BoJack Horseman Season 6A Review

“I really want BoJack to be ok.”

That’s the sentence I said out loud immediately after finishing episode eight of BoJack Horseman’s sixth and final season (the second half of the season will drop on January 31, 2020 on Netflix). Despite my wish, I’m not sure that’s in the cards for BoJack, who’s own (often drug and alcohol-infused) failures appear about to come home to roost in the final moments of the season. Those delightful old-timey news reporters are about to discover (and presumably break) the story of BoJack’s role not only in Sarah Lynn’s overdose, but also his indiscretion with Penny from back in season two. And while that alone is pretty awful for BoJack’s fragile sobriety (forcing him to face the anger and outrage of the public – and those close to him – for the two instances in his life that haunt him), the event I’m most worried about is Hollyhock’s new friend revealing BoJack’s role in getting him and his friends drunk at prom . . . that same prom that led to the Penny situation. Losing the trust and respect of Hollyhock would shatter BoJack beyond repair.

For much of the six seasons of BoJack, it’s been hard to actively root for the title character. Sure, we all wanted him to receive treatment for the ills that ailed him (addiction, depression, working through his childhood abuse, etc.), but when BoJack consistently swerved away from those who sincerely offered him help while continuing to self-sabotage, well, it’s not easy to throw your support behind a character like that. BoJack is defensive and abrasive, attacking others before they can attack him. We know it’s a defense mechanism honed from years of needing to insulate himself from those who will, to him, inevitably leave him when he needs them the most. BoJack is a tragic character in so many ways – but finally, after a number of false and, frankly, faux, starts, BoJack has started his journey back to health.

He’s finally started to accept that his addiction may stem from his past pain, but that it doesn’t have to continue to cause him pain in the present. He can move forward from that and forge a new path – and that he can, in fact, allow himself to be vulnerable with those who care about him. Todd is a good person and a loyal friend. Diane understands a lot of what he’s been through because she’s dealt with (and continues to deal with) her own issues and demons. Hollyhock is family, allowing him to associate something positive with a word that he as hated for years. Hell, even Mr. Peanutbutter can be someone important in his life (letting him finally get his crossover episode – something the BoJack from a few seasons back never would have allowed – was one of the most heartwarming parts of season six). But lurking under all these new discoveries is the gnawing guilt of the two actions he most regrets.

From a narrative stand point, I think we’ve all known that in order for the series to end on a satisfying note, BoJack will need to confront the role he played in Sarah Lynn’s death and the night he almost coerced Penny into sleeping with him. While he has spoken about both instances, he’s never really reckoned with them on a larger scale. With regard to Sarah Lynn, BoJack was an enabler who wasn’t able to see how dire the situation had become largely due to his own inability to see how far gone he was at the time (which is the long way of saying her death was not, ultimately, his fault). With Penny, well, there is absolutely no excuse for any of what happened and BoJack is lucky nothing worse occurred. But, with both situations, BoJack can’t simply apologize and make amends. He needs to come to terms with his role, understand why he did what he did, and then take steps to ensure he’s never put in that situation again. That’s how BoJack Horseman ends on a positive note. If it ends on that note.

Which brings me back to my starting quote – I really hope the show ends with, well, hope. At the close of these eight episodes, all the characters have reached plateaus of hope. BoJack is making real strides with his sobriety and depression. Diane has found a healthy relationship, a great career aspiration, and help with her own depression. Todd has a job he loves, has started taking steps toward reconciliation with his mother, and finally got a match on his app (with a lovely assist from BoJack). Princess Caroline has found balance as a working mother – and got Judah back. Mr. Peanutbutter has figured out that he doesn’t always need to be happy (even if he might not be conscious of this yet, I think he’s getting there) and has taken personal responsibility for his own mistakes. Everyone seems to be doing pretty well. Which worries me. This is a show that has spent six seasons exploring how things can spiral into depression and despair. It’s strange to see all our characters doing largely ok and making steps to become better people (except for Beloved Character Actress Margo Martindale – still a badass fugitive from the law . . . and potential thorn in BoJack’s side).

While I’ve enjoyed going on this dark and twisting journey with these characters (which, I should add, has been punctuated by some of the funniest jokes and sight gags on television), I want to see them continue to grow into reasonable facsimiles of functioning adults (ok, or something close to that, as I think we all know Todd is always going to be Todd). And I think that’s exactly what we will get in the end. But the road to that ending looks like it still has some bumps left in it.