User Reviews

I... don't even know where to start.

For the longest time, times arrow has been my favourite episode, I always switched back and forth between some episodes but by the time this season dropped it stayed on top. But this episode....

It gave me an existential dread of death, and it was just one of the most painful half hours I ever had to sit through, it said so much in the 27 minutes it had, perhaps even more than free churro, while having way less dialogue. This is probably the most daring episode of any show I have ever seen. I would like to talk more specifically for a bit:

Throughout the episode, we see Bojack in a dinner house party at his mothers house with all the people he's lost in his life, and this idea was simply genius. It gave the viewers this false hope, that he could make amends with those he lost. But it was all a farce, and bojacks mind was just telling him what he had to do before he died. This can also be circled back to a talk he and Doctor Champ had where Champ mentioned that Bojack already talked about the weird dinner party dream he had. Bojack thought that while he was there, he would eventually wake up, and escape the tar trying to swallow him, but he couldn't.

One of the most depressing scenes involved Bojack and his dad going out for a smoke, and talking about how his dad always loved him, but he set up invisible barriers because he was afraid. The saddest part about this scene was that it was just Bojack's brain trying to give him closure with his dad, and none of this was real. It hurt a lot to see this happen.

There were also some very minute details that foreshadowed the end of this episode. Such as Bojack tasting chlorine in the water he was given, because he was actually drowning in his old homes pool.

The moment where Bojack called Diane to talk to her and he made the revelation that she couldn't be there to help him was one of, if not, the most depressing moment in the entire show, and I teared up. This episode was remarkable...

Wow this was dark but this episode was... perfect. I've never felt such an emotional joyride watching anything, but then again, this is Bojack Horseman, and I don't expect any less.

Thank you so much to the entire production of Bojack Horseman for being unafraid to touch on the topic of suicide in a way that neither praises nor condemns the individuals. Thank you for making something that isn't just sad for the sake of being sad. Thank you for creating a haunting poem that will serve as a reminder for some to picture the view from halfway down before they jump.

Thank you for putting together my favorite show.

And to my friend Cynthia who loved this show before she died by suicide last January, I wish so much that you could have pictured the view from halfway down. We miss you.

I just want to start out by saying I'm writing this review to help keep the episode at a perfect 10 like it deserves. Now on to the review:

I started this episode with high expectations (seeing as it was at 10/10 on IMDb), and I was not disappointed. From the start every scene felt weirdly atmospheric even when nothing weird was happening. Once the performances start the surreal night quickly turns into a psychological horror film.

The poem that lends its title to this episode is definitely one of the most intense and beautiful things I've seen on TV in a while. I was on the edge of my seat.

What really sets this apart from other episodes to me however, is Herbs chilling last line of "other side? Oh Bojack No, there is no other side, this is it". I don't think anything has ever given me such a massive panic attack before, as I'm writing this (at least a month later), I'm still not entirely over it.

Overall a truly phenomenal episode of television that will leave you with a deeply disturbed feeling

Ever seen that one episode you feel the whole series was practically built up to? This is the one for BoJack Horseman.

Besides Sarah Lynn and Herb Kazzaz who are seen in many flashbacks, we also get the return of his mother Beatrice (who last appeared in season 4), Secretariat, Crackerjack, Famous Actor Zach Braff and Corduroy Jackson-Jackson. The last one in particular is interesting since Higher Love isn't one of the most talked about episodes of season 2, but this one proves that not a single episode doesn't have some sort of impact on the show.

Everybody starts talking about their memories, both the good and the bad ones. All the while there is black goo dripping down from the ceiling, which only BoJack seems to care about. Even when he suddenly vomits up goo up all the people around him just laugh in response. This strange occurence getting shrugged off by most of the characters effectively sets up an uneasy atmosphere.

After everyone are finished eating, BoJack is invited to watch a performance art show. When Sarah Lynn has finished singing her song, she falls down inside an open corridor and disappears into a dark void. Once again, nobody but BoJack seems to care that something weird is happening. Instead they just keep the show going with their own numbers. I will admit to sharing BoJack's impatience with finding out where Sarah went. But let's just say once I did find out I'm pretty glad he didn't jump right in with her right away. Secretariat performs a poem, which at first might be hard to understand, until you realize the poem isn't really about himself, but actually describes BoJack's suicide attempt, and his fear taking a chokehold of him just as it's already too late. The corridor gets closer and closer until finally he's forced to succumb to his fate. Secretariat's trembling as he tries to finish the poem is unsettling, and creates a feeling of panic.

Eventually, it's BoJack who has the final word before the black void takes him, turning out to be the black goo he saw earlier. He tries to comfort himself by saying to Herb "See you on the other side." only for Herb to reply that there isn't any.

After this it really progresses into a classic nightmare, with the goo chasing him like a hideous monster, and him seeing someone in the kitchen whose face starts melting. The animators do a good job of making it look as disturbing as possible.

He's allowed one final phone call however, speaking to Diane who didn't answer when he tried to reach her. Their conversation is simple, but very sweet. With all the turmoil they've had with each other, Diane is still the most loyal friend he's had over the last few years. Even Todd he never really managed to reconnect with in the same way. In the final minute of the episode, the call is interrupted by the black goo consuming him, symbolizing how we never get the nice wrap-up that we desire. Just when you least expect it, it's all over.

