BoJack Horseman: Is life a happily ever after?

The idea of a happily ever after has been over romanticised by most of the movies and television shows. A couple gets together after fighting against the entire universe. They are now happy, and end of the movie. It often seems to be forgotten that the story begins after the end credits. (No, I am not talking about the end credit scenes.)

Most of us have grown up watching films with happy endings. These happy endings have had a significant impact on our lives. Be it having the last bite of our favourite food which we share or certain phases of our life. Everything has to have a happy ending. But in reality, not all our ventures have a happy ending.

BoJack Horseman has about everything in his life. A house, money, food, fame, and whatnot. He still seems to be searching for happiness. Horseman is a has-been in Hollywoo(d). He was a star of a TV show. He looks for happiness through various means: alcohol, sex, drugs, making a movie. However, he often goes back to watching his old TV show. Maybe because of its happy endings. Each show ends on a happy note with everything falling into places. But in his life, this does not seem to be the case. Even after going through a tremendous change and starting a “new life”, his actions in the past continue to haunt him.

BoJack Horseman does not get closure. The show is funny, witty, and is a continuous social commentary. It’s a show where animals talk. There’s humour hidden in every episode. However, it does not end on a happy note. BoJack, never gets a closure. Nor does the audience get a happy ending. The show never gives answers to all the questions it raises. Does life have a meaning? Is life a never-ending quest for happiness? Or is it something where we find happiness in the little things? Are we defined by all the good things we do? Or are we defined by all the bad things we do? None of these are answered. The audience is left uncertain. Maybe that’s the answer. Maybe life is nothing but a series of uncertain events. Or maybe not.