I binged the final episodes. What a truly great show. I'm just so happy that it existed.
I have nothing to say that a thousand other people haven't already said about how this show portrays substance abuse, depression, self-hatred, growth, but most of all the constant and neverending process of becoming. I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this show because it truly achieved what it aimed for, I think.
Very general ending spoilers:
I think they ended the show with a great encapsulation of a mature and thoughtful message: that life goes on, as painful as it is, and we bear it the best we can. The two possible endings presented by ElJeffe, salvation or damnation, was a false dilemma, because life doesn't end on that one final satisfactory note where a person is neatly and finally judged to have been saved or not. All we can do is continually try to get better, and help others with their own journeys. It's all there is.
I mostly agree, though I would say
I would probably describe this as salvation with qualifications. I definitely took it as hopeful, just in a realistic way. Bojack was never going to wind up with a strictly happy ending. He's just done too many things to too many people. But he's set himself on the right track, he's made whatever amends it's possible to make, and he's trying. He will be trying forever, and the past will always be there, even as he's forced to cut ties with every part of it that ever meant anything to him.
I can imagine that Bojack will be okay. This was as happy an ending as we were ever going to get.
Overall, I loved it. I tore through the episodes mostly in the span of a morning.
I submitted an entry to Lego Ideas, and if 10,000 people support me, it'll be turned into an actual Lego set!If you'd like to see and support my submission, follow this link.
I appreciate the jape with the near-death experience, as serious as it was handled it was also an amusing self-awareness of the material they were writing with. I very dislike programming that tackles similar subject matter and then decides that the only endgame is to die; It's a terrible message to send to people who might be struggling with the same issues.
They concluded it about as well as I think they could have in a type of show that's easy to kamikaze the ending for. I've got no complaints.
God, there was one piece of dialogue in this half-season that just absolutely broke me.
“When I tell my daughter the story of the great love of my life, I want it to have a happy ending.”
“Is it possible that you letting me go is the happy ending?”
Just... fuck. There was a lot in these episodes that was hard-hitting but that one went straight to my heart.
I absolutely loved Secretariats poem and performance, it was amazing.
The way he read the poem was harrowing. The way calm acceptance slowly morphs into pure panic was an amazing performance, but made me incredibly uneasy.
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Golden YakBurnished BovineThe sunny beaches of CanadaRegistered Userregular
I think I'm gonna put off watching this for a while. Partly because I'm not ready for it to end, but also because reading comments here, I don't think I'm ready for the crushing finale.
I think I'm gonna put off watching this for a while. Partly because I'm not ready for it to end, but also because reading comments here, I don't think I'm ready for the crushing finale.
It just hit me especially hard, I think, because I misunderstood what the show was fundamentally about.
I wanted to see BoJack overcome the trauma and mental illness that shaped his life, but the show wasn't really concerned about that. It was more concerned about saying that BoJack's circumstances don't excuse his actions and holding him accountable for the things he did.
In the finale BoJack's social support system disappears, with some characters just drifting apart naturally and others making the conscious choice to excise him from their lives. There's not really any sense that BoJack will get better and overcome his trauma. He'll just keep trying and failing to change over and over until he dies. I personally relate to BoJack in some ways and fear that his lonely fate is similar to wait awaits me, but maybe I've been focusing too much on my similarities to him and not enough on what makes us different.
EDIT: I just saw where someone on another forum had a similar reaction to me:
One thing I will say is that, because I've spent a lot of time identifying with Bojack on depression, seeing him come to the point of losing everything brought on this identity crisis of "Am I the same way? Am I a piece of shit who everyone deserves to leave/cut out?"
The answer was no (I never drank or did drugs, nor had any of the problems associated with that, for example), but seeing that happen is kind of hard to handle when someone, emotionally identifies with the protagonist, even if their actions have next to nothing in common.
I do wonder if the plan for the show's finale significantly changed course after #MeToo or if it would have always turned out this way.
Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if this night was the last time we ever talked to each other?
The rest of the finale was rough, but that moment destroyed me. Like in the silence following that moment, the writers reached out of the screen and whispered "yup this is really it"
God, what an incredible show. What a great finale. I wish there'd be more.
I think I'm gonna put off watching this for a while. Partly because I'm not ready for it to end, but also because reading comments here, I don't think I'm ready for the crushing finale.
It just hit me especially hard, I think, because I misunderstood what the show was fundamentally about.
I wanted to see BoJack overcome the trauma and mental illness that shaped his life, but the show wasn't really concerned about that. It was more concerned about saying that BoJack's circumstances don't excuse his actions and holding him accountable for the things he did.
