This article contains major spoilers for BoJack HorsemanIt’s no secret thatBoJack Horsemanis a pretty dark and depressing show, evenfor adult animation. But it’s also introspective, realistic,and genuinely hilarious– which makes it a lot like real life, despite talking animals. As a deeply flawed protagonist, BoJack directs so many plot lines straight into the gutter, which makes for a number of unforgettable episodes. Even if something isn’t traceably his fault, he’s often involved or connected in some way, complicating his already unbelievable life story.
But many characters and conflicts, whether central or revolving (or both), all contribute to the sometimes noxious vibe that accompanies the show. There’s a reason that so many viewers watch and re-watch it when they’re feeling down or depressed – just be sure to check the trigger warnings if you need to. Here are 10 ofBoJack Horseman’s absolute darkest episodes, ranked.
10“The View From Halfway Down”
“The View From Halfway Down” (Season 6, Episode 15) is BoJack’s tumultuous journey through his own dying mind. As one ofthe show’s final episodes, it reunites BoJack with important figures from throughout his life in a fluid and trippy dream scenario. The episode’s title is also that of a poem that Secretariat reads aloud, speaking of the view from the bridge that became the site of his death. The storyline of this episode gives BoJack no choice but to bear witness to the past complications of his life and meet his own mortality.
9“Ancient History”
In “Ancient History” (Season 5, Episode 9), BoJack’s half-sister, Hollyhock, tosses his opioid pills, believing he’s using them to harm her (and probably himself). The progression of the story emphasizes his drug dependency and the tragic way his addictions affect others in his life and in his proximity, especially those who are more vulnerable than he is. It also illuminates how trauma can resurface throughout generations and have different impacts on those who experience it.
8“Time’s Arrow”
“Time’s Arrow” (Season 4, Episode 11) has so many depressing and distressing aspects – Henrietta’s story, Joseph’s cruelty, and Beatrice’s debutante ball, to name a few. The winding storyline crosses multiple timelines and delves deep into the tragic story of BoJack’s mother, from her painful childhood to her debutante ball to her marriage to Butterscotch Horseman and the birth of their son, BoJack. The episode shows how Beatrice grew up experiencing cruelty from every angle and unsurprisingly perpetuating that pattern as an adult.
Related:BoJack Horseman: The Best Episodes of the Netflix Series, Ranked
7“The Telescope”
In “The Telescope” (Season 1, Episode 8), BoJack’s friend and costar, Herb Kazzaz, becomes sicker from his cancer, so BoJack visits him before he loses the chance to do so. In typical BoJack fashion, he ruins everything, and the episode that ensues is an extremely uncomfortable watch. The audience learns of BoJack and Herb’s past together and their nuanced relationship, and BoJack is realistically reminded that it’s impossible to fully escape accountability and consequences, even on someone’s deathbed.
6“The Old Sugarman Place”
“The Old Sugarman Place” (Season 4, Episode 2) is another flashback episode to the troubled childhood of Beatrice Horseman, set into motion when her grown-up son BoJack visits the old familial cabin in Michigan. As viewers visit those dark days, they gain more insight into the traumatized family tree that the famous horse from Horsin' Around was born into. The story highlights the wartime death of Beatrice’s brother, Crackerjack, the forced lobotomization of her mother, Honey, and the abuse perpetrated by her father, Joseph, to keep up appearances and maintain control.
5“Free Churro”
In “Free Churro” (Season 5, Episode 6), BoJack arrives at a funeral to give the eulogy after receiving a free churro for telling a food service worker that his mother, Beatrice, passed away. Almost the entire episode is communicated through BoJack’s speech, as he grimly recounts the realities of the death and mounting tragedy that he’s witnessed and experienced.According to the Observer: “The 25-minute monologue encapsulates what makes Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s animated Netflix series one of the best shows on television.”
4“The Face of Depression”
Mr. Peanutbutter’s happy-go-lucky nature may not paint him as “The Face of Depression” (Season 6, Episode 7), but that’s exactly who he becomes in this episode. He travels around raising awareness for depression (which he states he doesn’t experience), while his ex-wife Diane actually struggles with more textbook depression in Chicago. While real depression does look different for everyone, whatever Mr. Peanutbutter conveys with a smile to gullible audiences appears performatively weaponized for his own gain.
Related:BoJack Horseman: One of the Most Depressing TV Shows of All Time
3“That’s Too Much, Man!”
Sarah Lynn’s story has been significantly intertwined with BoJack’s throughout the course of the series, and he causes it to come to an end in “That’s Too Much, Man!” (Season 3, Episode 11). Sarah Lynn celebrates nine months sober mere seconds before BoJack encourages her to embark on what will become her final bender. The episode proceeds through endless heart-wrenching details of BoJack’s life as he tries to make amends with those he’s wronged, but the most tragic sequence – Sarah Lynn’s last moments – takes place in the planetarium.
2“Escape from L.A.”
In “Escape from LA” (Season 2, Episode 11) BoJack commits one of his most egregious errors – grooming Penny, a teen girl who is the daughter of his old friend, Charlotte. After staying with Charlotte’s family in New Mexico for a couple of months, BoJack’s presence there turns even more sour than his typical behavior. An articlefrom the AV Clubaptly concluded: “The key to this episode’s success is that the show doesn’t use BoJack’s personal demons to get sympathy for him. It knowsexactlyhow gross it is that BoJack takes advantage of Penny’s vulnerability.”
1“Chickens”
“Chickens” (Season 2, Episode 5) is exceedingly dark from its very beginning, which introduces the juxtaposition between two living conditions for different social classes of chickens in Hollywoo.Todd meets Becca, a chicken who’s a long way from the institution of Gentle Farms (where they’re killed to become meat, just like real chickens), and the two build a strong bond together. The themes in this episode span from inequality to ableism to animal welfare, and there’s truly way too much to say about it to convey its impact on viewers – you may have to watch it for yourself.
