15 Bojack Horseman Episodes You Should Watch

In the initial part of season six, a rehabilitated BoJack captivated viewers as he journeyed across America to reconnect with friends and family. At the same time, Mr. Peanutbutter headed a campaign, becoming the “face of depression.”

Fans reveled in BoJack’s earnest dedication to his sobriety and his sincere efforts to better himself. Concurrently, Mr. Peanutbutter’s long-awaited crossover episode with BoJack thrilled many, filling them with excitement.

The Season 3 finale, Episode 12, truly hits home. BoJack hits rock bottom following Sarah Lynn’s tragic death, grappling with his part in her overdose. As he grabs a chance to return to show business, Sarah Lynn’s memory haunts him. The finale ends with a devastated BoJack driving off, letting go of the wheel, only to be entranced by a group of wild horses running free.

Their untamed freedom shakes BoJack, forcing him to face his truth: he’s been avoiding his true self, never fully experiencing the freedom he deserves – the sheer joy of running without chains. This chilling episode significantly influences BoJack’s journey, paving the way for his narrative in Season 4.

The pivotal “Escape From L.A.” episode in Season 2 stands as a significant turning point in the series. In this episode, BoJack stays with his old friend Charlotte and her family. However, in typical BoJack fashion, he manages to ruin things. His mistakes pile up until the unthinkable happens: Charlotte finds BoJack in bed with her daughter.

This shocking incident leaves viewers aghast, further staining BoJack’s already tarnished morality and leaving many fans bitter. Despite the discomfort, audiences praised the writers’ audacity and craftsmanship, alongside the stellar performances by Will Arnett as BoJack Horseman, Illana Glazer as Penny, and Olivia Wilde as Charlotte.

In the episode named “Surprise!,” Pickles Aplenty’s exceptional character again stands out in a supporting role. The episode centers on a surprise party that friends throw for Mr. Peanutbutter and Pickles, celebrating their marriage.

Unfortunately, the timing turns disastrous as Mr. Peanutbutter admits to infidelity—he cheated on Pickles with Diane—as soon as they enter the party. Humor, melancholy, and chaos swirl together in this episode, weaving various storylines into a unified narrative.

In the midst of the tumultuous surprise party, Todd ensnares himself in a convoluted bonding episode with Ruthie. Simultaneously, Diane confesses her thoughts about leaving the city for good to BoJack. With its many moving pieces, this episode promises viewers a riveting and enjoyable experience.

In season four, we plunge into the troubled childhood of BoJack’s problematic mother, Beatrice, especially in the episode called “The Old Sugarman Place.” This episode masterfully interlaces past and present-day Michigan, revealing tragic mirror-like events that stir emotions of grief and melancholic nostalgia.

Fans appreciate the episode’s depiction of the grieving process and the complex emotions entwined within it. Notably, the episode shines even brighter with the brilliant performances of guest stars Matthew Broderick, Lin Manuel, Jane Krakowski, and Colman Domingo.

In the highly relatable episode that uncannily draws a parallel between BoJack and Hollyhock, viewers dive into the protagonist’s mind. “Stupid Piece of Sh*t” illuminates the domineering negative inner voice that incessantly governs BoJack’s life, significantly influencing his responses to stress, including interactions with his mother, Beatrice.

As the episode unravels, fans learn with surprise that Hollyhock fights a similar internal dialogue. Sharing a touching moment, BoJack falsely comforts her by assuring that things will get better as she grows older. This narrative trajectory further cements the series’ reputation for its authentic portrayal of mental health struggles.

The series wrapped up with a finale quintessentially BoJack in tone. After the events of “The View From Halfway Down,” Princess Caroline invites BoJack to her wedding, allowing him to interact with the main cast one last time since his imprisonment. Some viewers felt let down because the series didn’t explicitly link to the preceding episode or tie up its plot strands.

However, many fans, alongside series creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, later understood that doing so would undermine the show’s entire message. The ending, although bittersweet, struck a profound chord, sending BoJack Horseman off on a high note.

In an enthralling episode, Ruthie, a distant future descendant of Princess Carolyn (voiced by Amy Sedaris), unfolds the story of an especially terrible day in her ancestor’s life. As we see Princess Carolyn weather her trials, we cling to the promise of a brighter future. Yet, the episode deftly overturns our expectations by revealing Ruthie as a figment of Princess Carolyn’s imagination, a soothing fantasy she creates to cope with her darkest moments.

On this particular day, Princess Carolyn faces the painful end of her relationship with her boyfriend, Ralphie, and the devastating news of her fifth miscarriage, which seems to push her dreams of motherhood increasingly into the realm of the unattainable.

