How BoJack Horseman Subverts Narrative

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MUSIC
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"Building Thoughts" by Dexter Britain
"The Time to Run (Finale)" by Dexter Britain
"What If" by Joachim Heinrich
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[@therealverdikt]

I love how the video is still relevant to the last two seasons that were done after this video.

[@3dg3Z]

It is more relevant than ever! The show ended on the idea that life goes on, that there is no real closure.

[@CuntyMcCuntface-ug5gt]

Bojack Horseman is over and everything is worse now

[@TrangThu-hb9iy]

I mistakenly read this as “this video is still relevant to the two seconds after this video were done” - somehow - and agreed with it 💀. I recognized the philosophy while watching the show, and still I don’t know how to be happy and stop looking for closure, or an easy fix that would make everything better. Well fingers crossed for self discipline.

[@xravenexe]

THERE LITREALLY IS NO ENDING. (bojacks life is still going on, like they could’ve ended it at the view from halfway down but they didn’t because they didn’t want us to have closure or a sense of “the end”)

[@NervylHraje]

@@xravenexe It's less about us not having closure and more about Bojack not having closure. There's no easy way out for him, he now has to live with who he has become and what he did.

[@memicoot]

"Listen, people love Ricky & Morty, and I'm gonna let them finish, but Bojack Horseman is the best animated show of all time"

[@P3dotme]

Ping Pong is better.

[@MisterDillPickle]

P3dotme Didn't expect a Ping Pong reference here lol Both are great, but personally I find Bojack a little more relatable.

[@palmeristo]

memicoot in your opinion.

[@palmeristo]

@Joe Dick doesn't that go for every single thing ever written? Lol everything has already been done so all we have left is clichés. Which is enough if you enjoy the characters.

[@palmeristo]

@Joe Dick that's impossible, ever heard of "the good guys always win" clichés. It's probably why game of thrones is so good because everyone dies in that lol

[@TheSweBoo]

BoJack portrats mental health and illness better than 13 Reasons Why

[@mynameismrsnrub]

it explains what its like and how to improve upon it instead of glorifying it

[@ethanbrock5453]

PlexyPanda Well 13 reasons why is a horribly written shit fest so it makes sense

[@ikindoflikemangoes4951]

I wouldn’t compare the two,Bojack horseman seems to have a lot of effort and thought put into the characters and the story,the characters in 13 reasons why just exist to have mental illnesses.

[@nigelvevo4594]

Mr. Snrub by far

[@thatguyglenn7558]

PlexyPanda that’s not really a good comparison

[@VPS_Games]

"I don't think I believe in 'deep down.' I kind of think all you are is the things that you do." This might be one of the most brilliant lines I've ever heard in television history. I've come back to this line over and over again for years ever since I saw that episode. One of the truest pieces of wisdom ever put on screen.

[@cosmicT02]

No, it's a terrible line lmao

[@claystauffer2320]

@@cosmicT02 incorrect

[@humandog3240]

It reminds me of Rachel's quote from Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, "It's not who you are on the inside, but what you do that defines you." or something like that.

[@trees____383]

@@cosmicT02 i think it’s a pretty good line. i mean deep down we could all be good people but why would that matter if you’re doing shitty things? no one knows your “deep down” so that quote really resonates. your “deep down” only matters if you bring it to the surface, meaning it’s no longer who you are deep down.

[@LustandRoses]

My favorite is “life a bitch and then you keep on living”

[@tennesseejermyn7705]

The episode where you hear Bojack's inner thoughts (S4) was incredible to watch. Never seen a show tackle depression in such a blunt way. But it's so spot on. Great vid too man.

[@schodes]

Yea, totally agree. While the show separates itself from others in many ways, it's the "experimental" episodes (the silent episode, the inner thoughts episode, the dementia episode) that really make it a show for the ages.

[@ephex3094]

Henners "Stupid piece of shit"

[@98loud]

+Will Schoder Can we talk about the episode where SPOILERS Princess Caroline imagines her daughter in the future talking about her but it's not revealed until the end that it's her imagination. That actually caught me off guard

[@schodes]

Yea, that episode actually fits really well into the framework of this video. It rides the middle ground between "stories comfort us and they're important" with "well, does the story she tells herself really do anything?" She has a great quote in one episode where she talks about how she got into the business because she loved stories, but that people have to be careful because if you spend to much time with stories, you start to believe life is like that. The show is always balancing this sort of "escapism is good, but it's also bad, and potentially poisonous." If we indeed think of our lives as a story, then it is essential we play with our own narrative realistically rather than through the lens of Hollywood.

[@ImOutsideTheBox]

Although Bojack is depressed, the piece of shit episode is more accurately portraying anxiety.

[@meepheart35]

I think Todd portrays a good example of being responsible of your own happiness and not trying to control your experience to match what you expect it to be. He’s not exactly trying to find a purpose in life yet he continues with the things in his life and trying to make them work, whether they make him happy or not. He always try’s his best and is very aware that life isn’t perfect but he makes the best of it.

[@artsylovelylady]

The use of animal characters makes the seriousness of some of the themes and how they are handled more palatable.

[@baseballpimp1910]

Yeah the show would be too depressing and feel too real if it was live action. Even then you find yourself relating to a talking horse in some ways 😂

[@Sinewmire]

Yeah, just like Todd and Mr Peanutbutter's wacky adventures give us light relief.

