Summary: In a flashback, BoJack goes to Sarah Lynn to get her as a guest star on his show. She is initially happy to see him, but sours when she realizes why she is there. In the present, BoJack attends Sarah Lynn's funeral. Diane comes to see him and he opens up about his pain. BoJack decides to do Ethan Around to move on. But upon seeing Sarah Lynn in one of the new child stars, he leaves and tries to get as far away as he can. A spaghetti-related emergency happens as spaghetti threatens to destroy Pacific Ocean City, so Mr. Peanutbutter saves everyone with his spaghetti strainers. Katrina comes to meet him, giving him a chance to be governor. Diane gets a new job writing a blog. Princess Carolyn opens up her agency again, this time as a manager. Todd gets the buyout from Cabracadabra but tips it all to a waitress. He comes to terms with the fact that he may be asexual.
The Good: These season finales are typically lighter in nature with more hope in them, especially after the penultimate episode's are usually the most depressing episodes of the season. This episode takes a similar approach, but it is unable to fully escape from the negativity that has taken over BoJack's life. He failed Sarah Lynn, he's responsible for her death, and he knows it. That leaves BoJack in a dark place for this season finale as he struggles to move on after what he has done. The flashback sets up the tone of his story perfectly as we reflect on another instance where BoJack failed to be there for Sarah Lynn at a time when she had nobody to help her. He always only entered her life when it suited him. Now he has to live with that. BoJack attempts to move on by doing the Ethan Around show, a way to atone by actually being there for another one of his co-stars, and it seemed to be working for a while. He connects with Ethan and has positive interactions with Chloe, the new child star. But memories come back to haunt BoJack, and the fear of ruining another innocent's life is too much for him to carry so he runs away. The final scene of the season beautifully explores the darkness currently in BoJack's heart and magnificently spins it in an almost hopeful light, capping off with a beautiful sequence (see: Best Moment). The rest of the episode takes a much lighter tone as every other character is moving on to hopeful new chapters in their lives. The purpose for all of the side characters in this episode is to set up their storylines for season 4, and this is done effectively. Diane reconnects with BoJack in what was a superb scene. They both cut to each other's hearts with their words, but unlike the hostility in "It's You", this time it is a casual understanding of each other and respect for their friendship. It's really sweet. Diane seems to be moving back into her activism, and she does so by joining GirlCrush, helmed by the hilariously contradictory Stefani ("I'm sorry but I won't apologize for it"). Diane seemingly got the job by saying that she would write a blog about Mr. Peanutbutter if she had the choice, which could be bad for their marriage going forwards, setting up an interesting conflict to hook us for season 4 (see: The Unknown). Mr. Peanutbutter on the other hand becomes a bonafide hero (more on that later) and is no swarming with opportunities, including a lucrative offer to become the governor of California. I'm sure that will be an entertaining story. It's amusing how Mr. Peanutbutter's naivety is what helps propel Princess Carolyn back into her old job... or sorry her "new" job as a manager (I love how the show pokes fun at how managers and agents are practically the same). Lastly, I come to Todd who has branched off on his own finally. His conclusion here was sweet as he gets closure with Emily and accepts the fact that he is asexual, and that it's okay for him to be asexual. You don't often see asexual characters in TV shows, so I really appreciate the decision to give Todd this extra depth, which may allow for some very unique storytelling in the future. I was also highly amused by Todd tipping 8 million dollars to the waitress, which is typical of him and a funny way to end off his story for the season. Then we get to THAT sequence of the episode, you know the one I'm talking about. Finally, the spaghetti strainers have paid off and I couldn't have asked for a better or funnier pay-off than what we got. I was amazed at how every loose thread that was set up this season came back to create one of the most hilariously absurd and out-of-this-world situations, and it fit so well with the world in this show. In this whole sequence, the show managed to integrate Margo Martindale stealing BoJack's boat, Sandro starting his own restaurant as an Italian stereotype, the mirror ads for Secretariat, the existence of an underwater city, the Cabracabra business, and the presence of those spaghetti strainers in the most perfect way, creating such a hilariously specific situation that was a joy to behold. Even better was Mr. Peanutbutter being at a movie theatre during the day and almost missing out on his opportunity. This whole sequence is filled with these hilarious pointed jabs at the absurd specificity of the situation, and the comedy is fantastic. This was probably the hardest I've laughed at the show so far. The final shot of Mr. Peanutbutter rolling up to the beach Mad Max-style was