BIG MOUTH Season 3: The Experience Of Puberty In A Larger Social Context

If Big Mouth Season 1 was all about the discovery of the body and the self and Season 2 was all about acceptance and learning how to deal with these changes, then Season 3 is the season that places the experience of puberty in a larger social context. What happens when the changes in your body aren’t just yours anymore and you’re forced to acknowledge them alongside broader pressures?

Big Mouth was created for Netflix by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett. The series features the vocal talents of Kroll, as well as John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Jenny Slate, and Ali Wong among many others! Season 3 of Big Mouth premiered on Netflix on October 4, 2019.

[Note: While we are aware that My Furry Valentine is technically a part of Season 3, it will not be included in this review.]

Big Mouth thus far has been notably sophisticated and thorough in its discussion of teen sexuality and development. It has tapped into the awkwardness and the “ick factor” of puberty, while also being incredibly humorous and positive in its portrayal… and brutally honest too. Despite some hiccups and bumps along the way, that will be discussed momentarily, all of these winning factors are present in Season 3. In many ways, Season 3 is the most ambitious of all the show’s seasons to date as it goes beyond the intimacy of these individual sexual experiences and directly faces challenges that even today’s contemporary adults have not yet conquered. That’s not to say that this season didn’t come with some pretty hefty flaws.

Cringe. And Not in the Funny Way.

For the sake of ending on a positive note, let’s address the flaws of Big Mouth Season 3 first. No doubt, by this point, you may have been exposed to the controversy surrounding Big Mouth‘s introduction and explanation of the series’ first pansexual character (voiced by Ali Wong). The portrayal was accused by viewers, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, of being dismissive, trivializing, and inaccurate in its definition of pansexuality versus bisexuality. The snafu is a glaring black mark on the show’s near-perfect record of honest, accurate, and mindful discussion and inclusiveness. The controversy even resulted in an apology from the writers of the show. Progress, but yikes!

Stumbles along the progressive path aside, Big Mouth Season 3 even more offensively managed to outdo itself in the “oh, that’s disgusting” department. Astounding. In a show that practically centers on horny children, the line of humor versus revulsion has been delicately danced on but it seems that Big Mouth may have finally stepped off that line. A major arc for the show’s favorite problematic dweeb, Andrew (voiced by John Mulaney), involved a family trip to Florida and the birth of a sexual fascination with his cousin. Ew.

Truly. Ew. For the bulk of the season, Andrew wrestles with the morality of wanting to f*ck his cousin… and gives in. Not explicitly to f*cking his cousin, but the end result is them being torn apart like a pair of star-crossed lovers. This is the catalyst to Andrew’s misadventures with sending dick pics.

Frankly, it’s a weird way to approach the topic and the totality of the arc leaves a very bad taste in the viewer’s mouth. Dick pics are hilarious and definitely a part of growing up in the modern world but, seriously, there had to be a better way to get Andrew into this situation. Please, Big Mouth, drop this storyline.

Big Mouth is also guilty of a few misdemeanor level offenses in its third season. Problems that grate at you, but don’t completely ruin the show for you. Season 3 is very Jay heavy (Jay is voiced by Jason Mantzoukas) and, for the most part, it’s nice to see Jay becoming a bit more fleshed out and used as a centerpiece for some of the darker subject matter. None of this changes the fact that Jay is the most annoying and bizarre character in the show and it’s damn near impossible to sympathize with him. He makes a better spice than an entree, let’s put it that way.

Further, the show makes a few odd choices that honestly could be summarized as “this sounds like a better idea than it actually is, in practice.” Pointedly, Big Mouth has a Queer Eye gimmick through a couple of episodes in which the hapless Coach Steve is given the Fab 5 treatment. The segment features the vocal talents of the reality stars Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Antoni Porowski. It’s cute but ultimately useless. Although I will be forever grateful for the image of Antoni Porowski commanding a legion of seagulls in full and glorious animation.

Big Mouth vs. The World

Up to this point, Big Mouth has primarily approached its discussion of sexuality through the limited scope of the individual. “What does sex and growing up look like to this particular character?” In Big Mouth Season 3, the entire lens shifts towards the global. Instead of exploring the very intimate, sexuality is now being shifted into the broader scope of society.

A cornerstone of the third season is Big Mouth’s take on the #MeToo movement. The show pulls no punches and dives headfirst into the most uncomfortable possible situation. In their illustrative use of Lola’s (voiced by Nick Kroll) arc, viewers are shown examples of gaslighting, how consent is muddied by authority figures, and the courage it takes to confront someone in a position of power. It’s difficult to watch, for all the right reasons.

Beyond society, the show examines sexual relationships across history, as well. This season, the viewer got a unique insight into the background of the friendly ghost of Duke Ellington (voiced by Jordan Peele). Duke tells the kids the story of how he lost his virginity but, along the way, reveals a great deal of what growing up looked like in his day. It’s a gorgeous exploration of music and love and family dynamics and all the odd, day-to-day things that shape us into the adults we become. Duke Ellington is one of the most interesting characters in the series and this introduction to his backstory was long overdue!

Big Mouth’s takedown of society at large does not stop at discussions of sex! A large focus for Season 3 was Nick’s addiction to his brand new smartphone. It’s difficult to say whether or not this is a shift that will last through the rest of the show but, if nothing else, Season 3 illustrates that Big Mouth is interested in all of the challenges kids face. Nick’s addiction to the cell phone is reminiscent of Andrew’s downward spiral into the “Pornscape” of Season 1 and equally as jarring in its honesty.

Let’s Hear It For the Girls!

Big Mouth Season 3 takes the momentum of Season 2’s introduction to female sexuality and bumps it up to the highest degree. Season 3 is all about the girls! In many ways, this focus on the female experience is a huge drive in taking this season of Big Mouth out of the highly individualized formula and into the global.

In tandem with the #MeToo discussion mentioned previously, the ladies of Big Mouth are utilized to discuss the double standard of school dress codes. If Season 3 does one thing well, it drives home how the experience of growing up is not only wildly different for young women but can be incredibly hostile. At every turn, the female characters of the show are being shown a new double standard or a new challenge that is unfair.

The character of Missy, especially, comes into her own during Season 3. In previous seasons, Missy has sort of taken on the role of the “true neutral” of the group. She has urges but is not ruled by them. She’s excited to grow up but comfortable being a child. She has faced the same challenges as her peers but has overcome them.

In Season 3, we are introduced to a new Missy, a fully realized Missy. In this season Missy is assigned a new, more powerful and aggressive hormone monstress and, with that change, Missy becomes more sexually aggressive herself. Unlike her classmates, she has the desire to be desired and feels that she can take agency in pursuing relationships. It’s the first instance where the sexual power dynamic is decidedly shifted in favor of women.

We also learn that the female experience of “change” is not limited to our formative years. A unique and welcome addition to this season is the Menopause Banshee (voiced by Carol Kane). We see Andrew’s mother begin to experience changes of her own, as she enters menopause, and with that the reflection of all the same confusion and awkwardness that the kids of the show are facing. It’s a great direction for Big Mouth to pursue!

Big Mouth Season 3 continues in the show’s tradition of blunt honesty with a dash of humor. It also appears that the show is broadening its reach of subjects, which makes for endless possibilities! A fantastic season in one of the greats on Netflix!

What has been your favorite season of Big Mouth? Let us know in the comments!