Netflix's BoJack Horseman - Episode 6.09 "Intermediate Scene Study w/ BoJack Horseman"
When BoJack starts teaching an acting class at Wesleyan, Hollyhock sets some boundaries in their relationship.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's BoJack Horseman.
"Intermediate Scene Study w/ BoJack Horseman" was written by Joe Lawson and directed by Adam Parton
The audience is left waiting for several bombs to go off in BoJack's life. The previous episode established just how long-lasting his destructive behavior has been for those he has interacted with. He may want to embrace a new life entirely and erase everything he has done before. He may even be a functional person as a college professor. However, there remains the growing tension that none of this is destined to last for him. Hollyhock learned about his toxic time with Charlotte and her family. Moreover, there are reporters digging into the specifics of Sarah Lynn's death. This isn't a stable time for BoJack as he may finally have to deal with some tragic consequences for his former behavior. But that is information that the audience has knowing just how vital it will become. Right now though, the story is focused entirely on BoJack as a professor. In fact, he turns out to be a great teacher because he has always been open with his criticism. He may have a pretentious start. After he loosens up though, he can be quite constructive and even worried about his students making the same mistakes he made in their pursuit of Hollywoo fame. He knows just how dangerous and toxic life as an actor can be. He knows the value that can come from having an education. And yet, it's still a victory when he pulls this class from their mediocre beginnings to put on a solid showcase at the end of the semester. That is his achievement. It's a lot of fun to watch as the show pinpoints just how obsessive these students are in proving their skills as well. They burst into BoJack's AA meetings thinking it's yet another way for them to showcase what they can do. People buy into it all as well. BoJack understands how difficult it can all be. That's what makes it even more awkward when he yells at the final student who comes in who truly needs help. There are so many ways in which being a professor can have a harmful impact on his students. And yet, there is a peace that has washed over BoJack as well. This isn't the first time he has left Hollywoo behind for opportunities elsewhere. However, this is the first time that he has been able to accept that this is a peaceful life that he can fully embrace. It's no longer an ongoing struggle to remain sober. Now, he has things to be passionate about while still feeling fulfilled with his friends. It's engaging to see the other main characters all make their ways to the college campus to show their support. But again, BoJack was fundamentally selfish when it came to embracing this career path. He took a job at Hollyhock's college without asking her first. Her personal space is being invaded by her brother. She is furious at him but doesn't quite know how to confront him about his past. She knows that he has done bad things. She has seen that. She has a different sense of family. But the Horseman DNA is powerful as well. She may be bottling up her emotions just like BoJack has always done. He eventually learned how to cope with the world around him. And yet, he is only recently starting to show the results. The rest of his life has been tragic and full of disaster. That's not a fate that anyone should want to befall Hollyhock as well. BoJack and Hollyhock need to figure out how to be supportive of each other while having their own lives on this campus. It's difficult for BoJack because he wants to share in the delight of his new purpose. He earns that applause at the end of the showcase. That's what makes it even more tragic when Charlotte calls after all these years to forcefully demand he stop the reporters looking into her family and what he did to them. That promptly sends him into a panic attack that ensures that this story may not end well for BoJack no matter how many improvements he has made to himself over time. Somethings just can't be forgotten and erased. BoJack has always held onto that hope. He has remained in a position of stability and power in the world no matter what he did. It may be earned if he had to atone for his past. But that too will be a complicated journey because everyone in his orbit has many complicated feelings about him and his place in their lives.
