The season features a prominent subplot in Episode 3 where Missy organizes an affinity group to protest the school's "Scheming Gypsy" mascot as outdated and offensive; Ali pushes for immediate action, leading the group to storm a wrestling match. Jessi's multi-episode arc (Episodes 3-6) centers on her sorting feelings for the pansexual character Ali, including a fantasy of making out and questioning whether her love is platonic or romantic, with Sonya the lovebug involved.

Jay's bisexual realization culminates in a relationship with openly gay Matthew after flings and jealousy plots. Production-wise, Ayo Edebiri replaced Jenny Slate as biracial Missy starting in Season 5, tied to explicit statements about Black characters needing Black voice actors and Missy's own racial identity awakening storyline.

Creators discussed expanding "kids advocating and becoming political" themes. These elements drive character arcs and subplots alongside the lovebug/hate worm premise but do not redefine the core puberty comedy.