Everybody has that one show that they just love to go back and watch over and over again. For me that show is Bojack Horseman, a so called “comedy” about a washed up sitcom actor, who just so happens to be a horse. I know that sounds weird, but in this cinematic universe the animals talk and act just like the people that live alongside them.

Anyways, the three seasons of Bojack Horseman that are on Netflix have been watched by me several times at this point. While the show is funny and certainly a comedy, it’s not the jokes that keep me coming back.

The show takes an indirect approach to conveying  depression by using humor and a realistic character that the audience can relate to. However, the show isn’t for everyone. If you’re an energetic, clean shaven, optimistic, young person then you will more than likely not connect with the show on an emotional level.

If you’re like me though, and life doesn’t always seem so shiny and bright, then all your free time for the next few weeks just got booked.

Bojack Horseman, the main character of the show, suffers from depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, bad relationships, etc. so odds are that any given viewer could identify with at least one of his many flaws. Despite all these depressing traits, the message behind the show is still uplifting in my eyes. Behind every one of Bojack’s numerous problems is a constant underlying cause; himself.

He’s depressed because he puts himself in that state. He’s an alcoholic because he’s too weak to quit. He can try to blame all of his issues on others or on circumstances, but deep down everybody is responsible for their own happiness.

It’s really a humbling realization to come to grips with the fact that if, in the long run, you as a whole aren’t happy, it’s your fault. I’m not a depressed person who cries himself to sleep to the sweet methodic sound of Bojack’s voice, but I do sometimes get hit with the weight of life and how I’m destined to work until I die with no real alternative. The world can be a difficult place and I think sometimes it’s better to embrace that fact rather than to push it to the side and act as if life is a breeze.

Bojack puts that hard hitting fact right at the forefront, which is why I can watch a show with a talking dog named Mr. Peanutbutter as a character and still feel like it’s realistic.

Like I said before, Bojack Horseman might not be for everyone, but it’s at least worth watching an episode or two due to the relevant themes and honestly I just think it’s hilarious. Sometimes it’s tough to catch the jokes through the sound of my own sobs, but I’m told it’s funny.

I kid. I kid. But seriously, the jokes are witty and quick and if you don’t pay close attention you will miss at least half of them. The characters are as diverse as I’ve ever seen in a show. Some are weird, some are boring, some are optimistic, some are depressed, and all of them are intriguing.

Life’s too short to not binge great shows on Netflix so, if you’re ever feeling like the world is too much or maybe you just want a quick laugh make sure to check out Bojack Horseman.