Bob’s Burgers – There’s a method to the madness

“The great secret of power is never to will to do more than you can accomplish.”

And that’s the rub of this episode of Bob’s Burgers.

I understand there are a lot of people out there in Al Gore’s WebLand who do not get Bob’s Burgers … and that’s okay. But here’s one of the many things I find about the show that puts it head and shoulders above other animated fare: It really does bring out some of the best in the characters, even after the mistakes they may have perpetrated during a half hour of show.

Sure … Bob may have been obsessed with the “Burgerboss” video game to the point it took over anything else going on … including running the restaurant. He popped pills, taunted a kid who was probably 30 years younger than him, went against doctor’s orders, screamed in a psychotic fit of rage over something that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

But, at the end of the day, he gave in to the demon haunting him which urged him into a frenzy, trying to best the high score his nemesis Jimmy Pesto. His final act was one of redemption over his temporary psychosis — to both Linda and the kids. I have to tell you, his atonement for the guilt he carried as consequence of his actions was almost touching, something rare and encouraging to see in light of other features such as South Park and Family Guy. (By the way: Tonight’s Family Guy made this week’s Bob’s Burgers look like it was written by saints.)

It’s not just about the rude and crude quotations week after week. There are lessons to be learned in the half hour of comedy The Belchers toss our way. We’re being taught lessons every Sunday night from Bob’s Burgers in between racking up the yucks and guffaws. And, sometimes, we don’t even know it’s happening.

You Gotcher “Burgerboss” Notes:

• Burger specials this episode: “Papaya Was A Rolling Stone Burger” and “Good Night And Good Leek Burger” … both $5.95 each.
• Aziz Ansari of Parks and Recreation, Scrubs voiced Daryl, the nerdy gamer Bob protects in the episode.
• Loved the “video-ized” reconfiguration of the end credits music.

You Gotcher “Burgerboss” Quotes:

“All right … uh … who needs a piece of cake? Who wants a piece?” — Kevin’s Mom
“We do!” — Louise
“Cake, please!” — Gene
“Thanks, ‘That Kid’s Mom’!” — Tina
“Uhm … how do you know Kevin again?” — Kevin’s Mom
“Soccer.” — Tina
“Church.” — Louise
“Scissor storm.” — Gene

“Please tell me they shoot webs!” — Gene commenting on Bob’s wrist braces
“Are we finally getting a falcon?” — Louise commenting on Bob’s wrist braces
“I think they’re flattering … like wrist corsets …” — Tina commenting on Bob’s wrist braces

“Hey kid … back off. I feel you breathing on my hip.” — Bob

“I’m going to stow away in a rope bin and fight a rat over a block of cheese!” — Gene

“He had sex and we happened! Deal with it!” — Louise referring to Bob while telling off the yacht club doorman

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Apr 01, 2012 @ 23:22 EST5EDT