[@CowpokeReno]

I rewatch the entire series every time I feel really depressed and shitty. It gives me comfort and tells me that it's okay. Everything is shitty but it's okay. If there's one thing I took from it it's to make the ups as best as they can be so the downs aren't so bad.

[@ravenknight4876]

Ironic, how season 5 explicitly targeted this particular attitude and basically says that it is NOT okay.

[@millkybee7929]

Raven Knight Season 5 talked about how bad people use media as a way to make themselves feel like good people. It gives them a way to forgive themselves without actually bettering themselves. OP was just saying that the show reminds them that being depressed is okay, because as long as you make an effort to see the good in bad situations, the bad situations will seem less bad.

[@ryanp9458]

@@ravenknight4876 this show literally calls itself out and that's why I love it

[@bittersweet4487]

When I watch Bojack, I actually tend to feel shitty. I relate more with Bojack than I'd like and it makes me feel like I'm a bad person. Like no matter what I accomplish, I'll never be happy with it so why even try? But the writing is so good, I keep wanting to watch it anyways

[@spinusebastian8538]

I feel the same way about Inside Llewyn Davis. When i feel bad i watch one of this.

[@afragilebird6209]

I love that Todd was given an ace card

[@schodes]

Dawn Fray :)

[@megamage911]

What I love even more about that specific thing is how well they handle it. Asexuals aren't exactly common, not in real life, and certainly not in media, so I'm impressed with how well it was done here. He never feels like a stereotype, they could have very easily made him be very anti-sex in general, but instead we're with him on this journey of selfdiscovery, as he finds out it's not bad to be how he is, it's just different. And they never made it seem like it was a bad thing either, Todd himself is just kinda confused about it, to the point that in the beginning after figuring this out, he doesn't even want to call himself asexual, but after a bit he does start to accept it.

[@sadgiraffe1914]

@Kefka Palazzo I didn't even feel like it was focusing on the fact that he was asexual, it was just focusing on self discovery. We're all weird in some way. Other people have ambitions that we don't have. And maybe that can be a good thing for us. Not chasing after sex and money is probably what gave him time to start up so many projects and businesses.

[@101jir]

He was given the genetics card...

[@tigerguy529]

I like to think of it as a bit of satire on the trope of the goofy sexless side kick. That character that is purely comic relief and so shows no interest in romantic relationships. the show is kind of saying "yeah, if a character like that ever existed in real life, they would probably be asexual"

[@FreakinSweet1987]

A deep dive into the inner workings of BoJack Horseman? That's TOO much, man!

[@Maxwell-yf9xn]

FreakinSweet1987 What is this, a crossover episode?

[@theprisoner3]

Shut up, Todd!

[@jeffreyastudillo8851]

Salutations! Crap, that's English.

[@checkpleasegetthereference9583]

I want to be an architect

[@ti2218]

"Who do you guys think is gonna die next?" *Everyone but Sarah Lynn points to Bojack*

[@VeganRevolution]

This actually really helped me understand myself better even though I've never seen the show.

[@yidavv]

It is a really good show. The first episodes sometimes put people off and they don't watch the rest of it, but trust me, it is really good. I highly recommend it. It's on Netflix if you want to check it out.

[@schodes]

Glad to hear that VeganRev!

[@carlycrays2831]

Yeah, this show is a bit much at times, but ultimately, it's a great show for those of us in need of some self-reflection and some assurance that we are not alone in our suffering.

[@matvright5666]

VeganRevolution I see you on all the vegan channels, I'm also glad you watch other videos 😉 🌱

[@latenightcashews]

Carly Crays well put

[@RedVelvetUnderground333]

Bojack ended up being better than Rick and Morty

[@RashidTheMC]

Pdrew Give it time. The shows are still going

[@kaylaisnothere4397]

I don't really think it's a great debate. Bojack is a very creative, down-to-earth, and realistic show, where Rick and Morty is an outlandish and unique series about science fiction. I don't think it's a fair comparison. Both shows have similar characters and both have their great emotional moments, but in the grand scheme of it both shows work on their own formulas and work astoundingly well.

[@vivena9]

R&M is Futurama for the teenagers/people in their early 20's today with all of the edginess and none of the heart Futurama had.

[@f.f5771]

Pdrew Ik but I think it’s the fan base difference

[@yael8754]

You know what? Yes.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

I love this resurgence of what is basically 2000 year old philosophy, really proves the point about there being no closure I guess. Anyways, another fantastic video Will, keep it up!

[@schodes]

Tom, you're the best. Also, i laughed out loud reading the idea that there's no closure after 2000 years... so true.

[@patximartel]

And not so old. BoJack Horseman has also traces of Albert Camus Philosophy and absurdism

[@devoicedmusic]

this is also why I like the work of David Lynch a lot. There is never an explanation or closure. It's just a confusing mess of events that you are left to make sense of or not. So like life at least how I experience it.

[@hariman7727]

Some of the best endings are the ones summed up as "we dealt with the crisis, and life went on".

[@aleji0]

@@patximartel I read The Plague, then The Stranger this summer, then I started BoJack two weeks ago. Not by design.. or?

[@phantomstrider]

This really hit me deep. Beautifully said and summarised. This summarised Bojack not on a positive note but a content note. And I really appreciate that.

