Again, Kipo's writing isn't impressing me, but the surface level interactions always put me in the right mood. I mean, why did the snakes help? Oh, because they "never run from a fight". Like, nobody learned anything here or put in any work. What's the lesson here? Anyway, it's a good start to the season and way better than I anticipated. But is it that hard to make your characters fix their problems? Is it that hard?!
SCORE: 7/10
That episode was engaging.
Ok, I can see where Hugo's coming from now, but I'm still unconvinced it should've been introduced so late into the series. I mean, his time on the surface didn't look that different to Kipo's, and it didn't look that bad. He just couldn't find a place to sleep, found one, left, found a group and took over. Like, Kipo has been on the run (because of Hugo) and has been on a quest ever since she left the burrow. Hugo had freedom and time to learn; Kipo's was limited!
Also, I like the "betrayal" scene, but I have to ask: why did Lio have to make a choice? If they showed us the decision and why he had to make it, it would've been fine—if they did, I don't remember—but it just seems like he forgot all about him. If he didn't, which Lio alludes to, what dilemma did he have? Why did Lio have to choose Kipo over Hugo? He still hasn't told us.
It seems like a manufactured conflict to me, but I'm glad the show finally gave him some motivation and a backstory. But now it seems his belief that "I have power, and I will use it" gave his rise to power instead of his "mutes are better than humans" ideology. When he meets the goth apes, he defends the humans. So when did he develop a distaste for humans? Will we ever know?
SCORE: 8/10
Although this one has issues storywise, too, I like this one better than the last. A little episode about Kipo's performance anxiety and Benson's faith in her, once again, seems to be her biggest superpower.
If you haven't been able to tell, Kipo is a bubbly individual. She's always excited, looks at the world with optimism, and tries to befriend those around her. Even those who never imagined being her friend have become her allies. Think back to the Timbercats, Tad Mulholland, the Mega Monkey (which we now know is Kipo's mum) and the snakes. Even her archnemesis Jamack comes around to liking her. Her compassion towards others is her biggest character strength, and I think the show's central theme is friendship: how friends help each other, have faith in each other and support each other during tough times. Friendship is literally magic.
This episode shows it through a much more personal bond with the main cast, Benson, and I feel like this should've happened a long time ago. Eh, whatever. This theme is still strong anyway.
SCORE: 8/10
This episode is pretty good. Jamack explicitly highlights how he's Kipo's character foil, goes through a little arc, and we explore Wolf's traumatic backstory. The first is a little rocky, in my opinion, as Jamack just decides to talk to Kipo in the sewers, which is completely out of character, for no reason. Then he slips back into character, and when Kipo thanks him, he asks her, "I said that? That doesn't sound like me." and he's right.
Wolf's is much more cohesive but way darker. Like, losing your family after they turn on you is messed up. Like, that's super traumatic for a kid, WTF?! How does this show get away with this super dark and depressing stuff?!
Anyway, pretty good episode. The comedy's great. The character work is getting better. And, the animation during the action scenes is sweet!
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 7/10
SCORE: 6/10
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 8/10
This show is known for it's quirky couch gags, but this one was one of the weirdest. Long live The Sampsans. ;) Good job, Don Hertzfeldt.
Notes
Review
Even though I knew the twist, it was still shocking. Jeez louise, that was crazy. I really like this episode! The premise is pretty cool and I'm excited to see where this goes next!
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 5/10
With BoJack's perceived death in his own TV show, it leaves me shocked. Not because they actually did it, but because I can't imagine how this show will end. How will everyone else react after everything BoJack's done? Will they see it as only a matter of time? Will they feel sad or happy? What if someone ignores it completely?
I took a long break between seasons, so not every episode is fresh in my mind. I binge-watched the last two seasons, too, so I'm on a BoJack high but haven't given the series much thought. At this point, I think it's time to reflect.
BoJack Horseman is an unusual series that pushes animation and TV's boundaries to the brink. Its storytelling prowess is unimaginable, and the feats it pulls off leave me speechless. Even though I know nothing is like something else, I will never see anything like BoJack Horseman, again, ever.
To follow five characters, develop them and explore their backstories to see how they inform each character is rare. Few shows, movies or books can pull off such a feat, but this show makes it look easy.
I'll never see another show like BoJack Horseman, and I can't wait to hold on to it, forever. I can rewatch this series, entire episodes, and I will, but once you finish a show for the first time, it feels like the journey's over. When I refuse to finish it, it's like their lives are still happening without me. But once I reach the end; that final chapter, this delusion shatters and it feels like a goodbye. Whenever I rewatch an episode and know how it ends, it reminds me of my absence, how I'm a viewer taking a peek into a snapshot of their lives.
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 8/10
"Me am also America."
I'm glad we got a Diane episode because I felt really disconnected from her after all of BoJack's drama. BoJack, being Diane's friend, is great; their interactions are adorable! It's interesting to see him as a background character in his own show, too, as he and Diane try to come to terms with their friendship. I like the callbacks to the previous episode and earlier scenes—that non-linear structure is crazy—and I appreciate the checklist; it makes the episode a lot of fun to watch.
Anyway, I'm going to end it here with this:
"Ok, buddy." — Diane
I can't believe she said that.
SCORE: 8/10
SCORE: 8.5/10
Another brilliant episode!
The inner-monologues are a neat addition, and I loved peering into BoJack's inner psyche and the criticism that he hurls at himself. His little adventure with Mr. Peanutbutter was fun; I love it. Diane's speech about marriage and Todd's realisation that asexuality doesn't have to equate to being aromantic is also a nice touch. Meanwhile, Beatrice's developments are interesting, even if the episode doesn't explore them thoroughly. But with this being a series, I can see this having a payoff later down the line.
Princess Carolyn's reunion with Rutabaga was fun but a little undercooked. I get what they were trying to do, but it did little for me.
To conclude, I'd like to mention my disappointment by the end of the episode. BoJack is being Bojack, as usual, and I guess I should've expected this moment. This reaction is intentional, by the way, not a stain on the episode's quality. It's just, UGH. I'm watching Bojack Horseman.
TECHNICAL SCORE & ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
A solid episode.
The BoJack, Hollyhock, and Beatrice segments are really bittersweet. Although I'm not entirely sure what her sudden reaction was all about, I still felt the distress in that situation.
Diane's segment was amusing, if not terrifying. I'm scared of how happy she felt after firing that gun, but I can understand her justification for having one. Although, when she interacted with Mr. Peanutbutter, they weirded me out again.
PC and Lenny Turteltaub handled a very sensitive topic. Yet, I think it works because it pokes fun at the movies that glorify gun violence while somebody promotes gun ownership simultaneously in a serious/non-serious way. The outcome of it all made me smile.
It's great. Most of it works for me, and it's pretty funny.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Todd is a hero.
Todd is everything good in this world.
We should all be more like Todd.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 8.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
TRAGIC
Now here's where the series picks up! The episode starts with Hilda talking to her mum, scared of the possibility of moving into the busy yet isolated city of Trolberg. At night, she has a chat with a giant, who explains the person they're waiting for hasn't shown up for their date. Hilda reckons he's been stood up and suggests he stops waiting & moves on. Hilda's words are some great advice that she fails to follow, as she and her mum take a visit to Trolberg. Hilda doesn't like what she sees.
After returning home, she stalks the Wood Man, before he welcomes her into his home and tells the story of the "Giants of Old". The giants once roamed the land. But after the humans arrived, they began terrorising them. The world "got too small for them," so they left. But the giant Hilda's met didn't get the memo, so she feels pity for this poor fellow.
The next day, Hilda wakes up and journeys with Alfur up a mountain to make peace talks with the King. And of course, the King says, "NO." But it turns out the mountain is a giant. And after saving the elven monarchy, the King decides Hilda and her mum can stay. It also turns out the giant Hilda met didn't leave. So he meets with the other giant, falls in love, right before he steps on Hilda's house.
Johanna: "They haven't even noticed what they've done."
Hilda's mum says as she puts her foot through an Elf's house. Hilda realises the hypocrisy here, before comforting her mum, telling her she's ready to move to Trolberg. The episode ends with a beautiful montage, a new status quo and an enormous bird sitting atop Hilda's roof. WHAT?
This episode tells a heartfelt tale about noticing people who are below you (figuratively & literally) and to learn when it's time to move on. The moment when Hilda grabs her mum's hand endeared her to me, and her gaze out into the beautifully illustrated city left me in awe.
TECHNICAL & ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
!!!!!
This episode is beautiful.
BoJack is transported to a whole new world, and there is almost no dialogue for most of the 25 minutes. There's just visual storytelling and music.
So BoJack needs to go to a movie premiere at a film festival, but he's got other plans: he wants to reconnect with Kelsey. But instead, he gets onto a bus and is taken far away from where the film festival and Kelsey are in the big city. At the last stop, BoJack helps deliver a herd of seahorses, but one of them sticks with BoJack. For the rest of the episode, BoJack takes care of it, keeps it safe and gets it back home.
But when he finally reaches his destination, the parent isn't that thankful. He offers BoJack some money, but that's it. And the baby, whom he's bonded and had a once-in-a-lifetime experience with, doesn't even say goodbye. It's almost without reward and is crushing to sit through.
