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.
It has been awhile since we've last heard from Bob's Burgers. In comparison to the remaining Sunday Funday line-up, it's been putting out the fewest episodes (and Brooklyn Nine-Nine has since moved to Tuesday evenings). However, it finally returns after over a month with an episodes that isn't holiday based, but instead features a dinner party that goes horribly wrong. While the episode may not rank among the funniest episodes, it at least manages to feature one of the more heartfelt and personal resolutions that the show has had in quite some time.
Following her detention with Mr. Frond (David Herman) after breaking their "three gags and you're out" policy, Louise (Kristen Schaal) returns home, bitter. Teddy (Larry Murphy) encourages Bob (Jon Benjamin) to invite his friend Steve (Rob Huebel) over. During that time, Tina (Dan Mintz) discovers that Steve has a son named Xander (Benjamin), of whom she is eagerly awaiting the chance to kiss. Considering that Bob wants to hook up Steve with Aunt Gayle (Megan Mullally), things begin to go off without a hitch as everyone arrives. The only real issue is that Gayle isn't really a fan of Steve. She is in love with Mr. Frond, who attends and reveal that they both shop in the same places.
This makes Louise particularly upset and gets her wondering how to sabotage her happiness. As she does, Bob begins to cook a meal that is sure to keep things going smoothly. The party's going well until Tina realizes that Xander is a kleptomaniac and ugly. With the help of Gene (Eugene Mirman) and Tina, Louise insists on sabotaging their happiness through a Spanish ballad, which doesn't exactly work on anyone but Gayle. Mr. Frond is drunk and throwing up almost immediately. Steve reveals that he's lactose intolerant and immediately runs to the other bathroom.
Meanwhile, Louise gets accused of stealing Mr. Frond's gift to Gayle: a doll that looks like her. It is discovered that Xander took it and threw it down the sewer drain. When Tina convinces Louise that Gayle deserves to be happy, Louise goes out of her way to retrieve the items. At the same time, Teddy passes by and decides to cheer up Steve and Bob. While Steve ends up not being Gayle's date, Louise decides that it's okay for her to date her enemy anyways. The story ends on a relieving note, even if the dinner party didn't quite go according to plan.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Welcome back, everyone. I will be honest that it's amazing that there haven't been that many episodes this season at this point (6 total). I don't know if it's a bad sign, considering that the roll out of Bob's Burgers usually is lax, but it does still feel like this show isn't going to be coming out on a regular basis when compared to the other shows. I wish that I could understand why, but it could just be an omen for the channel sort of giving up on the program. If nothing else, it gets difficult to really talk about this show because of how long the gaps are, and it becomes increasingly difficult to even remember that there's a new episode anymore. That is a pretty big problem, I'd say.
The episode itself follows the very effective "Nice-Capades" episode and shows the series drifting into something more emotional and exciting. The series has always had a heart at the center of the story, but this particular stretch of episodes reflects a nice balance between comedy and emotions. The very crux of the episode is simple and executed nicely. Is Tina willing to give up her own happiness (no matter how inconsequential it actually is) to let her aunt experience some joy in her life? The long touted feud between Louise and Mr. Frond has been well documented, but becomes condensed effectively in this episode in a way that manages to make the whole drive more powerful.
I'll admit that while Xander is a nice scapegoat, I don't feel like he really offered much to the overall episode. He was fine, but I feel like he was an unnecessary character, as Steve and Mr. Frond were capable of having their own interesting conflicts. Xander seemed to just exist as a kleptomaniac character. I figured that the episode was busy enough that he wasn't necessary, especially since Tina wasn't even that central of a figure this time around. Speaking as he doesn't change at all makes things even more anticlimactic. If he at all bonded with the Belcher kids, then maybe I could see his use. However, he doesn't really offer much otherwise.
The episode is sort of too simple to be fully effective to me. The plot is too focused on something too grounded and familiar. While I do enjoy when the show attempts to enrich the characters' relationships, I feel like the third act was the only point that felt like it had potential. It was a strange build-up that hit the familiar antagonistic beats, including a humorous song. I just wish that there was something more to this episode beyond that revelation moment in the third act, if just because it feels like it would have made it stronger.
Bob's Burgers has had a solid season so far, but I do hope that things pick up and its output isn't just going to be released embarrassingly close together. I feel like that is how things are working at this point. Even then, I do think that the series has found a nice middle ground that while it's not as sharp as a few seasons ago, it still manages to balance heart and comedy in ways that are unique and satisfying. If the show manages to appear more often, there may even be a chance that I don't feel like I'm having to readjust my focus on the series like it seems to have been for most of this season. I just hope that this isn't implying its potential demise, though who honestly knows at this point.
