Bojack Horseman Season 6 Part 2 - The End
Back in 2014, I made a decision on a whim to start watching an adult animated show about an alcoholic horse because I was bored and I liked the look of the cast. I've never been much of a fan of classic adult animated shows and so it is fair to say this show didn't exactly pique my interest at first. Six years later and I can confidently say that this is the greatest piece of television ever produced. The amount of fear and anxiety I felt before starting the final chapter in a show I have been in love with for years was exhausting, I couldn't face admitting that the show was coming to an end but I had confidence in this show to create the perfect ending. And my confidence wasn't misplaced. This season is one of the bravest, daring and fine-tuned set of episodes in the show's history, it not only sticks the landing, but it also stays truthful to the shows artistic integrity and is uncompromisingly confident. Although I am obviously angry at Netflix's habit of cancelling their best shows due to their failed viewing counting system, however, I am happy the show had the opportunity to create a fully realised finale and ending that the show deserves. For the final time let's break down every episode and take a look back at the final episodes of Bojack Horseman.
Intermediate Scene Study w/ Bojack Horseman
It is fair to say we were in a very tricky situation before this episode, the first seven episodes of season 6 led us to believe that Bojack was getting better only for the show to pull the rug out from under us and remind the audience that Bojack still needs to pay for his actions. This episode maintains that uncomfortable sense of uncertainty about Bojack's future, it dedicates a lot of the run time to maintain the status quo and keep this idea that Bojack has reached his potential as a Wesleyan Professor. It mostly chronicles Bojack excelling as a professor but struggling with his relationship with Hollyhock, it is a really uncomfortable mix of the two, we see Bojack being genuinely good at teaching which is honestly surprising. It is the usual character plotting episode that Bojack's premieres seem to be, discovering where our characters are at in their development and setting up their arcs for the season. We see Todd adapting to being Ruthie's nanny, in a typical ridiculous Todd level insanity but also the wonderful revelation that he is dating Maude. PC seems calmer and more adapted and Bojack seems to be much more focused and less erratic, Arnett does a fantastic job at adapting his voice to make this new Bojack feel distinct and that at some level it has changed somewhat. The real emotional core is his struggling relationship with Hollyhock as the two grow apart, it is fascinating to see Bojack actually trying to reconnect with someone in his life in a healthy way but being pushed away without reason, seeing his past behaviour turned on him. And in those closing moments, like an inevitable punch to the gut, Bojack receives a bone-chilling call from Charlotte setting off the spiral to come.
Good Damage
After last episode's cliffhanger, we retrace our steps and explore where Diane has been and the circumstances that led to that phone call from Charlotte. I really like how we spend an episode seeing where Diane is as she has always been our secondary protagonist and developing Diane on anti-depressants was just outstanding. The show will always have a special place in my heart due to how it deals with issues from a recognisable level of personal interaction, there is no denying that the portrayal of how Diane is coming to terms with her depression is a personal portrayal. It is also great to see the show experimenting with its art style like episodes such as 'Stupid Piece of Shit' and here may be one of my favourite examples. The writing segments are so anxiety-inducing, intense and disorientating combining this scratchy messy visual style with this other-worldly score, the segments delve into how Diane is trying to justify her trauma in this book. It is heartbreaking to see her trying to objectively explore her trauma and create art out of it for the sake of making it 'Good Damage' and undeniable commentary on the creators of the show. It is also wonderful to see how healthy her relationship with Guy is, Lakeith kills it as this character. The other part of the episode revolves around the ridiculous reporters tracking down Charlotte and Penny, admittedly I do find them a bit tonally confusing but they act as genuinely hilarious characters who's purpose is chilling and terrifying. It is really interesting seeing the damage that Charlotte and Penny have been going through and they paint this situation with this beautiful objectivity; showing how they don't aggressively want revenge and are unsure if it is worth acting out for their own sake. A beautiful look at some very tough issues yet managing to maintain some excellent comedic and character moments, setting up the hard road we are about to go down.
