Bojack Horseman Season 6 (Part 1) – Closing Time
Bojack has been a massive part of my life since it premiered
and when it was announced the show was ending, it really crushed me. But I have
faith in the tremendous creative team behind this show and the decisions to
split the seasons into two is by far the right decision. The first half of
season 6 manages to maintain the essence of uncertainty, there isn’t any familiarity
or expectations for where the season is going to go and that is what made it
truly phenomenal to watch. There is no ‘episode 11’ style episode, the finale
is a set-up episode, the first episode doesn’t hold back, and it feels much
more unpredictable and freeform which is exactly what this show needed before
it ended. So, let’s go through all 8 episodes of Season 6 (Part 1) and explore
the fantastic set of penultimate episodes in all their soul-crushing details.
A Horse Walks Into a Rehab
Seeing Bojack in rehab was without a doubt my most anticipated
part of Season 6, I think I was excited to see Bojack confront change and
finally try and get better and ‘A Horse Walks Into Rehab’ is fantastic at this.
The opening scene shows moments after Sarah Lynn’s death and establishes the
amazing repeated motif of the starry sky that remind Bojack of his last moments
with Sarah Lynn. This episode is increasingly self-reflective and slower paced
in comparison to usual chaos in Bojack Horseman premiere episodes, there are
two plots that compel the episode, a present-day exploration of how Bojack has
matured since arriving in rehab and a series of flashbacks answering the
question ‘When did Bojack first drink?’. The present-day plot is using the antithesis
of Jameson and her rebellious attitude with the new Bojack who is wiser and
slowly growing to show care and understanding of different people. It isn’t anything
special, it has several fantastic rehab jokes, which sounds weird I know, but it
is a slow set-up for the change in Bojack we are going to see this season. The
flashbacks however, are sublimely uncomfortable and distressing and make this
episode stand out. Starting from the ‘Horsin’ Around’ days with the reveal that
the mysterious character Sharona perhaps started influencing Bojack’s
alcoholism, but then we explore his high school days and then his teen days and
even as far back as Bojack as an infant. They really influence our perception
of Bojack, balancing the possibility of him being as much of a victim of his
addiction yet not toning back the admittance that he ultimately a bad person. A
complex and daring premiere that kicks off Bojack’s arc this season.
A New Client
I feel like every review I write about Bojack I always replicate
the sentiment of ‘I just want Princess Carolyn to be happy’ and this season is
no different. From what I thought would be an optimistic start for her character
as she realises her dream of being a mother, ‘A New Client’ explores just how
difficult her life as a single mother is in brutal uncompromising fashion. This
is the episode where the really creative team got to flex their muscles with
the anxiety inducing effect of her overlapping repetitive monotony that has
become her life. The sound design is disorientating, rhythmic and overwhelming
as well as so many amazing animation quirks seeing her insomnia kick in and her
life becoming a blur. It is brutally honest in exploring the difficulty of
being a single mother as PC tries to go to events about ‘women who do it all’ but
is criticised for wanting to relax and rely on others. The arc throughout the
episode is PC realising she can reach out to people and rely on them, whether
it be Todd to look after her baby, Bojack and Venessa as friends that she can
confide in and even Mr Peanutbutter is a creative help. The final ten minutes
will bring even the strongest people to tears, her admitting she is struggling
to Venessa and her exploring her individuality in relation to how that makes her
a good mother with her iconic tongue twisters, all concluded with the emotional
cherry on top which is her naming her daughter Ruthie. It is about honesty,
compassion and support which is something her character needed and makes it a
highlight for the whole season.
Feel-Good Story
It is political episode time! I’m joking of course, every
season has its episode with a harsh political meaning but what makes it successful
is the fact these episodes still maintain character and emotion. ‘Feel-Good Story’
is a depressing look at capitalism from the perspective of Diane, it is
important to realise that the hyperbolic portrayal of capitalism takes a bit of
a backseat to Diane’s character. In classic Diane fashion she uses her platform
to rebel against human indecencies however the essential idea that the episode
explores is her relationship with Guy (Lakieth Stanfield) who reacts to her
tendency to obsess over things like this. It is uncompromisingly harsh with the
portrayal of the White Whale Corporation in relation to honest gross capitalism,
the politics is witty and ruthless which is a staple of the show at this point.
