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.
One of the few perks of Bob's Burgers is their ability to pull out random characters from past seasons without it seeming contrived. While there's definitely a core group that have appeared a handful of times, there are those few who you almost forget about solely because they haven't been seen in years. This is the case with The One-Eyed Snakes, who first appeared in "Speakeasy Rider" (also my first Bob's Burger TV Recap piece) and have left a redeeming impression ever since. But what has the gang been up to over the past few years? Well, more of the same actually. And the results are just as fun the second time around.
As the episode opens, Bob (Jon Benjamin) gets a call. His old friend Critter (Ben Garant) is in jail. When Bob refuses to bail him out, Critter insists that he sell his old bicycle to Kenny (Tom Lennon) to acquire money. This requires meeting up with Mudflap (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and the baby Sidecar. Due to complications, Linda (John Roberts) is required to watch Sidecar while Mudflap disappears on a mission in the woods. This leaves the remaining Belchers to sell the bicycle on their own.
The only issue is that they're being stalked by someone as they push the broken down machinery through town. Bob thinks nothing of it. When Kenny discovers that the bicycle is in working condition, he goes inside to get his money. This is sidetracked by the fact that it was hard to start. It is why he leaves the engine on and the stalker steals it. Kenny gets frustrated and Bob calls Critter to take care of it. Critter recognizes the description of the stalker and suggests that it is Carl (Joe Lo Truglio). They are lead to Carl's place of residence, where they fight over the bicycle.
Kenny decides to appease Carl by suggesting that he can meet the motorcycle gang if he promises to cool it. The gang can also fix the bicycle, which they do. They end up selling the bicycle, and Critter is able to get out of jail without any problem. The bicycle is also in great condition, resulting in a relieved sigh by everyone involved. Linda doesn't do too well with Sidecar, as she takes it to a play center that results in Sidecar becoming frustrated and abusive. Linda ends up being kicked out after revealing that she lied that Sidecar was her child. Later on, Critter wants to thank the Belchers while Mudflap wants Linda to watch her child. They refuse both.
Rating: 4 out of 5
As mentioned at the top, I enjoy that Bob's Burgers has such a rich universe that hasn't really been explored. With the cast rising almost every week, it's weird to see what characters end up leaving an impression on viewers. There hasn't really been one since Regular Sized Rudie with a large impact, but it's interesting to see which one-timers they decide to bring back. There's plenty to choose from, and I definitely think that bringing back Critter and the gang was an interesting plot, especially as it allowed the kids to pursue some of their delightfully deranged fantasies.
The story is pretty simple. Bob must help Critter get out of jail. The rest is the hard part. He must manage to sell a bicycle that ends up leading to a whole host of problems. While it doesn't live up to the heights of "Speakeasy Rider," it definitely helps to expand on the biker culture, which largely remains unexplored in the series. Everyone has the familiar scrappy denial shtick, but it does amount to plenty of memorable moments. Having Kenny hang out with the bikers is a particular delight, especially as it amounts to that reflect the varying differences in personal politics.
Otherwise, the bicycle story was pretty straightforward and mostly allowed for Bob to have some bonding time with the kids. It doesn't have much else going for it, but hearing the kids spout out the nonsensical desires to stab people was a lot of fun. It's been awhile since the kids were allowed to be neurotic forces within the series. They don't amount to much, but at least they get to be funny. Even if this show has a certain predictability, the show does what it does best in just letting everyone riff for awhile.
Meanwhile, I think that Linda's story was a tad less exciting. She doesn't do much besides have delusional fantasies of being a mother. It's actually kind of scary to think that she wants to influence children of any sort. It makes you wonder how her own kids got through childhood. Then again, Mudflap is also partially to blame for Sidecar's negligence. Still, the fact that Linda doesn't have much sense is unnerving and makes you wonder about why people still have her around. She isn't the worst character in the series, but it seems like she manages to always get the worst stories when it's outside of the family.
Bob's Burgers is also looking to not have a full season like its Fox counterparts. If IMDb is to be believed, it's nearing the end without even 20 episodes. While it's definitely coming back for a few more seasons, it definitely feels like an odd way to reduce a show that should be celebrating its 100th episode pretty soon here. Bob's Burgers has remained a surprising underdog, and one that is worthy of more attention than its strange once a month release schedule had you believe. Still, this season has been pretty consistent, and I'm glad that the home stretch is looking just as good as the early ones. Fingers crossed that it will do something extra special for its centennial.
