BoJack Horseman (TV Series) The Telescope (2014) User Reviews

The True Pilot of "Bojack Horseman"

[alinzpark · 9/10 · 26 March 2020]

This is widely considered the episode where this show ceases being the two-dimensional adult comedy of the rest of the season and becomes "Bojack Horseman."

The first part of this season is a slightly above-average absurdist animated comedy like "Family Guy" or "Regular Show." The issue is that it's neither as funny as peak-Family Guy nor sd successfully absurd as "Regular Show." It feels like it's lost in some purgatory of lost identity; as if it doesn't know what it wants to be.

Luckily, this episode proudly declares what "Bojack Horseman" is going to be. The drama that makes up the meat of the show is present, yet it is still spaced with its absurdist comedy.

This is why I consider "The Telescope" the TRUE pilot of the show. It is the first episode that sticks to the style of the rest of the show and forecasts what is coming. This isn't yet another family guy clone like "Paradise PD." This is "Bojack Horseman."

"I don't forgive you."

[hridouane · 10/10 · 5 December 2021]

This episode came out with a line I almost never heard in an animated cartoon.

This was never easy on BoJack in the beginning of it, but still, he should have called Herb. It was kind of his fault for leaving him, only until he heard about his cancer, and Herb went all out. No closure for the horse.

This was something. 10/10.

Transcendent television

[BigSoulDiva · 10/10 · 20 March 2021]

Welcome to a half hour that will challenge and make you keel over laughing. Look for sharp character and cutting industry satire. Also guest star Angelica Huston steals the show as the most dastardly Hollywood exec.

You have to live with what you did!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 7 January 2024]

This was the episode where I felt like i tasted the true essence of the show and what kind of stories it is able to tell!

This was such a heavy episode dealing with forgivness and closure in a way that very few shows even dare to do it! We are left in shock just as BoJack, almost getting a panic attack cause we just cant believe what we went through!

Its sad how a single event can cause so much damage! In some way it was the most realistic thing i have seen! It was just so... real by the end!

The flashback asked the question.. what kind of person is BoJack gonna be when he gets famous!

I now see there is a real person with real feelings!

Looking Through "The Telescope": BoJack Horseman's Early Sign of Emotional Depth

[ziancara · 9/10 · 13 April 2023]

"The Telescope" is the eighth episode of the first season of the animated series, BoJack Horseman. It is the earliest sign that the show is not just an animated comedy but dares to be more than that. The storyline revolves around BoJack, a washed-up horse actor, who learns that his old friend from their TV show, "Horsin' Around," is dying. BoJack attempts to mend their broken relationship by visiting his friend, but their reunion is not as easy as he anticipated.

The episode starts with BoJack reminiscing about the good times he had with Herb Kazzaz, his former best friend and showrunner of "Horsin' Around." However, their friendship ended abruptly when Herb was fired for being gay, and BoJack did not come to his aid. BoJack's agent, Princess Carolyn, informs him that Herb is dying of cancer, and BoJack sees this as an opportunity to fix things between them.

The episode highlights BoJack's emotional journey as he attempts to reconnect with his past and confronts his previous actions. BoJack's interactions with other characters, including Diane and Todd, also reveal how he has treated them poorly and the effect it has had on their lives.

The final confrontation between BoJack and Herb is a powerful scene that showcases the show's ability to tackle difficult themes with honesty and nuance. Herb confronts BoJack about his betrayal and how he used their friendship for his own gain. BoJack is forced to confront the truth about his past actions, and we see the pain and guilt that he carries with him.

The episode's storytelling and pacing are excellent, with flashbacks providing context for the characters' motivations and actions. The show's signature humor is still present but takes a back seat to the more profound themes explored in the episode.

In conclusion, "The Telescope" is a pivotal episode that marks the first time that BoJack Horseman transcends its comedic roots and delves into more profound themes. It is an emotionally charged episode that explores BoJack's past mistakes and the consequences they have had on his relationships. The final confrontation between BoJack and Herb is a powerful scene that showcases the show's ability to tackle difficult themes with honesty and nuance. Overall, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the show and serves as an excellent introduction for those who have not yet experienced the brilliance of BoJack Horseman.

The Weight

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 6 February 2021]

Herb Pazzazz asks Bojack to come see him. Of course, we know he is dying from cancer. On the way, Bojack tells the story of their relationship and how he betrayed Herb, slinking away when he had a moral duty to his gay friend, now persecuted. We have heard about Herb on other occasions and now we get to see how things developed negatively.

Watch immediately after previous episode for the full effect

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 15 January 2024]

We find out what happened during Bojack's visit to see Herb in Malibu.

This is a strong episode that has some good humour but is dominated by a fairly serious theme.

There is a flashback sequence that works well for the humour and backstory elements of the plot. Some of the banter in these scenes is very good and the 80e design is fun as you would expect.

The serious side of the story involves a feeling of slow impending doom towards Bojack's confrontation with Herb. Betrayals of this type are commonplace, not just in show-business but any organisation where ambitious, self serving people sell each other out to protect their own interests. The writers do not address it with subtlety, but it is an engaging part of the the plot and feels an important part of Bojack's arc. I am intrigued to know if there will be any sort of redemption for the character as the seasons unfold.

The first truly amazing episode of this show

[r-a-196883 · 9/10 · 7 January 2024]

In a word, this episode is: pivotal.

8 episodes into the show, Bojack Horseman distinguishes itself from a perfectly fine show into a great show with "The Telescope". It's unfortunate that the first gem of the series is buried so far in when the show seems to consistently deliver memorable and deep episodes throughout the show, but with five and a bit more seasons ahead of you with this level of quality, it's certainly not too late and cements Bojack Horseman as one of, in my opinion, the best shows of all time.

SPOILERS BEGIN.

The episode itself deals with Bojack meeting his former friend Herb, since he has cancer, having not spoken for 15 years. The first half of the episode or so shows a flashback to the 90s when their show "Horsin Around" was first created, and within a very short amount of time manages to convincingly set up the history of Bojack and Herb's friendship. Briefly showing they met, and how they got started with the show, in particular the scene at the planetarium which foreshadows a whole lot, and Bojack's betrayal are all dealt with so efficiently. Herb already seems like a character with so much depth when the present-day scene with him begins, astounding since we've only began to hear about him essentially 10 minutes ago (very brief references to him were made in previous episodes, to be fair. Mainly just setting up he has cancer and Bojack doesn't get along with him.)

Even though he is established so beautifully so briefly in this episode, the character of Herb will only become more interesting as the series goes on and gets even better.

I give this episode a 9/10 because where this episode does have comedy, it falls a little flat for me. Obviously there are spots in this episode where it, rightly, shouldn't be comedic such as the argument between Bojack and Herb. The break in comedy at this point makes it all the more impactful. I'm referring to the sort-of-B-plot with Todd, if it can even be called that, where he meets with the Celebrity Stealing Gang, which I didn't think was that strong. Otherwise, every other aspect of this episode was perfect.

9

[Edvis-1997 · 9/10 · 7 July 2019]

Well BoJack atleast tried to get a forgiveness for his friend which was very kind from him.