"You're a great Large Brother."
Although it's a comedy first and foremost, Bob's Burgers has consistently been praised for the sheer amount of heart it has without ever sacrificing any of it for the sake of humor. After all, the Belchers may be a weird family, but they're a loving family nonetheless.As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
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General
- The fact that Belchers act... well, like an actual family. They have their disagreements, but they're incredibly close and would do anything for each other. The parents try their genuine best to be good role models and caretakers, and unlike the Dysfunctional Family seen in many sitcoms there's never a fist raised or genuine malicious intent between the Belchers. When the Belchers do something to harm one of their own, they don't tell that Belcher to suck it up—they talk things out and apologize. It feels a lot more realistic yet so much more refreshing to see a family that actually feels like they're a family and not just five people occupying one roof.
- The simple fact that Bob and Linda are actually Good Parents. Sure, they have their flaws, but none that can't be attributed to being human in the first place. Bob especially stands out, given the prevalence of animated sitcom dads who are dangerously moronic at their best and outright malicious at their worst. He and Linda never intentionally sacrifice their kids' well-being to serve their own goals, they go above and beyond to help their kids even at risk of harm to themselves, and they make an effort to truly relate to their kids even if it means they have to move outside of their comfort zones. The two put nearly every other animated sitcom parent to shame with just how caring they are.
- The fact that so much of Tina's humor comes from how believable a depiction she is of a teenage girl: socially awkward, perpetually horny and even selfish at times, yet an otherwise sweet child just going through a difficult transition. Her weirdness isn't funny because it's the butt of the joke, but rather because it's recognizable.
- Pretty much any time we get a reminder that Louise, in spite of her constant troublemaking, is still just a 9 year-old child with childlike interests and fears (such as in "Boyz 4 Now", "The Kids Run Away", or "Hawk and Chick"). She's perhaps the most realistic and three-dimensional example of Enfant Terrible this side of animated sitcoms, and she's all the more endearing for it.
- The show's unassuming stance towards expression of gender and sexuality, allowing characters like Marshmallow to feel more natural and not phoned in.
- Whenever an episode gets to focus on two specific members of the family, we get to see how close they are—or, for the Belchers who are more at odds, how they become more close. Prime examples include:
- Bob and Linda show that despite their differences, they are married for a reason. There's rarely a situation between them that escalates too far, and any issues they do have are mild enough to where they just need to talk things out. They're also very loyal to each other, and there's rarely an episode revolving around a possible love triangle because the possibility of cheating is completely foreign to them. Marriage between them is never depicted as a chore, and even after three kids and 14+ years together, they're still as in love as when they first dated.
- Bob and Louise have one of the closest parent-child bonds in the family, if not the closest. As much as she rags on Bob without mercy, Louise looks up to him heavily and she even wants to run the restaurant in the future. It's often around Bob where Louise's hard exterior cracks and we see just how much she loves her family—she's a total Daddy's Girl, and it's absolutely adorable.
- Bob and Gene are shown on multiple occasions to be not so different, and although Gene often accompanies Louise in trolling Bob it's clear Gene holds a lot of respect for his father. Bob in turn never tries to mold Gene into a "model son" like other sitcom fathers—in Bob's eyes, Gene is already amazing even if he has interests Bob might not fully understand.
- Linda never wants anything less than the best for her children. She vigorously supports her children's various endeavors without a second thought, and though tensions often arise the kids still love and support their mother. Gene in particular is a Momma's Boy, as he adores his mother and Linda adores him right back.
- Tina on the surface isn't close to her parents on the level that Louise is to Bob or Gene is to Linda. However, she's far from The Unfavorite—her parents go far out of their way to make it clear that she's loved. It's also clear that in spite of her more atypical interests, Bob and Linda never truly see her as weird or an embarrassment. In turn, while Tina is getting older, she makes it clear that she still looks up to and depends on her parents, completely averting the rebellious teenage phase one might expect.
- The kids are incredibly close, and while they're not above trolling each other they'll make it clear in any way possible that if you mess with one Belcher kid, you mess with all of them.
Season One
- The first episode has Linda and the kids reassuring Bob that despite all his failures, the fact that he's pursuing his dream of a burger shop makes him better than Hugo who never had a dream at all.
- Louise apologizing to Bob for making up the rumor about the restaurant’s burgers being made out of human flesh.
- While it's primarily a funny moment, Louise imitating Gloria and an amused Bob encouraging her shows a more friendly dynamic between the two that the previous episode didn't exactly have. It's also the first hint at the larger bond shared between the two—a small hint, but a hint nonetheless.
- For that matter, Bob playing along with Louise's seance. While his early series characterization makes it seem as though he's annoyed with her prank, looking back knowing the bond he and Louise have makes his compliance sweeter.
- Linda's mother telling Mr. Frond that her daughter and Bob are great parents. Sometimes, families just drive each other a little crazy, and that's life. It ends up saving Bob and Linda from Social Services, and once again shows how adept the crew is at making even Obnoxious In-Laws three-dimensional and human.
- Bob proves his dedication as a father right out the gate by bending over backwards for Tina (taking a night job, shaving his mustache) just so his daughter can have the best birthday ever.Tina: Jimmy Junior isn't gonna make this party perfect. You already have.
- Glitter, Cha-Cha, Marbles, and Marshmallow are shining (and completely deliberate) examples. While there's definitely some ribbing at their expense, they're otherwise depicted as normal, well-adjusted people who take Bob out for drinks and, later, give Tina a much-needed pep talk about how wonderful her father is. Marshmallow even becomes a semi-regular character.
- While Bob is initially shown to be mildly on-edge regarding the prostitutes, after getting to know them he realizes that their occupation and gender identity aren't a big deal, that he shouldn't make it out to be a big deal, and as a result he gladly accepts them for who they are, enough to share drinks (and possibly even crack) with them. By the time Marshmallow debuts, he's grown accepting enough to just greet her casually, as if he's known her for years.
- The fact that the show, continuing with its unassuming values, depicts this largely without drawing attention to it—Bob manages to quietly undergo Character Development that other sitcoms would normally play up as a big deal. And given Bob is a lot more open-minded in future episodes, the show managed to make that development stick—all without a word, which is equal parts impressive and heartwarming.
- Tina's Big Damn Kiss with Jimmy Jr., finally giving the eldest Belcher child a notable win in the series.
- Louise crying because Bob and Gene won't hang out with her anymore. Made even more heartwarming because of her usual personality.
- Also Bob and Gene's interaction in this episode, bonding over a series of films.
- This is the first episode to add depth to Louise's character beyond the typical Enfant Terrible archetype, and it shows that at Louise's core, she's still just a child who doesn't want to be left behind by those she cares about. While there is some humor to be derived, for the most part her plotline (especially when she calls out Bob and Gene) is played fairly seriously, allowing audiences to sympathize more with a character who, up until now, had been fairly two-dimensional.
- This episode is also the first to openly show, rather than just hint at, Louise's strong bond with Bob, a bond that remains a consistent source of heartwarming moments later in the series. It's sweet to see the two on the couch playing Burn Unit, after almost every previous interaction between the two has been uneasy at best.
- Only Bob's Burgers could make a discussion about which parent the children's farts smell like be sweet. There's also the fact that Louise not only thinks hers are like Bob's, but that she outright wants them to be and seems genuinely upset to be told otherwise.
- Bob isn't a confrontational guy, nor is he fit enough to be considered a good fighter. But when Jimmy Pesto calls Bob's kids freaky, he snaps, and immediately tries to put Jimmy in his place.
- Additionally, Linda has been indifferent towards Jimmy Pesto for the entire episode up until now, and sees Bob's feud with him as petty. When Jimmy insults the Belcher kids, however, she encourages Bob to beat the absolute crap out of him.
- There's something sweet about Gene's reasoning for why he couldn't remember the name of the restaurant when given the opportunity to do free advertising. As he describes it: "Well, I call you Dad! I think of it as Dad's Burgers!"
- It's primarily a funny moment due to the monumental amount of Comically Missing the Point the Belcher kids go through, but Gene is close enough to Linda, as is Louise to Bob, to the point that both of them instantly choose that respective parent to go with when they (very mistakenly) assume their parents are divorcing.
- There's also the fact that Tina is close enough to both of her parents that she can't choose between the two—while she assumes her siblings have already taken both parents, her wording implies she would be fine going with either parent. Moreover, Bob quickly shutting down the topic indicates he doesn't even want to think of a world without Linda.
Season Two
Bob Day Afternoon
- A subtle but no less sweet moment. When Louise first talks about her school essay (the one she later does on Mickey the bank robber), she explains that she has to write about someone important to her. Later, as the kids beg Bob not to go to the bank, it's revealed that Louise was planning on writing about Bob.
- Speaking of, when Bob is given the task of delivering his burgers to Mickey, he stops to say goodbye to his family. This includes all three of his children hugging and holding onto their father. Doubles as a Funny Moment because they are indirectly yet very loudly interfering with a hostage situation.
- When Louise first gets on the phone with Mickey, Mickey finds it adorable that Louise works at the restaurant with Bob. Although it quickly turns into a funny moment when Bob admits it's just to avoid paying employees, Bob can actually be heard saying "Yeah" in agreement before the topic veers that direction.
- The Odd Friendship between Mickey and Bob is surprisingly endearing.
- When Bob finally gets out of the bank safely, the kids celebrate by hugging him.
- A blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. When Randy's incompetence causes the food truck to explode, Bob can be seen holding Louise for dear life as the Belchers escape.
- When Bob realizes he kissed Gayle under the influence of drugs, he immediately apologizes and tells Linda what happened rather than do the standard "hide the truth until it gets exposed". It's a testament to their close relationship, that Bob cares about Linda enough to confess when he feels like he's messed up, and that Linda trusts Bob enough to believe him when he explains the situation.
- Tina suggests a Hug-o-War as a way to determine who gets the Jawbreaker. Gene instantly squeezes Louise in a big hug yelling, "I love you! I love you!" Louise is unaffected by how sweet this is.Louise: Wait, wait, no! We can't use strength in this.
- Later in the episode, when Dr. Yap tells the Belchers that Bob and Linda's room is soundproof...Gene: (runs inside) I can yell anything I want! No one can hear me!Gene: (slams door)Gene: [muffled] I LOVE MY FAMILY!
- Later in the episode, when Dr. Yap tells the Belchers that Bob and Linda's room is soundproof...
- Linda loves her sister enough to the point that she'd be fine if Bob slept with her so long as it makes her happy. Granted, Bob's consent isn't hers to give (and Bob is very much protesting the situation), and we later learn she really wouldn't be that fine with it after all, but it says something about her love for Gayle that she'd even think about it, even if just for a brief while.
- Gene and Louise helping their sister get back at Tammy for blackmailing her.Gene: We're Belchers, from the womb to the tomb!
- Tina's erotic friend fiction ends with her and Tammy hastily making up and going to see a movie. Even after all of the bullying Tammy put her through, Tina just wants to be her friend (though part of that can be chalked up to obliviousness).
