When Hollyhock says “I love you” to Bojack in the 9th Episode of Season 5, called ‘Ancient History,’ why doesn’t he say it back? It’s the first time someone has said it to him and truly, truly meant it! and he does love her back (not by idealistic brother-sister standards, but by Bojack standards) Just something that occurred to me as this is my first watch. What do y’all think?
The answer is in your very post. Bojack was never sincerely told “I love you” during his formative years. On the contrary, Butterscotch and specially Beatrice basically taught him to hate himself.
Add that to all of Bojack’s friendships and romances either falling apart or being dysfunctional, and the result is that Bojack doesn’t know how to properly “love” someone, and neither does he know how to allow others to love him.
Deep down he doesn’t think he is worthy of love thanks to his parents, and subconsciously self sabotages in order to fulfill that idea on a self fulfilling prophecy kind of way.