In the finale BoJack's social support system disappears, with some characters just drifting apart naturally and others making the conscious choice to excise him from their lives. There's not really any sense that BoJack will get better and overcome his trauma. He'll just keep trying and failing to change over and over until he dies. I personally relate to BoJack in some ways and fear that his lonely fate is similar to wait awaits me, but maybe I've been focusing too much on my similarities to him and not enough on what makes us different.
EDIT: I just saw where someone on another forum had a similar reaction to me:
One thing I will say is that, because I've spent a lot of time identifying with Bojack on depression, seeing him come to the point of losing everything brought on this identity crisis of "Am I the same way? Am I a piece of shit who everyone deserves to leave/cut out?"
The answer was no (I never drank or did drugs, nor had any of the problems associated with that, for example), but seeing that happen is kind of hard to handle when someone, emotionally identifies with the protagonist, even if their actions have next to nothing in common.
I do wonder if the plan for the show's finale significantly changed course after #MeToo or if it would have always turned out this way.
It's worth keeping in mind that
This ending is, in some ways, also what's best for Bojack. He will never have the opportunities he did, but he recognizes his toxicity, has reached closure, and can finally move on. If he continued to cling to his old life, it would be bad for everyone involved, including him. His past relationships are full of abuse, manipulation, and psychological addictions, but now he can make new, honest relationships and avoid those cycles.
It's also worth keeping in mind that he's not just depressed and that's it. The guy has been involved in lots of super dangerous criminal activity with numerous victims, including children, including the death of a person who he was a family-like figure for, on top of a long history of emotional abuse to others. You have to do a lot of truly horrible stuff and have a ton of opportunity to catch up to being anything like Bojack.
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Golden YakBurnished BovineThe sunny beaches of CanadaRegistered Userregular
Looking back at Bojack's friends after the finale:
Diane is definitely going to move on.
I get the sense that Todd is going to move on, with the 'fun while it lasted', footsteps washed away in the sea scene.
Princess Carolyn sounds like it could go either way. Her line 'I know some great people' in regards to Bojack's request for help could mean 'I will get some people besides me to work with you, because my life is entering a new chapter and it won't include you' or 'I will be here to keep helping you because our history means we'll always be friends'.
And I think Mister Peanutbutter is still going to be there, I didn't really get the sense that he was done with Bojack. He's an airhead but feels like the perpetual optimist who always wants to see the best in Bojack.
Those seem like the biggest people in his life, friendwise.
There's always the chance that he will find new friends who can help him going forwards too.
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RhalloTonnyOf the BrownlandsRegistered Userregular
finale
That ending hit worse than other moments in the show did.
BoJack lives, faces consequences, still fights the same battles he's always had, will likely get sucked back into Hollywoo garbage (note how quickly he threw away helping people and volunteering when PC brought it up), but without any of his friends or social support system.
It's fair, because no one is owed support especially when it comes to toxic, violent people, but it's just kind of...incredibly tough to watch.
Never thought a 'middle of the road' ending would have the most impact.
!
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jungleroomxIt's never too many graves, it's always not enough shovelsRegistered Userregular
Favorite episodes time?
Favorite episodes time.
In zero particular order.
Good While it Lasted
Say Anything
Surprise
View from Halfway Down
That's too Much, Man!
Time's Arrow
Stupid Piece of Shit
Free Churro
He accepted Mr. Peanutbutter's help with minimal snark, and actually seemed appreciative that the dude stuck with him despite having no good reason to. The fact that they are both in transitional periods means that they can help each other.
I guess
Hollywoob
stars and celebrities gotta stick together, though.
Finished the show (last 2 episodes) this morning before work. That was a mistake. (The timing, that is, not watching the episodes.) Been thinking about it all day.
The three episodes (of the show entire) that stick most in my mind are the one where Sara Lynn dies, Beatrice's flashback episode, and "Halfway down".
Especially Secretariat's poem. That was brutal.
And Arnett gives a stunning performance.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
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AbsoluteZeroThe new film by Quentin KoopantinoRegistered Userregular
Final episodes thoughts...
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
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jungleroomxIt's never too many graves, it's always not enough shovelsRegistered Userregular
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
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AbsoluteZeroThe new film by Quentin KoopantinoRegistered Userregular
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Damn near the whole show was about Bojack getting out of paying his dues. Also, immediately bringing him back to life felt like a huge clichéd cop-out. The writers were clever enough to explore the aftermath of Bojack's death, if they were so inclined.
