Analyzing Bob’s Burgers a touch

Damned critics. Always wanting something more.

More laughter. More action. Better stories. “Why couldn’t she be featured more prominently?!?” Can’t they dispense with that same old tired joke, already? They hinted at that a couple weeks ago, so when is it going to happen? Isn’t it time we wrapped up those questions once and for all? Will we ever get to the bottom of the mystery? Haven’t the writers learned their lesson yet?

Geez. You’d think we were a bunch of big babies on the viewing end of the television screen, whining and crying about what could have been instead of appreciating what is.

Well, folks … I’m here to tell you this critic appreciated everything about this particular episode of Bob’s Burgers … right down to the end credits where Reggie is shaking his money maker to the final song.

Gene running around the back of the restaurant, hands flung frantically in the air as he screamed? Love it. H. Jon Benjamin’s anxious yelling at his family? Terrific. The blink-and-you-missed it joke drawing with Tina and the zombie? *snort*

I know I’ve professed my love for this show time and again, but honestly: After seeing this episode, I’m convinced it was the highlight of the season … at least thus far. It was another one of those chapters where not only did everything come together, but there were plenty of additional supporting characters (we were introduced to the better part of a dozen new characters this episode — including Patton Oswalt (Reno 911!, Neighbors from Hell, Caprica) as the Moody Foody), interesting tidbits, action and guffaws. I mean, take a gander at that marketing plan in the image above from Louise, Tina and Gene where they’re trying to convince Bob he needs an “image revamp.” Seriously: “Boob job” is part of that plan … ??!? *heheheh* As soon as I saw that flash on the screen, I was in stitches.

The entire plot was a commonality we’ve seen before … and something different, too. The interlocking pieces of the story were what made the 22 minutes buzz on by. It’s always a joy to experience that, when things crank along like a well oiled machine and you get lost in it. Before you know it, it’s over and you wonder where time flew.

The thing is: Sometimes critics don’t know a good thing when they see it. They can be so wrapped up in figuring out what could make it better they miss some of the brilliance right there before their very eyes.

This … this was one of those episodes where I didn’t have any problem appreciating what I saw.

Notes:

• What in the world is a “Grindecologist” … ???
• Oh, those burgers of the day: “If Looks Could Kale” Burger, “Little Swiss Bunshine” Burger.
• We always knew Bob used the freshest ingredients in his products. This episode was proof. And, in the end, even the Moody Foody was won over. Justification.
• Love that we saw Fischoeder this episode.

Quotes:

“Dad, don’t forget monkey brains.” — Gene to Bob at the outdoor food market
“Yeah. And we need more unicorn testicles!” — Louise
“That’s where dreams are born.” — Tina
“All right … we’ll get those, then head back to the restaurant. I just need fresh kale for the burger of the day: ‘If Looks Could Kale’ …” — Bob

“Quick! Circumcise Gene!” — An excited Linda when the gang discovers the Moody Foody is in the restaurant

“‘Overdone and dry. Insufferable.’ Maybe that means he didn’t suffer. That’s good!” — Linda reading the Moody Foody’s review of Bob’s Burgers

Clacked by Michael Noble
on May 07, 2012 @ 01:58 EST5EDT