Season Three
Ear-sy Rider
- The One-Eyed Snakes may be drug-dealing murderers, but even they have a code—when they wreck the restaurant, they show genuine remorse, and Critter covers the cost for damages without a second thought.
- Critter also Bowdlerizes himself when describing the patches on his vest to the Belcher kids. Even before becoming a father, he's already got a soft spot for kids.
- Critter's genuine joy at realizing he's the father of Mudflap's baby, followed by Bob giving a speech about how people like the One-Eyed Snakes don't bring down the town, but build it up.
- Tina operating as the moral center of the Belcher Kids is quite sweet because, while the kids often make fun of her, when it comes to this, they seem to also always listen to her.
- The closing animation has Bob and Linda dancing together in their costumes to a smooth tune, ending with her jumping to kiss him. It's very sweet.
- Not sure what's better, that Bob fires them because he's afraid their childhood working will be as bad as his was, or that the kids are genuinely disgruntled at not being allowed to hang around the restaurant all day.
- The blink-and-you-miss-it moment in the beginning of the episode, when Louise actually feels sad for Bob upon seeing his box of makeshift toys from his childhood.
- Bob's realization that him firing the kids was never going to work because he'd already made it so their childhoods were already infinitely better than his. Bob and Linda have always been Good Parents, and it's nice to see Bob realize as much. What's more, the kids actually seem to agree with him, and only don't return to the restaurant because they've already found work elsewhere.
- While Bob is disappointed when the kids don't return to the restaurant immediately, he doesn't express any jealousy and even seems proud that they're making $10 an hour. Until he discovers they're working on a pot farm, but its the thought that counts.
- When the DEA and the cops show up at the hippie's farm to arrest them for their weed operation and the Belchers and Mickey get caught up in it as witnesses, Tina recognizes one of the DEA agents as one of the "blueberry" customers as he was undercover at the time and says hi. He cheerfully says hi back even though he's currently busy securing the crime scene.
- There's something adorable about Louise's genuine joy at having caused a distraction for her father. And even though it failed, Bob doesn't yell at her or chastise her—he just tells her that they'll get it next time.
An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal
- Subtle but sweet—when Mr. Fischoeder asks Bob if he's ever been in love, Bob remarks that technically speaking, he still is.
- The flashbacks of Bob bonding with his kids over their Thanksgiving traditions. Even when these traditions are as odd as him and Louise roleplaying a murder mystery using turkey guts.
- The dream sequence where Bob and his family are happy. Doubles as a Funny Moment when it turns into the tree-growing scene from My Neighbor Totoro (Bob had a lot of absinthe).
- When the kids realize that Bob is in genuine danger, all of them immediately blow their covers (by directly addressing him as their father) to try and save him. Unfortunately, Shelby doesn't realize what they're doing.
- The Belchers reacting when they thought Bob was shot. Even Louise showed emotion.Louise: (genuinely concerned) DAD!
- Since the kids refused to do Bob's traditional Thanksgiving activities, he felt left out during the dinner. When they realized this, they all hugged him without hesitation and apologized. What's more, they're clearly upset at seeing Bob so down in the dumps.
- The beginning of the episode is really wholesome, as it's just Bob deciding to have a father-daughter moment with Tina and let her practice driving in the big, empty parking lot when she helps him out with some errands, because his dad let him do that when he was Tina's age. He has his hands on her shoulder, calling it a "great day" when he gets the idea and even confidently throws her his keys. Of course, Tina's awkwardness then turns the entire rest of the episode into one Funny Moment after another, but the beginning is adorable.
- Bob: Just think of it as a perk for running errands with your dad.
- As silly as it is when Linda sings her "Diarrhea" song, the way Gene just looks at her afterwards and says "I love you, Mom," is actually incredibly sweet and a reminder of how much these two have in common.
- While Bob lets Tina man the grill at the cookout for just a minute, it suddenly goes up in flames (thanks to Chase planting petrol to stage a fire). Instead of trying to put the fire out, Bob instantly runs to pull Tina away from the danger, and the two are holding onto each other as the house catches fire.
- When Chase reveals that he used Bob and Tina's car accident as an opportunity to commit insurance fraud by burning down his own house, he tries to claim that nobody will suspect they're all in cahoots because restaurants are magnets for disasters, and uses Tina as an example. Bob immediately responds with an angry "Hey,"; heck, the whole reason Bob decided to come clean in the first place was because he couldn't take seeing Tina feeling so guilty about the whole mess.
- Bob and Linda made sure to leave a note and a thank-you package for Mort after he drove the family around while their car was being repaired.
The Unbearable Like-Likeness of Gene
- She quickly ruins it with her obnoxious attitude (with Gene making things even worse later on), but the fact that Courtney actually seems to genuinely like Gene counts. Gene might be immature and quick to alienate others, but Courtney dates him for who he is nonetheless.
- It's primarily a funny moment, but there's something oddly endearing about Bob and his daughters messing with a helium-filled balloon in the waiting room. They're just having fun goofing off.
- Bob reassuring Linda that he loves her no matter how much she weighs, after seeing her obsess over a diet for the past week.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins
- When the kids willingly give up the hard-earned money earmarked for their presents to buy the mannequin from the sex shop owner for their deranged houseguest, who is in love with it. This show makes even something like that heartwarming.
- Although it's used to highlight Louise and Linda's struggling relationship, there's something nice in how the bond between Bob and Louise isn't a new thing—they've been this close Louise's entire life.
- After an entire episode on icy terms, Louise and Linda finally start getting along. And moreover, it sticks—while Louise still considers herself One of the Boys first and foremost, she won't outright scoff at hanging out with Linda like she did before now.
- Bob comforting Tina after she begins to regret getting her legs waxed. For that matter, Bob waxing his own legs just so Tina feels more comfortable getting hers waxed.
- Once again, Bob subverts the mold of a father believing his son should only partake in traditionally masculine interests. When Gene wants to get his legs waxed, Bob's only objection is that Gene doesn't even have leg hair to wax in the first place. But when he sees that Gene really wants to do it, Bob takes him back to the salon.
- It's played for laughs at the end, but there's also something nice in how the prospect of spending time with Bob can turn something unappealing into something appealing for Louise. She'd rather get her legs waxed than play laser tag if it means hanging out with her father.
Broadcast Wagstaff School News
- Gene dressing up like and imitating his father manages to be just as sweet as it is gut-bustingly hysterical: the kid knows his father well enough to not only look exactly like a smaller version of him but say exactly the kind of things he would say, starting with referring to his mother as Lin (something otherwise considered extremely rude for children to do to their parents) and even mimicking Bob's more deadpan voice. The fact that Linda "gets it" and plays along is adorable.
- Gene-as-Bob has a double dose of heartwarming moments later, when he "fathers the crap out of" Tina. It's heartwarming enough coming from Gene, but then you remember that he's impersonating Bob at the moment. Gene's imitation of Bob isn't just surface-level—he's also copying Bob's caring and patient attitude. Even when he's completely taking the piss out of Bob, Gene recognizes just how hard he tries to be a good parent. And the fact that Louise refers to it as "fathering the crap out of" Tina in the first place implies that she recognizes it as something Bob would say as well.
- When the "Mad Pooper" is revealed to be Zeke, he explains that while the first few times had been either accidents or for fun, he eventually kept going in order to help Tina's journalism. To make it better, Tina is genuinely touched by this, in sharp contrast to her usual cold attitude toward him. She still tries to stop him, but that's moreso out of rationality (after all, Zeke is trying to poop in front of a large audience).
- Louise trying to give Tammy her just desserts for bullying Tina all episode. It's largely a funny moment (because this payback involves Louise trying to push Tammy under a falling turd), but it further reiterates her belief that the only person who can mock a Belcher and get away with it is another Belcher.
- Linda gets a new job at a supermarket. Not only does Bob miss her horribly, but between that and the fact that the restaurant's finances collapse without her to sort out the bills (and the thermostat is never set just right), he still gets over his initial bitterness and tells her that if the new job makes her happier he's fine with her keeping it.
- Bob doesn't want Linda to come back because he can't handle familial duties or take care of the kids, as would be the case in most sitcoms (in fact, he can handle those just fine). He just misses the woman he loves and feels bad that her quitting was punctuated by an argument.
- After Tina meets Josh from the supermarket, it almost seems like they'll never see each other again...until she comes across him walking home. It's nice to see a person who doesn't alienate Tina, and Josh is genuinely interested in her.
- Gene's friendship with the high tech toilet. Much like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins," this show makes a silly concept like that charming.
- During Gene and Tina's performance of "Electric Love"
, Bob takes a moment to admire his son's musical talent.Bob: Wow... did Gene write this?Linda: God I want what they have, it's so romantic! - Coupled with Tear Jerker; the entire Belcher family rushing to Tina's side, hysterically calling her name, when it looks like Louise's project might have killed her. Louise is horrified that she might have just murdered her sister and Gene's voice quivers like he's about to burst into tears.
- Earlier in the episode when they first test out the experiment, Louise noticed how freaked out Tina was. She quickly said that Tina doesn’t have to do it and could simply use one of Gene’s stuffed animals, showing that she does care about Tina’s safety.
- Worth noting is that Louise gets everything she wanted, namely revenge upon her substitute teacher. But she doesn't think it was worth it if it meant endangering Tina.
- It doesn't last past the episode, but the fact that Tina has gone from incredibly shy and hopeless with boys to the point where two of her biggest crushes are outright fighting for her affection. For a brief while, she's on top of the world.
- Linda going out of her way to create a great middle school dance experience for Bob. Though it quickly devolves into Alcohol-Induced Idiocy, she meant well, and Bob seems to appreciate it.
- Linda is initially furious with Bob for encouraging her parents to attend a swingers' potluck but changes her mind when she sees them kissing each other for the first time in twenty years.Linda: Huh. I guess if you love something, you let it go swing.
- Bob is at his best, showing off all his openmindedness and accepting nature in this episode, even if at least part of his motivation was to avoid Al and Gloria moving in with him and Linda. While Linda is acting stereotypically grossed out at the concept of swinger parties, much less ones for the elderly, Bob at first just finds it amusing then very quickly sees the good it does for the couples living there (One of the reasons why Gloria and Al chose to live in the swinger's community was because the elderly citizens weren't waiting around to die like in other senior communities). He makes it his mission to help Al and Gloria get into the swing of things when he realizes Al is getting cold feet and they're at risk of getting kicked out for not participating in the activities on a regular basis. Linda is practically being a prudish brat about it all, but Bob looks into the matter and has a heart-to-heart with Al, which eventually convinces him to be open about his balloon fetish to Gloria - and he does it all without at any point being remotely judgmental about any fetishistic activity at the retirement community, even reacting to Al's aforementioned balloon kink with complete nonchalance about the whole situation. This, in turn leads to the above-mentioned first-kiss-in-20-years.
