Durrzerker
Banned
So I just finished all three seasons of this show, and -- damn.
The first couple of episodes were moderately funny, but didn't quite grip me. But once the groundwork was laid on the main cast, it just started rolling, gaining momentum, and never stopped.
What the show does with the 'thirty minute sitcom' format is fantastic. It keeps the idea of quick gags and throwaways...but it doesn't actually throw anything away. One-off remarks become great brick jokes episodes down the line, character development feels consistent and three-dimensional, and no recurring character comes off as just existing to provide a couple of funny moments.
The format of the show would work great just with self-contained situations, but it always ups the ante and has the most consistency and detail in its development that I've seen in a long, long time. From BoJack's growing existential dread to Todd coming to terms with his asexuality, the show throws hints and nudges forward constantly. It builds things up, fakes them out, but then picks them up again later. BoJack's quest to become a better person falters and backslides, yet it never feels like 'the status quo' is being preserved. If anything, it's being elaborately deconstructed; though BoJack doesn't become better, the consequences for his refusal to change grow in magnitude, from mildly pissing people off to directly causing the death of the only person he thinks he's capable of truly loving.
On top of this, it's fucking hilarious. I'm focusing a lot on the cerebral aspects of the show and the depth, but it's really funny, from animal-related gags in the background to the fantastic conversational tones and jokes.
I could have had just about any plot point spoiled for me, but I still would have enjoyed it just as much because of how well everything is foreshadowed. Season three really ups the ante in terms of cliffhangers, with Sarah Lynn dead, Mr. Peanutbutter running for governor, and BoJack nearly offing himself before seeing all of the running wild horses that inspire him.
I'm incredibly excited for season 4, and I'm kind of glad I got into the show late so I'm not having to wait as long.
Anyways:
The first couple of episodes were moderately funny, but didn't quite grip me. But once the groundwork was laid on the main cast, it just started rolling, gaining momentum, and never stopped.
What the show does with the 'thirty minute sitcom' format is fantastic. It keeps the idea of quick gags and throwaways...but it doesn't actually throw anything away. One-off remarks become great brick jokes episodes down the line, character development feels consistent and three-dimensional, and no recurring character comes off as just existing to provide a couple of funny moments.
The format of the show would work great just with self-contained situations, but it always ups the ante and has the most consistency and detail in its development that I've seen in a long, long time. From BoJack's growing existential dread to Todd coming to terms with his asexuality, the show throws hints and nudges forward constantly. It builds things up, fakes them out, but then picks them up again later. BoJack's quest to become a better person falters and backslides, yet it never feels like 'the status quo' is being preserved. If anything, it's being elaborately deconstructed; though BoJack doesn't become better, the consequences for his refusal to change grow in magnitude, from mildly pissing people off to directly causing the death of the only person he thinks he's capable of truly loving.
On top of this, it's fucking hilarious. I'm focusing a lot on the cerebral aspects of the show and the depth, but it's really funny, from animal-related gags in the background to the fantastic conversational tones and jokes.
I could have had just about any plot point spoiled for me, but I still would have enjoyed it just as much because of how well everything is foreshadowed. Season three really ups the ante in terms of cliffhangers, with Sarah Lynn dead, Mr. Peanutbutter running for governor, and BoJack nearly offing himself before seeing all of the running wild horses that inspire him.
I'm incredibly excited for season 4, and I'm kind of glad I got into the show late so I'm not having to wait as long.
Anyways: