this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
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[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 41 points 1 day ago (4 children)

BoJack Horseman. I don't have an exact episode for you, but the first few seem to be mostly world building and introducing a few themes that will come back later. Later half of s1 is where it starts to get good, and with s2 the show "properly" starts.

[–] SwingingTheLamp@piefed.zip 37 points 1 day ago

Episode 8, The Telescope.

I can narrow it down to one line, too. When Herb tells BoJack, "I don't forgive you." It flouted the usual sitcom formula, and marked a turn to more complex characters and darker themes.

[–] zerodawn@leaf.dance 22 points 1 day ago

Years ago i saw someone do a breakdown of what you're talking about and if memory serves it's the Herb episode that changes the vibe of the show. Until that point bojack feels like every other crude comedy on air but from that point on it breaks the traditional format. Its the first time on screen, and possibly in bojacks whole life(outside of family issues), that he faces consequences for his actions that have a serious negative impact on him and the fix is out of his control. In the face of this truth he spirals into a world of indulgence and avoidance and we the viewer begin to see the impact that has on those around him.

[–] fireweed@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I think the comedy and overall quality of the early episodes is pretty solid, making those not bad episodes per se but rather deceptive ones. I personally enjoyed how the series takes its time in settling into its drama, and suspect it was an intentional metaphor for how the surface glitz and glamour of Hollywood obscures its dark underbelly.

Hmmm, that would make another good asklemmy thread: series with deceptive beginnings that obscure their true genre...

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 39 minutes ago)

Yeah, there are some solid jokes in the early episodes, such as the paparazzi being unable to blackmail Bojack, because he's too nihilistic, depressed, and numb to care.

And I also like the more subtle ones, such as Diane having one decent sibling, and he's literally the black sheep of the family.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Must have been after I lost interest. I had always heard great things, but only made it a few episodes in.

[–] WindyRebel@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I tried the first episode and it just felt depressing, not funny at all. Never looked back.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It's depressing in a good way. It handles the telling of depression as a central theme really well. But holy fuck does "The View from Halfway Down" (towards the end of the series) really make it uncomfortable in this regard. Do not watch it unless you're prepared for an overload of self reflection and existential dread.

[–] cheers_queers@lemmy.zip 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

well it is about mental health disorders..handles it really well imo.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Which is why I appreciate this thread, knowing that it gets better will help me give it another chance.