- In the same conversation, Al reveals that the main reason he hasn't told Gloria about his balloon-popping fetish is because he knows Gloria hates loud noises. It's a small detail, but it does show that Al is ultimately respectful of his wife's feelings.
- Bob is at his best, showing off all his openmindedness and accepting nature in this episode, even if at least part of his motivation was to avoid Al and Gloria moving in with him and Linda. While Linda is acting stereotypically grossed out at the concept of swinger parties, much less ones for the elderly, Bob at first just finds it amusing then very quickly sees the good it does for the couples living there (One of the reasons why Gloria and Al chose to live in the swinger's community was because the elderly citizens weren't waiting around to die like in other senior communities). He makes it his mission to help Al and Gloria get into the swing of things when he realizes Al is getting cold feet and they're at risk of getting kicked out for not participating in the activities on a regular basis. Linda is practically being a prudish brat about it all, but Bob looks into the matter and has a heart-to-heart with Al, which eventually convinces him to be open about his balloon fetish to Gloria - and he does it all without at any point being remotely judgmental about any fetishistic activity at the retirement community, even reacting to Al's aforementioned balloon kink with complete nonchalance about the whole situation. This, in turn leads to the above-mentioned first-kiss-in-20-years.
- In the same episode, an elderly woman sends the kids in search of a giant python that ate her beloved chihuahua. In the end they find the dog, safe and sound, and reunite him with his owner, only to have him immediately run off again. Tina consoles the woman by telling her that the dog seemed really happy living in the woods. The last scene of the episode shows the dog and the giant python snuggled together inside a hollow log.
- A moment that's Heartwarming in Hindsight—Louise is the one who pushes her siblings to open the restaurant for the day, and even then it's not until things fail miserably that she opens the casino in the basement. Seems like just another way for Louise to make money, which is what Louise herself claims to be opening the restaurant for... at least, until later episodes reveal that running the restaurant is Louise's ultimate goal for the future. It may have gone south, but Louise got to try her dream job for a day.
- Louise and Tina have a bonding moment when Louise has her first crush. Louise ends up saying that she thinks Tina is a strong woman because although Tina has crushes all the time (which Louise hates) that Tina can handle herself without freaking out is something she admires.Tina: I'm no hero. I put my bra on one boob at a time like everyone else.
- The fact that the boy band aren't necessarily angry or annoyed that Tina and Louise snuck onto their tour bus. The only one even initially annoyed is Boo Boo, primarily because a girl saw him in his booster seat. They instead express concern for their safety and that their parents might be worried about them. Boo Boo is even willing to listen to Louise's nervous stammering, and the moment is only ruined when Louise rears back and slaps the crap out of Boo Boo.
- Even though Gene loses his tablescaping contest, Bob and Linda are supportive of him nonetheless. Sure, it's mostly because the person they wanted to beat also lost, but they still congratulate Gene on how far he got.
- The end credits, which show Louise dancing with Boo Boo.
- In one line, Bob implies that both Gene and Tina (but interestingly not Louise) were unplanned pregnancies. However, at no point at this episode or the series does he tell them to their faces that they were "accidents" or show disdain over it, and in that same line Bob makes himself very clear that he views them as a good thing, a far cry from the usual approach to a Surprise Pregnancy in sitcoms (Gene and Tina, for one, seem to appreciate it).
- This moment is followed up with Bob giving Gene a hi-five and Tina a fist bump. Simple yet endearing, and another example of Bob's closeness to his kids.
- While Louise initially goads Rudy into following her to the closed exhibit for her own entertainment, she clearly shows more care about him than she shows to anyone without the surname of Belcher, as shown by her immediate concern when he has an asthma attack. By the end of the episode, she and Rudy have become genuine friends, which sticks for the rest of the series.
- Similarly, while Bob initially thinks Rudy is just out of shape and dismisses his breathing issues as such, the instant he realizes Rudy is in genuine danger he springs into action, going into concerned Papa Wolf mode as he risks his own neck to find Rudy's inhaler. Bob isn't just a good guardian to his own kids, but also to a kid he's only just met.
- When Bob is following the group, Andy and Ollie - the twin sons of his long-term Sitcom Arch-Nemesis - ask for his help blowing their nose, since they can't do it on their own. While he's visibly disgusted, Bob helps without complaint, even allowing Ollie to blow his nose on his volunteer vest. When Ollie spends a little too long blowing his nose on Bob, Bob gently informs him that it's time to stop and that he's going to push Ollie away before doing so, giving Ollie time to process what's happening so he doesn't freak out. While Bob has had moments of going Papa Wolf for kids that aren't his own, it's nice to see him use the same gentle hand he'd use on his kids when their peers need it.
- Regular-Sized Rudy as a whole. He's upbeat and adventurous in spite of having debilitating asthma, refusing to let his condition drag him down. It's honestly quite inspiring.
- The highlights of the episode are easily the interactions between Bob and Louise. The A-plot follows them as they bond over ditching the field trip, and the episode overall focuses on how deep down, Louise really does care about her father, wringing a surprising amount of sweetness from the two.
- The simple fact that at their core, Bob and Louise aren't too different. The way Bob acts a lot like an adult version of Louise is a surprisingly endearing side of the previously straight-laced Only Sane Man, and the reveal that Louise takes quite a lot after her father is also sweet.
- Bob and Louise spend much of the episode playfully bantering with each other, with Bob being able to match Louise's usual snarks with his own. What's more, Louise doesn't react to his remarks with disdain or disgust like she would for others, but amusement. It's equal parts funny and heartwarming, and shows that Bob isn't just Louise's father, he's also her friend.
- At one point, although very brief, Louise can be seen holding Bob's hand, a rare display of physical affection from her. Looking carefully, she's also the one who initiates it, rather than Bob being the one to reach his hand out.
- Bob comments that Louise called Bob "Daddy" until she was eight, and Louise's reaction makes it clear that she really did. This would be adorable enough on its own, but it's especially so here because this is Louise.
- As the two reach the observation deck, both of them admit that they've had quite a bit of fun hanging out during the field trip. It says a lot, given neither of them wanted to go on the trip at first, and especially because Bob initially didn't want to follow Louise.
- When Louise is snarking with Bob, she alludes to herself one day running the restaurant. Bob lights right up realizing that Louise, on some level, actually looks up to him, and Louise's embarrassed denial is just plain cute.Bob: Hey, I'm glad we ditched. That was fun.Louise: Me, too. Let's do it again, sometime. Like, maybe when you're old and senile, I'll close the restaurant and come spring you out from the nursing home.Bob: What?Louise: Sorry. I didn't want to do it, but Gene and Tina put you in a nursing home. And not one of the nice ones either.Bob: No, you said you'd be running the restaurant.Louise: Oh, no. I was just saying...Bob: You're taking over the family business?Louise: (scoffs) Yeah, right.Bob: Ha! Admit it — you look up to me.Louise: No! You are ruining our perfect day right now!Bob: Oh, my god, am I your hero?Louise: (groan) Sick!
- It's subtle, but Louise's denial reveals another sweet detail—she views hanging out with Bob as a perfect day.
- The ending. After making every attempt possible to deny that she's a Daddy's Girl, Louise finally embraces it when she and Bob are on the bus. And that's not the only thing she embraces, as she gives Bob perhaps the most genuine hug she's ever given in the series, with a genuine smile on her face. Even Rudy joins in.Bob: So, when you run the restaurant, will you call it Louise's Burgers?
Louise: I don't know, maybe... (smiles and hugs Bob) Daddy.
(Beat, Rudy joins in on the hug) - The fact that Bob was able to bond with Louise and get her to open up to him without even trying, in sharp contrast to Linda's over-the-top efforts earlier in the season. It's a testament to the close bond the two have, that Bob is able to bring out Louise's softer side without any significant effort.
Season Four
Seaplane!
- A blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but as Linda has to land the seaplane by faking a crash the way her instructor did, Gene freaks, grabs his sisters' hands and the three hold on to each other.
- This is the first and only episode to do the standard marriage crisis that shows like The Simpsons have run into the ground, but it puts a unique spin on it. Namely, it's made clear from the start that Linda will never cheat on Bob, and the tension from the situation is solely from Bob trying to find Linda before Upskirt Kurt does something irrational. The fact that this is the only Love Triangle episode, and that it's solely on the would-be suitor's end, shows just how strong Bob and Linda's marriage is.
- On Linda's end, Upskirt Kurt constantly targets bored housewives to get them to cheat on their husbands. However, when Linda realizes Kurt wants her to cheat on Bob, she furiously rebukes him. Nothing will ever make her cheat on her husband and the love of her life.Kurt: I can't believe you're rejecting me.
Linda: Yeah, I'm married, you idiot! - On Bob's end, he didn't believe for a second that Linda would cheat on him, even when Teddy, Mr. Fishoeder, and the kids believe Linda would do so if she had the chance. When he and the kids finally show up to save Linda from the island, his anger about the whole situation solely resides with Kurt, and he asks Linda if Kurt did anything to her in a concerned tone.
- On Linda's end, Upskirt Kurt constantly targets bored housewives to get them to cheat on their husbands. However, when Linda realizes Kurt wants her to cheat on Bob, she furiously rebukes him. Nothing will ever make her cheat on her husband and the love of her life.
- Bob's genuine friendship with the members of Beta Upsilon Pi. He knows them for a very short time, but they almost seem like old friends.
- Bob's conversations with the deli worker who assumes Bob is flirting with him. Although he just wants to get his replacement turkeys, he shows some concern when the deli worker complains about his failing relationship, happily encouraging the employee to try and work things out. There's also the fact that the usual sitcom punchline is turned on its head—the flirting is treated like what it is (just flirting), the humor is primarily because of the simplicity of the situation (Bob is flattered at the flirting, but genuinely just wants a turkey), and Bob isn't at all horrified at being Mistaken for Gay (he in fact doesn't even give the worker's sexuality a second thought). Even when he turns down the worker, he lets him down lightly, and he even implies that he's only rejecting him because he's already married.
- The Reveal of who was dunking Bob's turkey's in the toilet: Bob himself! His allergy medication caused him to sleepwalk while he had a dream about potty training Tina, subconsciously nervous about her growing up. Not only is the flashback of Bob helping a two-year-old Tina sit on the potty sweet in itself, Tina then assures Bob that, no matter how old she gets, she still needs him. It convinces Bob to let her sit at the grownup table.
- The group hug at the end with the Belchers, Gayle, Teddy, and Mort.
- Bob's attempt to inspire the Home Ec class he's subbing for to learn how to cook, as opposed to just passively watching movies, actually works. In fact, it works so well that he's able to help Zeke gain some self-confidence and realize his talent for cooking, as well as connect easily to the students. They even rip up some popcorn bags in his honor when they learn he has to leave, which moves him to tears.
- The scene also serves as a tribute to Dead Poets Society, even featuring the end music.
- Just the fact that so many people look up to Bob this episode. He may not get any respect in the adult world, but Wagstaff's student body comes to hold him in high regard.