[@purpleblah2]

This... made me feel better about my depression. That I shouldn't struggle, fight and breathlessly wait for it end but rather accept it and move on. Also, I think most characters in Bojack Horseman are drawn to the allure of stories. Bojack often watches Horsin' Around reruns, not just to narcissistically preen, but nostalgically while drinking with people like Diane or Sarah-Lynn. The show represents an idealized version of reality to many people, where everything is happy and resolved in 22 minutes. Even people who have peeled back the curtain ("Bradley had a boner that whole episode!"), like Sarah-Lynn or Bojack get drawn back in. Season 4 especially focused on the drowsying effect of narrative, like Princess Caroline's "great granddaughter" story coping method, culminating in the script pitch speech by the writer of Philbert ("This is a *story* about a man...").

[@ToLameLand]

Hahahahahaha Chairman Meow

[@paperchasindude6578]

Same here

[@IshidaSado]

I loved the "Ruthie" episode sooo much 😭😭😭 This show kept me anxious and crying! I've never felt so personally connected to so many characters in a single piece of media before!

[@LikeTheBuffalo]

Its not Ibsen, sure. But - look, for a lot people life is just one long, hard kick in the urethra. And sometimes when you get home from a long day of getting kicked in the urethra you just want to watch a show about good, likable people who love each other. Where, y'know, no matter what happens, at the end of 30 minutes, everything's going to turn out okay. Y'know because in real life - did I already say the thing about the urethra?

[@caseymcsherry4985]

Woof. This was like a whole therapy session. Im all about it

[@bhaveshdk]

I think Bojack is a very sensitive kid born to highly shitty parents...for surviving he had to de-sensitize his soul...but...now he is burning eternally with depression n nt able to feel anything completely... happiness or otherwise...so his inability to feel closure on any emotion is feeding his depression in loop!!! N that's a fcuked up situation

[@Jason-pk9wu]

Bhavesh Khuman yes. That’s it .

[@YusefOtesh8880]

It's called CPTSD

[@remyhavoc4463]

Yeah It's not that he wanted to be insensitive and narcissistic all the time but he kind of got used to it because he thought that's what he needed to do to survive

[@Asgard314]

Bless you and everyone that analyzes Bojack Horseman. This is so well done; summarizing everything that makes this show so strong and interesting. These characters, because of the serial format, feel almost real. Like every time a new season drops we get to catch up with some good friends for a few hours. It fulfills that sitcom feeling while maintaining a bittersweet realism

[@schodes]

Thanks Asgard, I'm glad you enjoyed the video so much. It's funny that a show about a cartoon horse can be so real to life.

[@ruminas4136]

This show is actually so helpful to me in everyday life. Like it doesn’t come off as the typical show to inspire you or to calm you down but what’s so amazing about it is that as you said it doesn’t try to sugarcoat things and it ends up being very realistic and it can still be kinda hopeful. I get annoyed when people say that this show is funny but really depressing and that it’s very upsetting. I mean sure it’s a very dark show and it has many dark moments in it cuz it’s a show about people with a lot of problems in it but there’s definitely a hopeful message in there. Thank you so much for this! I really didn’t think I would find such a beautiful and thought provoking show on netflix about a horse named Bojack lmao

[@icecreamhero2375]

In a way I kinda knew all of this already since I'm not materalistic. Real life is random the best you can do is be kind to others no matter what.

[@CoffeeBreaks]

As always, a well thought out, great video. I watch plenty of video essays, and yours have a unique style that really lends value to my understanding of whatever you're discussing. I might have to give Bojack another shot. good stuff Will.

[@4thgradedropout980]

Coffee Break My thoughts as well.

[@schodes]

Thanks Stephen. I appreciate the comment. The show is so confrontational to the point that it's a hard sell. I ended up becoming interested in it not because of it's jokes (although it is extremely funny), but because of its dedication to character arcs/development. I am a softie for character driven dramedies. Anyways, thanks for the comment. Enjoyed your corporate jargon video, especially the mental juke w/ Enron ;).

[@TyrannicalSimmo]

The show really is underrated. It’s a kin to Rick and Morty. A cartoon that really taps into the anxieties of our world.

[@aloe.0v0]

You gotta push through the first 8 episodes before the beauty of the characters and their arcs start to resonate in every cell of your body. You'll get hooked.

[@lukastonneman7151]

Will schoder and coffee break in the same comment section! Is this a crossover episode?

[@Hotpink51]

God the "you have to earn forgiveness" bit of this video feels so validating to hear. It made me think of my ex because he would do/say all these shitty/thoughtless things, then apologize and continue the cycle all over again. And when I would tell him "your apologies mean nothing if the behavior continues", he always made me feel like I was crazy or being too hard on him. I introduced this show to him and I stg every message he could've applied to his life went directly over his head...

[@benaaronmusic]

Life is a ride. Filled with thrills and chills and ups and downs.

[@schodes]

Ben Aaron Listen to the people who have been on the ride for a long time ;). I see you've been watching some Hicks.

[@benaaronmusic]

:) Yes, sir. I've got a few Bill Hicks albums. Love the channel, Will.

[@Nr4747]

Like the wise ancient greek philosopher Snoop Doggy Dogg once said: "There will be ups and downs, smiles and frowns."

[@Rctdcttecededtef]

chase the thrills and chills...everday.

[@ainslie187]

I don't care how long the gaps are between your videos because they are of such high quality. I'll take quality over quantity any day, if you only make two videos a year I will stay subscribed. Keep it up man!

