The scene where Mr. Peanutbutter asks Diane why she made such a big deal out of the situation, and she said “someone had to say something” and he says “and that someone had to be you…because…why?”. Later in the conversation, he goes on to say he doesn’t understand why she is taking a stand on something she has nothing to do with, and how it is jeopardizing his role on the Hollywoo Stars and Celebs.
When I was younger and first watched the show, I agreed with Mr. Peanutbutter. Why was she getting all riled up about something that had nothing to do with her? I knew she felt passionately about it but like yeah, she had no connection to it whatsoever. But as I get older & find myself more empathetic towards and deeply unsettled by the injustices in this world, I feel obligated to speak up for and educate others about marginalized groups when they have not had the chance to have a voice. This has caused me to be a “Diane” in some situations while talking to my older family members about social issues, who in turn would be the “Mr. Peanutbutter.”
I do also see his side, because his career is important as well and she’s making very publicly disliked statements when she is very openly married to him. Though, I do feel at this point in the show that Diane’s side is ultimately more important and difficult for her yet she still pushes through because she sees the importance, while Mr. Peanutbutter has been able to breeze through life, not really facing any hard realities. In turn, making him unable to understand her situation. I think he could survive just fine if he supported her and faced some backlash, as he would surely bounce back (in the Bojack Horseman cinematic universe where, of course, popular people face little to no consequences.)
Just want some opinions. :)
It’s complicated.
I think Diane could have navigated the conversation with Mr. PB a lot better. Which is why it’s complicated.
We need to remember to practice “mentalization” which is where you practice the skill of holding someone else’s reality inside your own head and imagining what they might do/say based on what you know.
Mr. PB is a male. He’s a rich, privileged male. He’s not directly effected by the issues Diane is advocating against. He was once a young, naive and impressionable boy. He’s also a dog, meaning he has a constant, never-ended need for reassurance, positive affirmations and ‘togetherness’ with his closest friends. Diane’s inherent critical nature and her conflictual accusations (no matter how true) are at direct odds with Mr’s inner needs. Mr will choose harmony over justice. He’s a good boy, and good boys don’t challenge male authority… We saw in a earlier clip how Mr looks up to and idolizes Hank, which further complicates why it’s so hard for him to see Hank as a perpetrator. It’s like telling someone their beloved father is a rapist. It’s a hard pill to swallow and you cannot realistically expect someone to side with you the first time you share that new information. It’s too shocking. Mr is loyal too so naturally he wants to defend Hank.
All of this is why, Diane could have approached the conversation with a softer touch… She needed to go on a long term campaign to slowly get Mr. PB to accept the idea that his idol is bad and corrupt. But Diane didn’t do that. She made a promise to drop it entirely and then turned around and did the opposite of that… Which was super hurtful to Mr. PB.
Big picture: Diane is in the right. Perpetrators should be called out and victims deserve justice. If you can use your voice to normalize speaking out about injustices, then do it.
Small picture: Diane was insensitive to Mr. PB’s feelings and betrayed him by doing the thing he politely asked her not to do because it causes him emotional distress.