On the bright side, BoJack's finally found the right words to write to Kelsey. When he hands it to her, it turns out the ink has washed away. Only after she leaves does BoJack learn that he could talk the whole time.
So I guess what the episode is saying is what BoJack tried to tell Kelsey.
"ALL WE HAVE ARE THE CONNECTIONS THAT WE MAKE."
It's heartbreaking to see the connections BoJack has severed.
The weird thing was, while I was watching this, I found that I couldn't breathe. It was a bizarre experience. I guess that's how real this world is to me.
IT'S BOLD, DIFFERENT & IT PAYS OFF.
TECHNICAL & ENJOYMENT SCORE: 9/10
"It gets easier."
"Huh?"
"Every day, it gets a little easier."
"Yeah?"
"But you gotta do it every day. That's the hard part. But it does get easier."
"Okay."
An orphanage? Okay. "THE JERB KAZZAZ MEMORIAL ORPHANAGE"? Ha.
I'm glad Princess Carolyn finally decided to leave Rutabega. She's capable of running the company by herself! I didn't expect her to do so. And Todd finally figured out improv was a cult. Thank god BoJack was there to remind them of their friendship. It was sweet.
Seeing Mr Peanutbutter and Diane make up was adorable. I'm glad Diane's finally getting back with him. It's about time.
This episode was so beautifully upbeat. That final scene was inspiring.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 8/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 9/10
How did I not notice that it was a cult?
It was sad to see Diane turn into BoJack from the start of Season One, before turning BoJack into the same person. I feel so sorry for Wanda and BoJack. That relationship looked like it could've worked. I don't know.
I still don't trust Rutabega. Now he's pulling this, "it's only temporary" bullcrap. Nah. He's going to do something terrible to Princess Carolyn, I know it.
RIP the Secretariat movie.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
F in the chat for those two.
This was an interesting episode. I hope Diane and Mr Peanutbutter don't go homeless and I'm getting suspicious of Rutabaga. He's just been there for Carolyn, and now he's divorcing with his wife. Why does he help out PC and not asking for anything in return?
The hanging subplot was messed up. I'm glad Wanda gave BoJack some good advice in the end.
IT'S GOOD.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 7.5/10
That was messed up.
"No-one knows chickens like chickens."
Jesus. It never crossed my mind about where and how people get their food in this anthropomorphic-animal-living-with-human world. This episode was okay. Nothing remarkable happened, just some chicken and Todd hijinks and a messed up chicken farmer.
Also, BoJack shouldn't spew out his motivations like that. Someone else did too, but I forgot. Blending in exposition with comedy didn't work for me.
IT'S FUN.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 6/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 7/10
OMG, they actually got Paul McCartney to play himself.
That was a nice episode. Three shorts that all stem from Diane's surprise party and they're all about love. What is it, and how do you deal with it?
I don't understand how Princess Carolyn still hasn't caught on to Vincent yet. I mean, you saw his son walking with another woman. He didn't explain who that was.
BoJack and Wanda's story was excellent. He took the time to talk with his GF and started wondering whether or not he's rushing into things.
Then there's the best one of them all: Diane and Mr Peanutbutter. I think Diane's a little paranoid, but I understand her perspective. I'm glad Mr Peanutbutter and Diane worked it out in the end.
IT'S GREAT.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7.5
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Everything is different now.
The world turned upside down. Now, people like BoJack. His book has been a success, and people look up to him. One Trick Pony set it up as if Diane hated BoJack and wrote it entirely from a cynical perspective. This episode, it seems it was less extreme.
I'm happy Diane and Todd are likable again, and they seem happy.
That intro was depressing though and ironic.
Again, this show keeps surprising me. I don't know where it's going to go. Maybe things will get better. Perhaps they won't. But I'll say, if you told past Clobsters about this episode, he wouldn't believe you.
IT'S GREAT.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Why did Diane turn into Lucy from Peanuts in that acid trip?
God. BoJack, Todd and Sarah need to stop doing drugs. Also, that whole "I can't write like this" scenario is so relatable. Lol.
But that final scene where BoJack asks Diane if he's a good person deep down and she's speechless. And BoJack tells her to say it's not too late for him. I could've cried.
I wonder how this season is going to end.
IT'S GREAT.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Oh, damn.
Finally, this show made me feel emotions—what an intense episode. BoJack and Herb's past was a lot worse than I initially thought. I thought they were going to be old friends who had dreams but couldn't because of his cancer. Instead, we got something much more depressing. And to see how Herb reacted when BoJack finally said it. Woah.
That final scene was powerful too. I've finally become invested in these characters, and I don't know what's going to happen next.
IT'S GREAT.
TECHNICAL & ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
That's how I like my Zach Braff: guest starring and crispy.