- Gene and Louise start out only reluctantly helping out in the Home Ec-staurant, and often make jabs at their father, Bob's Burgers, or both. When the Home Ec-staurant is shut down, however, they actually seem upset, and gladly help out with the final service when Bob calls out to them.
- Louise piggybacking on Bob's back as the Home Ec-staurant rushes to the cafeteria, only briefly getting off when the food cart arrives at Metal Shop to retrieve Tina.
- At first, it seems like she's just doing it because there's no room to ride on the cart like Gene is doing. However, Gene briefly gets off the cart at Metal Shop, and after that Louise continues to hold onto Bob instead of taking Gene's spot on the cart (she stops piggybacking, but can be seen clinging to Bob's left arm while using the cart to rest her feet), implying she's doing so because she wants to. She's come a long way from the Defrosting Ice Queen she's been for the entire series up until now.
- Perhaps the sweetest part is that nobody at all acknowledges it. It's just something Louise does without thinking or saying a word, and Bob immediately goes along without drawing attention to it. What's more, later episodes suggest that Bob has a lot of back problems, yet he still lets Louise piggyback because she wants to.
- Bob apologizing to Tina and calling her his "favorite eldest daughter".Gene: I can't do anything right!
- After a successful final service, Bob proudly declares that everyone gets an A, except for Tina—because she gets an A+. Granted, Tina explains seconds later that Home Ec is a pass-fail class with no letter grades, but the sentiment is there.
- Bob and Tina sharing a final meal together in the cafeteria, with Gene and Louise happily catering them.
- The family giving their Christmas tree and Linda's Dutch baby pancake to Gary, the candy cane truck driver, in spite of him repeatedly trying to run them off the road earlier. They realize he's having an even crappier Christmas than they are.
- There's a cute moment when the clock officially rolls over into Christmas, and the radio DJ wishes his listeners a merry Christmas. Louise wishes him a merry Christmas back in a very cute and innocent manner.
- During the credits, you see Teddy dressed as Santa Claus carrying Louise around on his shoulders. They even split a cookie! It's adorable, and twice as sweet when you remember that not only is Louise not likely to share with others, ever, but that she was also planning on capturing Santa violently.
- In a similar vein to the later episode "The Kids Rob a Train", "Slumber Party" ends with Louise actually making friends with Jessica, based on respect for her scheming, evidence disposal and pillow-fighting skills. The end credits show a fashion show with all the characters from the episode parading by, ending with Louise and Jessica chasing each other with pillows and laughing.
- Jimmy Jr. and Tina making up after their big fight and winning the award for best on-stage chemistry.
Easy Com-mercial, Easy Go-mercial
- The fact that all of Bob's kids, even Louise, are willing to help out with the commercial so quickly. Louise doesn't even have an ulterior motive (besides directing the commercial), she just wants to help out her father. It's also worth noting that the kids don't half-ass things either—if anything, they're too enthusiastic about promoting the restaurant.
- Bob's speech at the end about how even if his family's commercial wasn't good quality-wise, it was good because they were his family. It gets the rest of the Belchers to immediately forgive him for using Frye's commercial instead.
- The final product of the Belchers' family commercial in the credits is oddly endearing even if it's shoddily-made.
- In all three of the kids' stories, Gene, Tina and Louise remain as close-knit as they are in real life, always sticking together when there's danger.
- While Mr. Frond thinks the kids' stories are obscene, disgusting, and violent, Bob and Linda love the stories and are genuinely impressed by their kids' creativity. They honestly have no idea why Mr. Frond is upset, and seem quite annoyed that it's because of Mr. Frond's fragile ego.
- In a shockingly selfless act, Louise traps herself with the bratty, incredibly annoying Tammy for several hours so that Tina can steal the spotlight at Tammy's party. She also pretty much ends up taking Tammy hostage at one point, making her promise to invite Tina to all her future parties or be trapped forever.
- Doubling as a Funny Moment: before getting trapped, Louise used the headset to convince the original party planner, Janet, to quit and move to New York to be a Broadway actress, pissing off Tammy in the process. Janet is thrilled to be abandoning Tammy's party, and Louise seems genuinely happy for Janet.
- When Bob makes a pep talk to Gene about the two of them being left alone to run the catering table, Gene makes a fairly sweet comment about how soulful Bob's eyes are. Bob initially assumes it's his usual inappropriate quip (and responds with his usual "Gene"), but when he realizes what Gene actually said he appears to be quite touched.
- Teddy being recognized as a part of the family, enough to be trusted with the kids' safety.
- After a somewhat rough start, Teddy finally manages to bond with Louise and Gene by snaking the sink drain and pulling out a massive clog made of hair and grease.
- Teddy standing up for Tina when Jonas gets her in trouble, even if it involves throwing Jonas's moped off a cliff.
- This episode gives us the return of Regular-Sized Rudy, with Louise taking him surprisingly seriously. She puts a lot of stock in his train map, pays close attention to the plan and chides Gene and Tina for "embarrassing her", and assumes Rudy is going to take the chocolate and leave her because that's what she would do. She also shoves him away from the chocolate when she learns he's allergic and completely freaks out when he pretends to be choking. There's definitely still some ribbing involved, but it seems like after the events of "Carpe Museum" she sees him as a real accomplice, which coming from Louise is a big compliment.Louise: You guys are embarrassing me. In front of Rudy, which is hard!
- On that note, the fact that Rudy helped the Belcher kids with a ridiculously complicated and dangerous heist on a moving train to steal a huge bag of chocolate which he knew he couldn't even eat. The entire thing was so they could eat chocolate and be happy while stuck in the Juice Caboose. That's actually very, very sweet.
- One of the tiny details that most shows wouldn't bother with occurs when the kids are climbing back into the moving train. Louise loses her footing briefly and Tina grabs for her, than steadies her with a hand on her back as she climbs through the window.
- On that note, the fact that Rudy helped the Belcher kids with a ridiculously complicated and dangerous heist on a moving train to steal a huge bag of chocolate which he knew he couldn't even eat. The entire thing was so they could eat chocolate and be happy while stuck in the Juice Caboose. That's actually very, very sweet.
- Once again, Bob is willing to jump through hoops to help his kids, especially when it involves getting back at someone who took advantage of them (not like that): he binge-watches the entirety of a cheesy kids' show in one night, does extensive research on its characters and lore and even puts on an otherwise embarrassing costume just so he can go undercover and retrieve a toy his daughter was swindled out of.
- Louise, naturally, mocks everything having to do with the Equestranauts, and only came to the convention in the first place just to see its weirdness with her own eyes. However, once she hears that Bronconius has swindled Tina out of her ultra-rare action figure, she wastes no time in going back to tell Tina as much. She also spearheads the whole operation to get the figure back. Louise clearly doesn't take kindly to people who mess with her older sister.
- The Equesticles are clearly modeled off of Bronies and, to a lesser extent, furries, two kinds of people often depicted as perverted creeps. However, with the exception of Bronconius, a smug Jerkass who bullies his friends and swindles Tina out of her prized toy, the other grown men who avidly enjoy a little girl's show are shown to be perfectly nice, well-adjusted people who just happen to have a quirky hobby. Even the more questionable (read: fetishistic) parts of the fandom are treated as normal, if still considered a little weird. Bob even develops a genuine friendship with Bronconius's three followers that isn't just for the sake of his cover.
- Relatedly; Bronconius's followers genuinely believe in the show's message about The Power of Friendship, which inspires them to side with the Belchers and turn against Bronconius.
- The lengths the family (plus Teddy) go through to help Louise get through getting her cavity fixed. Extra props to Dr. Yap for being so very accommodating. The entire session is staged to make Louise feel as though she is in the middle of a dire mission to save the universe, complete with a "microchip" being implanted in her teeth and enemy combatants breaking in. If only all dentists had been willing to do this.
- Gayle's role in the episode in particular. When Louise is wracked by the pain of her cavity as well as her fear of getting a filling, Gayle comforts her in a remarkably empathetic fashion. Made especially heartwarming since Gayle tends to be eccentric comic relief at best and a genuine nuisance to her family at worst.
- In a final effort to smoke Louise out of Gayle's apartment, Tina gives her chocolate ice cream, causing Louise to scream at the excruciating pain in her cavity. Linda and Bob (and Teddy) are both wracked with guilt over having ordered Tina to do so, screaming, "Our baby!"
- The fact that Bob doesn't have any problem with Gene being a cheerleader and no one else raising any issue with it despite him being a boy. Bob's only complaint is just that he thinks cheerleading in general is stupid, but doesn't have a problem with his kids trying it out nor does he try to discourage them. Linda's ecstatic about Gene joining, but it's for the sake of trying to be a cheerleader-by-proxy.
- Tina doesn't have any problem either even though she was the one who initially tried out, and Gene didn't accept the offer to join the squad right away because he was there to cheer Tina on. She even gives Gene her support when he's offered the spot, and displays no hang-ups about it for the entire episode.
- Despite Louise using Tina and Jimmy Jr.'s date as an excuse to pig out on pie in a fancy, revolving restaurant, Tina's able to have a nice romantic moment and enjoys a kiss with Jimmy Jr.
- Jimmy Jr. offhandedly states that he could sell his bike to pay for the date. If one looks carefully, he's seen with a completely different bike after this episodenote , indicating he really did sell it.
- The memories Tina has of riding the carousel. Ever since she was a baby, she loved being on "Mr. Goiter", even though she always fell off. In fact, Tina loved all the horses in spite of their deformities, and even after the carousel was torn down, she still got to keep Mr. Goiter's head to remember him by.
- The flashbacks of Bob, a proud new father, taking photos of his little girl on the carousel and catching her as she falls off every time.
World Wharf II: The Wharfening
- The Belchers find themselves about to drown together. They do what any loving family would do: exchange "I love yous" for as long as they can. Even Louise!Bob: Oh god! I'm sorry I got us into this. Kids, I love you, and Linda, I love you too, almost as much as the kids, but not—Linda: Oh, Bobby. I love you too. I'm sorry I was mad at you about the stupid condos.Gene: I love you, Mom! And you, Dad!Louise: I love you all! But that's just between us.Tina: I love everyone! I love you, Mom!Linda: I love you too, honey. *group hug*Felix: What are they all doing?Calvin: I have no idea.Bob: I love you guys!Gene: I love you Dad!Tina: I love you Mom!Calvin: Oh god, they're starting again.
- After part of the wharf crashes down on the family, and they're forced to swim for their lives, when they come up for air Louise is the first to spot her sister and say what are probably the most heartwarming words she's ever spoken:Louise: Tina! Thank God! You beautiful four-eyed son of a bitch! (hugs Tina)
- When Bob takes a long time to resurface after the wharf crashes, the Belchers are clearly tense, to the point that they snap at Felix when he resurfaces before Bob. The relief on their faces when Bob finally emerges is palpable, and Linda immediately swims over to embrace her husband.
