| Introduction |
"Zoës and Zeldas" is the fourth episode of Season 1 of the Netflix original series, BoJack Horseman. Zoës and Zeldas, along with the rest of Season 1 premiered August 22, 2014.
Synopsis
BoJack decides to mentor Todd; Diane's ex-boyfriend writes a Buzzfeed article about Mr. Peanutbutter.
Plot
The episode begins showing BoJack trying to make it as a stand-up comedian when he was younger. He is heckled by Herb Kazzaz, who also kindly gives BoJack advice afterwards, believing BoJack has much potential.
In the present, BoJack and his group attend "A Roast of Gloria Steinem," where they ask each other if they're a "Zoë or Zelda" (a pair of twin sister characters with opposite personalities on Mr. Peanutbutter's 80s sitcom). When asked of Todd, BoJack remarks that Todd is neither, and disdainfully reminds Todd of his freeloading. Todd sadly agrees he is a failure with no prospects, and mentions how he may never finish his rock opera. BoJack scoffs at the idea of him writing a rock opera, but immediately regrets drawing attention to it.
Back at BoJack's house, Todd performs his rock opera to the group. BoJack heavily criticizes Todd's work, and a dejected Todd gives up. At the following memoir interview session, Diane inquires about Todd, and claims BoJack is harsh with Todd because BoJack is afraid of living alone if he loses Todd through Todd's own success. BoJack denies the claim, and sets to help Todd with his rock opera to prove Diane wrong.
BoJack gradually helps Todd clean up and refine his rock opera, while improving their friendship in the meanwhile. The two go out to lunch, where Todd reveals how he became a screw-up due to an unhealthy obsession with video games, and how he now has gotten Princess Carolyn to invite a celebrated name in rock opera, Virgil Van Cleef, to attend his next rehearsal. Upon hearing Todd's rock opera, Virgil is delighted and invites Todd to debut his rock opera next month at a theater Virgil owns.
BoJack is dismayed about Todd's sudden success, but still shows support. He takes Todd to get snacks after hearing news that potential financiers were coming to see a rehearsal tomorrow, and it is at the store that Todd discovers the sequel to the video game that ruined him in the past. BoJack staunchly tells Todd not to relapse, but Todd buys and secretly plays the video game in an all-night binge. Todd ends up groggy the following morning and gives a shabby performance, disappointing Virgil and the financiers. BoJack consoles Todd and takes him home.
Diane's ex-boyfriend Wayne had followed Mr. Peanutbutter around since the roast, claiming he is writing a BuzzFeed article featuring Mr. Peanutbutter. Instead, he had simply been trying to reunite with Diane, claiming they were good for each other. Using the "Zoë or Zelda" comparison for personalities, Wayne claims Diane has the same personality as he does, and is incompatible with Mr. Peanutbutter no matter how much she denies it. At the same time, it is shown that BoJack had not changed for the better by supporting Todd, as he had paid off store clerks and actors to manipulate getting Todd's favorite video game into Todd's hands the entire time, to jeopardize Todd's chances of ever having a successful career.
Cast
| Actor | Character | |
|---|---|---|
| Will Arnett | ... | BoJack Horseman |
| Amy Sedaris | ... | Princess Carolyn |
| Alison Brie | ... | Diane Nguyen |
| Paul F. Tompkins | ... | Mr. Peanutbutter |
| Aaron Paul | ... | Todd Chavez |
| Wyatt Cenac | ... | Wayne |
| Kelen Coleman | ... | |
| Adam Conover | ... | |
| Mike Hollingsworth | ... | |
| Margo Martindale | ... | Herself |
| Dave Segal | ... | |
| Stanley Tucci | ... | Herb Kazzaz |
| Caroline Williams | ... |
Trivia
- Wayne's gibberish notes discovered by Diane say the following: xxzzzicchxopyzz fojseiixxxospjgoooifxztioeiojfooejjpipoisonxxffefxqefqwberryyyKdfjpifffheeAustraliazxxolwhoareyou,;;Burg dianeiloveyouleavethatdumbdogalreadyyysgooseberrytartfffdisastrism4evrr779//ioioidjrrivefwewiidvjjvdfkssksiidviiffttziftyIamtypingtypingtypinggg'sretrelyyiyoonoo"llhisfh63endso39'don'treally.tivandwhllneetoislentllhisalotmoreexwl'tLFG>/yuuwtsupposerrdsaiffliuoutheti
- The concept of "Zoës and Zeldas" was previously mentioned on the characters blog, discussing Tia and Tamera, http://boringoldraphael.tumblr.com/post/1606551060/heres-a-good-first-date-question-are-you-a-tia .
Intro differences
This is the first episode where the intro changes to reflect the show's changing status-quo. Both changes reflect the damage done to the furniture in BoJack's house in the previous episode.
- BoJack's bed is held up by a stack of books after Todd jumped on it and broke one of the posts.
- The ottoman in Bojack's living room is scorched after having been set on fire by Sarah Lynn.
Gallery
