While Nick tags along with the Gloubermans on a wild road trip to Florida, Jay discovers he's been "Home Alone'd" - and moves in with a new family.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's Big Mouth.
"Florida" was written by Victor Quinaz and directed by Kim Arndt
This show frequently goes to some wild and crazy places in order to articulate a profound point about growing up and maturity. However, it feels the necessity of going to the absolute extreme in order to tell a story set in Florida. Now, the Sunshine state is infamous for a reason. There is so much oddness constantly happening there. And yet, this episode mostly seems to highlight all of that before just frankly saying that it breaks off into the ocean and floats away after a hole opens in the ocean as a result of a pipe bomb. It's all ridiculous. But there is also the inherent irony that comes from Florida truly sinking further and further into the ocean at the moment as a result of global warming. That is a brutal reality. It's not a good thing either. Here, it's presented as this insane reality that could have happened. But Nick and Andrew make their escape without truly figuring out if it actually did or not. Again, it all seems a little too crazy and far-fetched in order to make an unclear point. That makes this the rare episode of Big Mouth to misfire. That's unfortunate. Maury's big musical number about Florida is perfectly fine. It's not the most memorable the show has created across its run though. Plus, all of this comes with the suggestion that Andrew is attracted to his cousin Cherry. It's very pointed that the word "incest" just lingers in the air after it is first mentioned. That's exactly what all of this would be. Nick has the clarity on the subject to try to convince Andrew not to indulge in these emotions. Of course, Maury remains the toxic hormone monster now running through him. He essentially sees it as something that could be magical and remain solely in Florida. That's why he sings his big musical number. To him, what happens in Florida is insane and more than likely will stay in Florida. No one will ever talk about it again. Sure, that may be unlikely because Andrew is caught in the act. The family only makes their grand escape because Barbara rages out at her extended family. She is going through menopause which introduces a brand new monster to the proceedings, the Menopause Banshee. That's a very welcome development that showcases how hormones are constantly changing throughout life. Barbara may have thought she was done with all of that. She can still see herself as a sexual being in a very happy and healthy relationship. However, menopause can also come across as a burden being released from her. She can enjoy it all without having to worry about birth control. Of course, there are side effects as well like hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings. That's what defines her time in Florida. It's agonizing to her. But again, it still makes her a pivotal person to help everyone get out of this place right when their fates seem destined to die here. That's the extreme the show goes to here. Hopefully, some of these ideas will be able to flourish elsewhere in the proceedings. This episode does get Nick and Andrew's friendship back on track after they've taken turns being destructive monsters themselves. Of course, they'll return home to a changed environment because Jay forms a strong connection with Nick's parents. They are willing to take him in and love him after he is abandoned by his family during spring break. That's absolutely horrifying. His family continue to be so abusive. He needs love right now. Diane and Elliot are more than willing to give it to him for as long as he needs. They are concerned that may be longer than any of them realized in the early going. He lives in a hostile home environment. His presence helps fulfill their lives with Nick gone. But Nick will be back soon which comes with the understanding that things will go back to normal even though that may not be for the best for Jay.
