Entertainment
30 Best ‘BoJack Horseman’ Episodes, Ranked According to IMDb
It’s pretty hard to find anyone these days who hasn’t already watched and experienced the emotional rollercoaster ride that is the hit animated Netflix show, BoJack Horseman, with it receiving universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike and is now a proud representative of television excellence found on the streaming platform. Nearly a decade since the first episode of the legendary animated series graced the small screen, it has achieved legendary status and is widely recognized as being among the best from its genre.
Led by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, BoJack Horseman teeters on the fine line between surreal comedy and brutal tragedy and provides some of the most profound and heartbreaking portrayals of the human condition in recent television history, and it’s all about a talking horse. The highest-rated BoJack Horseman episodes on IMDb reflect the very best that the series has to offer, and are also excellent starting points for fans who want to rediscover the incredible show on Netflix. If you are in the mood to re-watch the iconic series, here are the best BoJack episodes for a reminder of just how great the show can be.
30
“The New Client” (Season 6, Episode 2)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
One of the great aspects of BoJack Horseman as a show is its ability to balance two equally exceptional plotlines, with the A and B plots both having important and powerful messages centered around completely different characters. “The New Client” is easily one of the show’s best when it comes to this striking dichotomy of plots, being able to tackle both the difficulties of balancing parenthood and work life with a story of repressed guilt.
In the primary story, Princess Carolyn faces a great deal of difficulties as she attempts to continue the overwhelming demands of her job while parenting at the same time after her nanny quit. In the side story, Mr. Peanutbutter has increasing shame and guilt from having cheated on his girlfriend with his ex-wife, Diane, finding some unexpected refuge when he decides to visit BoJack in rehab. Both of these stories add layers to these characters and focus on them in vulnerable spots outside their comfort zone and the consequences of such.
29
“The Telescope” (Season 1, Episode 8)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
It’s widely accepted by fans of BoJack Horseman that the first season is the worst show, as so much of the season is reliant on setting up the dynamics of these characters, as well as the show simply having not found its comedic and narrative voice yet. However, easily considered by fans to be the first truly great episode of the show, “The Telescope” tackles a style of shocking, unexpected drama and emotional weight that would become the standard for great emotional hooks in the show going forward.
The episode revolves around BoJack deciding to visit his old friend and co-worker from Horsin’ Around, Herb (Stanley Tucci), because he is dying of cancer. However, the duo has a difficult past, as BoJack got Herb fired from the show, so BoJack feels as though he must apologize and try to get Herb’s forgiveness before it’s too late. However, in a moment of raw, painful realism that haunts BoJack for the rest of the show, Herb doesn’t forgive BoJack, forcing him to live with the pain of his decision, and dropping the first F bomb of the series.
28
“The Horny Unicorn” (Season 6, Episode 13)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
After several reveals of BoJack’s character and actions have been made public, “The Horny Unicorn” sees his world begin to crash all around him, and a scathing look at how Hollywood culture can incentivize and encourage the worst aspects of people’s characters. The episode’s main focus is BoJack becoming a social pariah and getting Vance Waggoner (Bobby Cannavale) as his new AA sponsor. At the same time, BoJack is clinging to a letter from Hollyhawk, refusing to read it out of fear that she never wants to talk to him again.
There are a lot of prominent moments that make this one of the defining highlights of the 6th season, from Vance’s disgusting viewpoint that parallels many gross, predatory, disgraced Hollywood figures to the painful ending of BoJack finally reading the letter and wallowing in despair. It’s a prominent turn for the character where things are finally catching up to BoJack for all of the bad things he’s done throughout the series.
27
“Sunk Cost and All That” (Season 6, Episode 11)
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
After an entire show’s worth of chaotic moments in BoJack’s life and him doing shocking things and living with the pain, “Sunk Cost and All That” acts as a shocking release as he finally relays the truth of these painful events to those close to him. The episode sees him telling shocking stories from throughout the series, as the fear of toxic reporters bringing up events from his past could bring all the progress he’s made crashing down. This soon transforms into a mental and public preparation for when the story does drop, revealing to the world BoJack’s connection to Sarah Lynn’s death.
It’s a point of tragic irony that just as BoJack had been making positive changes in his life and found a steady job at a University, the actions of his past that have gone unpunished have bubbled their way back to the surface, fighting to take him down. While this struggle would be later explored in subsequent episodes, the brilliance of “Sunk Cost and All That” is the focus on BoJack’s lasting relationship with Princess Carolyn, even in spite of all that BoJack has done.
26
“INT. SUB” (Season 5, Episode 7)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
After so many episodes of following these memorable characters, the show going out of its way to paint a story in a new way can be wildly refreshing without having to take away from the core narrative at hand. “INT. SUB” uses the inherent fun of wild new designs in being told the stories of the episode from other characters, through two therapists and their incognito conversations about the characters in the show. This simple change adds so much flavor and intrigue into this episode as a piece of the larger picture of season 5, all on top of the effective narrative being told by itself.
