10 Thought-Provoking Big Mouth Episodes That Delve Into Serious Themes

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Big Mouth

The show fearlessly addresses sensitive subjects such as menstruation and sexuality, engaging young viewers in crucial conversations. Its episodes on pornography and drug use navigate the complexities of growing up with honesty and no judgment.

Big Mouth's content shakes societal norms and embraces diverse themes, with episodes centered around dress codes, transgender coming out, and Black identity. The show's star-studded voice cast, featuring renowned actors like Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, and John Mulaney, adds to its impact. Through its dark humor, Big Mouth captures the significant transformations of adolescence and the challenges faced by its young characters at Bridgeton Middle School.

Big Mouth's final season is scheduled to debut in 2024, effectively concluding the show and solidifying its status as Netflix's longest-running original series. Since its inception in 2017, Big Mouth has adeptly tackled conversations surrounding sexuality, ethnicity, and the challenges of puberty — all while captivating its younger audience. Certain episodes of Big Mouth have garnered notable attention for authentically depicting real-life experiences and promoting open dialogues about sensitive subjects.

10. Jessi Gets Her First Period

Season 1, Episode 2 - "Everybody Bleeds"

9. Andrew Discovers Pornography

In the episode "Everybody Bleeds" of the popular TV show, Big Mouth, an interesting situation arises when Jessi, one of the main characters, gets her first period during a class field trip to the Statue of Liberty. Jessi finds herself in a state of panic as she realizes she is wearing white shorts and worries about the possibility of her peers noticing any stains. This particular episode explores the topic of menstruation, highlighting a heartwarming moment between Jessi and her friend Andrew, who offers his support during her time of embarrassment. The relatability of Jessi's experience makes it a significant exploration of the subject of first periods in a television series.

Season 1, Episode 10 - "The Pornscape"

Like many teenagers, Andrew initially explores pornography out of curiosity. However, as he delves deeper into the realm of adult content, he becomes engrossed in the explicit world of sexual acts. This immersion leads Andrew to lose touch with reality, causing great concern for his friend Nick. Despite Andrew eventually feeling disgusted with himself, the approach taken by the writers of Big Mouth suggests to young individuals that they should neither feel ashamed nor afraid of their natural development of sexual desires.

8. Bridgeton Middle Learns What Planned Parenthood Does

Season 2, Episode 5 - "The Planned Parenthood Show"

"The Planned Parenthood Show" stands as one of Big Mouth's most outstanding episodes, delving into the plethora of support services provided by Planned Parenthood. Within this installment of season 2, critical subjects like birth control, STDs, and vasectomies are explored with an emphasis on realistic explanations. Beyond its comedic value, "The Planned Parenthood Show" serves as a poignant response to the misinformation often perpetuated about organizations like Planned Parenthood. This episode effectively showcases that Planned Parenthood is not solely centered around abortions, but also offers a broad range of essential health-related services.

7. Jessi And Nick Try Drugs

Season 2, Episode 6 - "Drug Buddies"

6. The Bridgeton Middle Girls Fight Back Against Dress Codes

Amidst Jessi’s parents going through a difficult divorce, she feels drawn to rebellious behavior. In season 2, episode 6 of Big Mouth, Jessi pilfers marijuana-infused treats from her father and decides to consume them alongside Nick. This leads to both of them losing touch with reality. The two youngsters respond in contrasting ways. Jessi wholeheartedly embraces the effects of the drug with delight, while Nick becomes overwhelmed with panic and flees. This episode not only addresses drug use without judgment but also sheds light on the impact of parental issues on children.

Season 3, Episode 1 - "Girls Are Angry Too"

The first episode of season 3 of Big Mouth revolves around the introduction of a dress code at Bridgeton Middle School, a topic that remains significant in schools today. In response, the girls decide to organize a protest called the "slut walk" and dress provocatively to express their disagreement with the new regulations. However, their unity is disrupted when they discover that Missy has chosen not to participate. Missy's decision to wear her overalls not only reinforces the episode's message but also highlights the fact that everyone's freedom of choice is unique.

5. The Introduction Of Natalie

Season 4, Episode 1 - "The New Me"

Big Mouth season 4 introduces Natalie, a summer camp friend of Nick, Andrew, and Jessi. When the gang last saw Natalie, she had not yet come out as trans, so they are taken by surprise when they see her transformation. "The New Me" features trans actor Josie Totah as the voice of Natalie and includes celebrity guest star Seth Rogen as Seth Goldberg, who develops feelings for Natalie. Through this storyline, Big Mouth initiates a conversation about the acceptance of trans children within their peer groups, while also showcasing the importance of trans representation in mainstream media.

4. Missy Discovers More About Being A Black Woman

Season 4, Episode 5 - "A Very Special 9/11 Episode"

While on a trip to the World Trade Center, Missy receives an invitation from her cousin to attend a Jay-Z party, and she brings Devon along for the adventure. During their journey, Devon introduces Missy to the concept of code-switching, a skill he utilizes to effectively communicate with a diverse range of individuals. However, when Missy shares this newfound knowledge with Lena, Lena firmly emphasizes that code-switching should not be a necessity for Black people. This particular episode explores Missy's journey in understanding the realities of navigating the world as a Black girl, highlighting a significant topic that deserves more attention from television shows.

3. Matthew's Mother Struggles With His Sexuality

Season 4, Episode 8 - "The Funeral"

2. Bridgeton Middle Goes Swimming

In the fourth season of Big Mouth, Matthew embarks on a romantic relationship with Aiden. Raised in a religious family, Matthew's mother is deeply disturbed when she discovers explicit messages exchanged between her son and his boyfriend. Despite Matthew's belief that his sexuality has always been apparent, his mother chooses to ignore the truth, struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality. While the episode concludes with unresolved tension between mother and son, "The Funeral" sheds light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ teenagers living in households with homophobic attitudes.

Season 5, Episode 2 - "The Shane Lizard Rises"

Big Mouth season 5, episode 2, "The Shane Lizard Rises," witnesses the reappearance of the Shame Wizard, who joins Bridgeton Middle School's swim lesson following a conversation with Coach Steve. Exploiting the youngsters' insecurities, the Shame Wizard plunges characters like Nick, Missy, and Jessi into a whirlwind of self-doubt regarding their physical appearances. Ultimately, Nick, Jessi, Missy, Andrew, and Lola all converge at the hospital, having returned home and injured themselves in an endeavor to eliminate their perceived flaws. This revelation poignantly highlights the immense pressure imposed on young individuals concerning their looks.

1. Caleb's Autism

Season 7, Episode 9 - "Panic! At The Mall"

In Big Mouth season 7, Caleb's character undergoes further development, particularly in his friendship with Matthew. The episode "Panic! At The Mall" explores Caleb's journey to find a replacement bag after his current one breaks. This episode offers a poignant portrayal of the inner thoughts of an individual on the autism spectrum and showcases touching moments shared between Caleb and Matthew. The writers of Big Mouth not only present autism in an accessible and relatable manner but also cleverly incorporate characters from Human Resources, such as the Logic Rock and the Anxiety Mosquito.