When it comes to Netflix originals, it’s a hit a miss on whether they’re enjoyable. TV shows like “Orange is the New Black” and “Black Mirror” win the hearts of viewers worldwide, while movies such as “The Kissing Booth” fall flat.
“Big Mouth,” a cartoon created by comedian Nick Kroll, is one of these originals that is actually worth the time commitment. Season one came out Sept. 29 of last year, earning an Emmy nomination. It returned this past Friday with its second season. The animated show features a group of friends going through puberty. Each episode covers a different aspect of sexual health and sex education.
However, instead of taking the normal educational approach to these topics, creators incorporate comedy mixed with subtle political commentary. This gives the show humor that audiences who have already gone through puberty can appreciate. Although many of its episodes contain educational information about safe sex and reproductive changes, it would not necessarily be appropriate to show to the correlating age range.
From self-deprecating jokes that audiences can relate to, to quips at the experiences many went through in their middle school years, the second season of “Big Mouth” delivers great humor. However, the best part of the show’s newest episodes are the subtle political jokes that it makes, as well as its comments on issues on body positivity and toxic masculinity.
In the first episode, “Am I Normal?” when two of the show’s main characters, Jessi (Jessi Klein) and Jay (Jason Mantzoukas), are having a romantic encounter, Jay comments that he sees himself as a 40-year-old. Jessi immediately expresses that since she is 13-years-old, what is happening is technically against the law. Jay then mentions that she is consenting, to which she responds that since she is only 13, she cannot consent. Although the exchange only lasts about 10 seconds, it still brings up the important issue of the misconceptions that go along with pedophilia.
My favorite episode of the season would have to be “What Is It About Boobs?” which contains an entire song about body positivity for women. Not only is it sung by Maya Rudolph, one of my favorite “Saturday Night Live” veterans, but it praises parts of the body that normally don’t receive such love.
Those looking for a show to binge-watch quickly on a slow weekend or homework break should definitely turn to “Big Mouth.” Not only is the program packed with humor, but it is easy to get through in one sitting. Episodes are 25 minutes long, and there are 10 episodes in each season.
_Edited by Siena DeBolt | sdebolt@themaneater.com_
