Heartbreak High Season 3 Review: A Bittersweet Ode to Growing Up

After nearly two years, Heartbreak High returns for its third and final season, and while it doesn’t quite live up to the magic of the first two seasons, it’s not an all-around disappointment.

A major strength of the show is how unapologetic it is in its vibrancy, and Season 3 does not let up on this notion. In an age where many shows often use the same flat coloring, Heartbreak High’s characters lean all the way into bright and bold outfits, expressive hair and makeup, and layers of accessories.

Such aesthetic choices not only represent the complexity of each character’s individual identity but also visually contrast against their emotions and internal struggles.

Season 3 delves into the growing pains the core friend group is experiencing as they’re in the final term of their senior year at Hartley High. While on the surface this seems like the natural progression for the show to go, the actual execution proves to be disjointed as certain characters do not get the proper storyline they deserve.

Two overarching plots of the season begin at a carnival that the group attends. One involves a prank gone wrong, and the other, arguably more interesting one, is the ongoing tension between Amerie and Malakai.

The backdrop of the carnival, with all of its glittering lights and dizzying rides, depicts the quintessential teenage experience.

The characters are in a transitory period of their life and the carnival, in all of its endless possibilities and pure whimsy, sets up the inevitable change that’s to come.

The show utilizes Chekhov’s gun correctly as Amerie and Malakai discuss the letter he left for her. Their conversation occurs on Heartbreak High Season 3 Episode 1, “Operation Headjob,” indicating its major relevance for the rest of the season.

During Amerie and Malakai’s initial reconciliation, they’re hit with the interruption trope, and all Malakai can express to Amerie about the letter is how it includes everything he’s too afraid to say out loud.

It’s obvious there are lingering feelings from both sides. Even though Amerie has a boyfriend, who is honestly largely irrelevant, she still makes it a point to ask Malakai about the contents of the letter.

Another issue the final season has is that it introduces three characters to their final season.

Simply put, Noah is a useless character. He’s just there to serve as a point of conflict between Amerie and Malakai, but it’s not needed. The pair has enough compelling conflict on its own.

Taz takes up far too much screen time.

Not only that, but Taz also sabotages Quinni’s chances of getting a scholarship, and yet, they end up together. Quinni’s relationship with Taz comes out of nowhere, and it’s difficult to root for a new character in a show’s final season, especially when said character brings no value and is more of an annoyance than anything.

Liam feels like he’s there for plot convenience.

When the audience needs further information on the prank gone wrong at the carnival, Harper finds the details out through Liam.

The inclusion of Liam completely sidelines the arc between Harper and Ant from Heartbreak High Season 2 that should’ve been explored in the show’s final season. Ant, a genuinely funny and engaging character that’s been here since Season 1, is largely reduced to a background character this season, which is disappointing to watch.

The show does give Darren and Malakai commendable plotlines that are noteworthy and relevant to their individual character arcs.

Darren’s storyline around authenticity is explored through their attachment and love for acting. For much of the show, Darren uses humor as a coping mechanism and shield, and in turn, they’re uneasy about showing their true self on stage.

This season takes the opportunity to explore Darren’s internal battle of playing it safe or being vulnerable.

At the school’s art showcase, Darren finally allows themselves to be fully seen without the mask of humor. Their monologue is so beautifully stripped and bare, and that openness is also seen through their lack of costume and makeup.

While Darren’s truth is being portrayed on stage, another is brought to fruition between Amerie and Malakai when he brings up the letter once again.

It’s a charged moment as Malakai tells her, “My main regret is you.” The spotlight shifts to a tear-stricken Amerie, and while we never hear word-for-word what is in the letter, by this point, it’s clear the level of love Malakai holds for her.

Outside of his storyline with Amerie, Heartbreak High touches on Malakai being subject to racial profiling and assault from a police officer in Season 1.

His conversation with Woodsy triggers a culmination of emotional admissions, including how he feels as if he keeps messing up and how he hasn’t felt like himself since the assault. This moment proves there are still some things the show got right.

Malakai’s last scene is him simply floating in the water, which ultimately reflects his own feelings of things beginning to change as for the first time in a long time, he feels free.

In terms of wrapping up the core friend group as a unit, we get one more scene with them. Jojo and Woodsy offer a bit of advice and heartfelt words to the group as they leave Hartley High for good.

The show also brings it full circle with Amerie and Harper’s deep-rooted friendship when they revisit Hartley High’s incest map.

The scene, while nostalgic, also allows both characters to look forward and reflect on how far they’ve come both together and individually.

While Heartbreak High is by no means perfect, its breadth of representation in terms of sexuality, gender identity, cultural diversity, and more is what makes it one of the most refreshing modern teen dramas to date.

Stray Thoughts

• The running gag of the fanfic “Velvet Throne” is fun and speaks to Gen-Z in a way that isn’t tasteless.
• The show was trying to be messy with Malakai and Missy kissing, but it was just weird.
• The Ca$h, Darren, and Zoe trio is so great. That’s how you create different dynamics without adding new characters altogether.
• There were little to no moments between Quinni, Darren, and Amerie, which is sad, given the closeness between the three in previous seasons.
• Ca$h tattooing Malakai is cute.

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What did you think of Heartbreak High’s final season? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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Heartbreak High Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix. 

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