BoJack Horseman (TV Series) Downer Ending (2014) User Reviews

Morality, Horses and an Exploration of Self-Worth - I Can't Believe it's not Equus!

[greypacman · 10/10 · 26 August 2016]

Episode 11 of BoJack Horseman's first season is a drug induced retrospective which depicts a BoJack weighed down by guilt and denial. Despite this, the writing remains snappy, the jokes land and character arcs beyond BoJack's progress meaningfully.

Loved by fans and critics alike, my expectations for Downer Ending were, admittedly, high. That said, the 30 minute escapade moved me to tears and delivered stunning visuals. I, like BoJack, was left clambering for more when the screen faded to black. Furthermore, I struggled to think about anything else for the day. All I wanted to do was discuss Downer Ending and the questions it raised regarding life's complexity and frightful, unwavering, progression. I cannot recommend watching it more highly.

However, you may want to bookend the episode with some fresh air or a light jog. Today we're dealing with nihilism and a truck load of drugs.

Am I good, Diane?

[evanjustrocks · 10/10 · 9 February 2019]

This episode is incredible at showing how far from grace bojack has fallen, and has one of the most emotionally wrenching endings I have seen in a tv show episode. The tripping scene is beautifully brutal and lonely, and every moment of it has some intense look back at the characters we feel extremely attached to through just eleven episodes.

A Mile a Minute

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

There is so much in this episode that it's impossible to show my appreciation in writing. Bojack is going through everything that has formed him. His family, his experiences as a child, his overall ineptitude. He starts tripping and that reveals all his insecurities. Diane's book has brought this about. He decides to write his own and hits a wall.

Tell me I'm good

[andrewkempf · 10/10 · 30 October 2020]

I won't forget where I was when I watched this episode. This episode hit me extremely hard, as I felt it on a personal level. We all do bad things, and want to turn things around. Well maybe not all of us, but a lot of us wish we could take back certain paths we've chosen. In the last scene, BoJack wants to know he's a good person, and it's not too late, as his drug fueled rampage has left him to self deprivation at it's worst. Everyone- always remember it's not too late. You are good, and you can turn things around. You can be the person you want to be. Television can teach crazy important life lessons, and this episode does that perfectly. Beautiful production by the team.

A Good Person

[hridouane · 10/10 · 15 December 2021]

To think I sat through the whole first 75% of the episode, so mesmerized in it I forgot this was a hallucination, and the end... I just had no words. I wanted to say BoJack is a good person, but he always isn't.

But still, he let Diane into his life, admitted his faults, I don't really know. This is without a doubt, the best episode of the season.

This Where Everything was Revealed

[abzeid · 10/10 · 27 August 2020]

The insecurities of a bad trip that was much needed for Bojak revealed what lies beneath under this ugly selfish person. The director did a great job. Too many twists and scenes that I kep repeating, on the spot, I couldn't wait till it ends. The episode is very well-written and very, very well-excuted. Well done, everyone!

A near masterpiece

[ovexteam · 9/10 · 15 July 2022]

This is by far the greatest episode in season 1. The humour, the writing, the visuals, everything is just far superior to any episode before this one. I love the amount of symbolism in the hallucinations and how detailed they are. And, despite the fact that this is probably the weakest of the infamous penultimate episodes of this show, it's still one of the most emotional. "Just how nice things could've been if you had chosen this life" never fails to make me shed a tear. And also the ending, "Diane, I need you to tell me that it's not too late" has me in tears on each rewatch, and I've watched this show 11 times. Overall, an amazing episode in a solid first season.

"Tell me I'm good Dianne"

[thomasgouldsbrough · 8/10 · 11 February 2022]

This really is quite a harrowing episode. This episode really shows BoJack's state of mind, and how trapped in a rut he really is. And yet, all the episode consists of is a psychedelic drug state, and yet it creates a deep amounth of sympathy for BoJack. Nevertheless, it really shows just how clever the writing is of Bojack Horseman, and how it can deliver deep, thought provoking monologues, as well as being a fantastic comedy.

Choose the life.. you want to live!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 14 January 2024]

Wow.. what a powerfull episode that took me completely by surprise! A slow disorienting decent into madness until emotions and reality hits you like a wreckingball!

Everything here was brilliant, from the visuals, style all the way to the heavy themes and realistic portrayal of mental health!

This episode felt like doing drugs! Some very trippy moments and hard to tell what was real.. and what was not! Some of the things were straight out of a nightmare.. while some.. were a dream of the reality and life BoJack wanted! Those scenes were very emotional!

Theese scenes combined with the last scene gave us a whole new perspective on BoJack! A flawed guy with good intentions who realized how he has behaved and just wants to be.. the best version of himself!

Best qmd most realistic selfrealization! Wow..

The ride of a lifetime!

[ashdsteele · 5 April 2022]

This is one of the most thought provoking, funny, heartfelt, devastating yet real episodes of the series. Bojack trips on drugs and faces his traumas, his fears, his projections, his entire life. It moves a mile a minute and shows the life Bojack could've had if he had lived a life outside of fame. It's also incredibly eye opening to substance abuse and self esteem. Possibly one of the best episodes.

Just a great episode

[nitorosthefirst · 9/10 · 12 October 2023]

I usually like these kind of "psychedelic" episodes in TV, especially when they're well made and this episode really did it for me.

I can confidently say that this was a great "psychedelic" episode with clever hallucinations that do a good job at showing the depth of BoJack's character and making the viewers sympathize with him even more and the episode had an interesting and funny overall plot.

The ending of the episode is arguably even better than the other parts of it because it moves BoJack's character further by a lot and in my opinion makes him even more relatable than he already was.

This episode doesn't deserve a rating below an 8.

Strongest episode from season 1

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 18 January 2024]

Bojack attempts to write a better biography than Diane.

For me the initial premise alone is amusing, as you cannot help but look forward to seeing Bojack fail miserably at the task he sets himself.

What happens is an unexpected piece of gonzo storytelling that is both humorous and quite pitiful in parts. The dialogue and visuals are excellent throughout. There is one fantasy sequence in particular that stands out as quite sad and memorable.

Bojack and the supporting characters are used very well by the writers. I think you do need to at least care about the answer to Bojack's final question to get the full impact of the episode.

For me it's an 8.5/10, but I round upwards.