a perfect capper to this joke that has been an entire season in the making. The writers get a round of applause for this one; the joke took tons of effort to make happen and it was executed to perfection. The Bad: I suppose the tone can be jarring in this episode. Having the bleak, depressing scenes with BoJack mixed in with one of the single funniest sequences in the show results in the tone feeling extremely uneven. To go from such intense melancholy to laughing until our sides hurt makes the episode feel unfocused in its message. I understand that it is intentional and that there likely was no better way to execute this episode, but it undeniably feels weird and prevents the episode from hitting both the comedic and dramatic highs that it otherwise could have hit. The Unknown: Will Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter get into conflict with Diane's new job combined with Mr. Peanutbutter running for governor? I can't imagine this going well. Will Princess Carolyn returning to her old job affect her relationship with Ralph? It would be a shame because they seem very happy together. Where is BoJack going at the end of the episode? Is he just driving as far away as possible, or does he have a destination in mind? Who was the horse girl calling for BoJack? Is this a long-lost daughter? Best Moment: That final scene was a thing of beauty. Driving aimlessly away from LA, BoJack seems almost suicidal in his actions. He lets his car go and speeds off into the distance, which reads to me as a cry for help, a desperate attempt to give up control over his life because control has gotten him nowhere of note so far. But at his lowest moment, BoJack sees one final sign of inspiration as he sees a herd of racehorses running through the desert, evoking powerful memories of Secretariat and the running man from season 2. The scene is wordless, but the look of realization on BoJack's face tells us that this small moment he is witnessing is that little flicker of hope that he needs to continue living his life. This, combined with the swelling music makes for an evocative image to end the season, perfectly capturing both the despair and the faintest of hopes that has dominated BoJack's story in this season. Powerful stuff. Character of the Episode: Mr. Peanutbutter. Conclusion: While a bit problematic tonally, "That Went Well" is a fantastic season finale that concludes the season's story perfectly with a healthy mix of comedy and harrowing storytelling. This season finale sets up season 4 neatly, but it also provides an emotional conclusion stronger than any of the previous season finales. Season 3 was another excellent season to follow up season 2, and I think I like it just a little bit more than season 2. The season started off a bit rocky with little story momentum and some underwhelming episodes, but this final stretch of episodes was outright outstanding. Every episode hit like a truck, and seeing everything fall apart for BoJack was perhaps the most depressing, devastating, and memorable that the show has been so far. Add on an exceptional episode in "Fish Out of Water" and this season more than lived up to my expectations, and it feels even stronger after finishing it now that we can see where everything was leading up to. BoJack has hit rock bottom now, and I'm curious to see if season 4 can do something fresh with the character. I'm uncertain that seeing BoJack fall further and further each season will make for compelling television, but if handled correctly, I'm sure that this show can craft a good story for him. We're a long way out from the roughness of season 1, and "BoJack Horseman" has more than hit its stride. Season 3 was a great season that was confident in its style and storytelling, hitting enormous highs. Score: 71
2 Comments
Joe Y
3/19/2023 07:00:39 pm
Great job with the S3 reviews, Aaron. I would add my ratings....but they're so similar to yours it'd be a bit of a waste of time! I guess the only real difference is that "Fish Out of Water" would definitely clear a 90 for me--it's my personal favorite episode of the show. Not only tells such an engaging story, but really makes use of the animated medium to its fullest potential. "Fish Out of Water" just couldn't happen in a live action show. Sometimes it can seem like Bojack consists of two shows arbitrarily stuck together--a fun, whacky show with tons of animal puns and that of a broken, depressed, washed up tv star--but "Fish Out of Water" blends the two seamlessly. "Time's Arrow" and "The View From Halfway Down" are also pushing 90 for me, but I think it has to take the prize for me.
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Aaronic
3/20/2023 09:00:54 am
Thank you Joe! "Fish Out of Water" is a respectable choice for your favourite episode, and it's my most watched episode of the series by some distance, though not quite my favourite. Great insight on the climaxes to each season. I agree that it doesn't yet feel repetitive and I thoroughly enjoyed the final few episodes of seasons 1-3. I'll stay quiet on my thoughts on season 5 for now, I know I will have a lot to say about that season.
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Aaron DhillonJust a university student who loves to watch TV. And analyze it way too much. Archives
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