Bojack Horseman, Season 5 was probably the most evenly distributed season of the show ever. Things happened in a more grounded way than ever. The only blown out of proportions storyline was of Todd and his sex robot. But then, that is why we keep Todd to do over-the-top subplots for the show which somehow evolve or rather snowball into major events for the rest of the characters.
Welcome everyone, to the show which strangely combines visceral existential crisis with ubiquitous animal puns and tongue in cheek humour. Been 5 years now, and our despicable protagonist’s undergone some major emotional changes and turbulences now. But one thing does not change, his misery, self-loathing and insecurity. At this point it would be an injustice to call the show about Bojack, instead we’ve delved so deep into the psyche and stories of other characters as well that Bojack is just a piece which keeps it all together now. A piece which is as significant as the others, not more not less.
Season 5 is different than season 4 which threw many elements at once onto the viewer. Season 5 seems a bit more mellowed down and tamed. It does have its fair share of heartbreaks and irreverent moments but things seem to tie up very well at the end of it all.
The season starts with Bojack having creative differences with the showrunner of his latest TV outing- Philbert. Now the showrunner/writer, Flip (Rami Malek), is the typical secluded and distraught creative type, sometimes suffering from major blocks, who wants to create a perplexing and daring gritty cop drama which is highly unlike what Bojack is used to with 'Horsin’ Around'. Bojack’s latest lady is Gina (Stephanie Beatriz), a hardened nihilist who doesn’t want to do anything with feelings.
According to me, the show now is more daring than before quite like Philbert. Everything now seems to be a reflection of his new show and Philbert's life in Bojack’s eyes now. This time as well we had a few episodes which defied the traditional narrative style and chose to do something new. Like the depiction of Bojack’s mother’s demise was quite heartfelt despite just being wholly covered by a monologue. By the time we reach the end episodes, we have everyone at their toes and about to lose something they’ve once lost before but the impact still feels as much. Especially Bojack now seems to be diving into mental sickness category from emotional turmoil.
Other than the show and character build-up, I’d really like to talk about the delineation of addiction and insecurities in the series. How nothing ever ends and there is always that day after the perfect day. Non-linearity is hence used very brilliantly in the show both as a great plot deliverer and a metaphor for the ‘moments’ which happen in life, which may be high or low but often perceived as a path which an individual follows: start->troubles->overcoming them->happiness at last; and how we expect to have a happy ending when there is always a tomorrow after that perfect happy ending which may not be so perfect. Diane and Mr. Peanubutter are both fighting away their own shortcomings and never seem to escape their pasts. Diane cannot get over herself or her broken marriage and becomes increasingly impulsive and bitter. She feels a lack of connection and belongingness everywhere and decides to find her roots through visiting Vietnam which ends in disaster like all her life decisions. Now she’s got nothing in life to live for and her ideals may sometimes be the only thing for which she stands up making it rather inconvenient for everybody else. Her righteousness now seems only like a bandage which she puts on to mend her shattering and purposeless existence. Mr. Peanutbutter is still the most cheerful and lovable character but he now starts wondering if there’s any pattern between his actions and his failed attempts at monogamy. He starts questioning how immature he’s been all his life and soon as the women realise this, they become less interesting to him and in general, moving on to a better more suited life for themselves but Mr. P keeps on falling into the same pattern. Next we move to the now seemingly okay on the surface but totally fickle and restless on the inside- Bojack Horseman. He tried limiting his alcohol consumption, but could not. Minor illnesses give him an excuse to get painkiller pills and indulge in his vice whether knowingly or unknowingly. No wonder it also has physical consequences as he suffers a major accident through a relapse.
Due to Bojack’s addiction and dependence on substance abuse, Bojack has reached a stage where he even experiences hallucinations and does not shy from maligning anyone or commiting illegal actions to procure his fix. He doesn’t care about the people in his life when it comes to getting his fix which is shown through his little regard for Hollyhock when she dumps his pills.
Season 5 is different than season 4 which threw many elements at once onto the viewer. Season 5 seems a bit more mellowed down and tamed. It does have its fair share of heartbreaks and irreverent moments but things seem to tie up very well at the end of it all.
The season starts with Bojack having creative differences with the showrunner of his latest TV outing- Philbert. Now the showrunner/writer, Flip (Rami Malek), is the typical secluded and distraught creative type, sometimes suffering from major blocks, who wants to create a perplexing and daring gritty cop drama which is highly unlike what Bojack is used to with 'Horsin’ Around'. Bojack’s latest lady is Gina (Stephanie Beatriz), a hardened nihilist who doesn’t want to do anything with feelings.
