Season 2, Episode 1, BoJack Horseman: “Brand New Couch”

 

Bechdel Test: Pass or Fail?

  • Are there at least TWO women?
    • Beatrice Horseman 
    • Princess Carolyn
    • Diane
    • Kelsey Jannings
  • Do they talk to each other?
    • Yes!
  • Do they talk about something other than a man?
    • YES!

 

Why did it Pass/Fail? 

  • This episode passes with flying colors right in the first 10 minutes of the episode. Diane and Kelsey talk with each other for a decent amount of time about Diane’s position in the Secretariat movie. BoJack isn’t brought up at all (or any other male), so this episode passes!

 

Other themes noticed:

  • BoJack’s mother was verbally and emotionally abusive to BoJack. I thought this was really surprising, because a mother isn’t usually the one to express those violent traits and feelings. BoJack’s father wasn’t really present that much in his life either (they didn’t have a good relationship), so the fact that his mother wasn’t nurturing and caring kind of surprised me. 
  • I am very pleased to see the first episode of the new season pass the Bechdel test. I hope the screenwriters decided to include more diverse content in the second season!

 

Shared by: Will Kepes
Image Credit: https://bojackhorseman.fandom.com/wiki/Brand_New_Couch