- After part of the wharf crashes down on the family, and they're forced to swim for their lives, when they come up for air Louise is the first to spot her sister and say what are probably the most heartwarming words she's ever spoken:
Season Five
Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl
- When Jimmy Pesto is caught leaving to go to the Die Hard musical, he quickly takes the time to cheer for Jimmy Jr.'s performance in the Working Girl musical. Jimmy Jr. actually seems to appreciate it, a far cry from his often-strenuous relationship with his dad.
- It's also worth noting that unlike the other parents, Jimmy Pesto actually has an excuse to sneak off to Die Hard—Andy and Ollie are involved in that play's production. He may not normally be a good father, but at least for this one moment he's able to Pet the Dog.
- In the end, Courtney and Gene make up, and together with all the other kids, combine both of their plays. Gene even adds in a quick kiss with Courtney that she goes along with.
- When Louise and Gene decides to help Tina get back at Tammy for lying, instead of going trick-or-treating.
- The fact that it's Louise who's first to say that they need to help Tina, since she knows it's her fault for causing the events in the episode, and does truly want to make up for it.
- When she first admits to Bob, Linda, and Gene that she made Jeff up, Louise immediately says she's going to tell Tina the truth and apologize. That's a pretty big step for Louise, who usually plays the Never My Fault card. The only reason she doesn't is because Linda convinces her it will make Tina feel stupid.
- Bob doing all he can to help Teddy get healthy, since it's him eating Bob's burgers everyday that is causing his cholesterol to become too high.
- The ending, where Bob finally tells Teddy that he isn't his best customer, but his best friend.
- The part where Louise and Zeke are fighting each other in their ice-wrestling tournament in the basement, it seems like Louise is going to lose, but Gene helps her win despite getting beat by her earlier.
- Earlier in the episode, when Bob has to wake up earlier than usual, both Gene and Tina come in, and join Linda in bed, and once Bob's gone even Louise joins in sleeping with her siblings and mother. Even though it only lasts for a few seconds, it's still really sweet.
- Subtle, but the fact that Louise and Linda are getting along well. From Louise willingly joining going to be with her mother with her siblings, the "Gotta love that woman" line, and both of them doing a chant of sorts when Louise wins the contest. They've come a long ways from "Mother Daughter Laser Razor".
- Gene finally being able to focus, so he can get his dad the black garlic.
- This line from Gene is brief, but oh-so-sweet:Gene [to Bob]: I've always admired you!
- Much like Linda is to Louise, Bob is Gene's less-favored parent. Just as "Friends With Burger-fits" showed Louise getting along with Linda, this episode (and this line in particular) shows that Gene truly does look up to his father despite their attempts at bonding not always going so well.
- Ron helping the Belcher kids get the black garlic to Bob, even though he's usually featured as Hugo's lackey. Hugo may not like the Belchers, but Ron doesn't have any personal issues with them.
- This line from Bob:Bob: Listen Gene, you may get distracted from time to time, but I love you and I love who you are.
- Even though Bob only came in second, tons of people are lined outside his restaurant, including the winner, Skip Marooch, who smelled the burger Bob was cooking and wanted to try it. For once, Bob gets a personal victory that isn't just a case of "good enough".
- Skip Marooch himself. He's built up as someone who's probably either a sore winner or sore loser, but it turns out he's neither, and is actually quite humble (if very eccentric). He's just a genuinely nice guy.
- Henry, one of Big Bob's regulars, is given a burger he didn't ask for by an excited, nervous young Bob. Rather than get upset, he (and the other customers with him) pleasantly note that Bob seems to be having a great time at work today. When Big Bob confronts his son about making the wrong burger, Henry insists it's fine and seems interested to try it.
- After an episode (and two decades before then) spent fighting, Bob and his father, Bob Sr., reconcile and return to Big Bob’s Diner to find Linda and the Belcher children running the restaurant.Bob Sr.: You got happy kids. Weird, happy kids. That's nice. You're a good dad, Junior.
- Big Bob keeping the first review of Bob's Burgers:Big Bob: Listen, I know why you had to go. I can be...not great to work with. It was tough without your mom around. You did great on your own, you should be very proud.
- In the flashback, Big Bob changing his restaurant to Big Bob and Son's Diner, as Bob's Christmas gift. Although his relationship with his son was rocky, he did try to bond with his son and wanted to work together as a team, as a way of showing his love.
- While Big Bob's relationship with his son is (initially) strained, he and his grandkids get along very well; a sharp contrast to the kids' relationship with Linda's parents. When they see each other, Big Bob gives them money as a Christmas present, and when the kids explain that they need a last-minute gift for Bob, Big Bob allows them to explore his basement to find something. Big Bob may have driven his son away by being a Control Freak, but his grandkids seem to have helped him loosen up a little.
- Louise wanting to help Tina find the mole in her Thundergirls troop, creating the "Mole Patrol".
- When Tina returns to her troop after finding the mole, Louise compliments her, and expresses brief sadness over no longer needing to be a team. Linda deduces that Louise was jealous of the Thundergirls taking her sister away from her.
- Compared to "Spaghetti Western & Meatballs", where Louise had a hard time finding a way to bond with her mother and sister, here, she finally found a way to bond with Tina.Tina: Louise, you could always come back to troop 119.
Louise: Nah, Thundergirls is your bag, and if I had to I'd probably join troop 257. But if there's a murder or a drug sting, call me.
Tina: Well I made this friendship bracelet for you.
Louise: Ah, you know I'm not really a jewelry person.
Tina: You don't have to wear it.
Louise: No, I'm gonna wear it forever; back off.
- At the end, When Bob sees Gene using the trash he gathered from the Thundergirls they were spying on as clothes, he admits that he actually likes how Gene looks and asks Gene to pick him out something next time. Gene asks him what he'd like to smell like, and Bob says to surprise him. Kinda squicky, and doubles as a funny moment, but it is a sweet brief moment of bonding for the two.
- The reason why Zeke wanted the mascot costume? Because his grandma loves mascots, and he wanted to entertain her before her surgery.
- The reason why Zeke's grandmother loves mascots also counts—she met Zeke's grandfather while the two were performing as their college mascots.
- Tina having faith that Zeke was telling the truth, even to the point of saying that if Mr. Frond's wrong, she doesn't want a promotion, she wants Zeke's punishment lifted. If he is lying then she'll have 1 month's detention, and turn in her vest. In the end Zeke was telling the truth.
- Zeke quipping that he now has a story to tell on his and Tina's wedding day. In a blink and you'll miss it moment, Tina makes a little smile.
- Tina decides that rather than win herself and beat Bryce, she pushes Louise with her to the finish line so that they can both beat him together.
- There's also Louise admitting that Tina is the better driver and deserved to win. In the end, during the credits we see them both holding and sharing the trophy they both won.
- Critter and Mudflap help the kids turn their old bumper car into a go-kart for free out of gratitude for their son being born in the Belchers' restaurant (and because the parts they're using are "donated"). Later, Critter attends the Grand Prix with Bob and Linda to watch Tina and Louise race, even doing emergency pit stop work for Louise.
Late Afternoon in the Garden of Bob & Louise
- Bob kissing Louise on the forehead. It doesn't seem like much, but it's the first time Bob kisses one of his kids on-screen.
- Bob's genuine happiness while working in the garden.
- Louise giving Bob a giant hug. Sure, it's followed by a massive argument, but given the two are at odds for nearly the entire episode a brief moment of levity is much appreciated and oh-so-sweet to watch.
- At the end of the episode, Louise reveals that she's not mad at Bob just because he hired Logan, but because she views the restaurant as her and Bob's special place and Logan was ruining it. Bob is genuinely touched that Louise thinks so highly of the restaurant, especially because she does a damn good job at hiding it.
- Bob and Louise finally making up, followed by the two working to plant Bob's crops in the windowsill. What's more, Louise earlier expressed disdain over vegetables, but here she seems to have a genuinely fun time planting them with her father.
- After an entire week of failed romantic events with Linda, Bob is clearly tired and just wants to move on from Valentine's Day. When his planned striptease is ruined by stuck curtains, meaning the entirety of Jimmy Pesto's Pizzeria can see him, Linda is just about to call it quits as well. But when Bob sees how down in the dumps his wife is, he decides to endure the humiliation for Linda's sake and complete one of the events for her, even at the cost of his dignity. Linda clearly appreciates this, even as Pesto's customers begin to harass them.
- One of Pesto's patrons insults Bob's appearance (specifically his back), asking who would want to see him. Linda quickly retorts that she does.
Adventures in Chinchilla-sitting
- Louise deciding to let Wayne take care of the chinchilla. She even tells him that the chinchilla missed him.
- Louise and Wayne's bonding throughout the episode. It'd be a stretch to call them friends at the end of it, but they're definitely on better terms than they were at the start.
- When Tammy helps the kids get into a High School party, not only do she and Tina show that they're not so different, with how they both Freak Out at seeing a high school boy, but when Tammy gets so scared that she's about to fart, Tina helps her by carrying her to a window so no one will notice. Tammy actually thanks her, and even though it seems like she's about to double-cross Tina, it turns out she was only kidding.
- The fact that Tammy does stay and help the kids throughout the rest of the episode.
- When Bob and Linda's scheme to cheat during trivia night goes haywire, they're found out and kicked out of the club. As soon as they're out, Linda kisses Bob and asks them to cheat on karaoke on their next date.
- When Tina refuses to remove her bracelet, Tammy pounces on her, trying to pull it off. Louise and Gene don't hesitate for a second before getting involved and trying to split them up.Louise: Get off my sister!
- The kids apparently make breakfast for Linda every year on her birthday. They spend practically the whole first minute of the episode joking around that they are "looking at their mom, but this lady is obviously too young" RIGHT after the episode started with Linda muttering to herself about being uncomfortable with her age. And this year, they planned an entire surprise spa day to boot. Everyone in this family clearly loves each other a lot.
- Louise and the puppy. It's adorable to see her acting her age and revealing that she does have the same interest as a lot of younger kids. She merely acts in a crazier manner as a cover for her insecurities and an attempt to look cool.
- Bob and the kids spend the entire episode looking for Linda, and Bob learns that she has all sorts of (odd) acquaintances all over the town that she visits regularly, and that he knew nothing about. Instead of being annoyed by this, he's just delighted to learn more about the love of his life.Bob: Lin, I gotta say, I learned some new things about you today. Stuff I didn't know. Stuff I respect. Kind of. And I'm glad to say, after all these years, I'm still finding little surprises.
- On top of that, there's just Linda's absolute joy over "having kicked today's butt" after having a SURPREMELY crappy birthday, yet still making it home on her own to enjoy the spa day her family set up for her.
- When Louise thinks Linda is in danger, she immediately charges after her and, without a thought for her own safety, launches herself at the fully grown woman she thinks is a dangerous murderer screaming, "Get away from my mom!"
- This episode as a whole is one giant heartwarming moment after another. If there were ever a list for most heartwarming Bob's Burgers episodes, "Hawk & Chick" would be a serious contender for the top position. It's just that sweet.