[@schodes]

Thanks ainslie! I appreciate that -- quality over quantity always. Thanks for the comment.

[@friedchicken1]

4:27 "you are all the things that are wrong with you" best line ever for at least a month

[@mar-wr4io]

I had to write a case study for ap psych on a fictional character and chose Bojack for MDD

[@schodes]

Hey everyone, thanks for being patient! As some of you know, I was off the grid for a while and I also broke my hand, so I couldn't write or edit for most of the summer. More episodes coming soon. Much love, Will

[@joshcameron7529]

Will Schoder your videos are worth the wait

[@lemurlicker1846]

Congrats on one year. The quality of your vids are great

[@remingtonsloan8331]

Glad you're back! I presume your hand has healed. Wish you the best!

[@nastouvalou]

tank you so much for this video !

[@Nik-Dybdahl]

I truly love your work, thank you so much for sharing it.

[@floga10]

The View from Halfway Down is one of 3 episodes in television history to get a 10/10 on IMdB

[@jerryhayes9497]

What are the other 2? I'm going to guess one was OZYMANDIAS

[@floga10]

@@jerryhayes9497 yea it might’ve changed since then but I remember it was Hero from Attack On Titan

[@floga10]

@@jerryhayes9497 and yea ozymandias

[@jerryhayes9497]

@@floga10 ok thanks!

[@jayviescas7703]

It's good to hear things put in a gentle way when the reality is "harsh". Thank you. I'm also tired of everyone including myself feeling that we always have to "be-the-good-guy" or "bad-guy." Our first and only priority is BE HUMAN.

[@daniel_netzel]

Well, now I need to watch this show, because not watching the new Will Schoder video is definitely going to give me some sort of terrible withdrawal.

[@hiothezebra]

Watch it anyway, spoilers are overrated.

[@schodes]

Daniel, you NEED to give this show a shot. Please send me a message after you watch it and we'll chat

[@schodes]

Learning the spoilers of BoJack aren't as bad as learning spoilers of say The Wire or BB. I agree on this one. Still better to see the show clean slate.

[@daniel_netzel]

I will definitely do that! As soon as I'm done with the new season of Stranger Things :D

[@ephex3094]

Film Radar just be prepared for the first half of season 1 to not be as strong

[@Hakajin]

Honestly, I think the whole notion of good and bad people is harmful. Because... Well, first off, if you're thinking of yourself as a bad person, you've already set yourself up for failure, you've already got it in your head that you're flawed and can't do better. That definitely has an effect upon future actions. It's much better to think about the effects of individual actions, how everything we do matters. And it has such an effect on how we treat others. If someone's a bad person, then they're someone completely different from us. We assume that we could never make the same mistakes, and we feel that they don't deserve our understanding or help. And when you write someone off like that, instead of being patient and trying to point them in the right direction, if you treat them like you expect them to screw up, well, what do you expect to happen? And that matters not just to them, but also the people they hurt. I mean, you can't change people, and sometimes you have to cut someone off out of self-preservation, but... There's no evil in compassion and understanding, regardless. Coming from a Compatibilist and Consequentialist viewpoint, everyone has reasons for the way they are, and all of our actions come out of our desires and insecurities. I think it's very easy to view Bojack Horseman through this lens, because, while all the characters do selfish things... For me, it's always sympathetic, because I can see exactly what they're going through. I want them to better not only for the people around them, but for themselves. As for this idea that happiness is a goal... that's a relatively new philosophy. The ancient Greeks very much tended to view life as a series of ups and downs. In Hinduism, life is suffering, and there's something similar going on in Buddhism (I mean, I know there are all kinds of different sects, but generally speaking). And then the Puritans believed that we shouldn't be distracted by Earthly pleasures, and should instead wait for our reward from God (seems funny to me how Christianity got to an ascetism similar to that of Buddhism, despite being so radically different). I dunno, though; while I don't believe life is ever going to be just happy all the time, I think certain things can greatly improve the quality of your life. Being with a partner who you really love, for example. I know, things happen, you lose people... But I mean, I think that person is a source of warmth and support while you have them, and it makes the hard things in life more bearable. And if you're separated, the memories you have of them can still give you strength. That kind of thing, even if it's not objectively true, I think believing in it can make it true for you. You know? I think of myself as a happy person in general... I mean, I have an anxiety disorder, and yeah, I've been through some downright hellish cycles, as well as periods in my life where things weren't so great. I've been through a lot of shit, let me tell you, so much so that I jokingly refer to it as my "tragic backstory." I think people are surprised sometimes with how fine I am. But my secret is this-- I love myself; I feel at home within myself, and I enjoy my own company. Which is not to say that I'm unaware of my own flaws; I'm actually neurotically self-aware, and I have a strong guilt reflex, sometimes even when I know it's unwarranted. But I think that with people who can't admit their own flaws, the problem is that they can't accept their own flaws. With me, I sympathize with my own motivations and insecurities. And I think that's where my sympathy for characters like Bojack, as well as for real people, comes from. Because I have an understanding that they're not so different from me, so how can I have sympathy for myself and not them? It does make it easier to forgive people. And... Yeah, I just enjoy a lot of little things in life. Like, the world around me, the music and shows I love, talking to people, good food... There are definitely certain things I want out of life that I haven't found yet, but... Well, I'm still happy in the meantime.

[@schodes]

Your comment is thoughtful and on point, and what I appreciate most is that it's personable. No formalities. I don't really think this requires a response because I agree with you. Thanks for sharing my friend.

