Big Mouth season 3 hit Netflix on October 4 to much excitement, but did it live up to everyone’s expectations?
I’ve been a fan of this show since season 1, and I thought Big Mouth season 2 was bigger, better, and bolder than what came before. While I didn’t love the Valentine’s Day episode, I was still looking forward to Big Mouth season 3.
Let’s just say, I can see why Netflix renewed Big Mouth for three more seasons. This show is genius.
Somehow this show continues to make absolutely hilarious episodes while keeping everything both informative and inclusive. Those who think comedy is dead thanks to PC culture need to watch Big Mouth.
While it’s true that the show is about a bunch of middle schoolers trying to figure out their sexuality, the series never forgets how ridiculous it is. The moments where they break the fourth wall are some of my favorites.
So, what exactly happened this season? Who grew and who went back to their old habits? Which guest stars were the highlight of the season and what new monsters did we meet? Warning: spoilers ahead.
‘Big Mouth’ season 3 review
Episode 2 (since “My Furry Valentine” is technically episode 1) may just be my favorite of the season and proves that Big Mouth is willing to tackle tough subjects while still trying to make us laugh.
“Girls Are Angry Too” starts off with one of the teachers implementing a dress code instead of teaching boys to control themselves. Jessi and the other girls stage a protest, accusing the school of perpetuating rape culture. The boys act like incels, with Andrew even going so far as attending a Neo-Nazi meeting (don’t worry, he realizes his mistake pretty quickly).
Nick and Jessi end up having a great conversation where they recognize this is a hugely messy subject without a clear cut answer, but that the most important step they can take is to keep talking about it. Guys. GUYS. If a cartoon can get it THIS right, then you can, too.
Big Mouth also isn’t afraid of calling out this behavior on multiple levels, either. At one point, the line, “I can’t win. What am I supposed to do?” is met with, “I don’t know, apologize on a podcast.” Much like the episode “The Planned Parenthood Show,” this one recognizes how conflicting and confusing this topic can be while remaining wholly feminist.
Episode 8 is also an educational installment in the series. The introduction of Ally Wong’s character brings with it the idea of pansexuality. Not a lot of people in the class know what this is, and we get a great song explaining many of the different categories that fall on this spectrum.
Inspired by Ally, Jay also chooses to come out as bisexual during this episode, but isn’t as accepted by his classmates as she is. Big Mouth does a great job reminding us that pansexual people don’t want to kiss everyone, bisexual people are not secretly gay, and that bisexual men aren’t taken as seriously as bisexual women.
Jay has been one of my least favorite characters since the show began, but this season (beginning with “My Furry Valentine”) has really affected the way I see him. He’s still one of the most ridiculous characters on Big Mouth, but I love how he’s broken the mold of what we originally assumed was a toxic male. He’s embraced his bisexuality and is honestly trying to be a better person. It’s a start, at least.
One of the characters who has disappointed me this season is Andrew, but I also recognize the fact that this was on purpose. Andrew is coming to terms with his own sexuality, and it’s made him act out in some truly terrible ways. By the end of the season, however, it looks like he’s learned a lot of lessons, especially when it comes to his interactions with Missy.
I’m glad Missy has also gotten her own hormone monstress (Mona, voiced to perfection by Thandie Newton) and has started to come into her own. I appreciate Missy sticking up for herself when it came to the dress code, but I also like that she’s been given a little more room to lean into her sexuality. The scenes where she and Jay are writing fanfiction together are some of my favorites — bonus points for a positive take on fanfiction altogether!
One of the characters who felt like he got the short end of the stick this season was Nick. Perhaps this is fair since it is his show and it’s nice to see the other characters shine, but I wanted to see more of him and Connie interacting and figuring out their groove. I will say, however, that I love how Nick stuck up for the girls and continued trying to be an ally even when he kept messing up. That’s tough, and I’m proud of him.
Nick did get his own story when the show decided to delve into our obsession with our phones and the internet. I love that Big Mouth isn’t just about sex, but that it decides to tackle other topical subjects, as well. This is what makes season 3 feel so relatable. If you’ve never stayed up way too late scrolling through your social media, are you even human?
Everything you’ve come to love about Big Mouth is still present in season 3. Characters like Matt, Coach Steve, Duke Ellington, the Gloubermans, and Lola all get their moments. There are plenty of songs, and even a whole musical in episode 10! The show also threw plenty of shade at Netflix, while simultaneously calling out Mel Gibson, La La Land, Pretty Little Liars and so much more.
I’ve always loved the monsters, and while we only got to see one new one this year (Menopause Banshee), I was happy they brought back Depression Kitty because, you know, that’s pretty realistic. While Thandie Newton and Ally Wong were incredible additions to the cast, my favorite guest stars had to be Queer Eye. It felt like they were exactly themselves, but with that Big Mouth twist.
The series end saw everyone sort of going off in different directions. Missy is now single, Jessi could be moving away, and Nick and Andrew are no longer friends. Let’s hope the summer heals all wounds. At least we know for sure that Big Mouth will return with season 4. And 5. And 6. Oh, and a cool new spinoff show.
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