- The premise. Louise and Bob go out of their way to help the father-daughter stars of their favorite movies reunite and reconcile out of sheer respect and good-will. Dominic the theater usher goes through hell to not only get an original print of the film but hold the festival guerrilla-style when his boss won't let Bob rent the theater, all while Kojima is friendly and complacent. Not only does this succeed in reuniting Kojima with his daughter, but their make-up and embrace is met with a standing ovation from the crowd.Bob: Wow, that ended up working way better than I thought it would.
Louise: Eh, it went about exactly the way I thought it would. - Bob and Louise bonding over the "Hawk and Chick" movies. Four seasons after "Spaghetti Western & Meatballs", and they still bond over TV as easily as they did in Season 1.
- Bob's assessment of the Belchers' lives ("We're poor, but we're happy") is perhaps the most succinct summary of the Belchers' idealistic attitude in spite of their poverty, and it's sweet to see him show his more optimistic outlook even though he has every reason to believe otherwise.
- What's more, Louise doesn't pop up with a snide comment or anything of the sort, implying that she agrees with him.
- Bob and Louise's sheer excitement and barely-subtle Freak Out when they realize the old man they're seeing really is Shinji Kojima is strangely endearing to watch.
- When he thinks Koji is about to attack him and Louise with a mop, Bob almost instinctively places his arms around his daughter as if to shield her. Additionally, Louise tightly holds onto her father until it's clear Koji is just trolling them.
- Just how down to earth Koji is. He hasn't let minor stardom get to his head, he's a Cool Old Guy who's nothing but kind to the Belchers. He's like any other guy you'd meet at the bar or a store, if not for the fact that he just so happens to be the star of a series of cult-classic foreign films.
- The last time a Belcher met a hero of theirs was Bob meeting the titular baseball player in "Torpedo", and it resulted in a giant case of Broken Pedestal. The fact that Bob and Louise get to meet a hero of theirs who turns out to be entirely deserving of the praise is sweet.
- When Bob and Louise meet Yuki, Louise is in disbelief that working with one's father can be something other than fun. She quickly rephrases what she said to specifically mean Yuki working with Koji, but the implication is that she genuinely enjoys working with Bob even if she'd rather die than admit it.
- The rest of the Belchers are more than willing to go along with the film festival idea. They may not know who Koji and Yuki are or care about their movies, but reuniting them clearly means something to Bob and Louise and so they'll help out without hesitation.
- As the film festival is close to going haywire, Louise implies that part of her desire to reunite Koji and Yuki stems from a fear that she and Bob will drift apart in the future. Bob quickly catches on, and gives his daughter a serious talk that, if it doesn't make you cry, is going to melt your heart (and it might still make you cry anyways). The scene is arguably not just the most heartwarming part of the episode, but one of the most heartwarming moments of the entire series.Louise: Am I gonna turn into someone completely different someday? Is that what happens when you grow up? You-you grow apart?
Bob: Listen, what happened to Hawk and Chick will never happen to us. This Hawk and this Chick will never not talk for 30 years.
Louise: You promise?
Bob: Yes, of course, Louise.- The fact that Bob doesn't hesitate for a second after Louise's underlying motive is revealed. Immediately he springs into action, making sure that Louise knows straight from the source that her father will always be there for her as a companion and mentor. In fact, he all but breaks character in the middle of trying to keep Yuki from leaving just so he can reassure his daughter—even if it means Yuki leaves and the reunion is ruined, Bob will forever place his family first.
- After a disastrous screening, this conversation single-handedly convinces Yuki to stay in the theater after she was in the middle of leaving, allowing Koji to get the chance to talk to her. No dubbing needed, no film festival required—just the eternal reminder that parent and child don't always have to grow apart.
- It's subtle, but after Koji and Yuki reunite with a hug, Louise moves closer to Bob, who wraps his arm around her.
- The audience for the film screening, who had no idea the entire thing was set up to reunite the actors until Koji walked out on stage, give a standing ovation once the duo hugs.
- The premise. Louise and Bob go out of their way to help the father-daughter stars of their favorite movies reunite and reconcile out of sheer respect and good-will. Dominic the theater usher goes through hell to not only get an original print of the film but hold the festival guerrilla-style when his boss won't let Bob rent the theater, all while Kojima is friendly and complacent. Not only does this succeed in reuniting Kojima with his daughter, but their make-up and embrace is met with a standing ovation from the crowd.
- The fact that Bob, even after everyone turns on each other, still tries to help everyone out. He came to the manor intending to stop the rent hike, and that's what he's gonna do.
- Similarly, what finally convinces Bob to play Fischoeder's game? Linda getting betrayed by Sal and pelted by a water balloon. Mess with the tenants, shame on Fischoeder. Mess with the Belchers, shame on everyone.
- Linda Shaming the Mob when they come for her husband, reminding them that he stuck up for all of them and that, because of this silly game, the family would go broke and live on the streets. While not all of the tenants necessarily like Bob, they're not willing to ruin the lives of him and his family and throw down their water balloons.Jimmy Pesto: Ah, I wanted to throw a balloon at Bob. Fine, I'll throw something at him later. A meatball.
- Bob finally talking to Mr. Fischoeder one-on-one instead of having everyone rally against him. Mr. Fischoeder admits that he wants to be the kind of landlord that you can be friends with, and decides to hold back the rent hike for at least a year.Jimmy Pesto: You'll be out of business by then, Bob.
- After all that, Bob say they all should celebrate by having a regular water balloon fight while a "Bob's Burgers"-style cover of "99 Luftballons" plays the show out. Even Mr. Fischoeder gets into the fun.
Season Six
- The story of how Bob met Linda is just as quirky yet endearing as one would expect, with Linda's ring getting stuck in his mustache and her falling for Bob as she tries to untangle it.
- There's something oddly cute about Gene's response to Bob saying he knows an unusual amount about diamonds.Gene: A boy can plan for his big day!
- Bob and Linda go so well together that Tina can't imagine their meeting as anything but fated to happen. When her turn to tell a story comes up, she initially tries in every way possible to make them work out without Bob's mustache, and undergoes a borderline Heroic BSoD when she decides she can't.
- While Tina's story regarding the hypothetical Habercores is Nightmare Fuel both in-universe and out, her siblings' horrified reactions show that although they may tease Bob to no end, they not only can't imagine anyone else as their father, but wouldn't want anyone else as their father. It's also another indication that they're proud of who they are and what their family is, and wouldn't change their lives for the world.
- The final lesson of the episode—even if Bob and Linda weren't destined for each other, the fact remains that they ended up together anyways. All these possibilities where they didn't hook up mean nothing, because in the only universe that matters they're Happily Married regardless.
- At one point Bob holds up Tina's head as she sleeps at the breakfast table (he had been checking her temperature). Although Louise eggs him on to move his hand (and thus let Tina fall into her cereal again) Bob ultimately can't do it and just tells Tina to go back to sleep as he holds her up. Awww.
- When Louise and Gene confront Tina for sneaking out at the house at night, Louise immediately goes from angry to concerned when Tina tearfully confesses that she's been doing graffiti with Jordan at night and that they graffitied the sail of the Land Ship float. Then Gene suddenly remembers that there's white paint in the restaurant's basement so Tina can fix her mistake and then he and Louise go with her so they can help her cover up the graffiti.
- The Belchers are stuck in the bathroom as someone they think is a murderer is walking up the stairs. Gene takes the time to tell Bob about how well he's doing as a dad and that Gene's having a good childhood.Gene: Not right now, but overall.
- It gets even more heartwarming after The Reveal at the end that the Belchers planned the entire thing to scare Louise, who was the only one not in on it. Gene knew from the beginning that he wasn't in any danger, but felt the need to tell Bob that he was a good father anyways.
- Louise enthusiastically telling her family they're the best in the whole world after their attempt to frighten her on Halloween succeeds.
- Doubles as a Moment of Awesome: The fact that the whole family, as well as Teddy, Mort, Mort's mother, and Mort's mom's new boyfriend, all pulled together what was basically a real-life horror movie, solely so Louise would actually have a good time at a haunted house for once.
- The Belchers all dancing and singing along to "I Love You So Much (It's Scary)" by Boyz 4 Now in the credits. It's something so simple yet something one wouldn't see most other sitcom families take the time to do—that being having fun and just goofing off with each other.
- Bob is at first reluctant to join in, but then his kids ask him to join. Seeing his family having fun, he decides to join after all. While his first few lines are mumbled and embarrassed, he finishes by belting out high-pitched notes that, unusually for him, actually sound pretty good.
- Gayle, who's at her worst to the point of being an outright sociopath in this episode, eventually realizing all the hell she's put Bob through just for attention and showing her gratitude by pulling him the rest of the way home.
- Bob and Gayle's toasts, both basically saying that it's okay for family to drive you crazy, because that means you have family.
- Gene's good deed was giving Rudy the last Taco on Taco Tuesday once. And he LOVES Taco Tuesday.
- After Louise realizes that her lies for being so good that year were out of desperation, she says that they weren't true, and is also sure to ask the Mall Santa to put in a good word for Tina and Gene, since they've both deserved it.
- Louise's whole family telling her that she actually is nicer than what she makes herself think.
- Louise hilariously asks Santa for a pet shark for Christmas. On Christmas morning, Bob and Linda leave an extra present under the tree for her from "Santa" - a goldfish.
- The Mall Santa gives her an especially heartfelt talk, telling her that she has the heart of a leader.
The Cook, The Steve, The Gayle, and Her Lover
- Mr. Frond and Gayle are pretty much perfect for each other, with their odd insecurities bouncing off each other. Tina says it best:Tina: They're both so crazy, it just might work.
- As creepy as it was, the doll Mr. Frond gave to Gayle was also pretty sweet.
- Louise finally deciding to accept Gayle and Mr. Frond's relationship once she realizes that Gayle is happier that way.
- Teddy calling out Steve for not really appreciating all Bob has done and/or tried to do for him, then firmly calling Bob his best friend. Even better, this actually gets Steve to APOLOGIZE and admit he's been stuffy all evening. Score a big one for Bob in actually succeeding in possibly getting a new friend!
- After neglecting Teddy the whole episode, Bob finally asks him to come up for dinner. While Teddy declines since it's so late, the sentiment is there.
- Gene and Courtney are a pretty cute couple when they're dating, even if it does get in the way of their job, which makes their break-up all the more bittersweet.
- Gene's speech saying that just because you don't have someone, doesn't mean you can't be happy.
- Bob and Linda admitting that they were too busy helping Tina to get each other something for Valentines Day. Rather than get mad at each other, they immediately shrug it off to go make out somewhere. It's a small reminder that their relationship is stronger than something frivolous like a holiday gift.Bob: Happy Valentine's Day. I didn't get you anything.
Linda: I didn't get you anything either. (Beat) Wanna go make out?
Bob: Yeah. - Courtney's Character Development from an obnoxious brat whom Gene dreaded into a much nicer and clearly creative kid, albeit one who still has a few hangups, and one of Gene's best friends.
