Bojack season 5: first thoughts

Another year, another highly anticipated season of Bojack, watched all in one day. I enjoyed my first watch-through tremendously, and have started my re-watch. For now, I just want to go episode by episode and give some (spoilery) thoughts.


1. The Light Bulb Scene

Great season opener. Set up Bojack's new show, Philbert, Princess Carolyn's plan to adopt a child, and Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter's divorce (in an ending scene that made me scream). There are great moments sprinkled throughout (especially the phone call between Bojack and Hollyhock is adorable), and all of the major characters are given something to do, and interact with each other. The season's show business commentary is off to a great start in this episode. ("If it's driven by character, that means it's not gratuitous!") 


2. The Dog Days Are Over

The chronology of this episode is really creative while still being easy to follow. The "listicle" format allows for Diane's commentary and some good humor. As we work our way toward the beginning of the episode (Diane sobbing in her car), there are a few heartbreaking moments. Of course, Diane seeing Mr. Peanutbutter with his new girlfriend, Pickles -- but I was particularly hurt by the Diane/Bojack interactions in this episode. Bojack just wanted to go to the party with Diane :/


3. Planned Obsolescence

I really enjoy the Princess Carolyn/Pickles in this episode dealing with the specter of Diane. Bojack teasing Gina over her love for musical theater is fun. Todd's storyline is... fine. There are some good jokes (look at the foods on the dinner table), but I'm not that into it.


4. Bojack the Feminist 

This season's issue episode! A Mel Gibson-type actor is cast in Philbert and Bojack ends up a feminist hero by doing the bare minimum. This show has dealt a lot with the recurring issues of sexual harassment in Hollywood, and this season dives into that later on, but this episode is more about famous men who are known to be horrible in their personal lives, and whose careers barely suffer as a result. There's plenty of irony in this episode upon a rewatch ("don't choke women!"), as it's clear that Philbert plays off of Bojack's problematic persona. The end of the episode really sets things in motion as Diane finds out about New Mexico.


5. The Amelia Earhart Story

I love seeing teenage Princess Carolyn, and I love David Sedaris voicing PC's mom. Inspired. The episode also sets up Bojack's opioid addiction, which is the thrust of the season.


6. Free Churro

This is hands-down the best episode of the season, and one of the best episodes of Bojack ever. Top five for sure. The entire episode (minus a flashback cold open) is a eulogy delivered by Bojack at his mother's funeral. This episode is funny and heartbreaking and unique. Will Arnett Emmy when?!


7. INT. SUB

This episode is creative and funny as a couple share stories about their clients over dinner. But the real headline: Diane. Did. That. What a power move.


8. Mr. Peanutbutter's Boos

I love that Mr. Peanutbutter is finally realizing some things after five seasons. This is a very good and funny episode as it switches between the four timelines. Lots of good era-related jokes.


9. Ancient History

I hate seeing Bojack waste his limited time with Hollyhock trying to get drugs. And Jesus Christ, Bojack, just give her a hug and tell her that you love her. I enjoy seeing Ralph again, and... I just want them to be together :( I love the re-appearance of Meow Meow Fuzzyface. I don't love Todd's subplots in most of the season; he used to be more interesting in seasons 1-3. The ending of this episode made me scream.


10. Head in the Clouds

Character actress Margo Martindale! There's lots of meta introspection in this episode, as Diane ponders whether it's ethical to make a bad character sympathetic, and whether that normalizes bad behavior. ("We're all terrible, therefore we're all okay.") Henry Fondles' innuendos are funny, which makes the subplot sorta worth it. Mr. Peanutbutter and Diane hooking up?! But the headline is: The Bojack/Diane reckoning we've been waiting for. Last season was much more Diane/Mr. Peanutbutter, so I really needed this.


11. The Showstopper

The notorious 11th episode. It sure is something, but it wasn't as cathartic as Time's Arrow or Escape From L.A. to me -- more on par with season one's Downer Ending emotion-wise. I like how it switches back and forth between the show and Bojack's life, and how it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't. The musical number is great and unsettling, and the ending packs a horrible punch, as Gina delivers the one f-word this season. Also, what's up with the stair to heaven imagery? Bojack didn't die this season, but... maybe it won't be much longer.


