If I were to say to you the words “Will Arnett”, “alcoholic depression” and “Netflix series”, you’d likely associate that with Bojack Horseman. You know, that one about a horse… man, named Bojack. Full disclosure, I haven’t watched it, but I have watched Flaked, and maybe you should too.
If you haven’t seen Flaked, it ticks the same broad boxes as Bojack, in that Will Arnett plays the lead, he’s an alcoholic and it’s on Netflix. It follows Chip (Arnett), a recovering alcoholic who sees himself as somewhat of a leader within his Venice Beach community. The crux of the story deals with his past, and the arrival of waitress London (Ruth Kearney) who threatens to come between Chip and his best friend Dennis (David Sullivan).
Initially, you’re led to believe that Flaked is a positive, self help story about a guy overcoming his alcoholic affliction to find love and support within his community. The truth is, the sunshine of Venice Beach masks the darkness that bubbles below the surface. As the episodes roll forward, we begin to watch as these characters get wrapped up in Chip’s destructive whirlwind of deception.
That’s not to say this isn’t a show devoid of humour or brevity. The banter between characters is quite humorous, especially between Chip and Dennis, and characters like Cooler help to provide comic relief in between the lies, the conflict and the confessions. It’s these light moments that make those forays into darker subject matters more meaningful.
More than anything, Flaked is a story of a world unravelling, specifically Chip’s world. For years, he’s been the cock of the walk in Venice, but the arrival of London sets in motion a chain of events that threaten the life he’s grown accustomed to over the years. His intricate web of lies is imploding around him, his relationships with those in his AA group begin to deteriorate and people begin to see Chip for who he is; a piece of shit.
Season 1 is Chip coming undone at the seams, whereas Season 2 sees Chip seeking atonement for some of the events of the previous season. Whilst Season 1 is arguably better because we’re able to learn the secrets of the characters, compelled to watch the next episode and the latest revelation, Season 2 presents more interesting character arcs. Most of the cards are now on the table, it’s a question of what the characters do with it. Of course, there’s a few twists thrown in for good measure too.
I know that Flaked won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. This is hardly life and death television akin to Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, but it’s an interesting exploration of characters who are fundamentally broken. If you’re looking for something different to watch on Netflix, give Flaked a try.
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