This article contains mentions of sexual content and drug use.
After eight long seasons,Big Mouthcame to an end with the series finale, “The Great Unknown.“Big Mouthis one ofthe best animated sitcoms of all time, which follows the day-to-day lives of the students of Bridgeton Middle School through their most formative years. The likes of trailblazer Jessi (Jessi Klein), shy yet perverted Andrew (John Mulaney), and big-mouthed Nick (Nick Kroll) are all brilliant characters, andBig Mouthtackles serious topicsthrough their stories about growing up, discovering their bodies, and figuring out sexual relationships brilliantly.
TheBig Mouthseason 8 castreturns one last time in the show’s final season, which makes it one of Netflix’s longest-running original scripted titles.In the last episode ofBig Mouthseason 8, “The Great Unknown,” the characters gather together and revisit their old school,Bridgeton Middle, after they learn that it’s being demolished. Following the characters' last trip to their old stomping grounds,Big Mouthwraps up for good, but there’s a lot to unpack in this finale.
What Happens To The Big Mouth Characters In The Finale
The Big Mouth Gang Reflects On How They’ve Changed
It’s unclear exactly why Bridgeton Middle is being destroyedinBig Mouthseason 8, although it’s mentioned that the school is “subpar” and is set to become a massive pit. However, before Nurse Coach Steve (Kroll) and the students gather at Bridgeton Middle to reminisce on their middle school years the night before it’s due to be knocked down, everyone faces their own obstacles.
Missy (Jenny Slate) reflects on her growth over the years, going from dorky little girl to passionate young woman. She starts a relationship with Nate (Nathan Fillion), a suspicious look-alike to her childhood love Nathan Fillion, and her parents accept that she’s growing up, much to Missy’s confusion. Jessi faces the pressure of her mother’s expectations once again, and after spending the season struggling to maintain how much weed she’s smoking, finds herself drowning in the prospective summer internship she’s applying for. However, she ultimately realizes that all the tragic things that occurred to her in past seasons are now worth laughing at.
After deciding to raise Featuring Ludacris together, it seems thatJay and Lola’s relationship inBig Mouthis finally stable. However, despite this, Lola (Kroll) still struggles to tell Jay (Jason Mantzoukas) that she loves him. Matthew (Andrew Rannells) is nervous about going further with Dewayne (Walter Kelly), a boy he meets online,and even though he’s enthusiastic to start being sexually active, he’s also embarrassed to voice this.
The Lola/Jay/Matthew love triangle amazingly works out for the best though, something that plays a big part inBig Mouthseason 7’s ending. With Lola’s blessing, Jay gives Matthew oral sex, which allows Lola to move past Matthew giving Jay oral sex a few episodes beforehand, and embrace the fact she does love Jay.Hilariously, and to nobody’s surprise, Lola breaks things off with Jay yet againat the very last moment.
The ever-horny Andrew, however, realizes that sex isn’t the only thing that’s on his mind.
The most crucial subplot inBig Mouth’s finale, though, is Nick and Andrew. In season 8,Nick has a growth spurt and starts going through puberty,something he’s been begging for now for several seasons. The ever-horny Andrew, however, realizes that sex isn’t the only thing that’s on his mind, something he discovers while thinking about all the inappropriate times he masturbated while at Bridgeton Middle. At the end of the episode, everyone embraces their bright futures, quite literally.
Why Big Mouth’s Characters Walk Into A Bright White Light At The End
Big Mouth Uses A Very Literal Metaphor
Throughout “The Great Unknown,” a bright white light is seen slowly engulfing Bridgeton. It becomes even more noticeable after the characters break into Bridgeton Middle. Eventually,theBig Mouthcharacters realize that the light represents their futures.Most of them are hesitant to step into the light at the end of the episode, at first. For example, Steve worries there will be nobody to “hang out with,” but Nick points out that they’ll have each other.
But when they approach the light, some instead voice what they’re excited about for the future. Matthew is looking forward to talking dirty to Dewayne, whereas Lola breaks up with Jay because she wants to be single. As each character passes through, their animation slowly disappears, leaving just the basic outline before they vanish altogether, stepping into their futures and not looking back.
