The Final Season of ‘BoJack Horseman’ Teases Happier and Healthier BoJack – Review
It was announced last month that BoJack Horseman would end after its sixth season, which would be split in half. The first half premiered last Friday, October 25, and the second half is set to come out January 31. The news came as a surprise to me. I knew the show wasn’t getting as much attention as the newer Netflix Original cartoon Big Mouth, but I thought with such a stellar cast and crew, they’d never cancel it. But I was wrong. Just like I was with Daredevil. Oh, Netflix…
The first half of this season shows BoJack (Will Arnett) in a completely new light: he’s sober. After spending all of season five disturbingly intoxicated, BoJack has pushed his luck. Luckily, Diane (Alison Brie) urges him to go to rehab, even after finding about all the horrible things he’s done. The change sets the theme for this season. As the truth becomes clearer, our favorite characters discover themselves for either better or worse, and the line between the two makes for an interesting viewing experience. I caught myself smiling proudly and shaking my head in disappointment in the same episodes, and it all felt natural.
Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) is the only character we see actually in a good place when the season starts. The last season ended with her adopting Sadie’s newborn, so we get to see how she tackles motherhood. I’m certain raising an infant is no easy feat, but it’s stupidly funny watching a busy cat trying to take care of a baby porcupine she hasn’t even officially named yet. As far as cartoon baby porcupines go, Untitled Princess Carolyn project is ridiculously adorable and allows for an element of cuteness we haven’t really seen in this show yet.
Anybody who watches even part of an episode knows that BoJack is an addict in need of professional help. But he’s in such denial about this obvious fact that the confrontation of rehab takes him out of his element, to say the least. In true BoJack fashion, he manages to make himself miserable before giving happiness a chance. This season doesn’t give us the typical BoJack, though. Instead of seeing him make things worse for himself, we finally get to see him try to be a better person. Despite his efforts, the past is still very real and this season has no trouble hauntingly reminding both him and us. Skeletons are coming out of the closet. We get flashbacks of how he became an alcoholic from a young age and how it’s brought out the worst of him. Beyond that, we see all the awful things he’s done in the past seasons affect the people in his life including Hollyhock, Kelsey, Gina, and the deceased Sarah Lynn.
Diane is also adapting to a new setting, but she visits Chicago, not rehab. Her new position at GirlCroosh gave her the opportunity, but as usual, she wants to write more than just a fluff piece. We follow her as she looks for a better story to write about in the new city, and try to come to terms with what happened in LA. She’s handling her affair with Mr. Peanutbutter much better than he is, but she’s still unhappy with herself and how people outside of LA see her.
That’s all I can tell you about the characters without giving too much away, but rest assured that this season isn’t a complete drag. New elements work with old elements to make this season exciting, but also familiar. Patrick and Ralph Carney’s instrumental remains the theme song, but the new intro is distorted like burning film with objects moving in frame in uneven paces, creating an overwhelming feeling that reflects the season pretty well. We get new voices, too. New celebrities like Lee Daniels, Lakeith Stanfield, Cindy Crawford, JK Simmons, and more lend their voice talents to highlight the show’s impeccable ability to mock the entertainment industry and make animal puns — Daniels voices Flea Daniels and Crawford voices Cindy Crawfish. We learn more what about what it’s like on set and other “behind-the-scenes” things when it comes to showbiz, like treating personal assistants terribly and live-streaming everything. You know, celebrity stuff.
What do you think of the season so far? Let me know in the comments below. If you haven’t caught up, check out the official trailer and get to watching!
The second half of BoJack Horseman’s final season comes out January 31 on Netflix, and I am definitely tuning in. Are you?
Nothing but love.
