Welcome to TV Recap, in which we look at modern shows and analyze them on an episode-to-episode basis. This one focuses on the cartoon sitcom Bob's Burgers, a very funny show that is capable of rivaling old school Simpsons in terms of irreverent humor and off the wall zaniness. With a cast of modern alternative comedian heroes, the story follows the Belchers as they run a burger joint. Join me as I take part in dissecting the show in its first full season. Check back on Tuesdays for the next exciting installment.
Welcome to my new TV recap column on one of my current favorite cartoon shows Bob's Burgers. I have been a fan since the original episode aired, and only through two short seasons have I felt that it has found its voice. It is imperfect and a lot of the jokes fall flat, but it feels ambitious and in a line-up that includes a show that controversially is a knock-off of the other, it is nice to see one of them shine. I decided to give this show a try since Louie is coming to a close. And don't worry. I am trying not to stick to strictly cartoons and NBC shows. I will try to find something else to cover when my availability opens up.
In this premiere episode of Bob's Burgers, we find the Belchers working in the diner and talking with Teddy (Larry Murphy) and the next door mortician Mort (Andy Kindler). As a pack from a motorcycle gang approaches, Mort informs Bob (Jon Benjamin) that this was his next appointment. They are holding a ceremony for their deceased chapter leader Horny Dave. Of course, this gets the kids Louise (Kristen Schaal), Tina (Dan Mintz), and Gene (Eugene Mirman) all excited, as they want them to read them bedtime stories and be their friends. Tina claims to be the bad girl as mother Linda (John Roberts) tries to tell them not to. In fact, Bob is not excited about them possibly coming over.
And they do. The clan from the One Eyed Snake motorcycle gang are hanging out at Bob's Burgers to have a few drinks and celebrate exactly how Horny Dave would like. Bob befriends the leader Critter (Ben Garant), who insists that they are fine throwing beer bottles on the ground and causing a ruckus. There's even a pregnant one who is an active drinker named Mudflap (Wendi McLendon-Covey). This gets Bob concerned, but not enough to do anything. The place gets a reputation as a biker bar, as they are serving drinks to bikers.
Meanwhile, Louise, Tina, and Gene are seen walking as they pass by a group of skateboarders. Tina acknowledges that one of them threatens her and she feels scared by him. His name is Logan (Kurt Braunohler), who approaches Louise and begins picking on her. He eventually steals her trademark pink bunny ears, claiming that they would look better on her. This sends Louise into a panic as she covers her head with her hoodie and possesses a deranged look in her eyes.
Critter gives Bob a card for the One Eyed Snakes that means that no other biker gang can mess with Bob's Burgers, though he warns them that one does send a Molotov cocktail occasionally. Critter forces Bob to put it in the window before he takes off. Things seem to go back to normal until Louise gets home. They realize that she is going through a hard time and try to sympathize with her, but she is out for revenge against Logan at this point.
Even at school when talking to Andy (Laura Silverman) and Ollie (Sarah Silverman), she seems intent on getting the hat back. Gene and Tina head home and tell their parents that Louise is out looking for a new hat, which suffices their curiosity. However, this sends them on a quest to find a new hat for her, which turns into a dispute between Bob and Gene over a couple cool-looking hats.
Louise is out on her own. She is stalking Logan, who is not willing to give her the hat back. She event stands outside his house until she gets it back. When this doesn't happen, she approaches Logan's mom Cynthia (Lindsey Stoddart) and demands him to return it. Logan caves in and says that he threw it out.
Louise traces the steps that Logan has given her, and it leads her to a junkyard, where a garbage man insists that whatever he has received, he has burned. This is the last straw for her, and she decides to seek revenge hardcore. She called up the One Eyed Snakes and corners Logan in his old haunts. She believes that since he took her precious ears, that it is only right to take his. Logan caves in and pulls the pink ears out of his backpack, leaving him unharmed, but totally scared.
Back at Bob's Burgers, the One Eyed Snakes are enjoying themselves as usual when Cynthia comes marching in. She is complaining about how they threatened to cut off Logan's ears. Louise tries to make them seem like bad asses, though Critter is just insistent that it was mostly to taunt them and teach Logan a lesson. Louise so wants violence to happen, but it never comes.
Suddenly, Mudflap is seen having contractions. She is about to give birth to a baby that was presumably Horny Dave's. Parton Mr. Frond (David Herman) decides to help in the process, and soon a new baby is born. Mudflap reveals that the baby belongs to Critter, who had sex with her a long time ago. This brings a happy ending to the scenario and Louise apologizes to Logan. The episode ends with Louise trying to convince Bob to get her beers for her ears to celebrate the return.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
What I love about this show is that it manages to have all of the working of an early Simpsons episode without feeling like a Simpsons clone. That show had its own biker episode many seasons back, and they were equally as rowdy and deranged. It also works because the show isn't overpowered by the bikers, but instead creates characters that suffer from stereotypes. This is also brought to life by the fact that Bob simply does not care for anything and is trying to run a simple business. Brilliant.
Of course, the real reason that this episode works is because of Louise. She has long been the naggy child with the iconic pink bunny ears. Take that out of the mix and all hell breaks loose. If this episode has any great moments, it is all thanks to Louise flying off of the rails and screaming for her hat back. You do not want to cross her path. She is psycho.
I also just miss the kids spouting nonsense to try and get attention. They are not exactly from a dysfunctional family, but something screwed them up. I love that Tina is progressively being seen as the bad girl and therefore tries to be cool in ways that eventually come across as pathetic.
As for the actual story, it was fine. I will admit that the birth scene at the end kind of ruined it for me, as it felt too crass. However, this show has edginess that has featured cow anuses before. This isn't too left field, as it was cleverly established, but otherwise, it felt like too much shock for the episode that could have ended in numerous other ways. However, the choice to have Louise get one last insult thrown at Logan before the credits roll was a nice touch.
I also am a big fan of their credit sequences at the end, which sometimes are traditional, but occasionally branch out into their own little joke. In this one, we get the kids riding bikes in a motorcycle fashion. It is really awesome and I cannot wait to see what else this season has in store.
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