Season 1, Episode 4, BoJack Horseman: Zoës and Zeldas

 

Bechdel Test: Pass or Fail?

  • Are there at least TWO women?
    • Gloria Steinem (feminist hosting a roast conference)
    • Diane
    • Princess Carolyn
    • Zoe (from Mr. Peanutbutter’s show)
    • Zelda (from Mr. Peanutbutter’s show)
  • Do they talk to each other?
    • Nope
  • Do they talk about something other than a man?
    • N/A

 

Why did it Pass/Fail? 

  • This episode completely and utterly failed the Bechdel test. Not only did any female character talk with any other female, but the majority of the show focused on BoJack and Todd’s Rock Opera. The episode’s title was definitely misleading; I was looking forward to watching another episode pass the test! 

 

Other themes noticed:

  • The episode starts off with some sort of event being held for feminist Gloria Steinem. It was then revealed that this event was a giant roasting session and then people proceeded to ridicule her. I didn’t see the point of that scene; taking it out completely does nothing to the plot of the episode.
  • Not really a theme related to gender or media, but BoJack continues to be ruthless in the jokes he is saying in these episodes. Todd played his rock opera to BoJack and others, and BoJack commented by saying, “That was literally worse than 100 September 11’s.” That was a spit-take moment for sure.
  • Like I mentioned once above, this episode was very bland in terms of gender and media. The entire episode revolved around BoJack and Todd’s rock opera; even when they performed it in front of judges, the only female judge didn’t even have a name while the other male ones did. It was still a good episode, but I am disappointed because of the lack of material.

Shared by: Will Kepes
Image Credit: https://inmyhumbleonionblog.wordpress.com/2020/08/16/74-zoes-and-zeldas/