Review: BOJACK HORSEMAN Season 6 (Part 1) Is a Strong Beginning of the End

This is a spoiler-free review of Bojack Horseman Season 6 (Part 1). Only the first half, eight episodes, is available now; the rest will be on Netflix on January 31st, 2020.

Bojack Horseman is one of those shows that never holds back on its comedy or its deep, personal observations. It still amazes me how much this series can show such vulnerability and reality while being surrounded by outlandish comedy and bright colors. Season 6 is no different, and if anything, it is pushing its characters even further than it has in past seasons. 

Obviously, the animation, acting, and sound design of the season so far is super great. I never get tired of the fun colors, bright characters and wacky world that is Hollywoo. As Bojack enters rehab, Diane goes away with her blog job, Mr. Peanutbutter works a new show, and Princess Caroline deals with motherhood, we see a fresh lineup of supporting characters and places to give new and deeper opportunities and challenges for the main cast to confront.

These new opportunities and plot lines for the main line up do something great but almost bad for the show. As much as we love seeing Bojack being himself in rehab (rude as usual), it is hard to see him and Diane be separated from the rest of the main cast for most of the season. It was a bold choice to have the last season spend so much time with new supporting characters, but ends up being for the best because we see their dependence, distaste, and depravity in a new light.

Bojack Horsemen has always pushed the boundaries of people dealing with their deepest personal issues, like depression, self-hatred, loneliness, self-worth, being the outsider, and dishonesty. All of these issues and more are explored with expert whit and real recognition/reconciliation. The writing and ludicrous situations continue to surprise and entertain while heavily affecting characters and their development.

The last episode was disappointing only in the fact that we have to wait a few months for the ending and resolution of the episode. Overall, Season 6 so far is one of the strongest as it explores the depths of the character’s core reasons for their misbehavior, desires, and needs. Bojack Horseman continues to illustrate humanity at its most vulnerable and weakest more than just about any show, even in just half of a season.