Introduction
Although BoJack Horseman may have started as just another comedic adult animation, this TV show would go on to become a much more hard-hitting, relatable depiction of mental illness, even if it is through the medium of a talking horse. Throughout its six seasons, the show tells the story of BoJack’s attempts to regain his once-had fame, and all the relationships he makes and breaks along the way. Exploring such important topics with its cartoon animal characters allows BoJack Horseman to retain its incredibly funny plotlines and writing, while also creating this interesting juxtaposition with the very human-like issues faced by all its characters.
History
Beginning in 2014, BoJack Horseman would run for six seasons, reaching it’s peak popularity at the time of the final season airing. The cast would include comedic stars such as Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie and Aaron Paul, as well as guests stars throughout. It’s style in both animation and writing was similar to that of Rick and Morty, which also gained traction and popularity at a similar time. People often compare the two shows for their blend of silliness and seriousness. The series focuses on the title character, BoJack, a washed-up actor, reliant on drugs and alcohol, as he attempts to revive his career and make some money. So, here are, in my opinion the best episodes of BoJack Horseman.
10. Thoughts and Prayers (S4, E5)
Starting off the list is one of the episodes that I believe has the perfect blend of comedy and commentary. BoJack takes more of a side-line in this episode, while the main plot focuses on Diane, his friend and ex-ghost-writer, as she takes a stance on gun violence in America. Though she is initially anti-gun, Diane’s views shift after a nasty encounter in which she’s saved by another woman with a gun in hand. She then goes on to write an article detailing how woman should carry guns for safety, and the episode uses a plethora of witty remarks to comment on her quick-changing, but arguably valid views.
9. That’s Too Much, Man! (S3,E11)
Arguably, one of the most depressing episodes of the show, That’s Too Much, Man! is the last episode to feature a (living) Sarah-Lynn, one of the show’s most loved characters. After nine months of sobriety, Sarah-Lynn is convinced by BoJack to go on a ‘massive bender’ wherein they partake in incredibly heavy drug use, and Sarah-Lynn opens up about how she feels her life has been something of a waste, and wants to change. The episode ends with her untimely death from a drug overdose, and BoJack being left to deal with the aftermath. I rank this as one of the best episodes due to its depiction of BoJack’s true nature, and also of tragic lives often lead by child stars like Sarah-Lynn.
8. The Old Sugarman Place (S4, E2)
Personally, I am a sucker for a flashback episode. The Old Sugarman Place shows us scenes from BoJack’s mother’s childhood, proving to be a deep look into generational trauma, and why BoJack’s mother was so cruel to him. The episode also sees BoJack staying at his grandparent’s old house, and meeting an old fly who lives next door. The fly is a suicidal widower, no longer able to cope after the death of his wife. While we see BoJack desperately trying to get the fly to want to live, interspliced with this we see BoJack’s grandmother going insane after the death of her son, and eventually receiving a lobotomy after she begs her husband to ‘fix her’. This episode is incredibly hard-hitting and a great episode for fans invested in the larger plotline of the series surrounding BoJack and his ‘origins’.
7. Xerox of a Xerox (S6, E12)
After word gets out that BoJack waited 17 minutes to call for help after Sarah-Lynn’s death, he finds himself in a scandal. This is something of a satisfying episode, as we see BoJack have to face the music, as he agrees to a TV interview about the incident. He does not come off as sincere and mourning, as he had hoped, but as uncaring and selfish, which most of us realise that he is by this point in the series. I think it’s interesting for the viewer to see BoJack having to face some real consequences, as he is often set up to be a relatable character in terms of his emotions and habits. Episodes like this make you consider your own morality after perhaps comparing yourself to the character only a few episodes before.
6. It’s You! (S3, E10)
While the main plot of this episode revolves around BoJack going to the Oscars, the reason I chose this one to make the list is because of the conversation between Todd and BoJack at the end of the episode. Somewhat similarly to Xerox of a Xerox, Todd really tells it to BoJack like it is, once again prompting that question of morality from us, as viewers. Todd makes it clear to BoJack that everyone will leave him in the end, if he carries on the way he is, and that he can’t just keep saying he needs to change, and then never do anything about it. The speech marks something of a changing point in the series, as we do see BoJack ‘attempt’ to make genuine changes in his life after hearing this, though he does inevitably fail and return to his old ways.
5. The Telescope (S1, E8)
This is one of the earliest episodes to give us insight into BoJack’s time on his hit show ‘Horsin’ Around’, and also one of the first episodes to have one of the more depressing plotlines that the show is now more known for. BoJack seeks to reconcile his relationship with old friend Herb, after learning that Herb is dying of cancer. While BoJack goes into this reunion with the expectation that Herb will accept his apology and put their past to rest, Herb is unexpectedly unwilling to forgive BoJack for betraying him.
This episode is so interesting to me as it explores the fact that characters do not have to forgive one another and move on and that a relationship can permanently end on bad terms, even after attempts to fix it. This is something I think isn’t so readily explored in a lot of media, as audiences typically desire happier endings than this.
4. Good Damage (S6, E10)
Good Damage is a very personal favourite of mine, but one that I think is incredibly important to the show as a whole, as well. It follows Diane on her journey of writing a book about her own life and explores themes of depression and childhood trauma. Diane feels that if she doesn’t get to write her book then all the ‘damage’ she endured in childhood doesn’t count as ‘good damage’. I think this is something a lot of writers, and creatives in general, relate to. Her character has one of the most fulfilling arcs in the show, and this episode shows her incredibly human traits and flaws, while still managing to be funny and witty, with its cartoon-within-a-cartoon style.
3. Free Churro (S5, E6)
You wouldn’t have thought an episode like Free Churro could work for a show like this. All twenty minutes of the runtime feature BoJack giving a speech at his mother’s funeral, and nothing else. And yet, it has become one of the best-known and most well-renowned episodes, truly shining a light on how genius the writing of this show is, and how impactful words can be. BoJack’s relationship with his mother is complicated and very real throughout the series, and this episode doesn’t try to sugarcoat that. Instead, it features a realistic depiction of the emotions and feelings a character like BoJack is experiencing after losing his mother, and what he wishes their relationship could have been. This one sticks with you after your first watch and oddly makes you want to watch again, despite the morbidness of it all.
2. Time’s Arrow (S4, E11)
Time’s Arrow feels apt to follow from Free Churro, as it goes into depth on BoJack’s mother’s childhood, and also her relationship with BoJack’s father. As with the rest of the show, this episode is written and animated in a way that gives a great deal of insight into his mother’s life, and why she became abusive and cruel towards him, while also not using that as an excuse for her actions. You see the cycle of generational trauma. This episode adds so much weight by the time you get to Free Churro in Season 6, and you see the sympathy that BoJack has for his mother, even despite not knowing about any of the trauma she experienced. Only we, as the audience, really get to see the full scope of this. Another great flashback episode.
1. The View From Halfway Down (S6, E15)
Coming in at the top of my list is the penultimate episode of the show. I think this is one of the best-known episodes of the show. It reveals BoJack’s mindset at the end of the show. In a dream, BoJack faces recognisable deceased characters. It’s a familiar dream, and he assumes that he’ll soon wake up. However, the characters in the dream tell him that this time, that isn’t the case. It doesn’t take long for BoJack to realise he’s dying, and that he will soon be passing to ‘the other side’ along with everyone else from the dream. This episode highlights BoJack’s regret for most of his life choices and is ultimately why he decides to choose to live. Featuring lots of fan favourite characters, this is the best episode, in my opinion, as it really captures the essence of the show as a whole.