Sunk Cost and All That
What are all the worst things that Bojack has done? When the show first poised that question it is devastating to look back at the possible damage this man has and this episode is the realisation of that idea. Bojack has to confront everything he has done with his two confidants, Diane and PC, but in an intriguing look at how these characters perceive these actions. It isn't as simplistic as this, but I do like how PC tries to excuse his actions with using the clause of the fact nothing he has done was illegal, but Diane struggles to come to terms that they aren't considering the effect of these events. It is such an uncomfortable and exhausting experience to watch, genuinely questioning if the excuse 'I was a different person!' is a viable excuse if you have not apologised and rectified your actions. However, it reminds me of how one of Bojack's darkest moments which was him attempting to make amends in 'That's Too Much Man!', so is it really possible to change the mistakes of your own past? The second part of the episode is the realisation of the Mr PB, Pickles and Joey Pogo arc which also links into the reporters. Although these moments have incredible jokes with Ellifino being a hilarious concept, I do find it to be a bit chaotic and disorganised. I just feel like the reporters are sidelined for the love triangle (if you can call it that) between the three restaurant owners. It is a stellar episode with a bit of a cluttered side plot yet it is still a confident exploration of such a sticky topic for the protagonist.
Xerox of a Xerox
This is the big turning point for the season, what the whole show was building too and one of the most uncomfortable and daring episodes of television. I adore everything about this episode and it is probably up there with 'Free Churro' as the best-written episode of the show. The episode starts by playing with its audience, composing an interview with Bojack where he apologizes for his actions. The interview is balanced, as an audience member we are happy to see Bojack be honest and open, this is portrayed as a good thing for our protagonist and yet there is an uncomfortable feeling that Bojack may still need to own up for his problems. And then the final nail in the coffin, Bojack goes back for a second interview and we see that he is an inevitably self-destructive person, he craves the attention and recognition for others that comes from that first interview. Then, like a punch to the gut, the showrunners reveals their thesis statement for the character of Bojack Horseman, that he is a man that manipulates the women he has power over. It is a brutal character deconstruction, combing through everything that he did and proving there is a repeated pattern in this character's behaviour, that he is without a doubt in the wrong here. No matter how much he tries to change, he needs to confront the actions of his past and realise that he has whether he realised it or not, spent years manipulating the people around him. Probably my favourite moment from the episode is the return to the comedy club where that chalk-line creates a shadow of the person he could have been, the way his life could have gone. On the flipside we see Diane undergo a big change in leaving her past life, she meets Guy's son and is trying to move on from this past, a fitting parallel to Bojack's story. I love how Diane and PC both feel exhausted and uncomfortable to see their friend be confronted with their flaws, things they have known for years being spread to the world. It is a brutal episode but so brilliantly done in every single way, a daring move on the creators but definitely the right one.
The Horny Unicorn
Angela
This is in many ways finale number 1, we don't revisit the side characters for a 16 months after this and it is the end of the conventional Bojack episode. The return of Angela Diaz was something I never expected to happen and something I didn't know I wanted to see. Hearing her voice in the opening flashback brought chills down my spine, she is this character shrouded in mystery, one of the first 'bad things' that we see Bojack do is that conversation with Angela that got Herb fired. The showrunners do a brilliant job at balancing the episodes this season, as Bojack goes down such a dark path the other characters manage to reach moments of happiness. Todd finally reconnects with his mother by doing a 'classic Todd shenanigan', letting her try and help him for once, it is a wonderful portrayal of the complexities of this relationship. It is also incredible to see Margo Martindale for one last time, actually given her a character arc which I did not expect, I love when the show just is clearly having fun. Diane manages to reconnect with Mr PB, her speech on the phone might be my favourite Diane moment of the series, she comes to terms that it's important to stop holding herself with such high standards and dropping her ego in order to connect to others. And finally, the moment that made me absolutely scream and shout with happiness is PC and Judah becoming a couple, I love the admiration and respect they have for each other and you aren't human if you don't tear up a bit at that song. The rest of the episode revolves around Bojack and Angela getting drunk, he wipes away his legacy from Horsin' Around, finds out he could have actually stood to Angela and Herb wouldn't have been fired and this sends him into delirium. Witnessing him break and enter into his old house is heartbreaking, Bojack's relapse is done with such raw realistic horror and his actions here feel like a different character to the one we saw in 'Face of Depression'. And like every episode this series, it finishes with a moment that leaves me in shock and tears, that shot of the hopeful and naive Bojack from the audition tape to the old withered broken Bojack is one of the most heart-wrenching things the show has done.
