Because I have no self control, I binged through all of the new season of Bojack Horseman like it was a pack of muffins left in the produce section.
Incredibly, Bojack Horseman seems to only have gained confidence as it progresses, with the 3rd season being the most confident and assured it’s ever been. It’s become truly unique at creating moments with a profound mix of pathos and quiet contemplation while still remaining unapologetically dumb and riotously funny. In addition, the density of visual jokes is at the level that demands multiple re watchings to catch even a small fraction of them.
I’m so glad Netflix immediately announced the season 4 renewal as I anxiously count down the 364 days until more Bojack.
I watched the third season and I thought it was good. The second season was my least favourite so far; I thought it had too many scattered subplots (Diane, Mr Peanutbutter, Bojack and Todd were off doing their own things most of the time) and way, way too much Vincent Adultman (who was funny for about two minutes, maximum).
My only mild criticism is that it seems to be treading the same ground as the first season: Bojack acts like a dick to his friends, goes on a bender, begs for forgiveness, etc. But as long as it’s still funny, that doesn’t bother me too much.
I’m finding myself doing a lot of pausing and going frame by frame to read all the little ads/posters and other pieces of background detail like in the 2007 flashbacks, or the animal abortion clinic (Planned Parrothood). “Life starts in the egg!” “Self-udder exam”, etc.
The field of potential jokes just based on having anthropomorphic animal characters alone is limitless.
I, too, binge-watched the third season, and loved it. This is one of the smartest/funniest shows out there.
Except by the end of the season Bojack is aware of that pattern, and has also realized that he never actually changes – even though he genuinely wants to, each time. He is starting to deliberately push people away (so he doesn’t poison them), instead of doing it accidentally. Could make for an interesting season 4, if they pick up where they left off.
I binge watched Season 3 and then re-watched for the visual gags and foreshadowing I’d missed the first time around. The Bojack universe gets more and more textured with each season, and the callbacks and references get better and better. IMHO, the structure has become much more literary, with lots of parallelism, symbolism, and irony that took more than two seasons to build.
I like that the opening credits now show the boat. It’s parked in the back of the house, only barely in view for a fraction of a second. That’s similar to the way it’s parked in the back of Bojack’s consciousness, only to be seen in flashes when Bojack (and the audience) least expect it.
Episodes 11 and 12 were a kick in the urethra. I wonder what Season 4 will do with the filly who called Princess Caroline, and how much lower Bojack can go before he hits rock bottom.
Somebody put together the little '80s/'90s/Naughties cruising down Melrose bits, along with their respective “Generic [Decade] Theme Songs”, if you want to look at the background details. I think they nailed 'em.