Ep 3. Prickly-Muffin

BoJack Horseman season 1 episode 3, titled "Prickly-Muffin," follows BoJack, the horse, as he navigates his public image, relationships, and personal demons as a washed-up former sitcom star. The episode begins with BoJack waking up in his luxurious but empty Hollywood mansion, feeling lonely and unfulfilled despite his wealth and fame. As he gets ready for the day, he reflects on his recent media appearance where he made insensitive comments about his co-star and former flame, Diane Nguyen.

BoJack decides to make amends with Diane by inviting her over for dinner and apologizing for his comments. However, things don't go according to plan as Diane brings along her boyfriend, Mr. Peanutbutter, a cheerful and blissfully unaware Labrador Retriever who is also a sitcom star. BoJack takes an instant dislike to Mr. Peanutbutter, viewing him as a rival and a symbol of everything he resents about the entertainment industry.

The tensions between BoJack and Mr. Peanutbutter escalate when they both try to impress Diane with their generosity and wit. BoJack offers to buy Diane a new laptop to make up for his past behavior while Mr. Peanutbutter surprises her with a room full of balloons and a personalized breakfast muffin. BoJack tries to one-up Mr. Peanutbutter by buying Diane a car, but she reveals that she's not interested in material possessions and would rather spend time with someone who respects her as a person.

Meanwhile, Todd, BoJack's slacker roommate, gets a job as a clown dentist after being mistaken for a professional by a little girl. Todd's new gig leads him to cross paths with a prickly hedgehog named Emily, who is also a dentist. The two form a connection over their shared love of puns and quirkiness, but their budding romance hits a snag when Emily realizes that Todd is not actually a trained dentist.

As the episode comes to a close, BoJack and Mr. Peanutbutter continue to compete for Diane's attention, with each trying to out-romanticize the other. However, their efforts backfire when Diane realizes that they are more interested in impressing her than actually getting to know her. Diane tells them off and leaves, leaving BoJack and Mr. Peanutbutter alone to reflect on their respective insecurities and flaws. The episode ends with BoJack realizing that he needs to work on himself before he can have a meaningful relationship with anyone, while Mr. Peanutbutter vows to win Diane back by being more authentic and genuine.

Overall, "Prickly-Muffin" is a poignant and hilarious episode that delves deeper into the complex relationships and personalities of the show's main characters. It touches on themes of jealousy, self-doubt, and the search for authenticity that many viewers will relate to. The episode is also notable for its clever use of animal puns and Hollywood satire, making it a treat for fans of meta-humor and pop culture references.