- After Tina's spent the whole episode overseeing the "Donations 4 Carnations" table and getting upset that no one bought a carnation for her, Jimmy Jr. surprises her with a beautiful rose. He intended to get her a gift all along, but had to go out of his way to keep it a surprise, meaning he couldn't just get a carnation since Tina was the one selling them.
- Gene and Courtney dancing together over the credits.
- Despite the couch being in bent up shape, the whole family tries to get it back after saying that the couch gave them too many memories to lose it. To add to it, we also get flashbacks of the Belcher kids as babies (from Louise making a fort from the cushions and playing with her parents, to Tina teething on the couch's armrest).
- Mere inches from getting out a library window and escaping the school nurse trying to shave her and a bunch of other kids and burn her beloved hat with Tammy, Louise has a (very) reluctant change of heart and decides to go back to help the kids who didn't escape. She also makes Tammy go back with her, despite Tammy's many protests.
- Tina locking in Mr. Frond after he admits he's seeing others besides Gayle, proving that no one upsets her aunt.
- After neglecting Rudy's wishes the entire episode, Louise makes sure that he gets the puppet show that he wanted.
- Noteworthy in that, unlike many, many other episodes where Louise pretended to care for someone just to get what she wanted (being Tina's "translator" in "Gene It On" comes to mind), Louise seems to genuinely want the bounce house just as much for Rudy's sake as her own, evidenced by how even once she's gotten the bounce house, she keeps asking Rudy if he's enjoying his birthday and when it turns out that he isn't after all, she wastes absolutely no time in working hard to make sure Rudy has a good birthday by organizing the aforementioned puppet show
- Bob taking a bath with the pigeon is also pretty cute.
- Despite it pissing off Jimmy Jr., Gene and Zeke bonding was pretty sweet.
- When the journey comes to a halt at a field of poison ivy, Gene decides to individually carry everyone else on his back to safety so that he's the only one that has to endure the poison ivy.
- When it seems as though the two-butted goat might not be real, Louise earnestly apologizes for always doubting him, because after all he went through that day, he deserved to see the goat.
- Bob deciding to not sabotage Linda at the end due to their constant competing with each other, after seeing what it made him, and just looking at Linda made him smile.Bob: I can't do it, Teddy. That's my wife!
- Bob telling the One-Eyed Snakes that while the day's events may have been completely crazy, spending it with his kids made it all worth it, and using that to defend Critter's choice to spend more time with Sidecar.
- Linda babysitting Sidecar is pretty sweet, since Sidecar does seem to genuinely like Linda (before he starts getting cranky from missing his nap, that is). At one point, he even calls her "Ma-ma."
- At the end of the episode, Critter and Mudflap come to the restaurant to ask Linda if she can watch Sidecar again. Even though Linda tries to get out of it, the fact that Critter and Mudflap trust her enough to leave her alone with their baby says a lot.
- When Tina runs off to her room due to being upset about the events of the episode, Bob goes to talk with her and gives her a passionate speech about how Tina's in charge about what she says and does with her mouth. He also reassures her that even after the mononucleosis incident, people will want to kiss Tina again. Bob is usually uncomfortable whenever Tina so much as mentions kissing, but he sees just how upset she is and just how important this is for her.
- In the same scene, there's also a smaller moment: when Bob sees that an upset Tina has smeared her handful of spaghetti all over her bed sheets, he doesn't get mad and instead says they'll just clean the sheets. Then, after he gives Tina advice, he playfully asks if she'd like a handful of ice cream.
- The fact that Louise still has a crush on Boo Boo and is finally willing to admit it at the end in order to convince a group of angry Boyz 4 Now fangirls not to puke on him as they'd originally planned, is both adorable and surprisingly selfless.
- The fact that Boo Boo remembers Louise from the slapping incident and is genuinely happy to see her again (even after being slapped again as a reminder) and gives her a chipper "Oh my god, how are you?" when he recognizes her.
- Tina deliberately defying the Boyz 4 Now fan club, even getting kicked out of it, solely to help Louise come to terms with her feelings for Boo Boo.
- Tina's pure excitement when Bob and Linda put off fixing their deep fryer to get her to horse camp like she wanted. Granted, said horse camp turns out to be crap, but it was a nice gesture, and Tina is super excited and immediately runs to hug her parents as thanks.
- While Tina is at Horse Camp, Linda turns the restaurant into a "Restaurant Camp" for Gene and Louise, and as usual, Bob is less than enthusiastic about the idea. When Linda overhears the kids calling Restaurant Camp boring and that that they just do it to get out of work, she 'cancels' the last day, and Bob sends the kids upstairs... where they immediately get bored and say they miss Camp. When they come back down, Linda comes up with the idea of treating the whole thing as an 80s Summer Camp movie, pegging Bob as "mean Old Man Belcher" who wants to shut down the camp unless they put on a show. And what does Bob, who wasn't even that fond of the idea the whole time, do? He plays along, makes a "grumpy man voice" and plays the beats of a grouchy camp owner being won over, just to help his family have some fun.
- The entire town cheering for Bob after the man from Coasters magazines refuses to do an interview, claiming that there's nothing special about the restaurant. It's telling that even Jimmy Pesto gets in on it, and seems genuinely to be in Bob's corner!
- The magazine does end up doing an article about the restaurant, and says that even though it's a regular burger restaurant, it obviously is a special place for many people in the town, and that makes it special enough for Coasters.
- When Teddy hears that Bob's stuck on the toilet, he immediately cancels his therapy session and rushes over to check on him.
- Louise, who otherwise goes out of her way to put herself above literally everyone else, especially her father, proving once and for all that she's a Daddy's Girl when she fantasizes Bob giving her a huge kiss on the cheek and happily letting her ride on his shoulders after getting unstuck.
- The Curtain Call ending where virtually every character who's appeared on the show thus far joins in a reprise of "Bad Stuff Happens in the Bathroom" is already pretty awesome and kind of sweet, but the best part is the close-up on Bob and Louise facing one another during their point-counterpoint... and we zoom out and see that Bob's been holding her in his arms the whole time. Awwwww!
- The fact that Skip Marooch is still 100% in Bob's corner, as he's the one who sets up the Coasters interview in the first place. He even apologizes for putting Bob on the spot and reassures him that he's a great chef and a funny, charming person who can totally ace the interview, and in the end his words are proven right.
- Right before they try to pull him off of the toilet, the family and Teddy all tell Bob that they love him and it's very sweet.
Season Seven
Flu-ouise
- Louise's whole family working together to fix the melted Kuchi Kopi, and her forgiving them in the end.
- Additionally, the fact that Bob was willing to sit through probably hours of a children's book to appease a shopkeeper, all just to get Louise a replacement Kuchi Kopi, is also pretty sweet. So is the fact that he did so in the middle of the night on such short notice.
- It should be worth mentioning that while Bob went out to replace the melted Kuchi Kopi, Louise forgave her family completely independent of that. It didn't take her toy being replaced to forgive them, she forgave them entirely on her own. Kuchi Kopi being replaced was just an added bonus.
- The concept of the episode as a whole. It features the Belchers helping Teddy move on from an abusive relationship, and teach him that he doesn't need to prove to his ex-wife that he's doing fine without her. It's a simple concept, but it just goes to show that the Belchers really are all the family Teddy needs.
Large Brother, Where Fart Thou?
- One of the most heartwarming moments in the whole series - Louise originally states to her parents that Gene doesn't really feel like a big brother to her because he doesn't do stereotypical "big brother" things like call her nicknames or fight off bullies for her. Later, when Louise is so afraid upon being cornered by an enraged Logan that she actually starts to cry, Gene throws himself in front of her, takes the punishment in her place, and on the way home Louise hugs him and thanks him for being a good big brother. It’s even shown in the page image above.Louise: You're a great large brother.
Gene: Anytime, shrimp.
- The main plot of the episode is Louise and Gene trying to put on a horribly offensive Thanksgiving Play to get a half-day off school the day before thanksgiving by having it shut down. Louise rigs the finale to involve exploding turkey guts all over the audience, and realizes too late that this was taking it too far, especially when Tina, whose story of a "quirky turkey" Louise based the play on, gets furious at her for having used her. When Tina then manages to turn the play around and into a success, even sharing a deep stage kiss with Jimmy Jr., Gene and Louise seem to approve.Gene: Do you think they'll make us clean this up?Louise: Yeah, I think they will.Gene: We're not getting that half day, are we?Louise: Nope. Worth it.Gene: Totally worth it.
The Last Gingerbread House On The Left
- After Bob gets dragged into Mr. Fischoder's gingerbread competition with his rich friends, he finds out that the grand prize is a cuddling session with a newborn albino polar bear at the Bog Harbor Zoo. He immediately realizes that it would be an amazing gift for his children, and he ends up winning the grand prize (granted, it was because the rest of the competitors blew up the gingerbread houses with guns and his was the least destroyed, but it was still a good win for Bob). He then invites the rest of the competitors and the Fischoeder brothers to the event, allowing them to enjoy the grand prize too. All of them have a good time cuddling the baby polar bear.Linda: Best Christmas ever, Bob!
- At the end, Mr Fischoder also gives Bob a rare sincere compliment:
Mr. Fischoder: You know, Bob, that family of yours, they're, uh, they're lucky to have you. - They're only visible in one shot before Mr. Fischoeder guns down Bob's gingerbread house, but Bob made miniatures of his family on his gingerbread house's front lawn.◊
- Where to start - Tina and Jimmy Jr.’s now basically official romance with one hell of a Valentine’s Day kiss, then there's Bob and Linda having a sweet moment after the deeply silly hip-hop dance gift, plus a few of the town’s other assorted weirdos get a chance at romance. Even Speedo Guy.
- Louise standing up for Regular Sized Rudy when she finds out that Chloe Barbash was just flirting with him for quiz answers, and even kisses him, complete with a slap of course.
- Even better when you remember that Louise had initially been disappointed to think that Rudy wanted her to be his Valentine, and then goes through a Green-Eyed Epiphany, and outrage when she figures out that Chloe was just using Rudy. Then, when Rudy thinks that he won't get his wish of a Valentine's Day kiss, he not only gets it, but from someone who actually likes Rudy for who he is.
- Frond apologizing for having falsely accused Louise in the past, because he now understands how it feels. This is followed by Louise realizing that Frond is innocent and deserves a fair trial.
- He also flat out tells her he is proud of her for all of it at the end, and completely rebuffs any attempt she makes at brushing it off.
- When Bob and Teddy are escaping from the golf course in a golf cart down a set of stairs, they have the following exchange. While the joke is that they're not in that much danger (as well as the absurdity of their situation), it's actually really sweet that Bob so readily says that he loves Teddy, especially as in earlier seasons he didn't even consider Teddy a friend.Teddy If we don't make it, I love you. I freaking love you!Bob I love you too!