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Breaking Bad spoilers:
The bolded in jungle's spoiler was one of the things I didn't like with Breaking Bad.
Also, I like Diane.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
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jungleroomxIt's never too many graves, it's always not enough shovelsRegistered Userregular
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Damn near the whole show was about Bojack getting out of paying his dues. Also, immediately bringing him back to life felt like a huge clichéd cop-out. The writers were clever enough to explore the aftermath of Bojack's death, if they were so inclined.
I mean
I can't disagree more with everything you just wrote
Him dying is the easy way out for Bojack and for the writers. Him actually having to face consequences for acting like a piece of shit and still come out not like a total piece of shit was by far the more challenging route to take, and they took it.
jungleroomx on
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AbsoluteZeroThe new film by Quentin KoopantinoRegistered Userregular
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Damn near the whole show was about Bojack getting out of paying his dues. Also, immediately bringing him back to life felt like a huge clichéd cop-out. The writers were clever enough to explore the aftermath of Bojack's death, if they were so inclined.
I mean
I can't disagree more with everything you just wrote
Him dying is the easy way out for Bojack and for the writers. Him actually having to face consequences for acting like a piece of shit and still come out not like a total piece of shit was by far the more challenging route to take, and they took it.
I don't see what's challenging about having Bojack "face consequences" mostly off screen. He's in prison, off screen, and he gets out soon. Has he changed? They don't answer that. Has prison actually been any kind of punishment for him? They don't answer that. Has he truly faced any kind of reckoning at all or was prison just an extended AA meeting for Bojack? They don't answer that. It's all off screen and not really addressed. It's not challenging, it's leaving the show open for another season that isn't coming. His arc is unfinished. That isn't brave writing, it's just unfinished writing. If it was a conscious choice I can respect that, but I don't have to like it or agree with it.
is going to feel unfinished if you think of the show as the story of Bojack Horseman. In retrospect, I think it's much more clearly the story of Bojack's friendships, especially with Diane, and the final episode very much closed the curtain on that.
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Damn near the whole show was about Bojack getting out of paying his dues. Also, immediately bringing him back to life felt like a huge clichéd cop-out. The writers were clever enough to explore the aftermath of Bojack's death, if they were so inclined.
I mean
I can't disagree more with everything you just wrote
Him dying is the easy way out for Bojack and for the writers. Him actually having to face consequences for acting like a piece of shit and still come out not like a total piece of shit was by far the more challenging route to take, and they took it.
I don't see what's challenging about having Bojack "face consequences" mostly off screen. He's in prison, off screen, and he gets out soon. Has he changed? They don't answer that. Has prison actually been any kind of punishment for him? They don't answer that. Has he truly faced any kind of reckoning at all or was prison just an extended AA meeting for Bojack? They don't answer that. It's all off screen and not really addressed. It's not challenging, it's leaving the show open for another season that isn't coming. His arc is unfinished. That isn't brave writing, it's just unfinished writing. If it was a conscious choice I can respect that, but I don't have to like it or agree with it.
As a great wizard once said, "there are no happy endings because nothing ends."
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jungleroomxIt's never too many graves, it's always not enough shovelsRegistered Userregular
I liked the 2nd to last episode better than the final episode as a series ending point. The final episode immediately pulling a "lol jk" on it kinda fell flat with me and deflated the whole thing. I loved the implication that this was not Bojack's first near death experience, and the slow brutal realization that he's not coming back this time.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
Bojack dying is a cliche "troublesome man" ending and would run completely counterpoint to what the entire show was about. He would not face justice for the shit he's done to people.
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Damn near the whole show was about Bojack getting out of paying his dues. Also, immediately bringing him back to life felt like a huge clichéd cop-out. The writers were clever enough to explore the aftermath of Bojack's death, if they were so inclined.
I mean
I can't disagree more with everything you just wrote
Him dying is the easy way out for Bojack and for the writers. Him actually having to face consequences for acting like a piece of shit and still come out not like a total piece of shit was by far the more challenging route to take, and they took it.
I don't see what's challenging about having Bojack "face consequences" mostly off screen. He's in prison, off screen, and he gets out soon. Has he changed? They don't answer that. Has prison actually been any kind of punishment for him? They don't answer that. Has he truly faced any kind of reckoning at all or was prison just an extended AA meeting for Bojack? They don't answer that. It's all off screen and not really addressed. It's not challenging, it's leaving the show open for another season that isn't coming. His arc is unfinished. That isn't brave writing, it's just unfinished writing. If it was a conscious choice I can respect that, but I don't have to like it or agree with it.