However, I really enjoy the more human side, Guy is a fantastic character, he
is charming yet imperfect and voiced to perfection by one of my favourite
actors of recent memory (Lakieth Stanfield is amazing go watch Sorry to Bother
You). Their relationship is refreshing as the two comfortably communicate through
some difficult moments as well as some really happy moments, the balance is
realistic and honest. It is once again an episode that compels Diane to consider
her own happiness, L.A isn’t the place she should be instead she needs to take
a step to reconsider herself and move in with Guy. Not as strong as the previous
two episodes, it is still fantastic and full of heart, satire and emotion.
Surprise!
I haven’t really touched on him, but Mr Peanutbutter
throughout the first few episodes has been full of guilt about his affair with
Diane and this is the episode where this finally pays off. I have to be
completely honest, but I haven’t always been a fan of Mr PB and Pickles, the
two are exhausting to watch at times but this episode explores their
dysfunctionality and how Mr PB is a deeply flawed character. But the true
ironic highlight is seeing all of these characters come together, Diane,
Bojack, Todd and PC all get to come together and reflect on the people that
they are now. The concept is simple-ish, Todd organises a surprise wedding, but
Mr PB reveals his affair forcing everyone to awkwardly hide as the two argue.
It is quintessential Bojack hyperbolic slapstick comedy combining everything
that makes this show so funny: sharp witty dialogue with hidden jokes in the
background all over the backdrop of an emotional story. The way the other characters
treat this as normalcy allows them to interact honestly, Todd and PC bond over
caring for Ruthie which is heart-warming for the both of them, but my favourite
is definitely how Diane and Bojack interact, the highlight being Bojack talking
about his chip which is a brutal moment of development for his character. Mr PB
and Pickles conclude their argument is the most dysfunctional way ever, showing
how PB is genuinely the only character without self-reflection at this point. A
hilarious episode combining slapstick with character in an essentially unique
way.
A Little Uneven, Is All
And when you think the season is heading in a certain
direction, the show takes a turn and looks at something we didn’t expect. All
of the character arcs we have seen so far are essentially what we expected but
now we shift direction and look at something else for these characters. Bojack doesn’t
want to leave rehab, a sentence that seems crazy for this character, but this
is the stage of his character where he has found peace. He deflects the real
issue, which is him coming to terms with how he is scared of reality whilst sober
and begins a conspiracy to deflect this idea. Now this seems like the concept
of the episode, but instead this lasts ten minutes to highlight how Bojack has
changed to become a much more self-reflective and honest person, he reaches out
to Todd in a moment of vulnerability. We also look at several flashbacks on how
he got Sharona fired through a moment mirroring how he treated Herb, these
flashbacks come out of nowhere and are ruthlessly harsh as Bojack reflects on
them and the person he is. Diane struggles with writer’s block as she begins to
try and create something honest and personal, showing how she’s struggling
confronting her own creative identity. The other plot is an eerily realistic
portrayal of the Hollywood assistants going on strike, which just this week is
happening in real life which is crazy and hilarious. The closing act see’s
Bojack inadvertently getting Dr Champ drunk and showing how easy he can ruin
lives. It is a set-up episode with a lot of creativity and surprises and bridging
the gap into the final few episodes of the season.
The Kidney Stays in the Picture
Hooray! Todd episode! This was a surprising developing
episode for all of the characters in the show but especially the treatment of Todd
and exploring his past with the introduction of Jorge Chavez (Jaime Camil) in
what is really quite a dark storyline. Todd’s mother is in a coma and he needs
to find his Kidney, that he gave away, so he can save her, whilst Bojack helps
Dr Champ and Mr PB becomes the new Face of Depression. Todd’s relationship with
his step-father is clearly complex and flawed and this is the compelling arc
throughout the episode, it is nice to see Todd have some agency and destroy
misconceptions that he isn’t achieving his potential. One of my favourite
moments of the season is Todd exclaiming ‘I’m happy!’ showcasing that he is a
character that is ultimately focused on being happy rather than other ideas
about what makes a life fulfilled. He was always seen as a disappointment by his
parents, but shouldn’t they be proud of him for being happy and maintaining his
personality. Dr Champ and Bojack’s scenes are fantastic, seeing Bojack confront
a mirror version of the dark side of himself compelling him to realise a lot
about his character and go through character realisations that are essential
for his development. Finally, we have the Assistant Strike, where PC and
Turtletaub destroy the operation resulting in a moment of sympathy from PC and
the wonderful much-awaited return of Judah. A fantastic mature episode taking
the final steps to the penultimate episode.