The larger narrative strength of the episode comes from a continued exploration of the ever-complicated dynamic between BoJack and Diane, with Diane’s conversations with her therapist allowing Diane to come to the conclusion that more boundaries must be set for them to continue being acquainted. Even after the visual hook of the episode ends, the episode still has a major highlight in its shocking ending where Diane shows BoJack that she is fully aware of the disgusting things that he almost did in Season 2 with Penny.
25
“It’s You” (Season 3, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
One of the more chaotic episodes during the downward spiral and pain that BoJack goes through in Season 3, “It’s You” acts as a wake-up call for the character, most notably remembered for Todd’s painful monologue of BoJack’s cycle of harm. The episode primarily sees BoJack facing painful self-doubt after learning that he hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the Secretariat biopic, opening up old wounds and pains of how he isn’t worthy of love or happiness.
The major standout that has made the episode such a fan-favorite is the ending rant by Todd, the often goofy and non-serious character having one of his few truly serious moments as he lays into BoJack’s toxic and destructive tendencies. It acts as a turning point for both Todd and BoJack as characters, serving as the start of their separation, with Todd branching out into his own life separate from BoJack’s toxicity while BoJack himself continues down his painful downward spiral.
24
“Let’s Find Out” (Season 2, Episode 8)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Initially seeming to be nothing more than a goofy game show episode run by Mr. Peanutbutter, “Let’s Find Out” eventually shows its hand to be one of the first true emotional dives into the depths and pain of Mr. Peanutbutter as a character. The episode sees BoJack competing on Mr. Peanutbutter’s wild game show, something that BoJack already had no interest in being on. Yet, it soon takes a painful turn when the topic of conversation turns to BoJack’s past with Diane and his strained friendship with Mr. Peanutbutter.
The episode finds a great mix of satirical humor and jabs at the setup and clichés of daytime reality television while also providing a deeper examination into the flawed and toxic friendship of BoJack and Mr. Peanutbutter. Considering just how much of the character Mr. Peanutbutter is rooted in absurdist and non-serious gags, this early episode of the series shows one of the first real looks into his psyche and ability to have a serious conversation.
23
“Good Damage” (Season 6, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Diane as a character has seen many changes and evolutions ever since her humble beginnings as the writer of BoJack’s memoir, with “Good Damage” acting as an effective sendoff and final chapter for the character. The episode sees Diane continuing her battle against depression from earlier in the season, taking medication and coming to terms with how her childhood trauma has helped shape who she is today, both positive and negative elements of herself.
Between a deeply creative animation style as Diane talks to herself about the difficulties of writer’s block and a mature and honest portrayal of her relationship with Guy, Diane has never been more relatable and likable than she is in this episode. The episode acts as the quintessential way to cap off the entire series’ worth of evolution and growth for the character, with her finally coming to terms with herself and coming out the other side able to be proud of who she’s become.
22
“Head in the Clouds” (Season 5, Episode 10)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
One of the last tension-building episodes during the latter half of Season 5, “Head in the Clouds” sees BoJack and the rest of the main cast dealing with their own consequences and misadventures at the premiere party for “Philbert.” Various building storylines see their apex and rising tension throughout the episode, from the relationship building between BoJack and Gina to Todd’s increasingly chaotic antics with Henry Fondle. However, the linchpin moment that has made the episode a fan favorite among fans is the confrontation between Diane and BoJack near the end of the episode.
Tired and annoyed with BoJack seemingly using “Philbert” as a way to justify actions from his past, Diane lays into him and demands an answer about the terrible things BoJack has done throughout the series and how he really hasn’t changed at all. It makes for a deeply painful yet reflective conversation about the destructive power dynamic that people like BoJack hold, and the ways that they justify their heinous actions and believe themselves to be the victim. It’s a turning point not just for BoJack, but the entire series as BoJack’s philosophy and past actions are now beginning to catch up to him.
21
“The Dog Days Are Over” (Season 5, Episode 2)
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
One of the few episodes that dedicates nearly its entire runtime to a character that isn’t BoJack in their own story and journey of reflection, “The Dog Days Are Over” sees Diane going on a trip to Vietnam to get away from the stress of her divorce. The episode sees Diane finding guidance from her own writing while on the trip, making a “10 Reasons to go to Vietnam” article while on her trip that sets the flow and structure of the episode as she establishes these reasons.
Diane is one of the more intricate and emotionally complex characters in all of BoJack Horseman, with “The Dog Days Are Over” giving a deep and effective look into the character’s psyche during a moment of grief and necessary pain. The episode works wonders not just as an additional layer to Diane’s ever-evolving character, but as a stand-out standalone episode of culture shock and expectations not lining up with reality. The episode shows that, even when not focusing on BoJack’s struggles specifically, BoJack Horseman is able to excel at telling an emotional yet hilarious tale of self-discovery.
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