‘A Horse Walks Into a Rehab’; the first half of the popular Netflix series picks up six months after we left off. Bojack’s stint in rehab is coming to an end, and as the show moves towards finishing, the audience can only hope for a happy ending for the series’ complicated characters.

The pressure on a final season of any popular show to deliver is high, and Bojack Horseman can be said to have faced this prospect by changing certain aspects of itself. The newest season is in no way lacking compared to its forerunners; however, it cannot be said that this season doesn’t have a difference in feeling to the others. This, I think, comes from its reliance on committed fans, and knowledge that the viewers of the show know the series inside and out.  

Firstly, the title sequence, unchanged for five seasons, now works differently. Instead of the usual images of Bojack in front of a background of ‘Hollywoo’ parties, now he appears in front of scenes we’re all-too-familiar with. The death of his boss and friend, Herb Kazzaz, his Mother’s funeral, the death of Sarah-Lynn. Experiences only seasoned Bojack fans will fully understand the weight of. 

Similarly, the presence of alcohol is one that is centred in a brand-new way. Whereas previously, alcohol was part of almost every scene we saw Bojack in; now it’s displayed to us as a starry galaxy – one which fills Bojack’s recollections of the past, showing him for the first time with some foresight to the way his addiction has impacted the entirety of his life.

Another new addition is the way the characters all seem to have begun to look in towards themselves, rather than simply questioning the consequences of their actions. Princess Carolyn tackles her place as a working mother, Dianne works to balance her mental health and her happiness, and Mr Peanutbutter tackles the guilt following his adulterous past. As the characters begin to work themselves into more well-rounded, fulfilled individuals, the viewers are pointed, ever-hopefully towards a satisfied and happy ending. However, this is Bojack Horseman, it could never be that simple. As the series ends on a stressful cliffhanger, viewers are left waiting until January until this season’s second half, and the show’s finale, is finally revealed.

Moving away from the show’s serious side, it is still unfalteringly quick, clever, and funny. As well as this, it feels incredibly relevant. Capitalist mega-companies taking over small businesses, an assistant strike, and mass organ selling put a hilarious spin on our own world, except this one is full of talking animals.

The beginnings of Bojack’s final season have set us up for an unforgettable ending. Despite a few changes, the show maintains its strong roots and wacky comedy that fans have loved from the start. A brilliant and binge-worthy 8 episodes: hooray!

Rating = 5/5