Recently, I decided to introduce season or show reviews for television shows, and coincidentally ‘BoJack Horseman’ popped up on Netflix as a fresh new binge-product. This will be my first season review of a television show ever – and as you should always do when reading my blog, expect SPOILERS. You’ve been warned, so without further ado – here’s my take on this new animated series starring Will Arnett and Alison Brie.

The show is centered around BoJack Horseman, an anthropomorphic horse. BoJack is a former actor best known for a sitcom in the 90s. BoJack lives in his Hollywood home with Todd (played by Aaron Paul), a friend of his. The show co-stars Alison Brie, primarily as Diane Nguyen a Ghost Writer for BoJack’s memoirs; Paul F. Tompkins, primarily as Mr. Peanutbutter, a rival of BoJack who has the same background as him; and Amy Sedaris as his Agent/ex-Girlfriend Princess Carolyn.

The show is incredibly ‘meta’, and features a lot of throwbacks to the golden age of US sitcoms. And though this show follows the feel of The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad, you will quickly notice that the show incorporates a linear narrative. Unlike the aforementioned animated television shows, this show is primarily about the sadness of celebrity, and you don’t expect a happy ending for ol’ BoJack. Inspite of the serious tone, the show is funny – though I find it much more poignant and strong, when the show leans on its depression-tone of storytelling.

The standout episodes for me are “The Telescope” (Episode 8) & “Downer Ending” (Episode 11) – with both episodes revolving around the very sad horse that BoJack is. One thing I wanted from this show was a heartwarming episode, not unlike many Futurama standouts, but the sorrow showed in the aforementioned BoJack standouts left me satisfied.

B+