The first eight episodes of the sixth season of “BoJack Horseman” began streaming on Netflix on Oct. 25.

The final season of the Netflix original series returned with its typical dark humor and satirical wit, but there was a clear focus on beginning to wrap upthe storylines that have been told since season one. Now more than ever is the perfect time to rewatch the series or catch up if you’ve fallen behind.

BoJack’s past is front and center for this season as the first episode shows the sardonic horse entering rehab. He is standoffish and resistant to the process until he sees a picture of Sarah Lynn –the child star from BoJack’s 90s sitcom ‘Horsin’ Around’ who died from an overdose–when she entered the same rehab facility.

BoJack feels responsible for Sarah Lynn’s death because the duo went on a drug and alcohol bender in season three after months of Sarah Lynn being sober. During his time at rehab, he is haunted by a vision of stars from the planetarium where Sarah Lynn died. And it is this framing devise that sets up the season’s theme of dealing with the ghosts of our past.

In eight episodes, we watch the script flip and see BoJack taking responsibly for his actions. He is still not a perfect person–he accidentally ruins the sobriety of his therapist at the rehab center– but he is beginning to come to take responsibility for his life and tries to make amends for the way he has hurt other people.

We see similar growth in the supporting cast as well. We watch as Mr. Peanutbutter is confronted with the reality that he is not necessarily a good person as he thought he was. Princess Carolyn begins to balance her life as a powerful agent and her new role as a mother. Diane confronts her struggle with depression and begins to take anti-depressants. Additionally, Todd finds confidence in facing his father.

The character arcs are well-written and fleshed out–these are more than colorful animations on a screen, they are characters that feel alive, raw and real. And watching their progress towards a (hopefully) happy ending is deeply satisfying.

But it’s not a season of ‘BoJack Horseman’ without something that causes pain and makes you tear up.

Aside from Sarah Lynn’s death, another ghost haunting BoJack is the pain he caused his old friend Charlotte. While visiting Charlotte in New Mexico, BoJack becomes close to her teenage daughter Penny and almost sleeps with her. This is one of the show’s biggest secrets, as “what happened in New Mexico” has been a recurring theme since season two.

Episode eight brings this ghost back to the forefront in two ways. Two investigative journalists looking into Sarah Lynn’s death stumble upon a lead from New Mexico that could connect BoJack to Sarah Lynn’s death; and BoJack’s half-sister Hollyhock meets one of Penny’s friends at a party in New York City who recounts the tale of an adult–who we know is BoJack–getting him and his friends drunk on their prom night.

Even as BoJack–now sober–heads off to a job as a college drama professor, the audience knows there are storm clouds rumbling in the distance. And while the story of BoJack may be coming to a close, this season is only halfway through what I can only expect to be a bittersweet ending.

The final eight episodes of the final season of ‘BoJack Horseman’ will begin streaming on Netflix on Jan. 31.