[@Hakajin]

Oh, thanks for reading! I have a habit of leaving long, rambling responses, and it's good to know I'm not just talking to myself. Really enjoyed your video, by the way!

[@tiffanyjasmine814]

Really needed to read this thank you for sharing!

[@popeyespizza330]

I Know it’s been 3 years but you made so many good points that really make me think!

[@inanna8782]

Thank you. As someone who has major depressive disorder and loves this show to death, this video honestly inspired me. The way you weave this language and manipulate thought itself is invigorating. You've gained a sub.

[@deadpool630]

I wouldn’t say It’s Always Sunny has closure. The Gang has only the narcissistic illusion of closure, only they believe things are wrapped up in a bow. The world, however, remembers.

[@matthewfortuna4464]

deadpool630 the video didn’t say sunny has closure 🤷🏼‍♂️. It says it has the sitcom fake closure

[@gypsywoman9140]

Bojack seems to suffer not simply from depression, but also Borderline Personality Disorder. It's never been openly said, but he fits the bill.

[@aliahc8595]

He most definitely does which is probably why I relate to him so much. I recognize all the signs and am like.... “Bojack, I need you to get a win so I feel I can get one. Ok my friend? Ok." 😆

[@thenoodledrop]

Closure: Always Sunny in Philadelphia you uh, you haven’t watched much Sunny have you

[@matthewfortuna4464]

spando dongdee the video didn’t say there is closure in sunny it insinuated there isn’t closure in sunny, which there isn’t

[@RobbyBobbyBoy]

I watch so much Bojack because I see myself in him. And the more I watched the show the more I realized that wasn't a good thing

[@bjay8295]

2019 bojack is really different, and you can't say you totally understand the whole show, and im waiting for the 2nd part of it's last season, and thinking that this thing that changed my life is coming to an end. It's sad to admit but everything needs and ending, either you like it or not.

[@joaoassumpcao3347]

I really like the direction they went in. It required him to come to his lowest possible in order to start getting better, and even when he is clearly going in the right direction the show is not about to let him off the hook yet

[@emilyleung7511]

In season 5 Bojack says “All I learned about being good I learned from TV”

[@jaynajuly2140]

I love how the final episode ISN'T his dramatic dying dream filled with heavy philosophy but instead a wedding reception hanging out with a few close friends.

[@MatuAndrade]

Thanks for this video. I finished BoJack a few weeks ago and I’m still processings everything because the show really touch me in a way that very few cultural production have touched me. Greetings from Mexico City.

[@hayescashman3809]

this video really changed my outlook on life and my actions. seriously, thank you for making this

[@AtomicGT55]

This is the first video i've watched of yours and I gotta say, of all the BH video essays on youtube this one is probably the best. You clearly have a very deep understanding of the show. Really looking forward at seeing what else this channel has to offer

[@schodes]

AtomicGT55 Thanks! And welcome to the channel.

[@ferouihamza]

your analysis was 100% correct this video kinda predicted the final episode,no closure just moments in time

[@Jaguarkralle1]

I actually watched the first few episodes but wasn't really intrigued by it and motivated to continue, but I've come to realize that Bojack and me might be more alike than I'd want to admit. So I think I'll give this show another chance, thank you and keep up the great work, Will!

[@nyquilp]

Moody Jerk the first season has a slow start. But it gets better

[@schodes]

Yea, I was the same way, but I kind of forced myself to keep watching it. It's a hard sell to be sure. I ended up realizing I really liked it. Thanks for you comment, and I hope you enjoy watching the rest of the show -- fingers crossed!

[@ToxycBanana]

The show had to be a lot like family guy starting out to garner any sort of following, as any normal viewer would have no desire to be depressed by a sitcom style tv show with a horsehead main character, but once you brush past the beginning drivel and get to the episode titled “The Telescope,” the show really solidifies into what it wanted to be and stays that way till the present

[@victoriadaniels4831]

get passed the first season you won’t regret it

[@NewYearsMixDDS2012]

First season was ok. From the start of the finale of season 1 and on it’s the best show on TV

[@sunnyray4065]

The amazing episode with the intrusive thoughts made me feel like I wasn't alone and that mental health was portrayed so accurately.

[@lemoncake011]

Holy Crap this is the only thing that has been able to pull me out of Stranger Things 2. So glad to have you back man

[@schodes]

That's flattering god damn. Thanks for valuing my channel so highly. What'd you think of this season?

[@gabi0m87]

At a moment in my life where everything has gone down to shit I came across bojack... it scared me how I can relate to him.... I’ve watched all the seasons back to back, later on came across this video. Thank you for making this video. You seem to have an amazing way to break down and explain everything so well and make me feel not so lost n broken as I have been... I’ll be watching more of your videos thank you again this has helped me in ways I didn’t think it could.

[@doughnutdaze8789]

Hey ik u wont see this but this video helped me understand a bit more . Im only 17 and im misrable with my life thinking i need to be happy . I want things to make me happy . Which causes me to have a pornographic addiction along with not wanting to do anything else . Ik i want things but not that responsibility . I wanted them to fall in my hands . Ive been slowly realising i gotta put in effort through experiencing life . Your analogy and analysis helped me understand things that i didnt . Thank you I really think u should be able to do well on youtubr

[@AcolytesOfHorror]

This video has finally made me happy. My life has found closure at last.

