Jackson Ball reviews the second episode of Netlix’s BoJack Horseman season 2…
After a promising season premiere, it’s back to normality for BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett) and friends. That is, if normality involves a coma-stricken owl and a homemade Disneyland. Just another day in Hollywoo…
Spoiler Ahead – You Have Been Warned!
Building on the previous episode’s theme of self-change, BoJack is again on a mission to be a better person (or person/horse). This time around, he’s looking to better himself via success in his love life, but a string of bad dates leave him feeling dejected. It’s a fresh reminder of the show’s oft-visited message of ‘be careful what you wish for’; as BoJack’s recent resurgence of fame gets in the way of his ability to experience intimacy.
Sick of his reputation preceding him, BoJack’s prayers are seemingly answered in the form of Wanda Pierce (Lisa Kudrow); a female owl who has just woken up from a 30-year coma. Wanda’s situation is ideal for BoJack as she, unlike most of the world, has no idea who is. Throw in a couple of well-timed owl puns and some stellar voice-work from Kudrow and we’ve got a love interest worth watching.
Alongside the blossoming romance, this episode provides us with one of the best sidekick-based subplots yet, as Todd (Aaron Paul) decides to build his own Disneyland. As you can imagine, it’s a ludicrous turn of events from the very beginning (Todd’s motivation stems from the fact that BoJack pretends that the real Disneyland is imaginary, in order to avoid going there with him), but it’s a rich area for visual gags and one-liners.
It also provides us with this season’s first team-up between Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F Tompkins). The pair really began to hit their stride as a double act towards the end of season 1, and it’s great to see them back in form once again. Yes, they’re both preposterously stupid, but there’s an overwhelming likability that exudes from them.
With such emphasis on BoJack and Wanda’s new relationship, as well as Todd’s exploits, there is again very little do to for the show’s other secondary characters. For the second consecutive episode, there’s not much time set aside for Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), although this does mark the triumphant return of her boyfriend Vincent Adultman. The character of Diane (Alison Brie) also feels a little lost at the moment, with very little to do here but act as a generic voice of reason, although I’m sure that will change as we progress through the season.
Best ‘Animal-Based Gag’ of the Episode: BoJack to a group of overzealous fans: ‘Just leave me alone! Get away from me you vultures!’… Pan to reveal a pair of actual vultures… ‘I don’t think he meant us.’
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=5zpb9S9uD1s
Originally published July 20, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
