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 1 - Brand New Couch

This episode responds strongly to my biggest criticism of the show. Here's a quote from my season 1 overview post:

A "We're different" approach quickly turned into we're the same as all sitcoms but we're also mocking them. It created a hypocritical world that is chaotic.

This episode started with the "New attitude, new me" cliche being exposed as the episode went by. Resembled by BoJack buying a brand new couch, acting more healthy, and being positive. The facade of the appearances starts to slowly catch up to BoJack as to who he is at his core. Y

ou can't metaphorically overhaul your life regardless of how desperate you are to do that. You can't heal without addressing the problems you have and skipping will only create a temporary cover that prevented BoJack from actually doing well in his job as an actor as he wasn't able to draw emotion from a real place.

My rating - 8/10

This episode is a great direction in the right place. It had humor in an actual balanced way, which is something the show lacked earlier.

Episode 2 - Yesterdayland

Plot A was highlighting BoJack's insecurity and the introduction of Wanda as a new character was a great theme throughout the episode. BoJack goes from being reluctant to commit to a relationship to acting too fast to overcompensate for his insecurities.

It kinda plays into the cliche of realization in rom-com movies and shows but actually shows awareness of that.

Plot B was amazingly ridiculous with Todd starting a totally unsafe theme part, dealing with Mr. Peanutbutter, and eventually getting sued by Disney with a trial that ends in a hilarious fashion.

My rating - 7/10

The show found its balance and has a better grasp of what areas to enhance about the show.

Episode 3 - Still Broken

BoJack goes to Herb's funeral where he is reunited with the cast of his show "Horsin' Around". The episode provides a great in-depth look at both the background of Herb leaving the show, and what the cast is like, but also a deeper examination of how Hollywood treats shows.

The episode creates a contrast for Sarah Lynn that is rather painful to see as it shows how she was treated by her castmates due to stuff out of her control as a child on set seeking friendship and guidance from others.

In the B story, we have Princess Carolyn and Mr. Peanutbutter trying to make connections while Todd goes on an adventure where he completely pretends to act like someone he is not in the C story. Both stories provide a hilarious trip while having little details of what the three characters are like and what they want to be.

My rating: 8.5/10

This episode was filled with details about who these characters are and it also reestablished an earlier point about how the secondary characters have their own interesting stories which is something you don't see much of.

Episode 4 - After the Party

This episode breaks into the perspectives of three couples after Diane's surprise birthday party. You get to see a deeper look at Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter's marriage, along with BoJack and Wanda's, and Princess Carolyn and Vincent Adultman.

The formatting of this episode is really and breaks away from the usual format all shows seem to follow for the most part. You can that this episode was one of those blow-off mid-season episodes but it still provides some in-depth into the characters.

My rating: 6.5/10

I don't hate it. Sometimes you just need episodes like this to serve as a bridge between the important events. But, it's also one of those episodes where the show attempts to shove a wise lesson that isn't there.

In Conclusion

I kinda regret not watching this season sooner as it seems to have a sense of direction as to where it wants to go from here and I like that. The things I liked about these four episodes are many and the things I didn't are minor. If you had to go through season 1, these four episodes are a nice reward.