Free Churro

"Free Churro" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Amy Winfrey. The episode was released in the United States, along with the rest of season five, via Netflix on September 14, 2018.[1] Will Arnett, who voices the show's title character as well as his father, Butterscotch, is the only speaker in the episode.[2]

"Free Churro"
BoJack Horseman episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 6
Directed byAmy Winfrey
Written byRaphael Bob-Waksberg
Original release dateSeptember 14, 2018 (2018-09-14)
Running time26 minutes

The episode received critical acclaim, and is considered one of the series' best episodes. In 2019, the episode was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program at the 71st Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.[3]

Plot

BoJack gives a eulogy at a funeral for his mother, Beatrice Horseman. Throughout, he has some patter with the organist, who sometimes plays appropriate music. He also comments about how his mother requested an open casket funeral. He refuses this request because before her death, she makes a rather gruesome face, which BoJack imitates. He ponders his mother's final words, "I see you", and what they might have meant. The title is in reference to BoJack stopping at Jack in the Box on the way to the funeral, and receiving a free churro with his order out of sympathy when he tells a cashier about his mother's death. Moreover, he gives a couple of anecdotes about Horsin' Around, and makes parallels between life and TV shows such as Maude and Becker. In addition, he speaks at length about the abuse he endured from both of his parents, as well as how his father died. In the end, he finally opens the casket, realizing that he is at the wrong funeral and has been pouring his heart out to a roomful of geckos.

The entire episode consists of two monologues: the first is delivered for two minutes by Butterscotch Horseman to BoJack in a cold-open flashback; the second is for 20 minutes, delivered by BoJack at a funeral to off-screen mourners.[4] As both characters are voiced by Will Arnett, he is the only voice actor to appear in this episode.

Reception

The episode received widespread critical acclaim from both critics and fans upon release. Les Chappell of The AV Club, who gave the episode an "A" grade, called it a "jaw-dropping" episode, and lists it among the show's best.[5] The Washington Post's Elahe Izadi described it as "unlike any other the show has pulled off before" and "very unusual for TV", praising its unique storytelling approach.[2] Lester Fabian Brathwaite of Observer called Arnett's voicing a "tour-de-force performance".[6] In Bustle, Rebecca Patton praises the episode's effectiveness of showing "BoJack's grieving process, grappling with the awful person his mother was and wondering why he's still heartbroken".[7]

References
  1. Lawrence, Derek (June 27, 2018). "'BoJack Horseman' season 5 gets release date, first look". Entertainment Weekly.
  2. Izadi, Elahe (September 17, 2018). "This 'BoJack Horseman' episode is unlike any other the show has pulled off before". Washington Post.
  3. "Nominees/Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  4. "BoJack Horseman Creator Breaks Down the Devastating Funeral Episode". TV Guide. September 25, 2018.
  5. Chappell, Les. "BoJack Horseman delivers a jaw-dropping eulogy and once again raises the bar for concept episodes". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  6. Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (October 1, 2018). "How 'BoJack Horseman' Season 5 Finds Comedy in the Face of Tragedy". Observer.
  7. Patton, Rebecca. "'BoJack Horseman' Nails What It's Like To Grieve A Flawed Love One". Bustle. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
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