'Mating Season' Review: Netflix's Animal Kingdom Coming-of-Age Series Lacks 'Big Mouth's' Originality
By
Ben Travers
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
Netflix's new animated series "Mating Season" from the creators of "Big Mouth" is a coming-of-age comedy set in the animal kingdom. The show follows four young animals—Fawn, Josh, Chip, and Sasha—navigating puberty, sexuality, and social dynamics in a world where animals mimic human behaviors. While it shares DNA with "Big Mouth" (same creative team, similar themes), the review notes it struggles to find its own identity, relying heavily on the formula that made its predecessor successful. The series features anthropomorphic animals dealing with human-like adolescent experiences, but critics find it less original and impactful than "Big Mouth."
Key quotes
· 3 pulled'Mating Season' cuts to show the audience's horrified faces. 'This is disgusting,' one says.
The show is clearly trying to capture the same magic that made 'Big Mouth' a hit, but it feels more like a copycat than a fresh take.
What are we watching?,' Fawn asks. 'Some show called 'Big Mouse,'' Josh replies.
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