Progressive elements appear prominently through subplots and character arcs rather than as the foundational premise. Gabe's storyline stands out as a recurring B-plot across episodes like 'Play' and 'Opening Night,' where the character grapples with his sexuality, uses slurs like 'faggot' to mask his feelings, and ultimately rejects a scripted kiss with Maya due to his emerging gay or bicurious identity; writers drew from personal 1990s experiences to depict this confusion authentically amid casual homophobia.

Maya's biracial Japanese-American identity drives episodes such as 'Shadow,' exploring microaggressions, exotification versus ostracism, colorism with a visiting relative Ume, and the limits of her white best friend Anna's understanding of racism. Additional threads include slut-shaming and gendered double standards around the girls' sexual reputations, toxic masculinity among the boys, and a dedicated 'Yuki' episode humanizing Maya's immigrant mother beyond stereotypes.