3x08 Old Acquaintance

8.6/10. I really enjoyed all the moving parts in this one, and it ended up moving like clockwork. I especially appreciated the bookends of the episode, which ever so briefly turned the foils (Rabbitowitz and Vanessa Gecko) into the protagonists. I'm a sucker for those kind of perspective-flipping gags, and having the bad guys fix marriages, reveal that one of our heroes were lying, and land their client a big role to save their agency, and have them treat it like a victory for justice and right (which...maybe it is?) was a nice twist.

But I particularly enjoyed the back and forth as BoJack juggled projects, from the blockbuster Pegasus project that would up his profile as a movie star, to the Jellybean Girl project with Kelsey that would allow him to do challenging work, to "Eathan Around* (a nice riff on Fuller House) which would allow him to help out something approaching a friend. It's a nice way to dramatize the different paths in front of BoJack, not to mention his inability to handle these things on his own or with any grace or dignity, and that makes it all the more interesting and devastating when it all goes up in flames.

I also enjoyed the B-Story of Mr. PB and Dianne visiting Mr. PB's brother on Labrador Island. Weird Al is always a get, and the "twisted spleen" as terminal illness conceit was really interesting, especially with Dianne picking up the hints and Mr. PB not wanting to have to face something difficult. They've also been setting up a lot in terms of Dianne with respect to children this season, and I wonder if it leads to her and Mr. PB having to adopt his nephews and Dianne not being okay with that.

Overall, a tightly-written, tightly-paced episode that had laughs and creativity out the wazoo.

DEVASTATING.

I took a little break from BoJack since I was starting to feel burnt out after watching more than my usual one to two episodes a day. This episode was a fantastic way for me to get back into the groove and in typical BoJack fashion, it got me comfortable before leaving me with a gut-wrenching ending.

The first thing I noticed was the reversal of our main characters' roles. Instead of BoJack, Princess Carolyn, Mr Peanutbutter, Diane and Todd as our heroes, we get Vanessa Gecko and Rutabaga.

It was interesting how our character's paths converged and separated. BoJack's foolish choices, PC's past actions, Diane & Mr Peanutbutter dealing with the potential death of his brother, Captain Peanutbutter and the downfall of Todd's company. All of their actions ultimately had severe consequences which were both sad and beautiful to watch. At the start, it's all going great before the episode ends with crushing blows to all of these beloved characters. BoJack ends up without a gig, letting down Kelsey and Princess Carolyn. Without any of the gigs, the pressure and stress of PC's company's situation get to her as she reveals her insecurities, lashing out on Judah before apologising and telling him to go home. Mr Peanubutter has to deal with the difficult truth that his brother could pass away. And it ends with Gecko and Rutabega, celebrating their victory because they're "the good guys."

The episode's ending was heart-breaking, and it reminded me that this show wasn't made to make you feel good. It's made to portray real people with unforgiving and messed up lives. It was so strange to see characters who've been predominantly portrayed as villains, celebrating while the main cast is depressed on New Years Day.

MY NOTES

• It was a nice addition to include the Cabracadabra setup in BoJack's house during the intro
• Cabracadabra is screwed
• Vanessa Gecko's dirt on Princess Carolyn had me thinking, "DAMN..."
• That ending
• It was weird to see Rutabaga and Gecko with a happy ending

What an episode.

TECHNICAL SCORE: 8/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8.5/10**