After being recommended this animated show multiple times, I decided that I would watch something a little different this week with Bojack Horseman. Bojack Horseman is an animated netflix original, with Bojack Horseman being the main character. The shows revolves around Bojack and his life as a washed up actor from a not-so-amazing sitcom. We follow Bojack as he goes through his life with different misfortunes accompanying him, from being broken up with, to vomiting out cotton candy because he can’t control himself around it, especially at parties. From his “roommate” who is a human, to his on/off girlfriend who just happens to be his manager and a cat, and other character, the show boasts a diverse cast from the start. While we’ve only been through the first episode, the show so far, to me, has an incredible mix of jokes, characters, and an interesting plot.
One of the most important things to note is that in this show's universe, people and animals live equally. Animals aren't pets, and humans aren’t above any animal. Both animals and humans are doing similar things, like working together, eating together, or even sleeping together. The show introduces this idea of interspecies right at the start, where it begins with the sitcom Bojack was in named Horsin Around. This intro does two things. First, it shows that this show's universe has humans and animals interacting as equals. Secondly, the show sets a welcoming and simple tone to the show. It lowers the viewer's expectation to assume it's just a sitcom, and that the show will be family friendly, as one expects animated shows and sitcoms to be. It certainly tricked me. However, the show transitions into a nightly talk show, with Bojack being drunk and parking in a handicap spot. This transition helps show that this won't be a children's show, and it is aimed at adults.
One more example of the creator's intelligence in creating the show is the opening sequence. When the show goes through the opening sequence, we follow Bojack, while the world around him goes from normal to disaster, only to wake up in the morning with everything okay. It is almost as to show that Bojack is just repeating his mistakes, with no real repercussion, as in the first episode. His girlfriend breaks up with him because of everything he does, even throwing her out the car, only for her to call him as his agent, and then later on, make breakfast because she’s slept with him once more. He even talks about having cheating on his girlfriend, yet there are still no repercussions for Bojack. One more thing to note is that to Bojack, his world is a mess because that is just how life is, it isn’t because of his own choices and actions. The opening sequence helps portray this attitude even more when Bojack stands idly by while his world is falling apart around him. He thinks he’s helpless, but he is in full control of his life.
I don't know if you ended up watching more episodes or not, but I wonder if this idea of Bojack repeating his wrongful actions without recognizing the repurcussions is something the show is going to focus on here on out. I would love to see an animated adult comedy with fully rounded characters (versus the ongoing saga of flat family stereotypes such as The Simpsons). Even more, I think the message of being able to control one's fate and actions is a great comparison to that of a cartoon (where the characters are literally drawn and forced to do whatever the artists and writers ask of them). If Bojack does turn into a well rounded character, I wonder the impact that creates for adult cartoons and the messages they can provide besides just entertainment value.
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