Sedaris offers an outstanding voice performance, eliciting deep empathy for her character’s heart-rending fate. Princess Carolyn, a character often overshadowed despite meriting more focus, finally steps into the spotlight in this moving episode.

In “Downer Ending,” a first-season episode of the dark comedy series BoJack Horseman, the show delves into its bleaker depths, setting the tone for the season finale.

The episode sees BoJack attempting to rewrite his narrative, at odds with the story Diane has crafted about him. However, instead of taking constructive steps, BoJack, Todd, and Sarah Lynn tumble into an extreme drug binge, launching into an extended, wild adventure.

As the episode nears its end, BoJack, in a stirring and emotionally packed scene before a group of ghostwriters, admits to Diane that her book is better, but he struggles to accept the truths it uncovers about his view of her. In a gut-wrenching moment, BoJack pleads repeatedly with Diane to affirm his fundamental goodness, receiving only silence in return.

Sarah Lynn (voiced by Kristen Schaal), like many other characters in the series, begins as a single-layered joke—a child star losing control in her teen years. Yet, as the show progresses, her character evolves, ultimately achieving sobriety.

Thus, it deeply saddens us when BoJack persuades her to relapse into a night of partying, leading to her tragic end from an overdose. This episode represents one of the first instances where BoJack’s actions’ repercussions hit him in the most heart-rending way imaginable. It underscores why BoJack Horseman stands as one of the most profoundly melancholic shows on television.

The title of this fifth season episode fits perfectly. With Philbert’s soaring popularity, BoJack’s addiction plunges into a deeper abyss, distorting his perception of reality. His hallucinations grow increasingly hostile, tormenting his insecurities. The episode climaxes with BoJack nearly strangling his co-star Gina to death in a drug-induced hallucination.

Once again, fans reel in horror at BoJack’s behavior, even under the influence, questioning the possibility of his redemption. Precisely because of this, they commend the episode for the voice cast’s fervent performances, the musical number that satirizes not only the industry but also the show itself, and the consistently stellar writing.

Season five unfolds a major turn of events with the sudden demise of Beatrice Horseman, BoJack’s mother. BoJack delivers a moving monologue, speaking directly to an unseen audience about his deceased mother. This narrative approach cleverly shatters the fourth wall, forging a personal bond with the audience, as if BoJack is addressing them individually, not the spectators within the show.

Throughout his monologue, BoJack intermittently mentions a free churro he received after unintentionally making a food service cashier cry. The episode’s minimalist approach earns applause, along with Will Arnett’s compelling performance, which anchors the entire episode.

The series reached its zenith in the second to last episode of Season 6, a sentiment shared unanimously by fans and critics alike. Following public humiliation and a relapse into drug use, BoJack finds himself in a mysterious house, reunited with lost friends and loved ones.

The episode is dense with stirring symbolism about death and subtle cues illuminating BoJack’s destiny. Each character, excluding BoJack, makes a memorable final appearance that leaves an indelible impact.

The voice actors, especially Will Arnett, earned high praise for their performances. The episode brilliantly explores themes of suicide and includes powerful callbacks like Charlotte’s previous comment about L.A.: “A pretty town on top of black tar, and by the time you realize you’re sinking, it’s too late.” The episode leaves a lasting impression on viewers.

This standout episode of BoJack Horseman superbly harnesses the flexibility and creativity of animation, guiding us through the somber journey of a broken and lost BoJack. Following Sarah Lynn’s heartbreaking death, he withdraws from society and finds comfort in his family’s old lakehouse.

His narrative intertwines with touching flashbacks showcasing the childhood summers his mother, Beatrice Horseman, spent in the once-lavish house with her parents. This emotionally harrowing episode explores themes of grief and generational trauma in both storylines, providing a deeper understanding of BoJack’s origins and how the burden of past traumas infiltrates the present.

The fourth season of BoJack Horseman dives deeper into the complex history of his family, focusing particularly on the traumatic experiences of his mother, Beatrice, which we initially encounter in “The Old Sugarman Place.” This episode vividly depicts the lasting impacts of the loss of Beatrice’s elder brother and her mother’s lobotomy.

As we delve into Beatrice’s journey, we discover her dementia, eliciting empathy for a character we once deemed unsympathetic. The episode is visually stunning, deftly encapsulating the nuances of dementia and the long-lasting effects of generational trauma.

Despite Beatrice Horseman being undeniably a terrible mother, she also emerges as a victim, though this doesn’t excuse her mistreatment of BoJack.