Bojack Horseman Season 3 Review

Bojack Horseman (2014-)
Season 3 (2016)

Watch Bojack Horseman on Netflix

Created by: Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Starring:   Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, Paul F. Tompkins
Rating: TV-MA 

Bojack Horseman Season 3 - Incredibly hilarious, dark, daring, and depressing.

Plot: 
In season three of this Netflix original, Bojack hopes his latest film Secretariat nets him an Oscar nomination. In this animated world anthropomorphic animals and humans live side by side.

Verdict
I started watching season one of Bojack because Will Arnett voiced the titular character and it also featured Aaron Paul. I quit half way through the fourth episode. Reviews agree the first half was bad and the second half was much better.
I picked up at season three just to see if this did get better. I wasn't expecting much and I was surprised. I don't typically like animated adult shows, but this is an incredible show.
It's often hilarious, but just as often incredibly depressing and dark. I can't recall any show that so deftly handles both emotions. This would be too morose if it was live action, as it's an exploration of how terrible Bojack's life can become, and it's his own fault. Bojack is broken. The animation, blunts the dark edge of the show.
It's punctuated by hilarious moments from great supporting characters. It's hard not to like Mr. Peanutbutter. This is very well written and clever. I can't even pick a favorite episode as they are all really good.
Watch it.

Review
The combination of anthropomorphic animals and humans together is absurd, and the animation is crude. I was ready to not like this after my season one preview, and I changed my mind by the second episode of season three. Season three is amazing, and as reviews suggest season two is just as good.

It's manic,  funny, and definitely dark. The comedy is a strange off kilter blend of puns and wackiness. Pause this at almost any point and you'll find a visual gag. I can't help but like this.

Bojack was in a famous '80s sitcom, and has been chasing that level of fame ever since. He's not only self destructive, but brings others down with him. He's a liar and a terrible person, but you still want him to find some level of success.

Even when he's on the brink of success, it doesn't work out. This show kicks him right back down, but does it in a hilarious fashion with help from Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter.

The flashback to 2007 in episode two is great. It does an expert job of referencing 2007 while being fully self aware. There are many movie references and background jokes. It's so clever, and the animal name puns never get old.

Episode four impresses because it's almost entirely silent. It's a good episode and daring as it changes the formula for a one off story. Not only that, but it does a silent story incredibly well. I'd call this a standout episode, but nearly every episode is stand out.

Episode six tackles abortion, but doesn't make a 'very special episode' out of it.

The main arc of the season is Bojack trying to fill the hole that fame left in his life. In episode ten, Todd unloads on Bojack telling him that his problem isn't the things he blames. "It's you."

Bojack can't cope when his plan for life derails. He implodes, and that blast isn't without casualties. The season concludes with Bojack at his lowest point, while Mr. Peanutbutter is a hero. It's that strange combination of funny and depressing that this show juxtaposes so well.