The View From Halfway Down
How on earth do I write about this episode? It is without a doubt the best episode of the show and may very well be the best episode of television I have ever seen. I can not begin to describe the experience that this episode takes you on, it is like a David Lynch dark surrealist metaphor mixed with this unique Bojack Horseman absurdism. I remember the first time witnessing this episode I was shaking for the majority of it, the tone and atmosphere are like the black tar, it genuinely makes the audience feel god awfully uncomfortable. We begin with Bojack arriving at his childhood home with a young Sarah Lynn and meeting all the people that have died in his life: Crackerjack, Beatrice, Corduroy, Sarah Lynn, Herb Kazzaz and Secretariat/Butterscotch. Hearing these characters discuss the purpose of their lives with this beautifully written dialogue is outstanding, they discuss if their deaths had meaning and if they will ever reach peace. By this point the episode changes direction, Bojack reveals this is a regular dream yet he doesn't wake up at the correct time and the hints are clear that Bojack is in trouble. The penultimate episode has the reputation of being the most creative and this is probably the most impressive achievement yet, the environments are stunning and I can't put into words how to pinpoint perfect each sequence is. The animators have created art in every way, from the musical set pieces to the horrifying tar to the small ways reality breaks. Hearing 'Don't Stop Dancing' and 'I Will Always Think of You' broke my heart, I love how the episode retraces things we love but makes them dark and harrowing at times. There are so many small details that honestly make this episode, from everyone's last meals to the countless references to Bojack's fate, or the significance of everyone's final performances and every line has a reason and a purpose to it. A special shoutout out to whoever wrote 'The View From Halfway Down' poem because that is so gut-wrenching and genuinely made me feel nauseous with how brutal and upsetting it is. And the episode concludes with a phonecall to Diane which is Bojack coming to terms with his death, I never thought the words 'How was your day' could break my heart as much as it did. I can't really put into words what an achievement this episode is, it is a love letter to everything Bojack Horseman and a heartbreaking disturbing piece of art.
Nice While it Lasted
If you stayed through the credits of the last episode you would have heard the clue that Bojack did survive the previous episode and with that starts the final episode of Bojack Horseman. I hovered over the play button before starting this episode, this show has been such an important part in my life I didn't know if I could face the series ending and afterwards I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending to the show. My friend pointed out that the only people who speak in this episode are Bojack, Mr Peanutbutter, Todd, PC and Diane, the core cast which is a lovely touch and makes this episode feel even more important. In a quickfire overwhelming montage, we see that Bojack has survived and gone to prison for breaking and entering and the episode takes place a year after the previous when Bojack leaves prison for the weekend to see PC and Judah's wedding. It is full of incredible payoffs and satisfying conclusions without feeling insubstantial and pandering which is why I maintain it to be the perfect finale we could have asked for. I love all the wonderful callback jokes such as Honeydew, Ibsen and that glorious conclusion to the running sign and Hollywoo jokes, touches like this are the nice kind of pandering that are still jokes in their own right. The episode then separates into four conversations, a light-hearted conversation with Mr PB that is inconsequential but fun and heartwarming. I adored the conversation with him and Todd, it is a blatant commentary on the show itself and their debate about art rings true for the entire show, it's nice to see these to characters reach a mutual agreement and find comfort. Bojack and PC reunite and have this heartbreaking conversation about their relationship, it is quaint and heart-warming with this beautiful touch of showing how much these characters have come on. Finally, the closing segment is a duologue between Diane and Bojack, they have always been the core of this show and their relationship is so incredibly important to the success. This conversation speaks for itself, this might be the last time they speak and it is important that here they both understand that it's time to move on and be thankful for each other. At the end of the day, relationships are sticky, this isn't the episode where they all say goodbye and recollect because life isn't that simple and I'm glad we ended on this kind of beautiful ending of 'Life's a bitch then you keep living' and we say goodbye to our very own 'Mr Blue'.
Thank you to the countless people that worked on this show. I haven't seen anything close to how truly perfect Bojack Horseman is. It will remain in my heart forever as one of the most honest and beautiful portrayals for all the difficulties in life. I always smile a bit at the thought that the most human show I know is a show where 75 percent of the cast aren't even human. These characters show a brilliant portrayal of the messiness and unreliability of life which is my favourite writing style in anything I love. It is also incredibly funny, right to the very last second this show has hilarious puns and brilliant satire that somehow balances beautifully with the dark themes and moments the show deals with. Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, Alison Brie and Paul F Tompkins made this show with voice acting that was delivered with such passion and honest personal experience. I won't ever forget how much Bojack Horseman has changed my life, it has made me realised a lot about myself thanks to the issues and representation of the show. I am sure I am one of many people who have been touched by this show and I have enjoyed every second that I laughed, cried, gasped, shouted and cheered at this stupid sad horse show. Thanks for Reading!