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| The home and the misery of Philbert mimic Bojacks's own. |
According to me, the show now is more daring than before quite like Philbert. Everything now seems to be a reflection of his new show and Philbert's life in Bojack’s eyes now. This time as well we had a few episodes which defied the traditional narrative style and chose to do something new. Like the depiction of Bojack’s mother’s demise was quite heartfelt despite just being wholly covered by a monologue. By the time we reach the end episodes, we have everyone at their toes and about to lose something they’ve once lost before but the impact still feels as much. Especially Bojack now seems to be diving into mental sickness category from emotional turmoil.
 |
| Bojack's still conflicted about his feelings towards his mother even when she is dead. For the major part, he still hates her but he desperately wants that to change if his mom's left even a single cherishable memory which he longs to find. |
Other than the show and character build-up, I’d really like to talk about the delineation of addiction and insecurities in the series. How nothing ever ends and there is always that day after the perfect day. Non-linearity is hence used very brilliantly in the show both as a great plot deliverer and a metaphor for the ‘moments’ which happen in life, which may be high or low but often perceived as a path which an individual follows: start->troubles->overcoming them->happiness at last; and how we expect to have a happy ending when there is always a tomorrow after that perfect happy ending which may not be so perfect. Diane and Mr. Peanubutter are both fighting away their own shortcomings and never seem to escape their pasts. Diane cannot get over herself or her broken marriage and becomes increasingly impulsive and bitter. She feels a lack of connection and belongingness everywhere and decides to find her roots through visiting Vietnam which ends in disaster like all her life decisions. Now she’s got nothing in life to live for and her ideals may sometimes be the only thing for which she stands up making it rather inconvenient for everybody else. Her righteousness now seems only like a bandage which she puts on to mend her shattering and purposeless existence. Mr. Peanutbutter is still the most cheerful and lovable character but he now starts wondering if there’s any pattern between his actions and his failed attempts at monogamy. He starts questioning how immature he’s been all his life and soon as the women realise this, they become less interesting to him and in general, moving on to a better more suited life for themselves but Mr. P keeps on falling into the same pattern. Next we move to the now seemingly okay on the surface but totally fickle and restless on the inside- Bojack Horseman. He tried limiting his alcohol consumption, but could not. Minor illnesses give him an excuse to get painkiller pills and indulge in his vice whether knowingly or unknowingly. No wonder it also has physical consequences as he suffers a major accident through a relapse.  |
| For workplace disputes, when mediation fails, you are forced to go an 'arbitration' |
Due to Bojack’s addiction and dependence on substance abuse, Bojack has reached a stage where he even experiences hallucinations and does not shy from maligning anyone or commiting illegal actions to procure his fix. He doesn’t care about the people in his life when it comes to getting his fix which is shown through his little regard for Hollyhock when she dumps his pills.
A major portion of the season focuses on how well the character Philbert and the show Philbert mirrors Bojack’s own life. It happens with many actor’s, they start noticing similarities between themselves and the character they are playing and end up bringing the persona back to their homes with them. The lines of reality start blurring and even his sense of time reaches a loss. He doesn’t remember who or where he is anymore. At one point in the show, Bojack loses his mind so much that he nearly kills a co-star.
This is the most difficult part of being a junkie perhaps- coming to terms with your actions after you sober up. And our protagonist’s not good at it. He tries to slander his own image in order to derive some sort of relief from what he’s done. And the season wraps up with him finally accepting he needs to seek professional help and heads to a rehabilitation centre.
The verdict
The season succeeds on many levels and fails on many. Does that mean it’s bad? Does anything described as having qualities other than positives is bad? Aren’t there atleast two facets to everything which makes it a whole and they're irrelevant without each other? This is what the existence of Bojack is in a nutshell- insatiable and forever in doubt. As for the show, if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love the new season without having one particular favourite episode which did something utterly awesome. Instead you’d be treated with multiple episodes of multiple storylines and entangled narratives and dissatisfying yet heart-wrenching moments. If you are somebody who’s still haven’t decided whether to give Bojack a shot or not, now is the time. This is not an uplifting comedy or 'feel better' watch though. This is satire with dark undertones and mature subjects handed through seemingly funny punchlines while mocking the unforgiving world we live in and trying to find solace through meaningless acts.
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| Unwanted pregnancy and adoption were also major themes this season |
This is the most difficult part of being a junkie perhaps- coming to terms with your actions after you sober up. And our protagonist’s not good at it. He tries to slander his own image in order to derive some sort of relief from what he’s done. And the season wraps up with him finally accepting he needs to seek professional help and heads to a rehabilitation centre.
The verdict
The season succeeds on many levels and fails on many. Does that mean it’s bad? Does anything described as having qualities other than positives is bad? Aren’t there atleast two facets to everything which makes it a whole and they're irrelevant without each other? This is what the existence of Bojack is in a nutshell- insatiable and forever in doubt. As for the show, if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love the new season without having one particular favourite episode which did something utterly awesome. Instead you’d be treated with multiple episodes of multiple storylines and entangled narratives and dissatisfying yet heart-wrenching moments. If you are somebody who’s still haven’t decided whether to give Bojack a shot or not, now is the time. This is not an uplifting comedy or 'feel better' watch though. This is satire with dark undertones and mature subjects handed through seemingly funny punchlines while mocking the unforgiving world we live in and trying to find solace through meaningless acts.
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