'Big Mouth': Season 2 Review

If you like inappropriate innuendos, breaking the 4th wall, and cartoons about puberty: you must have already seen Big Mouth: Season 2. No one really talks about the crazy moments in puberty growing up, even on television. It brings up crazy controversy, as it does end up discussing the private parts of children. The thing is, at one point or another, we've all been there. Not discussing children's privates, but experiencing the changes our bodies go through. The show is rated 16+ on IMDb, so whether you have recently escaped the clutches of the horrific pubescent years, or if you're a reminiscing adult wanting to laugh at your past self, this show is for you.

This season is about the continuing story of Nick Birch (Nick Kroll), Andrew Glouberman (John Mulaney), Jessi Glaser (Jessi Klein), and their fellow classmates (and even a few teachers) going through the roller-coaster that is puberty. The show creates fictional characters that capture the moments in a young teenager's life called "Hormone Monsters." These monsters come in two genders, a male and female. Though there hasn't been any exposition of the range of genders, there has definitely been an opening to the different kinds of sexuality.

Each episode tries to encapsulate the overarching story (as seen in Episode 1, Season 2, when it picks up where it left off from the last episode in the first season), but has greater strength in bringing the different aspects of a growing teen's life in each episode. In other words, they continue the story throughout the episodes in order to maintain consistency, but change the issue throughout each episode, like any good cartoon. What's great is their approach to expressing the traumas of puberty. With all the catchy puns, the insanely vulgar humor, and the pure craze of it all, it entrances viewers with characters they can relate to (with a little shame), as well as issues that maybe not all of us have spoken to those closest to us about.

The show is skillful in the way that it brings others together through exposing ourselves, without the intense anxiety and vulnerability that comes with mustering the power to mention unmentionable things. But, the show does lack in the fact that not everyone will find this show amusing. Some may even find it incredibly sick.

It is fair to say that this show is not suitable for all viewers. It targets a very specific group of people. I can imagine the demographic now. To anyone who has seen the show, you know what I mean. I picture a crowd of boys who still think that it's funny Donald Trump was ever elected, or teens who defend the comedic value of a dancing caterpillar on Instagram. Though, in the defense of all odd little boys, I (a young adult) found the show quite amusing, and so do others. The show contains a lot of sexual content, as well as mature language and obscene concepts. It may make some uncomfortable. Even as I was watching the show, my roommates walked in and claimed to be "scarred for life." So to those of you who prefer to keep your pure mind pure, I would not recommend this show for you.

Overall, by exposing the eyes to sudden, and somewhat distressing, material; in an intriguing and honest way; Big Mouth: Season 2 deserves the viewership. In today's world, where everything is more likely to be discussed out in the open; Big Mouth brings the discussion of weird sexual awakenings and experiences any one of us may have experienced in our younger years, out in the open. All the way from angry outbursts, to late bloomers, if you've experienced it, the show talks about it.