Parallels focuses on teen friendships, science fiction, and parallel realities, rather than shoehorning in identity politics or checking diversity boxes for its own sake. Characters are developed for their personalities and relationships, not just surface-level traits. Forced representation and hyper-competent, flawless diverse characters are mostly absent.

Traditional values aren’t aggressively undermined. The show doesn’t spend time mocking masculinity, religion, or family, and it mostly keeps the focus on adventure and personal growth. Any subversion of gender roles is subtle, not front and center, and there isn’t obvious historical or cultural revisionism.

The series allows space for differing viewpoints and avoids painting traditional characters as one-dimensional villains. Dialogue and themes emphasize universal struggles over modern ideological messaging. Dissenting perspectives aren’t villainized, and ideological assumptions aren’t hammered into the plot.