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.
In what feels like one of the show's strongest episodes to feature as much absurdity as there is thematic undertones, it tackles politics and power. It's about how we perceive ourselves based on what we have and what we are to those around us. In fact, obsession can end up destroying everything about us at some point, much like it destroys most of the Belcher family. As a result that feels like school politics taken to ridiculous heights, it produces one of the best episodes with some questionable characters and the underlying question: who would you vote for?
Louise (Kristen Schaal) discovers that Jimmy Jr. (Jon Benjamin) is running for school president. Tina (Dan Mintz) is his campaign manager, though is easily bought into by Louise's obsession with being the head figure. Things go particularly well until it is discovered that Millie (Molly Shannon) is running just to spite Louise. Based on their rocky relationship, Louise believes that Millie is obsessive and is doing it just to become her friend, which she doesn't want to happen. Smear campaigns are run and soon Jimmy Jr. becomes an unlikely candidate, throwing the future candidacy into question.
Meanwhile, Bob (Benjamin) buys a $300 knife that he is in love with. It cuts very well and he brags to Linda (John Roberts) all about it. However, Teddy (Larry Murphy) has a hammer that he is also very proud of. He tries to make Bob jealous, but it doesn't work. They simply think that their tool is better than the other person's. This is when Linda decides to hold a competition to see whose tool is better equipped. Things quickly go south when it is discovered that they are equally matched.
At school, fellow candidate Henry (Jim Gaffigan) convinces Louise to run. Things become worse when Millie tries to smear Louise, suggesting a bestie system that would pair them together based on alphabetical orientation. Millie also has a better campaign. However, Louise discovers that there's someone whose name falls between them: Abby (Rachel Dratch), whose real name is Mayble. This drives Millie nuts and causes her to lash out at Louise during the voting session. Since Louise was also caught breaking the rules earlier, she is also disqualified. Henry reveals that he had planned this so that he could win by having his opponents take out each other.
With their prides starting to get the best of them, Bob decides that their tools fight each other. He expects that his $300 knife is going to beat the hammer. However, within seconds of the tournament, he watches as the hammer beats his tool into a messy pulp. He feels sorrow and leaves the loser.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I will be honest that maybe I expect too much from Bob's Burgers sometimes. Maybe I am too interested in seeing both the main plot and any subsequent one be integrated whether through narrative or theme. It has been a small problem that I have had in the past regarding judging these episodes. For the most part, the show knows how to deliver one really good plot and make the episode worth watching. However, it is in the supporting fields where things usually look bad, often in the case of the parents. The kids are young and allowed to do almost anything, which makes it fun. At best, Bob is a whipping boy forced to take everyone's grief in order to get by in life.
However, this episode feels perfectly balanced in both respects. The supporting plot seems questionable and at times silly. However, it is great to see Bob and Teddy go at each other over ego. While they have recently been established to be best friends, they haven't really shown any of the petty arguments that friends normally have. To watch them destroy Bob's Burgers over these situations is especially effective and makes me chuckle with joy to see what the consequences are. While it is sad to see a $300 knife be destroyed, it does allow for some fun to be had to show just how similar Bob and Teddy are.
However, the story really shines yet again with the kids. In fact, there hasn't been too many times where an episode is so packed with twists that effectively work. It is hard to imagine that the episode started with Jimmy Jr. running for president and ended with a totally different outcome. It just shows a great form of writing that allows for egos to clash and suddenly it becomes a pity battle to gain each other's respect. The final twist involving Henry was simply the best part of it all. He seemed too lame to actually win and thus his lack of trying actually exploited the flaws in everyone else's lack of care for the student. Who knows if Henry is actually going to be a good student or not.
However, to imagine that it all came down to a creepy relationship between Louise and Millie is a rather profound idea that shows just how strained things remain between them. I don't think that Millie is a necessarily interesting character, but she does add a creepy element to the show that makes any attempt for her to be Louise's friend all the more off putting. I can understand why Louise wouldn't want to be Millie's friend. I wouldn't. In fact, it adds a nice subtext to the whole campaign, which manages to become yet another public display of their affection.
This is Bob's Burgers at their best. While it may not necessarily have the most laughs, it does have a lot of similar things going on throughout. It relies on previously established characters (not a complaint, but there are periods where the supporting players are too random) and manages to come up with something far more interesting with them. It allows for Bob to feel humiliation by his own hand this time. The episode does everything different than what the show usually produces. I like it for that and am glad that overall this season has been quite a step up in terms of creativity and focus.
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