SPOILERS FOR A LOT OF BOJACK HORSEMAN
Before reading this, I don't want this to be a "hot take" kind of post, I intend this to be more of a discussion kind of post. I've been thinking about this for the past couple of years, and I myself also see Sarah Lynn as a tragic figure... but why?
Ok so, we all know what happened to Bojack by the end of the show and how it affected him, and it seemed like it was the writers' design for this to happen to him. Fair enough, he did a LOT of scumbag things, deserved to be knocked down more than a peg or two and suffer the consequences of his actions that affected not just himself, but others around him, and he does seem to be taking personal responsibility and there are no sour grapes on his end, he's paying for it, getting better, and is getting better regardless if the people around him will forgive him or not. It's probably one of the best redemptions I've seen in media, thus far
but what about Sarah Lynn?
BEFORE I CONTINUE, yes, Sarah Lynn is 100% a victim of her environment, an overbearing, uncaring mother and a stepdad that more than likely abused her, JUST to begin with... but why doesn´t the audience, or the writers for that matter, criticize her the same way Bojack received it?
A LOT Of us, often criticize Bojack for help Sarah Lynn relapse... but she said yes IMMEDIATELY, she also admitted she was only off drugs so she can go back to them having an effect. She has the same issues in the Hollywood lifestyle that Bojack had, substance abuse, self destructive behavior, no real friends, manipulating and using people to their advantage and abusive parents since a young age (and yes, Sarah Lynn's case is a lot worst). Also, by the time we know her, she is already an adult, Bojack gets (RIGHTFULLY) Called out for his actions; my favorite being Todd's "It's all you speech" (arguably the greatest use of the word "fuck" on the show), granted as an OLDER adult, but no one in universe or writing wise seemed to call that out for Sarah Lynn... Why?
Let's imagine for a second she does not die young, which there is obvious commentary on how the media portrays young dead celebrities as "tragic" when THEY themselves pushed them to it in many ways. Would Sarah Lynn not deserve the same scrutiny and though love that Bojack got from all his (former) friends?
When Bojack goes "I'm the one who suffered the most, from the actions of Bojack Horseman" and Diane rightfully brings out Sarah Lynn and then later we know about the 17 minutes... Again, Sarah Lynn CHOSE to go with Bojack, on that bender, she CHOSE to not do drugs only to have them give her an effect again, SHE is an adult too and I may sound a BIT too mean here but... what if the roles were reversed? What if Bojack died and Sarah Lynn survived? I genuinely think Sarah Lynn would've also waited 17 minutes to call an ambulance, but that's just me speculating, though I don't think I'm that wrong
So I ask again, why do WE, and I'm including myself too, why do we give Sarah Lynn... kind of a pass on HER self destructive behavior?