alexdiflip

The characters in this show feel extremely real, and the conversations are filled with very playful, fun, natural dialogue. Raphael Bob-Waksberg, as proven through Bojack and Undone, has shown that he knows how to write incredibly introspective and layered characters. I'm so interested to learn more about the inner workings of this family, and to see how the story turns in the coming seasons. Specifically, Naomi is an awfully complex (and frustrating) character, and I enjoyed watching her children navigate their relationship with her.

The first season itself was pretty strong. It's non linear storytelling keeps things fresh and interesting, but there's some important through lines that help keep everything feeling connected and like a single story. The art style is fun and makes things feel like a comic strip, and can even be strangely beautiful to look at, at times. It definitely does need some further work in terms of lighting and composition, but there's already a great groundwork laid here.

Compared to Bojack, this first season was a lot more coherent and well put together. Most jokes landed, and little felt awkward, as Bojack's first few episodes did. I do think the first season of Bojack hit deeper emotional lows with "Downer Ending", but I can see Long Story Short's huge potential in that area as well, as there were plenty heartbreaking moments already.

Overall, a fantastic start to what seems like a very vibrant show. Can't wait to see where they go in the next seasons- I'm expecting wild things!

This episode is likely my favorite of the entire series, and does a great job revealing how much both Deborah and Ava have changed, especially due to their ongoing feud this season. They both have incredibly touching moments, but after a great deal of excellent tension and misleads. Jean Smart absolutely destroys this episode and delivers every line with so much texture and detail that they reveal so much about her without being over the top in the slightest, and nearly brought me to tears by the end.

This episode also has an excellent side storyline with Jimmy and Kayla. I figured that her arc would end this way, but it was still touching to see her stand her ground and how far she's come, from the spoiled girl she began as. Jimmy also has some of his best moments of the entire series in this episode, his freak outs reaching a monumental level (and having an amazing callback to Ava's breakdown earlier this season), and furthering his character and connecting him more to the main cast.

Ultimately, this episode fires on all cylinders, keeping you on the edge of your seat and giving you a great deal of satisfaction, despite a major loss. It's wild how many ups and downs I felt during these 40 minutes, and it truly shows how well structured and paced this season has been. All of it built to this, and I can't wait to see what's next (though I'm a little scared). Amazing writing!

Honestly, I haven't even finished the series yet, but this episode practically forced me to write a review before I did so, as I couldn't wait to express how incredible this show is.

I won't spoil anything in this review (in an effort to convey to as many possible how amazing this show is), but there is a scene present in this episode that continuously makes me shed tears every single time I rewatch it. The internal message of cooperation and understanding is so beautiful it affected me to my very core, and it's so heartwarming to see this wonderful display of the human condition depicted so vividly.

This episode helped me reconsider how I view the perceived "opposition" and is so important in contextualizing real world conflicts that I would recommend this entire show to someone just to view this episode. I thank the writers and creators for making something this textured and utterly beautiful and human.

I'll never forget this episode. Truly. It helps remind me what makes me human, and what makes others human.