bojack horseman scenes that changed my life
yet somehow, it was robbed an Emmy
Everyone has a comfort show—the one you turn to on a rainy Sunday, or the one you put on when you just need some background noise after a stressful day. For me, that is Bojack Horseman.
As silly as it sounds, Bojack Horseman isn’t just an animated comedy show — it’s a brutally honest reflection on success, failure, and the complicated, messy in-between of being human (even though he is a horse).
While watching Bojack Horseman, I have laughed, cried to the point of running through a pack of tissues, and sat in silence — all while feeling seen.
So, here are some of my favorite scenes:
Free Churro, Season 5, Episode 6
“Suddenly, you realize you’ll never have the good relationship you wanted, and as long as they were alive, even though you’d never admit it, part of you, the stupidest goddamn part of you, was still holding on to that chance. And you didn’t even realize it until that chance went away.”
During my teens, I spent a lot of time processing my parents’ divorce and what it meant for me. While I was never able to quite find the right words, I lived in that difficult space between wanting a relationship with a parent, despite the anger I felt, but I didn’t want to be the one responsible for maintaining it. I am the child, right? Is that my job? This episode captures the painful reality of mourning someone who caused you so much harm. Watching it now, while having a strong relationship with both of my parents, I’m grateful to have moved past the anger, but this episode resurfaces feelings about the time lost.
“Nice While it Lasted” Season 6, Episode 16
“Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if this night was the last time we ever talked to each other?”
Realizing with someone that nothing will ever be the same because of things that happened or words that were said is never easy. Watching this scene unfold left a pit in my stomach because it’s true — despite all the time you spend with someone, the shared laughter, and deep conversations, there are times when separation is for everyone’s benefit. People change, and that’s okay.
”Thats Too Much, Man”, season 3, episode 11.
See, Sarah Lynn? We're not doomed. In the grand scheme of things, we're just tiny specks that will one day be forgotten. So it doesn't matter what we did in the past, or how we'll be remembered. The only thing that matters is right now. This moment. This one spectacular moment we are sharing together. Right, Sarah Lynn? Sarah Lynn? Sarah Lynn?
Now, this episode destroyed me. Having lost a good friend to drug addiction, this episode, to me, captures the internal struggle of someone who wants to change, but is drawn to the illusion of escape.
“The View from Halfway Down” season 6, episode 15
“But this is it, the deed is done. Silence drowns the sound. Before I leaped I should have seen the view from halfway down. No! I really should have thought about the view from halfway down…I wish I could have known about the view from halfway down.”
As Bojack contemplates suicide, he is confronted with the weight of his actions, the people he’s hurt, and the impact he’s had on those around him. It only isn’t until halfway through his suicide attempt he realizes that though we can’t undo the damage we’ve caused, no matter how much we wish we could, redemption is still possible.
I recall a documentary featuring a survivor of a Golden Gate Bridge suicide attempt, who said, “I realized the second after I jumped that every single problem in my life could be solved, and every decision I had could be undone. Except the one I just made.”
I could go on and on—just watch the show. Trust me on this one. And if you ever hear the intro playing from my room... do not disturb.