[@stephenlouis3908]

Oh man, did season 5 really complicate things lol

[@youknowwhoiam2771]

Stephen Louis how so?

[@joaoassumpcao3347]

Let alone that episode 8 of season 6 lol

[@Ninkira]

I love this show but have a hard time explaining why aside from just saying the generic "it's so real!" Thank you so much for this fantastic video essay that not only analyzed what I already knew about Bojack Horseman but for pointing out huge themes that I didn't consciously realize were happening! Particularly since these themes and lessons are things I really need to hear right now. Definitely going to check out your other videos, subscribe, and hopefully be a Pateron sooner than later!

[@BritOfADrag]

I don't know why but I think I almost had a break down in the episodes around when Bojack spends a whole episode trying to bring a baby seahorse back to its mum. That was one of the saddest episodes for me.

[@Anon-tq9gm]

Can’t stop coming back to this video, more so now especially when the show has ended

[@florianklar6100]

Hey Will, I just want to thank you for making this video. I found this during a very shitty time of my life where I was in a constant spiral of depression and false expectations. Just like BoJack, I had this idea that I need something in particular in order to finally be happy and that thing just doesn't exist. This video helped me understand the most important message in BoJack Horseman and understanding this message seriously and genuinely changed my outlook on life. It made me completely re-evaluate my expectations and attitudes and it has helped me become a little happier every day. Thank you for that.

[@xMissMushx]

This video is amazing, you have a really good way of breaking down the key narratives. I've watched Bojack twice now but gained an entirely new way of looking at it from your videos! Thank you, hope you make more Bojack content soon☺️

[@jonas6666]

this video just happened to be in my recomendations today and i'm really glad it did, it really opened my eyes to a lot of things i've been getting through and of course helped me understand better the show, awesome work

[@fruityeel]

i always have a hard time watching narrative videos like this, but i gave this one a shot and i’m actually pretty surprised?? this was so well thought out and executed, thanks for making this!!

[@ytrewq098765432]

You are so underrated

[@schodes]

Thank you! Having 80k+ subs is something I'm grateful for, and it's easy to feel the need for more, but all I really care about is an engaged audience. Again, thanks for the comment, and thanks for being a part of the growing community!

[@oof-rr5nf]

Jewbrillian Agreed!

[@thenumberIX]

this is probably why i relate to the show so much. it’s in the knowledge that life is up and down, though my take on it is cynical: i don’t want the up and down. knowing doesn’t make it easier or worth it, it just compounds the anxiety that at any moment everything will go wrong.

[@nanditasatish2297]

This was an absolutely beautiful video. Your manner of explaining is so precise and I loved how well you've delved into the very core of this show and every message it hoped to spread.

[@OneHandClap]

G.O.A.T.

[@schodes]

H.O.R.S.E.

[@renel8964]

S T A M O S

[@bigfat6962]

Evangelos

[@smb3675]

hey loved your video, is this one plagiarism?

[@OneHandClap]

haha not at all, will's always got his own take

[@chandlerwhitchurch9984]

death is closure

[@dyl4nftp]

that's depressing

[@erikkooy2804]

Except for everyone you leave behind of course, but then again, that's not your problem anymore

[@scarletnakadegawa-lee5220]

Only if you're the one dying

[@Poo260]

Holy shit are you two okay? Christ.

[@blakebluedragon]

I find it funny how earlier Diane says you're responsible for your own happiness, but then tells cuddlywhiskers that it was selfish of him.

[@grantbiteman306]

She is portrayed to be hypocritical. She constantly gives Bojack advice that she herself doesn't follow.

[@Gwardini_PL]

I come back to this vid from time to time, still learning it! Thx Will for creating such meaningfull lesson :)

[@Woshingo]

Your video is amazing, dude. Keep up the good work.

[@JacksMovieReviews]

To no surprise-another great video! I've never seen the show before but now it's on my watchlist!

[@Lomaxxx53]

Actually, prepare to confront yourself

[@schodes]

Thanks Jack! The consensus on the show is somewhat divided. Though I'm not a Rotten Tomatoes worshiper, season 1 gets a bad rating but 2 and 3 have 100% flat, and I think that's fairly accurate. This video is focused on BoJack, and he's definitely relatable, but I actually think that all the other characters are MORE relatable (for me). I haven't seen a comedy/drama so focused on character development like this one, ever. Thanks for the comment, and if you end up getting around to watching it, send me message, I'd love to discuss.

[@mr.peanutbutter6969]

Jack's Movie Reviews have you watched the show yet?

[@aohige]

Yeah, I agree. First season felt like a mediocre parody of Hollywood life, sort of a discount Birdman (the film) But then second and third season dives deep into the crux of existential crisis and chronic depression. Which elevated the series to one of the best TV series on Netflix!

[@ethanbrock5453]

Will Schoder The only reason the 1st season doesn't have a great rating on rotten tomatoes is because many reviewers only watched the first six episodes before they reviewed it. One site actually changed their reviewing policy because they said if they had reviewed the season as a whole they would have given it a better review.

[@stardestroya15]

I love this show because there are some episodes where some quote or action leaps off the screen and smacks me right in the face. Then there's an essay like yours that makes me understand why this show gives me feels and puts the entire thing into perspective. Great work, subscribed.

[@Nox568]

This brought me very close to tears. This show is just amazing and the way you broke it down was extremely well done. Kudos!!

