Jackson Ball reviews the seventh episode of Netflix’s BoJack Horseman season 2…
In this latest episode, mass outrage and controversy follows BoJack (Will Arnett) around his national book tour. Unbelievably though, it’s nothing to do with him! The trouble this time around instead emanates from Diane (Alison Brie), and her ever-vocal opinions.
Spoiler Ahead – You Have Been Warned!
The episode’s title, ‘Hank After Dark’, refers to a new character to the show: Hank Hippopopalous (Philip Baker Hall). Hank is Hollywoo legend; a late-night talk-show staple and beloved national treasure. He also happens to be the current star of Wanda’s (Lisa Kudrow) TV network, going ‘back-to-back’ with Mr. Peanutbutter’s (Paul F. Tompkins) new game show.
Things are look bright and lucrative for all those involved, that is until Diane inadvertently raises a media frenzy with some damning (but not untrue) comments about Hank. Cue hordes of angry fans and serious backlash from the press.
It’s a brilliant piece of satire that skewers society’s obsession with celebrity feuds, and the meteoric escalation of Hollywood scandals. The writers’ lampooning of such a subject is made all the more brilliant by the fact they never clearly state what it is exactly that Diane is accusing Hank of.
Outside this extremely topical plot thread, there is some major character development going on in this episode. For the second time this season, we see some substantial issues present within Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter’s marriage.
Diane’s very public beef with Hank begins to cause her husband some serious difficulties at work, given that he works in close proximity to Hippopopalous himself. It’ll be interesting to see where the marriage goes from here, as things definitely seem to be getting worse before they get better.
Best ‘Animal-Based Gag’ of the Episode: The high-end magazine threatening to print an expose on Hank is, of course, Manatee Fair.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=8k_v0cVxqEY
Originally published August 7, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
