The dominant progressive element across all reviewed seasons is the recurring Terran character Nightshade, explicitly portrayed as the franchise's first non-binary figure using they/them pronouns, complete with dialogue defining the term, rejecting binary labels, and celebrating it as "a wonderful word for a wonderful experience" alongside a human character using she/they pronouns. This messaging, aimed at children ages 7+ in a Nickelodeon/Paramount+ series, has driven consistent backlash, including viral criticism, Laura Ingraham commentary, and BBC edits censoring non-binary references.

Diverse voice casting and the modern family premise amplify the representation, but the explicit gender-identity arcs remain the primary factor behind the show's overall woke score of 8/10. Adventure elements in later seasons operate within this established framework without introducing new identity themes.