As the episode opens, Bob (Jon Benjamin) gets a call. His old friend Critter (Ben Garant) is in jail. When Bob refuses to bail him out, Critter insists that he sell his old bicycle to Kenny (Tom Lennon) to acquire money. This requires meeting up with Mudflap (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and the baby Sidecar. Due to complications, Linda (John Roberts) is required to watch Sidecar while Mudflap disappears on a mission in the woods. This leaves the remaining Belchers to sell the bicycle on their own.
The only issue is that they're being stalked by someone as they push the broken down machinery through town. Bob thinks nothing of it. When Kenny discovers that the bicycle is in working condition, he goes inside to get his money. This is sidetracked by the fact that it was hard to start. It is why he leaves the engine on and the stalker steals it. Kenny gets frustrated and Bob calls Critter to take care of it. Critter recognizes the description of the stalker and suggests that it is Carl (Joe Lo Truglio). They are lead to Carl's place of residence, where they fight over the bicycle.
Kenny decides to appease Carl by suggesting that he can meet the motorcycle gang if he promises to cool it. The gang can also fix the bicycle, which they do. They end up selling the bicycle, and Critter is able to get out of jail without any problem. The bicycle is also in great condition, resulting in a relieved sigh by everyone involved. Linda doesn't do too well with Sidecar, as she takes it to a play center that results in Sidecar becoming frustrated and abusive. Linda ends up being kicked out after revealing that she lied that Sidecar was her child. Later on, Critter wants to thank the Belchers while Mudflap wants Linda to watch her child. They refuse both.
Rating: 4 out of 5
As mentioned at the top, I enjoy that Bob's Burgers has such a rich universe that hasn't really been explored. With the cast rising almost every week, it's weird to see what characters end up leaving an impression on viewers. There hasn't really been one since Regular Sized Rudie with a large impact, but it's interesting to see which one-timers they decide to bring back. There's plenty to choose from, and I definitely think that bringing back Critter and the gang was an interesting plot, especially as it allowed the kids to pursue some of their delightfully deranged fantasies.
The story is pretty simple. Bob must help Critter get out of jail. The rest is the hard part. He must manage to sell a bicycle that ends up leading to a whole host of problems. While it doesn't live up to the heights of "Speakeasy Rider," it definitely helps to expand on the biker culture, which largely remains unexplored in the series. Everyone has the familiar scrappy denial shtick, but it does amount to plenty of memorable moments. Having Kenny hang out with the bikers is a particular delight, especially as it amounts to that reflect the varying differences in personal politics.
Otherwise, the bicycle story was pretty straightforward and mostly allowed for Bob to have some bonding time with the kids. It doesn't have much else going for it, but hearing the kids spout out the nonsensical desires to stab people was a lot of fun. It's been awhile since the kids were allowed to be neurotic forces within the series. They don't amount to much, but at least they get to be funny. Even if this show has a certain predictability, the show does what it does best in just letting everyone riff for awhile.
Meanwhile, I think that Linda's story was a tad less exciting. She doesn't do much besides have delusional fantasies of being a mother. It's actually kind of scary to think that she wants to influence children of any sort. It makes you wonder how her own kids got through childhood. Then again, Mudflap is also partially to blame for Sidecar's negligence. Still, the fact that Linda doesn't have much sense is unnerving and makes you wonder about why people still have her around. She isn't the worst character in the series, but it seems like she manages to always get the worst stories when it's outside of the family.
Bob's Burgers is also looking to not have a full season like its Fox counterparts. If IMDb is to be believed, it's nearing the end without even 20 episodes. While it's definitely coming back for a few more seasons, it definitely feels like an odd way to reduce a show that should be celebrating its 100th episode pretty soon here. Bob's Burgers has remained a surprising underdog, and one that is worthy of more attention than its strange once a month release schedule had you believe. Still, this season has been pretty consistent, and I'm glad that the home stretch is looking just as good as the early ones. Fingers crossed that it will do something extra special for its centennial.
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