Following her detention with Mr. Frond (David Herman) after breaking their "three gags and you're out" policy, Louise (Kristen Schaal) returns home, bitter. Teddy (Larry Murphy) encourages Bob (Jon Benjamin) to invite his friend Steve (Rob Huebel) over. During that time, Tina (Dan Mintz) discovers that Steve has a son named Xander (Benjamin), of whom she is eagerly awaiting the chance to kiss. Considering that Bob wants to hook up Steve with Aunt Gayle (Megan Mullally), things begin to go off without a hitch as everyone arrives. The only real issue is that Gayle isn't really a fan of Steve. She is in love with Mr. Frond, who attends and reveal that they both shop in the same places.
This makes Louise particularly upset and gets her wondering how to sabotage her happiness. As she does, Bob begins to cook a meal that is sure to keep things going smoothly. The party's going well until Tina realizes that Xander is a kleptomaniac and ugly. With the help of Gene (Eugene Mirman) and Tina, Louise insists on sabotaging their happiness through a Spanish ballad, which doesn't exactly work on anyone but Gayle. Mr. Frond is drunk and throwing up almost immediately. Steve reveals that he's lactose intolerant and immediately runs to the other bathroom.
Meanwhile, Louise gets accused of stealing Mr. Frond's gift to Gayle: a doll that looks like her. It is discovered that Xander took it and threw it down the sewer drain. When Tina convinces Louise that Gayle deserves to be happy, Louise goes out of her way to retrieve the items. At the same time, Teddy passes by and decides to cheer up Steve and Bob. While Steve ends up not being Gayle's date, Louise decides that it's okay for her to date her enemy anyways. The story ends on a relieving note, even if the dinner party didn't quite go according to plan.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Welcome back, everyone. I will be honest that it's amazing that there haven't been that many episodes this season at this point (6 total). I don't know if it's a bad sign, considering that the roll out of Bob's Burgers usually is lax, but it does still feel like this show isn't going to be coming out on a regular basis when compared to the other shows. I wish that I could understand why, but it could just be an omen for the channel sort of giving up on the program. If nothing else, it gets difficult to really talk about this show because of how long the gaps are, and it becomes increasingly difficult to even remember that there's a new episode anymore. That is a pretty big problem, I'd say.
The episode itself follows the very effective "Nice-Capades" episode and shows the series drifting into something more emotional and exciting. The series has always had a heart at the center of the story, but this particular stretch of episodes reflects a nice balance between comedy and emotions. The very crux of the episode is simple and executed nicely. Is Tina willing to give up her own happiness (no matter how inconsequential it actually is) to let her aunt experience some joy in her life? The long touted feud between Louise and Mr. Frond has been well documented, but becomes condensed effectively in this episode in a way that manages to make the whole drive more powerful.
I'll admit that while Xander is a nice scapegoat, I don't feel like he really offered much to the overall episode. He was fine, but I feel like he was an unnecessary character, as Steve and Mr. Frond were capable of having their own interesting conflicts. Xander seemed to just exist as a kleptomaniac character. I figured that the episode was busy enough that he wasn't necessary, especially since Tina wasn't even that central of a figure this time around. Speaking as he doesn't change at all makes things even more anticlimactic. If he at all bonded with the Belcher kids, then maybe I could see his use. However, he doesn't really offer much otherwise.
The episode is sort of too simple to be fully effective to me. The plot is too focused on something too grounded and familiar. While I do enjoy when the show attempts to enrich the characters' relationships, I feel like the third act was the only point that felt like it had potential. It was a strange build-up that hit the familiar antagonistic beats, including a humorous song. I just wish that there was something more to this episode beyond that revelation moment in the third act, if just because it feels like it would have made it stronger.
Bob's Burgers has had a solid season so far, but I do hope that things pick up and its output isn't just going to be released embarrassingly close together. I feel like that is how things are working at this point. Even then, I do think that the series has found a nice middle ground that while it's not as sharp as a few seasons ago, it still manages to balance heart and comedy in ways that are unique and satisfying. If the show manages to appear more often, there may even be a chance that I don't feel like I'm having to readjust my focus on the series like it seems to have been for most of this season. I just hope that this isn't implying its potential demise, though who honestly knows at this point.
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