comes to a friend’s well-being.

How Isaac & Tori’s Arcs Are Important Outside Of Charlie’s Journey

Isaac & Tori Finally Feel Like Fully Formed Characters In Heartstopper Season 3

By Heartstopper season 3’s ending, both Isaac and Tori have gone on journeys with Charlie and satisfied arcs of their own. Isaac comes to understand his particular loneliness — something that happens when his identity brushes up against societal expectations. Meanwhile, Tori is able to navigate her discomfort around other people to begin a relationship, be it romantic or not, with Michael Holden (Darragh Hand). By giving Isaac and Tori the stories they deserve, the show reiterates that Heartstopper‘s sense of community is its strongest asset. Hopefully, this meaningful character trend continues in Heartstopper season 4.