12. The Stopped Show 

The fall-out of last episode, and set up for the next season. Princess Carolyn adopts a baby, Mr. Peanutbutter proposes to Pickles, and Bojack starts rehab. I love that the season ends on Diane. Good for her.

Minnesota State Fair foods, 2018

I work at the state fair as part of my job, and this year I was there 10 out of the 12 days. Here's everything I ate and drank. (Don't @ me, the fair's only once a year.)


Food

Hot apple dumpling: A decent breakfast or dessert, but I wish you could get it for $5 instead of $7 without the absurd amount of ice cream.

Sausage and bacon breakfast sandwiches from Salem Lutheran church: Pretty good. Buttery biscuit.

Grilled peach with greek yogurt from the Produce Exchange: Didn't live up to the hype, although maybe the herbed goat cheese (for an extra $2) is the better topping choice.

Pork and Brisket "flight" of sliders from the Hangar: Very good. You can only get one kind of meat per order (3 sliders for $10) so I didn't understand what made it a "flight" -- but it's that each of the three sliders has a different condiment: coleslaw, a pickle, or fried onions. Okay.

Corn fritters with honey butter: One of my state fair favorites. Sweet and savory. $6.50 isn't too bad for fair prices.

Martha's cookies: As I'm sure you know, they're very good when they're fresh, but you always end up with leftovers which are not as good.

Loaded tots from Tot Boss: Good, and tricks you into thinking it's a well-rounded meal. (Sour cream, cheese, chives, bacon? Those are the food groups, right?)

Pronto pup: When you need a quick bite for $5. But the slogan "Banquet on a Stick" is... upsetting to me. "Banquet" is a gross word.

Turducken sausage from Giggles: New in 2018. It's pretty decent, and comes with a slaw topping.

Crab fritters: What to get when the line at Giggles/Campfire Grill is too long. The dipping sauce is good.

Uffda Taco: A generous helping of taco toppings on a piece of fry bread. Really good! One of my favorites.

Duck bacon wontons from Giggles: Essentially these are cream cheese wontons with some bits of bacon (duck bacon) and veg. Good dipping sauce.

Smoked salmon on a stick from Giggles: I got this twice this year. One of my favorites! Delicious and probably one of the more healthy fair foods. Plus you can use the skewers are chopsticks to eat up the scraps. Great!

Cubana from Manny's Tortas: Cubano-style torta. I dropped mine on the ground immediately after purchasing it, and they gave me a new one. Thanks!

Grilled elote from Tejas Express: Grilled corn with Mexican sauce and seasoning. So good! One of the new foods in 2018, and I will definitely get it again next year.

Bierfest pie from Sara's Tipsy Pies: A savory pie with sausage, sauerkraut, and cheddar on the inside. Pretty good.



Drinks

Egg coffee from Salem church: My go-to state fair coffee for my morning shift. $2 for a decent coffee.

Coffee from the hot apple dumpling stand: $1, but it tastes like water.

Mini donut beer from the Ball Park: This was highly recommended to me, and it's actually great! Who knew! Got it twice.

S'mores beer from Giggles: Last year, it was a darker, chocolatey stout. This year it was a much lighter beer, with (maybe?) a hint of chocolate. Still a decent novelty beer, but I think I preferred it last year.

Mango sour beer: I didn't realize this was a sour beer (I don't like sour beers) but it was $9 so I drank it.

Maple bacon brown ale from Giggles: A pretty normal brown ale. I like brown ales. And it's got a piece of soggy bacon floating in it. I was hoping for maybe a crispy piece of bacon across the top of the cup? But whatever.

Hoppy & bitter flight from the Hangar: A flight of four beers for $10 seems like a good value at the fair. Probably not anything you haven't had before, if you're a craft beer person, but it's good for sharing, and the Hangar is a fun place.

Uffda Ale from Giggles: Not sure what the shtick is with this one. It's pretty light and very carbonated. Served with a fried tortilla chip or something in it? I don't get it.