By Lee Taylor, Opinion Editor
On Oct. 25, the first half of “Bojack Horseman”’s sixth and final season aired on Netflix. Fans of the series, myself included, had been creating theories over the year it took for the fated eight episodes to drop.
Season five ended with the titular character, famous ’90’s actor Bojack Horseman, going to rehab. Throughout the whole series, Bojack struggled with alcoholism and pill addiction, refusing to be held accountable for his actions until the end of season five. Without spoiling anything, Bojack hurts someone very close to him, causing him to reflect on his losses over the years and to finally seek help.
Season six begins with Bojack in rehab. He seems happier, more in touch and overall healthier. The happy tone of the first episode put me on edge. The thing with Bojack is that it’s not a happy show. It’s the kind of show that you watch when you’re depressed to make you feel better about being depressed. Sure, it’s a comedy, but the entire premise of the show is a washed-up actor-slash-addict avoiding his problems until it’s too late. When that washed up actor-slash-addict is no longer a washed-up actor and also is no longer an addict, what’s left for the show?
I watched all eight episodes in one sitting, patiently waiting for any of my theories to come true. I won’t say if any of them did because I’m trying to avoid spoilers of any kind. All I’ll say is that after watching all the episodes that are out so far, I’m terrified for what’s going to happen in the second half, airing on Jan. 31.
With “Bojack Horseman,” you somehow manage to fall in love with all of the characters despite the fact that none of them are good people. With most other shows, there’s usually one or two characters that are literally flawless. Every now and again a character like that can be refreshing, but it’s simply unrealistic. Every single character in “Bojack Horseman” has at least one flaw as a person. I believe that’s the reason the show seems so realistic and hits so hard despite the fact that half of the characters are animals.
I see a little bit of myself in each of these characters. I see my desperate need to be liked in Bojack, my resilience in Princess Carolyn, my (albeit not that great) passion for activism in Diane. A little piece of me is in each character, which is why I feel so connected to them.
Because I see myself in these characters, I’m scared to see what’s going to happen to them. The first five seasons were filled with sadness, loss and hurt. Season six doesn’t follow that. Part of me wants it to continue being happy; to surprise viewers everywhere and end with Bojack and crew happy and healthy, but somewhere in my heart I know that’s highly unlikely. I have an aching feeling that the second half of season six holds more heartbreak than the other five seasons combined.
All seasons of “Bojack Horseman” are on Netflix and seasons one and two are on DVD at Walmart and other retailers.
