5x01 The Light Bulb Scene

[7.4/10] Good start to the new season. I appreciate the central theme of this one -- that the character BoJack is playing hits a little too close to home, and he doesn't want to be “that guy” anymore, on screen or in real life, so being pushed into that role again, and seeing the parallels with his own life, hurts him and makes him feel vulnerable and a little under attack. The mini-arc in the show, where he’s trying to learn to leave his work at the office, is a strong one, and as expected, BoJack packs a quiet emotional punch here, between his calls to Hollyhock and 10,000 yard stare at the end of the episode.

Honestly, it feels like there’s a decent amount of Jon Hamm and Mad Men in there, from BoJack’s Don Draper-esque lines on his liquor bottles, to Hamm’s public statements about wanting to leave that character on the set and not let him take up residence in Hamm’s brain. It’s an interesting take for BoJack as an actor and I’m intrigued to see where it’s going.

Otherwise, the show fits its usual M.O. as a showbiz parody in nicely. I appreciate how Philbert let’s the show take comedic jabs at two things. First, there’s the rote “difficult man” prestige drama, and this episode hits on a lot of inside baseball jabs (like the series being underlit). Second, there’s the thorny but fruitful territory of those shows being gratuiotous and “male gaze-y” about female nudity, and how women thespians are expected to “be cool” about that lest they be branded as troublemakers and not cast again. The tempestuous showrunner is another source of comic intrigue whom I’m interested to see more of as a fulcrum for those sorts of humorous but trenchant critiques.

Elsewhere in the episode, we get quick hits with the rest of the cast. Diane and Mr. PB are divorced, and amicable but awkward. Princess Carolyn is attempting to adopt a baby, and the humor is broad, but again, it feels like the storyline has potential. The other plot in the episode that gets the most attention is Todd and his aro girlfriend not being on the same page due to Todd’s lack of career ambition. While Todd being hot-shotted into an executive role will surely pay comedic dividends (like all Todd’s antics) it does feel a little sudden, though I like the signs of friction between him and his girlfriend.

Overall, there’s plenty going on, both in terms of comedy, plot, and commentary, that makes the show seem poised for a good season to come.