BoJack Horseman is special. I checked it out on a whim because it had an interesting cast and it gradually became my favorite show of all time. I never expected it but it has some of the best, most genuine drama I have ever seen. Among other themes, Bojack deals with mental health, identity, sexuality, and existentialism. It is also one of the most experimental shows around. The humor may often be intentionally silly but that is all juxtaposition. It seems like a goofy animal cartoon at first glance, but as it develops, it becomes some of the most real, raw, and biting drama you can find. To sum it all up as best I can, here are my top 10 favorite episodes:
10. Stupid Piece of Sh*t (S4 E6)
-This episode rounds out my top ten list because it is the perfect depiction of self-loathing. Throughout the episode, we hear BoJack's internal monologue berate himself. This is a simple yet creative way of conveying negative self-talk with honesty. We get to hear how BoJack genuinely feels about himself and learn a lot about why he engages in such self-destructive behaviors. The gut punch at the end of the episode is the cherry on top.
9. Nice While It Lasted (S6 E16)
-The series finale is absolutely wonderful. It is everything a series finale should be. Instead of going big like most shows, Nice While It Lasted is very subdued and quiet. It is a series of conversations between BoJack and each other major character, finishing with an extended shot of two characters sitting in silence. It doesn't get quieter than that. And because the show ends this way, the audience is given the space to let our emotions soar.
8. The Old Sugarman Place (S4 E2)
-With The Old Sugarman Place, the audience is brought into the history of BoJack's family. We start to learn about the childhood of his mother, Beatrice, and, because of that, we start to feel for her. This turns a flat villain into a complex, tragic figure. This is all done with artistry as we seamlessly transition between the past and present, also watching BoJack work through his own baggage while he fixes up the old family home.
7. Showstopper (S5 E11)
-I love trippy episodes and I love hardcore drama. Showstopper hits both marks hard. We see BoJack spiral and we experience his disjointed sense of reality as the narrative jumps around in a jarring manner. The episodes continues to ramp up before slowing down for a tragic musical number. Then, it crescendos with one of the most upsetting moments in the series.
6. Time's Arrow (S4 E11)
-Time's Arrow is another view into the past. Again, we learn more about Beatrice in an artistic way. The story is told from the perspective of a person suffering from mental illness, so we are given disjointed and blurred memories in a frightening manner. This is one of the most tragic pieces of media I have ever seen because of what it is saying, how it is being said and the way those two come together in the end.
5. Fish Out of Water (S3 E4)
-My top five starts with Fish Out of Water because it is extremely daring. We get a nice Lost in Translation type story but this episode is special because it is basically absent of dialogue. I have all the respect in the world for a show that is willing to get so experimental and I have even more respect for the fact that they were able to pull it off.
4. Escape From L.A. (S2 E11)
-Escape From L.A. is the episode that hooked me. Up until this point, BoJack Horseman had been a good show but this is where it found its stride and became special. This is the first time a character makes a truly unforgiveable choice. It takes a lot for a show to shock me and the end of this episode really went there. With this episode, BoJack Horseman chose to be daring, chose not to hold back, and started standing out as something special.
3. The View From Halfway Down (S6 E15)
-It is hard to believe that this episode ranks only third for me because it is one of my favorite episodes of anything ever. The View From Halfway Down is true artistry and true drama because it covers the comatose dreams of a suicidal man. It touches on so much and is so ambitious that I can't possibly cover it all. Ultimately, it examines the meanings and values of life. The fact that it is presented in such an abstract, dreamlike way makes this episode unforgettable.
2. That's Too Much, Man! (S3 E11)
-In a lot of ways, That's Too Much, Man! is the core episode of BoJack Horseman. This episode reaches heights of abstraction as we witness a drug-fueled bender as if we are in one, and this episode reaches heights of tragedy as we witness another unforgivable decision and genuine loss. That's Too Much, Man! is a real turning point for the show that rightfully influences the rest of the series.
1. Free Churro (S5 E6)
-My top episode goes to Free Churro because it is the most fearless and honest episode I have ever seen. The whole episode is one, long monologue that deals with more hard-hitting themes such as death, acceptance, and love. As you have seen on this list, I am a fan of experimental narrative devices, raw and tragic drama, and genuine heart. Free Churro is probably the best example of all three that I have ever seen.
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