Netflix released the final season of BoJack Horseman on January 31 2020, with a series finale that tied-up the main characters’ storylines; however, not every BoJack Horseman character had a satisfying ending — in fact, the main character’s circumstances by the end of the final episode seem down-right disheartening. Still, BoJack’s ending in the Netflix animated series is fitting for his character: given all of the horrible things he had done over show’s run, BoJack Horseman didn’t deserve a traditional happy ending.
In the final episode of season 6, BoJack Horseman is alive and well, having survived his near-death experience in episode 15 “The View From Halfway Down.” Unfortunately for BoJack, however, his days of avoiding consequences are over, and the character is sent to prison for breaking and entering. The episode shows him adjusting to prison life, even getting involved in extra-curricular activities. The feeling the show creates is that the structure BoJack receives in his daily life as an incarcerated felon may actually be good for him.
As BoJack reconnects with the main characters in the BoJack Horseman series finale, the audience quickly discovers that not only have his friends moved on with their lives without him, but they seem to be thriving in his absence. The implication for BoJack, who is still the sympathetic protagonist of the show, is not a pleasant one. Despite the fact that fans no doubt want the main character to be happy, healthy, and surrounded by loved ones, the fact remains that he has some toxic tendencies that always seem to harm those around him.
Part of what makes BoJack Horseman so relatable is his constant inner-conflict — viewers know that he wants to be a good person, and as a result, the character is sympathetic; however, in recent years, there have been many public discussions regarding whether or not powerful men in real-life, men in BoJack’s circumstance, deserve to be forgiven. Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault scandal has changed the way that the public feels about the treatment of women in Hollywood; this is felt in BoJack Horseman season 6 as well, in which BoJack is repeatedly asked to acknowledge a pattern of behaviour that victimizes women — Sarah Lynn being the most obvious example. Sure, BoJack feels terrible about his treatment of Sarah Lynn and Herb Kazzaz, and the fact that he hates himself makes audiences feel sorry for him; however, it’s not enough for him to just feel bad — he needs to actually make a change.
The final episode of BoJack Horseman gives BoJack the ending that he deserves — and it’s more of a hopeful ending for the character than it initially appears to be. Sure, Princess Caroline, Diane, and Todd have all moved on with their lives and are happy; however, they also communicate to BoJack that he will be welcome in their lives once he’s served his time. The codependency aspect of these relationships are gone now that BoJack’s close friends have all found a healthy relationship with a significant other to depend on, instead of relying on the emotionally-unreliable BoJack. Prison seems to agree with BoJack, who is in a better headspace in this episode than any other: he is appreciative of Mr. Peanutbutter’s friendship, he is gentle and kind to those around him, and he even tries honeydew melon, the fruit he complained about literally throughout the entire series. If BoJack can keep on this path of rehabilitation, which the episode makes seem likely, he may actually overcome his toxic tendencies; perhaps BoJack Horseman gave its main character a happy ending after all.
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