Hey, everyone. This is a series where I will be sharing my thoughts as I go through a show everyone in my circle recommended for the first time. It won't be exactly a first impression as whatever episodes I talk about will be watched at least three times before sharing these thoughts.
Episode 10 - One Trick Pony
BoJack plays the role of Mr. Peanutbutter in a movie about events in episode 6. The dynamic between BoJack knowing the truth makes for some goofiness and in-depth character moments. The hilarious climax of the movie is being turned into a bi-monthly curated box of snacks. It ends with BoJack reading the book Diane wrote about him and becoming increasingly insecure and angry about it.
My rating: 7.5/10
It's a solid episode. It mixed the comedy and real moments in the early seasons of Scrubs way that I really liked. It was moving along very smoothly, the jokes landed pretty well. No complaints here, just a solid episode.
Episode 11 - Downer Ending
BoJack attempts to get the book written himself and under his supervision. Which takes him, Todd, and Sarah Lynn into a drug journey while attempting to write it. The show used that as a jumping point into BoJack's insecurities and past using a variety of experimental styles, something I am surprised many more animated shows don't do.
The move between sequences gave us some clear indications and looks at BoJack's tortured soul, his broken relationships, and inability to accept. The episode ends with BoJack asking desperately for validation that he is a good person which seals in everything in a nice broken package.
My Rating: 8.5/10
If there is an episode that showcases the potential of this show, it is this one. Episode 7 "Say Anything" gave us a hint at this potential but, this one seems to have taken the cake. The episode ends with a comedown that matches the high in its drop.
Episode 12 - Later
We get a look at Secretariat, BoJack's idol. What we know of his blends in perfectly with who BoJack is and draws a juxtaposition between the two. In the meanwhile, we see BoJack celebrating his success from "One Trick Pony", the movie he starred in. The book seems to be a success as well, and BoJack lands in his dream job.
BoJack and Diane have another conversation on the house roof where she finally replies to him asking for validation the episode before. A short, but clear-toned conversation, that gives us some insights with a memorable quote.
The ending of the episode has BoJack pondering in the Griffith Park Observatory as he had just landed his dream role. The same place he was in with Herb Kazzaz. Holding his Golden Globe in hand as he is about to jump into the next chapter of his life in what seems like a hopeful ending.
My Rating: 8/10
The episode is our comedown from the previous episode. A very well-made episode that calmly moves along. It's a great model of ending a season instead of just having your highest point ending it. A great after-the-party feeling to it.
I don't know if it was intentional by the show writers or not, but the episode shows us that between BoJack landing his first-ever role and him landing his dream role over 20 years later so much has changed while also being so little. It seems that with everything that has happened in between, BoJack is still essentially the same person.
In Conclusion
The last three episodes of the season are a great blend, they set up each other pretty well while maintaining their own personalities as solo episodes. In combination, this is what I want from any show. I am not looking for all episodes to be 10/10, especially in a comedy where you need breathers, and with the kind of drama the show has, you need twice the amount. A setup, a punchline that is often a gut-punch, then a breather, a great blend.
I will soon write a whole overview of the season discussing many more things after giving the season the last watch. For now, the season was good enough to keep me interested in watching the second season of the show. But, it wasn't good enough for me to watch it right away.