What?
They hinted that he has changed (honeydew and not gorging on cotton candy until he throws up), but still is the same Bojack within 10 seconds of each other (when he find out his movie is trending). He's in prison, which is a punishment, and his conversation to Diane shows a form of institutionalization and a fear of going back into the real world (which is a real thing and causes a lot of recidivism).
As I said in the SE++ thread, there's an old adage that if you're not writing about the most interesting part of a characters life, you need to do that instead. Bojack's interesting days are over, given that the show is ending, but his actual days are far from it. Life goes on after the thrill of living is gone, life's a bitch but you keep on living, and all that.
He lost some friends because he's toxic. It's not a huge, grand punishment but a subtle jab at the way life goes. "Wouldn't it be crazy if this was the last time we spoke?" was the writers acknowledging this. Anything other than this would feel like it went against a large part of what the show has built up for 6 seasons: Closure is bullshit.
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ApogeeLancks In Every Game EverRegistered Userregular
Ending spoilers:
I kind of agree with the above sentiments that the penultimate episode was a much better ending that the finale. I liked the finale, but it really did seem like Bojack was going to pay the ultimate price for his misdeeds, and then... he didn't. I understand that living with pain is a lot more difficult than the alternative (at least for Bojack) but it seemed to just take the impact of the previous episode away when it turns out, nope, not dead after all!
Anyway, we all know the real tragedy here:
Bojack is over and Tuca & Bertie didn't get renewed, which is a GODDAMN TRAVESTY
I don't mind that Bojack lived, but the fake out in the episode 15 end credits where we hear a heartrate monitor flatline and then several seconds later start beating again made me angry. It felt like a cheap tease and a cop out hearing the flatline only to immediately take it back. I would have preferred it if the episode 15 end credits just played over complete silence.
They could have even still opened episode 16 the way they did, with the heartrate flatline from the finale of "Horsin' Around" and the deceptive article headlines flashing by and I wouldn't have minded. As the start of another episode, it would feel disconnected enough that it wouldn't feel like a cheap take-back at that point.
the roof scene is the thing that had me bawling tbh
This is bizarre to me because I super did not like Diane and I have a hard time putting myself into the head of someone who liked that character. I don't think I can even properly explain why I didn't like her.
Hollyhock cutting off Bojack was much more crushing to me. Maybe because that's family.
As an artistic person who was on meds long enough to experience that fuzziness, but who was able to stop using them thanks to lifestyle changes, her still being on them makes me uneasy. Some folks need meds, period, and that's 200% okay no judging, but it seemed like Dianne mostly needed therapy and lifestyle changes rather than having a major chemical circumstance to balance out.
Ending a story by killling the character is considered amateur hour in a lot of circles. They instead went for the rebirth/baptism angle.
More spoilers about ending here.
I don't think they really went with baptism or rebirth at all. They went with life goes on, and people around you change even if you don't. The only friend Bojack has left from his old days in the end is Mr Peanutbutter. Todd has essentially cut him out. They may still meet, but always on Todds terms. Princess Carolyn might still be around in his life, but she has realized she cannot manage him and be his friend. Diane is courteous enough to talk to him a last time before cutting him out of his life, while Hollyhock tries desperately to ignore it until she does it over a letter.
The big growth here is that Bojack seems to actually accept this, which is the only thing that gives the ending hope. It means he may do better in the future, even with the temptations represented by his new career.
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AbsoluteZeroThe new film by Quentin KoopantinoRegistered Userregular
My impression was that Mr Peanutbutter will always be in Bojack's life because he is a loyal dog (unless you date or marry him). Todd would continue to bumble into and out of Bojack's life, probably. Princesses Carolyn would still be around in some capacity even if Bojack isn't her client.
As an artistic person who was on meds long enough to experience that fuzziness, but who was able to stop using them thanks to lifestyle changes, her still being on them makes me uneasy. Some folks need meds, period, and that's 200% okay no judging, but it seemed like Dianne mostly needed therapy and lifestyle changes rather than having a major chemical circumstance to balance out.
I always feel strange whenever I see medication actually work in media because in my experience I feel like they don't (for me specifically).
I still take the ones I've been prescribed, but I don't know if I believe they do anything for me.
Posts
I mostly agree, though I would say
I can imagine that Bojack will be okay. This was as happy an ending as we were ever going to get.
Overall, I loved it. I tore through the episodes mostly in the span of a morning.
