SERIES REVIEW – Bojack Horseman is Netflix’s hottest animated series, a critically acclaimed show about … a horse in Hollywood?  That’s right, the show has taken the world by storm, after Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman is one of the latest animated shows with a serious tone and an overarching plot. Something that has not been seen in the world of TV animation for a long time. Is it worth to bet on this horse and watch three seasons? Or should we take our money elsewhere? Find out here!

 

So what is exactly Bojack Horseman? At first, in the beginning, it felt like cheap knock-off with Family Guy mixed with some South Park. Well, at least that’s what the first episode felt like, however after that the series kicks in to be one of the most depressing things on television. The series is about a washed-up sitcom star who had nine or ten seasons of a show called Horsin’ Around ( Brady Bunch-ish 80s show), and after that could not land a better deal in his life. A rude, alcoholic, and lazy guy who to restart his career decides to write a book about himself – with the help of a ghost writer.

From this point, the show takes an even bigger turn and deals with a lot of “grown up” issues, that frankly not a lot of animated series in the West try to tackle. Loveless relationships, alcoholism, a cling to old fame, loneliness, and unfulfillment. Three seasons in and the show is still able to awe me, and surprise me with its sincerity. There is no quick fix for issues, and for the characters, no particular redemption. The characters are flawed, and even with all the money they have, happiness is out of reach for them.

Tod Chavez (voiced by Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad), or Princess Carolyn are the best “friends” of BoJack, but even they are hanging on a thin thread most of the times. Mr. PeanutButter is BoJack’s main frenemy throughout the story, and while the dog seems happy on the outside, he seems to be repressing his actual feelings, and sometimes makes a rather dark observation about life.

Season One and Two are masterful when it comes to an overarching plot for the main character, and the third season is no different in that way. However, it does have a few differences.

Too close to the sun

Season 3 in particular starts out rather solid, everything seems to be going well for BoJack. His career and life pulled together but only by a tiny bit. Unfortunately after a few hours later, self-doubt comes crashing down on BoJack. After finally finishing his dream movie project, he gears up to the Oscar to finally earn that piece of a statue to be.. happy?

Season Three is different, the overarching plot is there, but is on the back burner for most of the time. Instead, Season 3 builds up and focuses more on the side characters. Shows their despair, and leaves them all of them in a rather peculiar state by the end of Season 3.

The jokes are still luckily there for Season 3 with the usual animal themed name jokes, and of course the deep meta, and fourth-wall breaking ones. Though here it was less about the jokes and more about the story, so sometimes I felt it could have had more fun in it, than the constant looming of: “Life is fucked, nobody is happy, and you are not special” bits.

Not that flashy

For those who are new to the series, it is important to note that the art style is rather mediocre. It is sharp, but at times it feels like watching a flash cartoon. The animation, unfortunately, is rather simple, but the color palette is subtle and vibrant.

The show, however, excels at voice acting, with regular special guests from Daniel Radcliffe, to Naomi Watts, plus an exaggerated version of Margo Martindale. All of the voice actors does a great job in the show, and nobody seems bored or phoning it in for the episodes.

One more bottle of whiskey

The success of the show is so great that nearly hours after season 3 Netflix already ordered a fourth one. Let us hope that will not be the final one.

The 3rd Season is great, it does not have heavy moments like “Am I good person from Season 1”, or the Season 2 finale, but it still has its moments. A near perfect Season 3, cannot wait for Season 4.

-Dante-