After watching all six seasons of the popular adult cartoon, “Bojack Horseman,” I can’t stop thinking about the harsh, in-your-face, yet breathtakingly honest and real themes throughout the series. The show takes place in a version of modern-day Hollywood, CA (or should I say Hollywoo?), where animals and humans coexist, and follows the life of the former star of the 90’s sitcom “Horsin’ Around,” Bojack Horseman. Throughout the series we meet Bojack’s eclectic inner circle, ranging from writer Diane Nguyen to manager/agent Princess Carolyn to sweet and confused Todd. Although animated, “Bojack Horseman” is a raw show about the life of an addict. If you are looking for a new series to binge or characters to fall in love with, “Bojack Horseman” is a must-watch.
*Spoiler alert*
Season One
The first season of “Bojack Horseman” is the most tame. Viewers are introduced to Bojack’s sarcastic and pessimistic demeanor, Mr. Peanut Butter’s never-ending positivity, Princess Carolyn’s workaholic habits, and the inner workings of other key characters. In this season, Bojack hires Diane to ghost-write his book, and he eventually falls in love with her. I think the writers were afraid of really diving into the severity of Bojack’s addiction so early into the series, so much of the conflict is surface level. However, in this season, I learned to love Bojack and Todd despite their flaws, became annoyed with Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter’s odd relationship, and laughed at Princess Carolyn’s ability to separate work from her past with Bojack.
Season Two
In this season, Princess Carolyn’s extreme agent skills helped not only Mr. Peanut Butter land a game-show-host job, but also helped Bojack re-enter showbiz after being cast in the upcoming “Secretariat” movie. Because being a part of the “Secretariat” film is Bojack’s dream job, he tries to work on himself and becomes a more positive, sober, and reliable version of himself. He starts dating Wanda, who recently woke up from a coma. Meanwhile Diane and Mr. Peanut Butter take a break from their marriage and Diane goes to war-stricken Cordovia with Sebastian St. Clair (she actually is hiding at Bojack’s house for most of the time). This is the season where the dreaded New Mexico episode happens and my admiration for Bojack becomes ethically questionable. Season two of “Bojack Horseman” has so many plot twists with no clear right answer, like in real life, that I can’t help but empathize with the cast. Prepare for some serious reflection after this season.
Season Three
Never before, especially in an animated series, have I seen the directors actually portray the ins and outs of mental illness realistically like in “Bojack Horseman.” Throughout season three, Bojack struggles with depression as he faces the harsh reality that even an Oscar nomination won’t make him happy. He even goes on an epic bender with former co-star Sarah Lynn which doesn’t end as expected. Todd starts to explore his sexuality and when Diane gets pregnant and decides to get an abortion, viewers are exposed to the harsh truth that sometimes not even married couples are ready for kids. Meanwhile, Princess Carolyn is finally in a healthy relationship (her and Ralph should have been endgame) and continues to be a kick-ass agent for Mr. Peanut Butter as he runs for governor. I loved season three because I found a new admiration for my favorite characters after becoming privy to their individual demons.
Season Four
After the chaos of season three, Bojack disappears for a year at his family’s summer house. The first part of this season is more focused on the crumbling marriage of Mr. Peanut Butter and Diane and Princess Carolyn and Ralph’s evolving relationship. I began really disliking Diane this season because I think she has a negative outlook and a victim complex. The other female lead however, Princess Carolyn, becomes more vulnerable this season as she starts her journey of becoming a mother. Speaking of families, when Bojack does return to California, he meets Hollyhock, another horse who claims to be his daughter (but is actually his half-sister). Because of this, Bojack reunites with his now demented mother and the audience learns about Bojack’s toxic upbringing. At the same time, we learn more about Todd (he is so much more than just Bojack’s seemingly idiotic roommate) as he comes to terms with his asexuality. I really appreciate the creators of “Bojack Horseman” for bringing up relatable issues like divorce, sexuality, emotional abuse, and motherhood while also continuing to produce funny and creative episodes.
Season Five
As Bojack continues his acting career as the lead in “Philbert,” a crime show produced by Princess Carolyn, he confuses his character with real life and copes by taking any pill he can find. Todd’s wacky ideas start to pay off and he gets hired as the head of “What Time Is It Right Now.” Contrastingly, Princess Carolyn starts prioritizing adoption over her clients, which is great for her, but prevents her from supporting Diane and Bojack, leaving them both to spiral. In my opinion, Princess Carolyn is one of the few characters who is mentally stable and she deserves to take a break from being therapist/manager/mom of her unstable friends. Diane (who I decided at this point is my least favorite character) reaches rock bottom and sabotages herself, her marriage, and Bojack. Mr. Peanut Butter begins dating Pickles, a perky pug, but has a guilty conscience after sleeping with Diane. At the end of the season however, things seem to improve for Diane and Bojack as she checks him into rehab.
Season Six
The final season of “Bojack Horseman ” involved a lot of healing and tying of loose ends. Bojack embraces his sobriety in rehab, Princess Carolyn finally gets the baby she wanted, Diane moves to Chicago with her new boyfriend, Mr. Peanut Butter stars in his new show “Birthday Dad,” and Todd continues to unpack his past while exploring his sexuality. Bojack accepts a teaching job where Hollyhock goes to college but he overdoses at the end of the season. Unfortunately, his past continues to catch up to him and after the season finale I don’t know if Bojack is actually able to be a good person or become sober. Diane also continues to spiral and I don’t know if she will be able to completely defeat her depression and self-deprecating view of the world. Ultimately the rest of the cast reaches some sort of happy ending, but I like how the producers didn’t magically solve everyone’s problems at the end of the series; in real life, addicts will always battle demons by escaping into drugs and alcohol, depression lurks in every corner, and being happy all the time is not realistic.
“Bojack Horseman ” is more than an adult cartoon: it’s a commentary about the real and valid struggles of addiction and mental health and how sometimes it’s easier to accept your flaws than try to ignore them. Yes, Bojack is a complete asshole, but I learned to love him because deep down under that bitter, drunk exterior, there is a horse who really cares about his friends and family. Todd and Mr. Peanut Butter taught me to not assume you know someone based off of stereotypes because both of them, while naive and goofy, dealt with emotions I didn’t realize they had. Princess Carolyn prioritized her career and other people before herself, but in the end, when she did follow her dream of becoming a mother, things worked out for her. And finally, I think Diane irritated me because she exposed what I am most afraid of: depression and self-doubt actually controlling my life.
You’ll have to see it to believe it, but “Bojack Horseman” is a provocative show which will make even the most positive of people see the world through the eyes of someone in pain. “Bojack Horseman” is real and that’s why so many people love and rewatch it.