But is this really it for BoJack? I've got to admit, by the end I couldn't feel sure if he was actually dead or not, and that uncertainty terrified me. I know that realistically he probably won't have the happiest ending, but I don't know if I can live with it ending this grimly for him.

It will take some debate before I decide where this one ranks for me, but it's definitely up there as one of the best at the very least, and maybe the only episode that beats That's Too Much, Man! in terms of how relentlessly bleak it is in tone.

It's been very hard for me to put this episode to words that people, including myself, can actually comprehend. I literally don't even know where to start with this episode. First, way back in season one, episode 11, we had 'Downer Ending', an episode dedicated to Bojack's trip while on drugs, and how he wishes for himself to be seen better in his book, rather than Diane's honest reflection and perspective on the man Bojack is. Then there was S2 E11, 'Escape From L.A.', in which Bojack escapes from the life of L.A. and from his new movie, 'Secretariat', in order to spend his time with an old friend, Charlotte, and finally attempt to find something good in his life, and peace within himself. Of course, this is halted by his attempt to sleep with Charlotte's daughter, Penny, after an attempt to elope with Charlotte herself. We then have S3 E11, 'That's Too Much, Man!' in where Sarah Lynn meets her tragic end after Bojack and her ensue on a long, drug and alcohol-fueled bender. S4 E11 takes a somehow more gripping and dark tone with its portrayal of Beatrice during her childhood and adult years, and how her father masked his ill intentions with a happy smile, basically ruining her as a result. It also shows how flawed Bojack's family really is, as Hollyhock was the bastard child of Butterscotch and their maid, Henrietta. S5 E11 was 'The Showstopper', a marveled piece of television for its haunting and reflective portrayal of drug and alcohol addiction, and the crippling feeling of loneliness that comes along with it. And, now, here we are, S6 E15 'The View from Halfway Down'. Out of all the episodes I mentioned, there's been one common theme. The second-to-last episode of each season shines above all (not that the others are not as good, they're still great episodes of television). Each penultimate episode in the series has one goal: to hammer home the themes and ideas behind each season which drives the plot of Bojack's character. This episode is no exception, and with each passing minute, we begin to grasp Bojack's morality, and his inevitable fear of death, through the phone call with Diane, and Secretariat's poem. This episode is horrifying and emotionally charged with the portrayal of each character Bojack had cared about, but ultimately let down. The episode left me speechless for about ten minutes. "Is Bojack dead?" was the question ringing in my ears. The episode was so bittersweet, yet so tragic in its approach. I could not have seen an episode of television with the goal of outlining and explaining depression, anxiety, loneliness, and addiction that did any better than this episode, and this entire show. This review is really long, it's almost 'too much man'.

Get it?

Did--did you get my joke?

Anyway, to tie this all up, Bojack Horseman has been one of the greatest television series in history. I would hold this show up to the highest regard, that in which I also give to 'Mad Men', 'Breaking Bad', 'The Sopranos', etc.

This episode had me in laughter, in tears, and had my heart drop, my eyes widen, and my teeth clench.

Haunting, echoing, heartbreaking. I'd give it an 11/10 if I could.

It's a bit hard to isolate this episode to review it since these episodes blend so well, but this episode still stands out so much. I've never seen a show grapple with existentialism as such a centerpiece focus. This episode delivered what many fans speculated the show would lead towards, and wow is it well presented. Bojack's downward spiral is like no other, and what it leads to is a gripping struggle with the imminence of death and what everything amounted to. What stood out the most among this well presented masterpiece was Secratariat's poem. I'm not sure I've ever had chills like I had hearing his poem's look at the seconds right before his death, and the regret and terror afterwards. The terror and revelations Bojack has that his only plea for help didn't work... and the calm conversation between him and Diane... the emotional impact is indescribable. The episode ends with what appears to be Bojack's death, and while I understand how this ending could be bad for those who suffer from addiction like Bojack, it felt so complete.

(This is my first review in Imbd) while watching this episode my heart sunk into my stomach and it made me realize how much attached I got with the characters specially Bojack's character, never did I experiences such a concern for a fictional's character fate.

Personally I don't think that this is one of the best tv episodes like everyone is claiming, hell I still think free churro is the best BoJack episode. However in the context of this being the penultimate episode of the series, it deserves a lot of praise especially considering the ending of the previous episode. Allowing BoJack to meet that he once knew people who are now dead is a great idea in general and gives the audience further introspection to the protagonist. It's more interesting having this episode happen through a (drug induced) dream makes it interesting as we see Bojacks interpretations of each character (e.g Herb is extremely kind to BoJack, which contrasts with the last time they talked to each other in the telescope. As we know this isn't how an interaction between the two would have happened if they talked again, it makes it more emotional)

Overall a great episode. Lastly, I want to talk about this show ending. It took me a while to get into BoJack, and I'm glad I did. Sure, this show has lows but it has some of the highest highs in television history. Here's hoping the incredible cast and crew move onto the bigger projects because damn do they deserve the recognition. Thank you for a beautiful show

This episode is a perfect tapestry. This tapestry is a picture of life and death and everything between. It's a story of regret and remorse. The existential pain felt by the characters and the creators is so palpable. I don't know what to say but this was truly perfect