They concluded it about as well as I think they could have in a type of show that's easy to kamikaze the ending for. I've got no complaints.
There was a good use of rule of threes with them
“Is it possible that you letting me go is the happy ending?”
Just... fuck. There was a lot in these episodes that was hard-hitting but that one went straight to my heart.
MWO: Adamski
It just hit me especially hard, I think, because I misunderstood what the show was fundamentally about.
EDIT: I just saw where someone on another forum had a similar reaction to me:
I do wonder if the plan for the show's finale significantly changed course after #MeToo or if it would have always turned out this way.
Really epitomizes the saying I've heard in AA that just because you get sober doesn't mean life stops happening
The rest of the finale was rough, but that moment destroyed me. Like in the silence following that moment, the writers reached out of the screen and whispered "yup this is really it"
God, what an incredible show. What a great finale. I wish there'd be more.
It's worth keeping in mind that
It's also worth keeping in mind that he's not just depressed and that's it. The guy has been involved in lots of super dangerous criminal activity with numerous victims, including children, including the death of a person who he was a family-like figure for, on top of a long history of emotional abuse to others. You have to do a lot of truly horrible stuff and have a ton of opportunity to catch up to being anything like Bojack.
I get the sense that Todd is going to move on, with the 'fun while it lasted', footsteps washed away in the sea scene.
Princess Carolyn sounds like it could go either way. Her line 'I know some great people' in regards to Bojack's request for help could mean 'I will get some people besides me to work with you, because my life is entering a new chapter and it won't include you' or 'I will be here to keep helping you because our history means we'll always be friends'.
And I think Mister Peanutbutter is still going to be there, I didn't really get the sense that he was done with Bojack. He's an airhead but feels like the perpetual optimist who always wants to see the best in Bojack.
Those seem like the biggest people in his life, friendwise.
There's always the chance that he will find new friends who can help him going forwards too.
BoJack lives, faces consequences, still fights the same battles he's always had, will likely get sucked back into Hollywoo garbage (note how quickly he threw away helping people and volunteering when PC brought it up), but without any of his friends or social support system.
It's fair, because no one is owed support especially when it comes to toxic, violent people, but it's just kind of...incredibly tough to watch.
Never thought a 'middle of the road' ending would have the most impact.
Favorite episodes time.
In zero particular order.
Good While it Lasted
Say Anything
Surprise
View from Halfway Down
That's too Much, Man!
Time's Arrow
Stupid Piece of Shit
Free Churro
I guess
The three episodes (of the show entire) that stick most in my mind are the one where Sara Lynn dies, Beatrice's flashback episode, and "Halfway down".
And Arnett gives a stunning performance.
The scene with Bojack and Diane on the roof also did nothing for me, largely because I never liked the character of Diane and I think Bojack is better off without her in his life, even if he's too stupid and dependent to realize it.
Outside of that, it didn't really feel like a series finale. If the show wasn't cancelled they could have run this episode without changing a thing. They left the story of BoJack very much unfinished. Part of me wonders how intentional that was.
All of it was intentional
If he got out of paying his dues for the crap he's done, I feel like that would be an actual cop out.
Breaking Bad spoilers:
Also, I like Diane.
I mean
I can't disagree more with everything you just wrote
As a great wizard once said, "there are no happy endings because nothing ends."
What?
As I said in the SE++ thread, there's an old adage that if you're not writing about the most interesting part of a characters life, you need to do that instead. Bojack's interesting days are over, given that the show is ending, but his actual days are far from it. Life goes on after the thrill of living is gone, life's a bitch but you keep on living, and all that.
He lost some friends because he's toxic. It's not a huge, grand punishment but a subtle jab at the way life goes. "Wouldn't it be crazy if this was the last time we spoke?" was the writers acknowledging this. Anything other than this would feel like it went against a large part of what the show has built up for 6 seasons: Closure is bullshit.
Anyway, we all know the real tragedy here:
They could have even still opened episode 16 the way they did, with the heartrate flatline from the finale of "Horsin' Around" and the deceptive article headlines flashing by and I wouldn't have minded. As the start of another episode, it would feel disconnected enough that it wouldn't feel like a cheap take-back at that point.
This is bizarre to me because I super did not like Diane and I have a hard time putting myself into the head of someone who liked that character. I don't think I can even properly explain why I didn't like her.
More spoilers about ending here.
The big growth here is that Bojack seems to actually accept this, which is the only thing that gives the ending hope. It means he may do better in the future, even with the temptations represented by his new career.
I still take the ones I've been prescribed, but I don't know if I believe they do anything for me.