It’s springtime at Bridgeton Middle School and all our favorite characters return. The third season of Big Mouth premiered Oct. 4 on Netflix and, in its traditional style, reminds us all that growing up is an objectively awful experience.
The hit Netflix show tackles the challenges that arise with puberty, masturbation, menstruation, first kisses and breakups. Audiences follow the characters as friendships are tested and sexual orientations are explored, but the same raunchy humor of the animated series remains with the beloved Hormone Monsters giving their opinions to the kids.
This season applies many realistic themes that occur in the episodes. In the debut episode, the school implements a dress code mainly targeting the girls’ clothing options. In contest, the female characters decide to take a stand with a ‘slut-walk,’ claiming the rule is perpetuated rape culture.
Throughout the series, we see the protagonists push through awkward life lessons of adolescence. Nick gets addicted to his new smartphone, Andrew struggles to justify his sexual attraction to his cousin, Jessi looks into her female sensuality and Jay follows a path to discover himself.
While the show keeps true to its hilarious plot lines and seemingly ridiculous events, it’s a testament to the weird time that is puberty. Each character goes through their journey of discovery and, along the way, sheds their skin to step into a new persona.
In one episode, the boys make a ranking list of the hottest girls in their school. The new student, Ali (voiced by Ali Wong), announces she’s pansexual. Jay gets diagnosed with ADHD and getting a prescription for Adderall, and we watch Jessi stress over the pressure to satisfy her parents’ wishes while still being haunted by the Depression Kitty.
The most shocking storyline is in relation to the #MeToo movement. In the last couple episodes, the show hits a heavy topic of inappropriate power dynamics while the students put on a musical version of the film, “Disclosure.”
During this episode, the theatre teacher, Mr. Lizer attracts lovable mess, Lola Skumpy to be the stage manager and mentor her. However, his motives are grossly revealed when he flaunts his power, taking advantage of the simple-minded diva.
Like many people do in their lifetime, the characters exhibit a shift out of childhood and their interests change. These issues can happen in real life as close friends go down different paths, stress and mental health issues takeover and a desire to find a place of belonging takes center stage.
Big Mouth does a terrific job of explaining these problems that kids experience and how they may seek guidance from their peers. What some might consider to be adult themes is actually what some people literally deal during their middle school years.
Big Mouth ends its season on an emotional note, leaving viewers wondering what will happen next for the pre-teens as they enter the eighth grade. Overall, season three delivers 11 episodes of hysterical one-liners, heartfelt moments and classic cringe-worthy scenes that won’t leave fans disappointed.
Liz Pritchard is a freelance news reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo
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