I don't think I was expecting a light comedy of any sort. I just was expecting something to bring a smile now and then, rather than grimaces and aversion.

If Bojack is a study in abuse then it should be much clearer up front. Contrast with Reileen Kawahara in Altered Carbon. We know early on that her parents were murdered and when she trusted the authorities afterward they separated her from the brother she was close to, then sold her into child sex slavery. So she's got trust issues, and a hatred of authority. And she's kind of fixated on her brother. She's an awful human being who does tragic and cruel things, but I 'get' her right out of the gate.