The titular star of Netflix's BoJack Horseman is a complex character. Fans first meet BoJack in Season 1 as a selfish but sympathetic character. BoJack continues to commit horrible acts and hurts the people around him throughout the series. Yet fans can't help him but love him at times, as the animated comedy-drama explores the intricacies of his damaged mentality.
BoJack's narcissistic nature provokes several damning situations that make it easy to hate the troubled horse. However, there are moments scattered throughout the show that exemplifies the good person he is capable of being.
Loved: Looking After A Baby Seahorse
BoJack heads to Pacific Ocean City in Season 3's "Fish Out Of Water." The troubled horse goes on a series of wacky underwater adventures in one of the show's most creative episodes, including briefly adopting a newborn seahorse.
BoJack shows his paternal side as he cares for the baby whilst searching for the seahorse's father. It is a humanizing moment for the titular character. BoJack's concern for his temporary ward's safety makes it easy for fans to love him.
Hated: What Happened In New Mexico
BoJack stays with his friend, Charlotte, and her family in New Mexico during Season 2 of BoJack Horseman. It is there that the troubled horse commits one of his most despicable acts. BoJack grows close to Charlotte's teenage daughter, Penny, and the deer later walks in on them during a compromising situation.
BoJack later its that he is unsure if he was going to reject Penny when Charlotte discovered them. This is a damning scene of a predatory BoJack that made many fans despise the Horsin' Around star.
Loved: Being A Big Brother To Hollyhock
BoJack meets his estranged half-sister, Hollyhock, in Season 4. The 90s sitcom star initially believes Hollyhock is his daughter. However, he soon learns that Hollyhock is the daughter of his father, Butterscotch, and their maid, Henrietta, who was put up for adoption by BoJack's mother, Beatrice.
BoJack eventually embraces Hollyhock in his life and tries his best to be a good big brother. He takes an interest in her hobbies and interests and attempts to look after her in his skewered and chaotic way.
Hated: Leaving Sarah Lynn For 17 Minutes
BoJack's most unforgivable crime is his treatment of his pseudo-daughter figure, Sarah Lynn. BoJack gave the child actress some damning advice that scarred her psyche and set her on a path of addiction. In Season 3's "That's Too Much, Man!" he encourages her to abandon her sobriety which results in her tragic death.
In Season 6, the extent of BoJack's involvement in Sarah Lynn's death is revealed. Fans learn that BoJack left Sarah Lynn alone for 17 minutes before she eventually died in the hospital of an overdose.
Loved: Witnessing His Terrible Childhood
Despite his crimes, it's hard not to feel sorry for BoJack. The troubled horse had a terrible childhood and was badly neglected by his abusive parents, Butterscotch and Beatrice. Beatrice, in particular, is portrayed as a cruel parent who emotionally tormented her son throughout his life.
A heartbreaking scene in Season 6 includes a young BoJack laying with his ed-out parents after drinking some of his mother's alcohol. It is a wrenching moment that fully displays the lack of love in the Horseman household.
Hated: Sabotaging Todd's Rock Opera
Todd is one of the purest characters in BoJack Horseman, but even he isn't spared from BoJack's toxicity. In Season 1, BoJack sabotages Todd's promising rock opera by manipulating his friend into succumbing to an old video game addiction. Todd eventually discovers this and begins to distance himself from BoJack.
BoJack ruins Todd's happiness out of fear and insecurity. It is easy to hate him during scenes like this, where the troubled horse showcases the extent of his selfishness.
Loved: Ghostly Phone Call To Diane
One of the strongest relationships in BoJack's life is his friendship with Diane. It could be argued that the Horsin' Around star is in love with his friend. In Season 6's "The View From Halfway Down," BoJack shares a haunting phone call with an imaginary Diane during his near-death experience.
The call concludes with BoJack asking Diane how her day was, signifying BoJack's secret feelings for his friend. BoJack is a complex character but his capacity for love is a redeeming quality that makes it hard for fans to truly hate him.
Hated: Firing Princess Carolyn
Princess Carolyn is another long-term love interest, friend and agent of BoJack's. Fans are introduced to her relationship with BoJack in Season 1 and it is apparent that the sitcom star takes her for granted. Despite Princess Carolyn's dedication to his career, BoJack fires her as his agent in Season 3's "Best Thing That Ever Happened."
PC isn't perfect but she was one of the most loyal friends BoJack had. BoJack throws her help back in her face during this episode and fires his agent after she helps salvage his restaurant.
Loved: BoJack Cries
Kelsey struggles to get BoJack to cry on camera during the filming of Secretariat in Season 2. The troubled horse refuses to give in to his emotions until Kelsey inadvertently touches on something his mother told him episodes prior.
BoJack never cries on camera as Kelsey declares his defeated facial expression enough. However, the horse quickly leaves the set and bursts into tears in a heartwrenching and sympathy-provoking scene.
Hated: Betraying Herb
BoJack's betrayal of his friend, Herb Kazzaz, haunts the troubled horse throughout his life. Herb is responsible for BoJack's success on Horsin' Around, but fans discover in Season 1 that BoJack turned his back on Herb and allowed his dismissal from the show after his sexuality was exposed.
This is another terrible act on BoJack's part and an example of how toxic the titular character is towards his friends. BoJack attempts to repair the wounds in his relationship with Herb after learning of his friend's terminal cancer diagnosis from Sarah Lynn. Herb refuses to forgive him and, like many fans, continues to despise BoJack.