Over a dinner date, Dr Indira relates a story about two of her clients – “Bobo the Angsty Zebra” (BoJack) and “Princess Diana” (Diane), and her attempts to get Diane to set some boundaries. In return, her wife Mary-Beth discusses a workplace dispute between “Emperor Fingerface” (Todd) and a “Tangled Fog of Pulsating Yearning in the Shape of a Woman” (Princess Carolyn).
Any show that runs long enough will eventually do an episode from the perspective of random minor characters, and this is BoJack’s offering. Of course, this being a show that likes to experiment, it does things a little differently, changing the appearance and identities of the main characters. Here’s a handy guide:
- BoJack becomes Bobo the Angsty Zebra, and the intro animation is updated accordingly.
- Diane becomes Princess Diana, complete with dress and tiara.
- Mr Peanutbutter becomes Mr Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, a chocolate labrador.
- Todd becomes Emperor Fingerface, a man with a giant hand in place of a head. His characteristic beanie hat is worn on one of the fingers.
- Princess Carolyn is a Tangled Fog of Pulsating Longing in the Shape of a Woman in Mary-Beth’s story, but also makes a cameo as Priscilla Crustacean, a flamenco dancing crab, in Dr Indira’s story.
- Flip become Flippy, a dolphin who can only speak in dolphin language.
- Gina retains her name, but has short hair and a moustache.
Beneath the gimmick, however, there’s a lot of character stuff going on. Despite telling everyone he doesn’t want to talk about it – and having his wishes respected – BoJack clearly has a lot to say about the death of his mother. Therapy seems like an obvious choice, but of course BoJack is resistant to it. Even when he ends up seeing Dr Indira for lunchtime sessions, he remains oblivious to what’s happening.
BoJack’s actions have a knock-on effect on those around him. After Gina points out to Mr Peanutbutter that his older relatives haven’t actually “gone to live on a farm”, he realises that he too has lost his parents. Ever the opposite of BoJack, Mr Peanutbutter demands the attention and sympathy BoJack secretly wants, and immediately gets it.
Meanwhile, Diane has been Dr Indira’s client for years, and she’s not happy about having to share her with BoJack. Given that Dr Indira herself wants Diane to set boundaries with BoJack, it feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth to have to share her therapist. In retaliation, Diane ends up hitting BoJack right where it hurts – by penning a scene for Philbert that exactly echoes his taped confession about what happened in New Mexico.
It actually feels a bit off that Diane has apparently been seeing this therapist for seven years. Even if we assume that she didn’t go to any sessions while she was staying with BoJack in late season two, was she seeing Dr Indira whilst struggling with her marriage last season? I know first-hand that seeing a therapist doesn’t immediately make you a well adjusted person leaving a happy life, but it really didn’t seem like Diane had any sort of outlet for her issues beyond going and sitting on the roof.
As the show open acknowledges, Mary-Beth’s tale is meant to be “more like a secondary story – a B-story, if you will”. Mary-Beth is called in to mediate between Todd and Princess Carolyn after a dispute over a missing piece of string cheese. In many ways it is indeed the usual typical lighter tale, although it does bring back the Todd-Princess Carolyn dynamic. As I remarked way back in season one, I find this pairing a pleasant alternative to the sometimes relentless zaniness that occurs when Todd and Mr Peanutbutter join forces.
Summary – INT. SUB: “Diana asked me not to be friends with you, so out of respect for her, I think it’s best that I continue seeing you behind her back.”
Azure Flame B-Side 