Hey, everyone. This is a series where I will be sharing my thoughts as I go through a show everyone in my circle recommended for the first time. It won't be exactly a first impression as whatever episodes I talk about will be watched at least three times before sharing these thoughts
Episode 11 - The Showstopper
BoJack Horseman's penultimate episode of season 5 shows us how "Philbert" became a successful T.V show within the BoJack Horseman world. "Philbert" gets a second season but something doesn't quite feel right for BoJack as the lines between paranoia and drugs induced hallucination and reality become blurrier than ever as everyone tries to power through the shooting of season 2.
BoJack paranoia accelerates as he views people around him hiding something or another from him creating a Perfect Blue vibe to a certain extent. The episode is simply the eventual outcome of BoJack's escapism and insecurities as we saw BoJack lose grasp of reality but never like this.
It is tough covering this episode without crossing spoilers territory but the episode is further proof that BoJack is his own worst enemy.
My Rating: 8.5/10
BoJack's pattern of great shockers in episode 11 of each season has done them a disservice in a way as it made the plot twist more predictable. The episode was well done and filled with mini-gags that worked well within the episode. Still, for a show that handled memory, escapism, and different mental diseases so far, it is hard to see a gap in how this was handled from different aspects.
Episode 12 - The Stopped Show
Following the ending of "The Showstopper", this episode serves as the ultimate chicken coming home to roost but on a deeper level as life seems to keep going for BoJack without real consequences.
Sharing the truth and admission of guilt becomes a more hurtful task as far as BoJack is concerned when it comes to the people he is trying to help. The episode actually provides a statement about how dirty the inner world of how Hollywood operates following certain events to protect the stars.
The episode provides a deep take on how it is a world where victims might actually not benefit as much from the truth coming out as much as they would if it remained hidden creating a real dilemma.
The episode and season 5 episode as a whole end with BoJack having no way out except to seek genuine help.
My Rating: 9/10
If there's one way to describe this episode, it would be an uncomfortable silence. There is no cutaway gag, jokes, or any way to escape the totality of this season anymore. BoJack's lack of resorts is framed in a perfect way as he is not really punished for anything but the terrifying reality hits him in the fact that he as a person is a horrible person and he has a clear path without bullshit to either keep being horrible or get better.
Season 5 Overview
Like I said in my impression of this season's first episode
This season reminds me of House M.D season 4 where things start also similar but different. All the elements are still there but feel a little bit off. Not that it is a bad thing as that seems intentional.
The show kept the similarity all the way to the very last, making the whole experience similar to both seasons 4 and 5 of House M.D. While House M.D did the storyline of House better than BoJack Horseman did BoJack, BoJack Horseman's surroundings made for slightly more intriguing stories.
The season visited important side plots and helped integrate them into the main plot which kept things moving, although, it has to be said that some characters sticking around was done for no logical reasons other than keeping those characters within the frame.
Best Episodes
Episode 5 - The Amelia Earhart Story
Episode 6 - Free Churro
Episode 11 - The Showstopper
Episode 12 - The Stopped Show
Worst Episodes
None.
My Rating: 8/10
The season had good to great episodes all around but I can't help that some of these episodes weren't necessary. They served a fine narrative on their own but not one that matters in the overall arch or is even funny to justify having it. Another reason this season doesn't get past 8/10 is the lack of comedy.
For a show that is supposed to be a comedy, BoJack Horseman has missed the mark by miles in some episode as the comedic timing was all over the place. I know the show is supposed to be "anti-sit com" but it hasn't been and also it hasn't really been funny either. You credit the show for its correct portrayal of anything you want but in the end I am not watching a documentary or an educational video for the show to lack its original purpose.
Episodes-wise, the show was great but it wasn't sticking together thematically as many characters felt despinible and lacking in purpose.