[@Qwerty7411000]

What a phenomenal video. Great content as always!

[@schodes]

Thanks Franklin, I appreciate it.

[@josephwagner5295]

Your best piece of writing.

[@schodes]

Are you sure? I thought you didn't like any piece of writing without the words "Krispy" and "Abaniko" in it.

[@acerkele]

Excellent work.. I have seen the show so many times, and I am still astonished how you put together different pieces from different seasons to support your analysis.. well done

[@DerpieNation]

this video is ages old but i still come back to it bc your commentary. bjhm is undeniably an amazing show but your thoughts and comments on everything always sit with me

[@HarrysMovingMedia]

What an incredible video!

[@schodes]

Thanks so much!!

[@oof-rr5nf]

Harry's Moving Castle Hey, dude! Nice to see you here.

[@angelakraft5980]

Thanks for the therapy. Jesus, that was great.

[@MrChrisg7]

Thank you much for this video. It helps me a ton when I'm confused or down and you're very intelligent. Thank you for making this.

[@EctoBabble]

I have bipolar and I come to rewatch this every now and then to remember that the mania and depression (super highs and lows) are just a cycle and that I can overcome both. It helps. Was a card I was dealt, but I can take happiness into my own hands and just keep trying to make myself get through day by day. I genuinely feel like during that conversation with Cuddly Whiskers - seeing Diana contemplate, is another way they showed how SHE learned and grew while Bojack didn't. I think that's why the ending was so powerful in that very last moment.

[@ImamSyafii-st4ps]

I like your take on this show even more than the one that Wisecrack did.

[@subtleartofdisappointment5867]

I genuinely wanted Bojack to do better, and be better, but he didn’t, and he wasn’t. I’ve also struggled with depression and anxiety, and I managed to get through it with medication and therapy. I hurt people, but never to the extent he did. I know how he was struggling, very intimately. I learned many things, and even though I’m better I still struggle to live a normal life and put in effort. It’s hard to do the right thing, it’s hard to say sorry. It’s hard to take accountability because apart of depression is knowing that no one can be accountable for what you’re going through, and that feels unfair. Depression is built into your brain, it’s no one’s fault. I’m lucky I had a strong support system, and I was able to externalise being good, even when I was dying on the inside. But I made it. I know that I don’t have to apologise for things as awful as Bojack. I have to apologise for things like ruining someone’s day, even when it wasn’t my fault. Bojack Horseman is heartbreaking because it’s so true. But it’s also amazing because it’s so true. It’s definitely one of the best shows out there.

[@crod9905]

I keep coming back to this video because it's so good! Thank you for making this. It has really helped me with my writing and how I view life.

[@Boosterisanicecat]

This is probably one of my most favourite videos of all time. Amazing work. Thank you for enhancing my appreciation of the show.

[@scopestv3975]

An amazing video as usual, man. Btw are you a solo act? If so, how long does it take to edit these videos

[@schodes]

Hey Strato, thanks so much for the comment. I am a solo act. I get asked the time it takes me to make these videos a lot, so I decided to calculate for the first time on this one. It's ~350 hours. I'd say that's the average, if not below average. The video before this took me well over 500, but there was a lot more research and it was 24 minutes long. Thanks for your comment!

[@balibee91]

Will Schoder damn, that's a lot of hours. This video is amazing and I will use it to convince people to watch the show. You described what BoJack Horseman is about better than I ever could.

[@Schmidteren]

fantastic video. amazing show.

[@vellanci]

It motivates in a weird way. Usually I feel short-term instant confidence rise-up but not now. Now I feel that I'll reach my goals, but it'll take some time. Yet feeling so calm

[@warrior123400]

This video literally brought me to tears. Such a good philosophical piece and is really helpful for people like me who are going through rough times. Thanks so much.

[@Bebo18]

Woah! Great video, man.

[@schodes]

Thanks, Bebo. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@DINO-hr3wb]

Please do Cowboy Bebop. I’ve watched plenty of videos essays on it, but I still want to hear yours

[@Wh8teKn9ght]

It is your kind of videos that make me want to watch these show more and more. I love your views and though on these shows. Thank you! Keep up the good works.

[@silvermoonshineX3]

I will never get tired of watching Bojack video essays/analysis. I wish I could see all these things myself. So fucking cool ♡

[@alextrickier4613]

Sorry, quick nitpick - at 9:35, you show a bust of Epicurus instead of Epictetus. While they're both Greek philosophers, they were born about 400 years apart, on top of being pretty antithetical to each other (Epicureanism vs Stoicism). Although, it doesn't look like we have an extant sculpture of Epictetus, and for some reason people keep using the Epicurus bust on those white text on black background Epictetus quotes. Just thought you should know. Great video (as always) aside from that, though.

[@schodes]

Oh g'dangit. I can only blame myself for not double-checking that one. That bust came up like five times when I google image searched "epictetus" so I took it as ad populum. Kind of scary actually, Google is gospel. I'm all for nitpicks like this, thank you for pointing it out. And thanks for the kind words on the video.

[@DerpShroom]

I wanna reach this guy's level of seeing details and knowledge

[@pardonmyfrench4760]

@@DerpShroom don't. Because then you won't be fun at parties

[@shrimpofdeath5199]

Never expected to accept life advice from someone named Cuddlywhiskers.

[@marquizz2005]

Absolutely love this show’s breakdown!! Every time I watch it, I find something new in it!! Thank you @willschoder !!

