BoJack Horseman First Impression And Reaction: Season 2 - Episodes 5-7

3 years ago

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

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Episode 5 - Chickens

Chickens have got to be one of the stupidest and most enjoyable episodes I have seen in any show. It's one of those episodes that aren't really good in value but remain fun to watch.

The A plot is BoJack trying to connect with the director of his movie. In this plot, we get through the usual BoJack insecurities as he tries to make everything about him and everyone like him.

The B plot consists of Todd trying to keep a chicken away from the slaughter house by hiding her and taking her to "Gentle Farm" where they also slaughter her but in a "humane way" I guess. Todd gets help from Diane and the director's daughter.

The episode is really funny. A lot of the chicken sound jokes are great, we also get a deeper look at how some filmmakers end up doing work they don't like the environment of just because they need to make a living. The exchanges are hilarious.

My rating: 6/10

The episode doesn't matter in the main plot to any of the characters involved. It addresses BoJack's insecurities, which is also not something new and has been a thing throughout most episodes so far. But I'd go back and watch this episode more than I would certain episodes rated higher just to have a stupid laugh at an ambitious, yet nonsensical episode.

Episode 6 - Higher Love

Higher Love once again deals with BoJack's lack of emotional growth highlighted by his immature behavior with Wanda that continues throughout the episode.

At the same time, we have Princess Carolyn trying to be Mr. Peanutbutter's agent after his agent dies. We get through a little of what that relationship dynamic is like along with a journey through an agent's life that turned out to be more complicated than I thought.

The episode ends with a rather disturbing revelation

My rating: 6.5/10

The plot with Mr. Peanutbutter and Princess Carolyn is really what nudges the episode up for me. The shocking scene at the end really seems to be there merely for shock value. The BoJack insecurities and lack of emotional growth really come off as an excuse to create drama rather than it being authentic.

Episode 7 - Hank After Dark

This episode's two plots are tightly related. On one hand, we have Mr. Peanutbutter trying to start his new show which follows the show of his idol Hank Hippopopalous. On the other hand, we have his wife Diane bringing up public accusations against Hank Hippopopalous. Overall, this episode is about power dynamics.

With Mr. Peanutbutter you learn about how certain people in Hollywood could lose their jobs due to things their spouses say rather than themselves. You see the pressure he goes through at the hand of his agent and network executives so he would make Diane shut up.

Diane finds herself under attack in the media for merely pointing out public accusations against Hank Hippopopalous. We get to see a stubborn side of Diane as she doesn't back down and continues her pursuit.

The ending shows people with power winning and nothing changes. All of that is covered with some funny social commentary in the middle.

My rating: 7/10

I have a general problem with social commentary episodes. It always comes off unbalanced. However, the refreshing approach and tight;y-written plot and episode ending is realistic. The episode also has some funny tongue twisters and jokes.

In Conclusion

These three episodes come off like typical mid-season episodes with mediocre plots and approaches. They're good for what they are and serve their purpose nicely. I didn't hate rewatching them. Season 2 is better than a season at this stage.