How Maury & Andrew’s Puberty Journey Comes To An End
Two Best Friends, One Hormone Monster
After eight long seasons together, Maury and Andrew’s time together must also come to an end. WhileBig Mouthpreviously implies that someone’s hormone monsterleaves after they lose their virginity, “The Great Unknown” proves otherwise. Maury, who clearly has difficulties with letting his favorite client go, is rather off with Andrew at the start of the episode. When Rick announces he is retiring,Nick is stunned to learn Maury has been assigned as his hormone monster,a moment viewers could’ve never predicted.
Maury tells Andrew that his puberty is now over, his body will no longer change in that way, and he’s essentially stuck with what he has now.
Maury swears Nick to secrecy, making him promise not to tell Andrew, but he ultimately finds out when he catches them together in the Bridgeton Middle bathroom. Maury tells Andrew that his puberty is now over, his body will no longer change in that way, and he’s essentially stuck with what he has now.It’s a hard thing for Andrew to hear and for Maury to say,but the pair share one last romantic “encounter” together. Andrew accepts this, and Maury is allowed to focus on his new client, Nick.
The Fates Of The Human Resources Characters Explained
Big Mouth Season 8 Doesn’t Utilize Human Resources' Cast Enough
While there are multiple appearances from theHuman Resourcescharacters inBig Mouth, they are sadly pushed aside in the finale. Maury and Connie’s (Maya Rudolph) child, Montel (Cole Escola), doesn’t appear in season 8 at all. Being an important part of season 6,it’s strange that Montel doesn’t return inBig Mouth’s final season,let alone the fact their parents don’t mention them by name even once.
There are some brief appearances from characters like lovebug Rochelle (Keke Palmer), depression kitties Kitty Bouchet (Jean Smart) and Cat Stevens (James III), Tito the anxiety mosquito (Maria Bamford), the Shame Wizard (David Thewlis), and ambition gremlin Petra (Rosie Perez) in season 8, but because of their lack of screen-time, it feels likemost ofHuman Resources’alumni are missing.This is except for at the very end when they gather to watch the kids step into the light.
Every Big Mouth Character Missing From The Finale
Not Everyone Comes To Say Goodbye To Bridgeton Middle
Several characters are missing fromBig Mouth’s finale and even more who fail to get a mention throughout the season.We don’t hear any more about Caitlin (Jenny Slate) until her quick appearance in the mother’s musical number,and Jessi’s baby sister, Delilah, is completely absent, too. Audiences also never find out more about Elijah (Brian Tyree Henry), Missy’s asexual love interest from season 6. Nick’s new friend Andrew and his cat,Mr. Pink, voiced by Steve Buscemi, are also nowhere to be seen, despite being important characters at the start of the season.
Devon appears in the background of certain scenes in the seasons following Knight’s death, but the character was never recast.
It’s also worth noting thatDevon doesn’t feature inBig Mouth’s finale.Although viewers knew this would be unlikely, as voice actor Jak Knight passed away in 2022, it wasn’t impossible, either. Devon appears in the background of certain scenes in the seasons following Knight’s death, but the character was never recast and so doesn’t speak in these episodes. Devon isn’t in season 8 at all, but when Missy is reminiscing about middle school, she sees him and simply says she misses him.
The Real Meaning Of Big Mouth’s Finale
We’re All Going Through Changes In Our Life
Ultimately,Big Mouth’s finale is represented by the bright light at the end of the episode. After several years of grueling middle school, learning the harsh realities of being a teenager in the most embarrassing ways possible, and discovering what sex really means,the former students of Bridgeton Middle realize that life isn’t as scary as they think it is.
Yes, there are peaks and valleys, things that are overwhelming and terrifying. However, they also learn that you can look back at your past, laugh at your mistakes, and know that just because something feels like the end of the world in that moment, it doesn’t mean that it is.Big Mouthspends 8 seasons delving into the pains of growing up and finding your place in the world, but the finale reaffirms the show’s most important message: Everyone has their battles, and there’s always a way to get through them, especially when you have each other.