The Face of Depression
This could have been the finale to Bojack Horseman. It is an
incredible piece of television with such a vibrant and unique tone of
melancholy and finality and I loved it so much. Bojack returns home aimless, he
enters his house to see reminders of his past glaring back at him, the rest of
the episode is about Bojack finding his place. Every character goes through a growth
which feels earned and really bittersweet and heart-warming. Seeing Bojack
reconcile with Todd, Diane, PC and Hollyhock is wonderful as Arnett clearly
portrays how far this character has come and matured. I mentioned there isn’t really
an ‘episode 11’ of this season, but this takes the place as the penultimate
episode with the most emotional weight rather than the episode that upsets you
the most. Bojack and Diane’s conversation and him tidying up for her demonstrates
the first step to caring for others. He visits Hollyhock and we see how much
the two of them care for each other and how important they are to each other,
it is once again amazing to see her back. Bojack then helps PC realise the
importance of having people around her and helping her, their conversation is subtle
and heart-warming, especially the destruction of that awful painting that has
haunted this character. And finally, he reconciles with Sharona, fully
apologising and then we get that heart-breaking reveal of his grey hair which
is probably my favourite moment of the series as we see this completely
reinvented character. We also have Bojack finally giving Mr PB that crossover,
this whole episode is full of that warm fuzzy feeling combining nostalgia with
character honesty in a masterful way And I struggle to write about that last
scene in the church without crying, hearing Bojack say ‘Peace be with you’ was beautiful
and that last little wink to the camera solidifies this as the ending we want
for Bojack. But of course, that wasn’t enough.
A Quick One, While He’s Away
And now an episode dedicated to the most important question
the show has been toying with for the entirety of its run ‘Does Bojack Horseman
deserve happiness?’ and I think this is the closest we are getting to that
answer. Episode 7 is a beautiful look at how Bojack has repaired himself, how
he has matured into a better person and helped the people around him however
episode 8 doesn’t feature any of the main cast and is instead a look at the
people Bojack has ruined and drawing attention to the fact that he has got to face
the consequences to his actions. We see how Kelsey is struggling in her professional
life, as she is afraid of taking risks after her stint for Secretariat, we get
reminded that Bojack is at fault for her firing and her position in Hollywood. However,
she manages to push through and make a film more honestly portraying women which
demonstrates how she is slowly rebuilding herself. Yet she needs a lead actor
which is when we meet Gina for the first time since she was attacked by Bojack,
she is clearly struggling from PTSD and that is damaging her career and
perception in Hollywoo. Meanwhile we also follow two eccentric journalists investigating
the death of Sarah Lynn, the tension riding on how close they are to
discovering the truth about Bojack. Finally, we see Hollyhock struggling with
her anxieties around alcohol, drawing attention to how she is still recovering
from the events of Season 4, yet the rug is pulled from under us in the third
act. After a beautiful depiction of an anxiety attack (the advice given is
genuine and I loved that touch) she is helped by a mysterious man named Peter.
The moment you realise that he is Sneaky Pete and then that slow tense scene
that climaxes in him revealing to Hollyhock the events of ‘Escape From L.A’ is
an amazing cliff-hanger. The episode is a reminder we can’t get comfortable, that
no matter how happy Bojack is, we need to consider the awful things he has
done.
Season 6 (Part 1) is everything I hoped the climactic moments
of this story would be. The season is slower with an almost complete focus on
self-reflection which is the resounding theme of the whole season. Every
character goes through a degree of self-reflection all cumulating in the beautiful
‘The Face of Depression’ where these characters interact with a sense of realistic
progression. Whether it be Todd realising that he shouldn’t have to be confronted
with being a failure, instead he should focus on being happy. PC realises she can’t
do everything herself and there is nothing wrong with showing vulnerability and
relying on people in any shape or form. Diane comes to grip with finding herself
and her own creative voice yet struggles with depression resulting in her
maturing and taking action. Finally, Bojack becomes an unrecognisable person, rehab
changes him slowly into someone who reaches out and is honest to others, he
recognises flaws and tries to help and realises this is what helps him get
better ultimately resulting in him becoming a professor. However, the final
episode, and what I presume the second half will be dedicated to, is a
commentary on the past catching up to Bojack. He has done wrong, he has hurt
people and although he has reconciled with those closest to him, there are
others that he has disregarded and are still suffering from his actions which
is unacceptable and its time for him to face consequences. It is a daring move
to pull off, but I really love this whole philosophy on this season and once
again leaves me in that wonderful uncertainty.
I’m going to miss writing about Bojack Horseman but thank
you for reading! It means a lot and I cant wait to be utterly crushed on January
31st!