[@matthewfortuna3443]

Thank you video creator & editor. I appreciate this video so so so very much

[@thedistinguished5255]

That is honestly really hurts to hear for someone with bojacks ideology. This year reality hit me like a truck. Although I still believe some problems have semi-permanent solutions. Like a diva cup instead of tampons. It will last longer than my life and its maintenance only requires not loosing it

[@wonderlustcoffee5517]

Sameeee

[@AndHoldTheMayo]

I like this video but don't agree with its conclusion. I think the show suggests that life is a series of ups and downs, and that people can get better, but while those themes are brought up rather frequently, the show provides no definitive answer to them. Is Bojack a good person? Is goodness defined based solely on our intentions or on our actions, or is it some combination of the two? And as for the whole "it gets easier" mentality, while the show presents that as a viable and real way to overcome the difficulty of existence, it doesn't present it as the key to being happy. Bojack tries it and fails. I don't see Bojack's life as a "series of ups and downs", it's down. Pretty much from the start. When life is filled with so much more misery and unhappiness than joy, how is one supposed to get by unless by distracting him or herself with, as Mr. Peanutbutter puts it, "unimportant nonsense"?

[@schodes]

This is a great comment! Thank you for presenting your view in such a thoughtful way. I'm all about the comments being a place of discussion, so let me know what you think about my response. "And as for the whole "it gets easier" mentality, while the show presents that as a viable and real way to overcome the difficulty of existence, it doesn't present it as the key to being happy." Nor do I. I never say that happiness will happen as some great thing either if you do this. It has more to do with "it gets easier every day" as you're better suited to face the ebbs and flows with greater resolve. That the downs don't hit as hard when you have the mental capacity to fight back. Goodness is always up for debate. I think Shakespeare said, "There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so." It's just me, but I don't think goodness can be defined by intentions. Actions, yes (but only by their predictable consequences). I think the thing with BoJack is that he never really has confronted his issues, and that because of his history (he was practically raised by television, thinks that life is all about showmanship, heroism...add onto that the fact that his parents were abusive) he has legitimate blinders on. He simply doesn't see a path to any kind of happiness because his worldview is too narrow. That's why he's stuck in the down from the start and why it's so hard for him to escape. The harder part of this is debating what Mr. PB means by "unimportant nonsense" -- the show takes a clear stance that it's not OK not to care about stuff. Is running for office unimportant nonsense? Finding a job that you love? Or does he mean constantly switching projects to distract himself? I decided not to get into the psychology too much in this video, but there are definitely ways that we've found in the last decade to build a better baseline for happiness that fall outside of the realm of "unimportant nonsense" (at least in lay conversation). I'm a pretty firm believer in it gets easier (and you get happier) if you take action on improving yourself and your life. I just don't think the show gets into that psychology, and this being an analysis of the show, decided not to add my own two cents into it. Thanks again for your comment, I appreciate it.

[@igorluiz9551]

Will Schoder Great comment! But I'm kinda curious about the idea that sometimes pop up in the show about this unimportant nonsense. I don't really get why PB says it. And in that "inner voice" episode, Bojack asks himself if life is so bleak that you just do stuff and them people forget about you, after the bar scene. I came a long way to overcome my general anxiety, and now that it's controlled, I feel like I'm empty inside. The show really helped to make me understand myself better, but this idea of the unimportant nonsense is always showing up in my head. I mean, why bother about stuff after all? Could present your idea about it? Thank you , great channel by the way!

[@butt317]

I think we just have a tendency to gloss over the happy bits in BoJack because they feel so ephemeral. His relationship with Hollyhock for example has plenty of quite hopeful moments. But moments like Sarah Lynn's death or what happens in New Mexico are much more permanent, and those become the story to us in a way

[@MrJerichoPumpkin]

look, I think that you got a little misstep into the "closure" here. You can be happy, for a time. And then again another time. And so on. Eventually it may happen that the times you are happy are more than the others, but no guarantee on that, after all, life like kicking you in the urethra as someone stated above. What I'm trying to say here is: don't wait on happyness to happen, just find the time to do something that makes you happy. Unless you are a serial killer, then please, don't.

[@CobaltContrast]

There are so many ups in his life. I think you selectively blocked out anything good that happened to him. Or anything good he did.

[@spiderhunt4]

Seriously, what an amazing video. Succinctly captures the complicated emotional and philosophical themes throughout the show in a way that I feel like I can more fully digest and now utilize. Thank you! Subbed!

[@valentinelr4649]

Wow ! What a wonderful video. Surely the best I've seen on yt since quite a while. Complex but clear. Simple but deep. Amazing ! Thank you

[@GumshoeGamer]

Wow, what a great video! You just got a new sub :D

[@schodes]

Thanks Gumshoe! Welcome to the channel.

[@GumshoeGamer]

I just cant wait to see more videos from you, loved your Rick and Morty one as well

[@likira111]

"happiness dont come from outside forces" this is inspirational and all but in the real world you cant deny things like say, rape or abuse affects people.

[@andrewvogel2772]

The last quote of the video about doing it everyday being the hard part is one of my favorite quotes from the show

[@andreamagana9880]

Wow, thank you for this amazing video! I love how you put it together and the graphics. I found your commentary very insightful. From all the Bojack Horseman videos I’ve watched (which is a lot), this one is hands down the best one!