- Tina making a friend at the hotel, completely effortlessly, by just sitting down to talk. No attempt at a new persona (outside of a bit of initial awkwardness), no big scheme. She just genuinely connects, and it takes all of five minutes for the two to want to room together. Considering how often Tina is shown as super-awkward and other kids go out of the way to exclude her from just about anything, this is really sweet.
- Although it quickly devolves into hilarity-induced madness, Gene and Louise wanting to throw Bob a bachelor party to make up for him not having one is fairly touching. There's also the fact that the three of them were going to just have a fun movie night rather than force Bob into dealing with the kids' shenanigans.
- It's subtle, but the fact that Louise is ready and willing to include Gene in watching TV with her and Bob at the start of the B-plot, something she balked at during Season 1. It's even more heartwarming when one considers that it's late at night—the usual time Louise and Bob play Burn Unit or watch Hawk and Chick—yet Louise never once considers excluding Gene.
- Linda and Tina making up at the assembly, when Linda admits that her horrible behavior was a result of being afraid of losing Tina and that they would never be close again. They hug it out, and Linda is content leaving the hotel and letting Tina hang out with Dillon after this.Tina: Mom, I don't think it's weird to be close to you. You did embarrass me last night. And a lot, right now. And I'm sure a lot more in the future. But I'm lucky to have a mom I'm close to, and I don't ever want that to change.
Linda: Aw, my teeny Tina!
- The kids going along with their parents' massive egg-hunting contest every year because it makes their parents happy, even though the kids hate it (they aren't allowed their candy baskets until it's finished). When they finally admit that the egg hunt isn't fun because it takes too long and their parents' competition makes it too difficult, they compromise that they can still do the egg hunt, but scale it back to only a few eggs.
- Bob and Gene bonding over Zentipede in the car, due to Gene being too scared of the laser show.
- Louise taking a liking to a doll at the doll store/cafe Gretchen works at, and working together with Gretchen to keep the doll from getting thrown away after being discontinued. Louise even keeps the doll for herself at the end!
- Tina putting her fear of dolls on the back burner for Louise so she can take the doll home. And this is after Louise agreed not to keep the doll because of how much it disturbed Tina.
- Bob and Gene resolving to go back into the laser show, jumping through hoops to sneak in when they're denied reentry, and Bob helping Gene deal with his discomfort so he can have a good time. They don't get a lot of father-son bonding time because Bob's not great at connecting with people and Gene is a Mama's Boy, so this is incredibly sweet. Also, Bob sacrificing his birthday plans when he was willing to take a terrified Gene out of the laser show.
- The way Bob handles Gene's panic attack is pretty much exemplary Good Dad behavior. He rushes Gene out of the theater the instant he realizes he's getting overwhelmed, and when Gene says that he wants to go home, unhesitatingly accepts it without complaint or making Gene feel in any way guilty for his reaction to the show. Bob's disappointed he'll miss out on his nostalgia trip, sure, but his son's health and comfort comes first.
- As a follow-up, when Gene decides he wants to go back to see the end of the show, Bob tells him not to do so just because Bob himself wanted to see it, and only backs down when he realizes Gene really does want to see it.
- When they finally do make it inside for the end of the show, Bob makes Gene some makeshift earplugs to try and ease the experience for him. You can also see him checking in on Gene real quick before getting back into the show, just to make sure his son is actually okay.
- The way Bob handles Gene's panic attack is pretty much exemplary Good Dad behavior. He rushes Gene out of the theater the instant he realizes he's getting overwhelmed, and when Gene says that he wants to go home, unhesitatingly accepts it without complaint or making Gene feel in any way guilty for his reaction to the show. Bob's disappointed he'll miss out on his nostalgia trip, sure, but his son's health and comfort comes first.
Thelma & Louise Except Thelma Is Linda
- Louise standing up for Pocket-Sized Rudy. She is visibly disgusted with the bullies for playing keep-away with his lunch, and is equally disgusted with everyone else for their Bystander Syndrome. Furthermore, she's genuinely upset that she's being punished for helping someone.
- When Louise expresses bitterness that she's being punished for pantsing a bully, with no attention payed to the fact that she only did it to stand up for the bully's victim, Linda jeopardizes her spot as head of the school bake sale to break Louise out of detention and take her out for ice cream as a reward for the "good part" of what she did. When Louise states that the meeting with Mr. Frond proved that No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, and therefore altruism is inherently bad, Linda takes the time to set her right. Louise later pays her back by making the run to the school solo so Linda won't be implicated.
- Zeke of all people has a short and sweet moment with his stepmother, calling out to her from the stage and receiving a cheer in response. For all the references to Zeke's poor home life, he seems to have at least one positive relationship.Tina: Moms are out of this world.Zeke: And Step-Moms, right Sheryl? Love ya, girl!Sheryl: Whoo!
- After Bob's crappy old camcorder prevents him from filming the kids' Mother's Day pageant for Linda, who has the flu, the kids agree to tell her what their class performances were about. The kids put their traditional wildly creative spins on it, since the real performances sucked and they wanted to impress her. To Linda's credit, she at several points seemed to have guessed that the kids were lying to her, but she let it slide because they were such good stories.
- And when Linda finds out a video performance was uploaded online, she decides against watching it because she feels she has already lived the experience.
- The kid's stories all have sweet moments in them. Louise has her own character sacrificing herself for her son (Regular-sized Rudy), Gene's character is a god who wants to have a mom, and Tina's character switches bodies with the alien queen to learn what motherhood is like. It's all very sweet and shows how much they appreciate Linda and everything she does for them.
- A small moment, but the bad guy in Louise's story is played by Chloe Barbash, showing that Louise still hasn't forgiven her for hurting Rudy's feelings. She may not always be the most ethical person, but Louise is ride-or-die for life.
Season Eight
- When the restaurant tries to enter the Brunch market, tons of customers arrive, including an apparently very well-regarded brunch blogger. You're expecting him to be a snooty or annoying customer that's going to pick everything apart, but he is absolutely nothing but pleasant through the whole episode, and is the one to give Linda constructive criticism every step of the way and warn her against the "brunch skunks" that are just there for the free drinks. After everything is resolved, the family invites him upstairs and Bob cooks him a private brunch as thanks. Also the kids get to play with his dog, after spending an entire episode whining about wanting a puppy themselves.
- Louise actually legitimately bonds with Millie, and while still keeping her at arm's length, is at least willing to hang out with her by the end of the episode. This is a HUGE step for someone who is shown to fundamentally hate/fear Millie for her creepy stalker tendencies, especially when those negative feelings are actually justified.
- Zeke hands himself in for a crime he didn't commit just so that Jimmy Jr. and everyone else would get to go the waterpark. Fortunately, he doesn't have to stay behind when the crime is solved.
- While the overall episode is somewhat sad, the ending where Teddy hosts the Belchers for a second Thanksgiving meal is quite heartwarming. As an added bonus, everyone sincerely compliments Bob's meals—both of them—and give him extra praise for his spatchcocked turkey. Bob even cries with how good the bird is. After so many seasons of failure, Bob finally makes the Thanksgiving meal of his dreams.
- At one point Bob is teaching Teddy how to cook beans. They playfully throw beans into each other's mouths and it's very sweet, especially as Bob is there to help Teddy calm down and cook a good meal.
- The Belchers find the ornament thief was Art, who "borrowed" the decorations for a massive underground rave on Christmas Eve in memoriam of the Wiggle Room, the old gay bar that closed down earlier that week. Linda is so touched by the ravers' camaraderie and Christmas spirit that she and Bob plot to distract the cops so the party can keep going. And Art makes good on his promise to return everything he stole, too.
- How supportive the whole family is of Tina after having her heart broken by Jimmy Jr. on Valentine's Day. Linda and Louise go out of their way to take Tina for a girls night out, and Bob willingly lets them use the limousine that he rented for his and Linda's Valentine's date just to make Tina feel better.
- Nat the limousine driver, despite being a certified agent of chaos (Louise remarks that she's found her "real mom"), also goes out of her way to make Tina feel better, even helping the Belcher ladies plan revenge against Jimmy Jr. once they learn just how badly he hurt Tina. She even lets them stick their heads out the sunroof at the end, but not before making them promise they won't sue her if they get decapitated.
- Tina, to her credit, despite being justifiably pissed at Jimmy Jr., doesn't want to ruin Becky's Valentine's Day and calls off the revenge plan. Then when Jimmy Jr. ruins the date anyway by dumping Becky in the middle of dinner, Tina grabs Becky and escapes the stink bombs Nat, Linda, and Louise throw. Tina apologizes for the ruined date, Becky forgives her, and we end with the girls sticking their heads out the sunroof and cheering while Nat drives doughnuts in a parking lot.
- Bob and Gene bonding during the couple's trapeze lesson that Linda was originally going to take Bob to. Yes, most of the bonding comes from fear, but they do say they love each other, which doesn't happen often due to Bob's stunted emotions and Gene being a total Momma's Boy. Doubles as a Funny Moment because they spend almost three hours holding onto each other on the trapeze out of fear, much to the aggravation of the trapeze instructors.
The Secret Ceramics Room of Secrets
- A somewhat small moment, but in the beginning when Linda tells the kids to make better gifts for Gloria and Al (because Gloria pretty much wanted better gifts), Bob adds in that the kids could also make his dad Big Bob a gift as well. It's actually pretty sweet knowing that despite how strained their relationship was up until Season 5 that three seasons later, Bob and Big Bob's relationship has indeed improved if he's asking his kids to also make a gift for Big Bob.
- Louise having her Jerkass Realization regarding passing off the ceramics room pottery as handmade gifts to their grandparents, agreeing with Tina that "a lie is a crappy gift", in addition to not wanting to be a neurotic guilt-saddled mess like Mr. Frond. In addition, Tina trying to convince Mr. Frond to own up to his mistake so that he'd be more relatable to students and therefore a better guidance counselor. Unfortunately, he's such a jackass it doesn't land, but at least she tried, which is more than the Belcher kids usually do for him.
- The lady whose yearbook they borrowed helping the kids make pottery as their gifts to their grandparents.
- When Tammy insults the Belchers' cooking by asking to eat out instead, Louise gets pissed, once again showing her belief that only she gets away with mocking her family. Doubles as a funny moment given Louise expresses this anger by calmly implying she intends to murder Tammy.
- Tammy's Jerkass Realization, followed by her covering Tina's shift at the restaurant so she can go to the beach with Brett.
- Louise and Bob bonding once again over mutual interest in "Supreme Extreme Champions".
- After learning about the shut-out rule, both of them get excited that they'll get to watch the show if the game ends early. Their mutual joy at possibly going home early is adorable, especially given Bob is just as excited as his daughter.Louise: (excited) Three more goals, and we're on our way to "Supreme Extreme Champions" town!Bob: (equally excited) That's my favorite town!Louise: I know!
- After learning about the shut-out rule, both of them get excited that they'll get to watch the show if the game ends early. Their mutual joy at possibly going home early is adorable, especially given Bob is just as excited as his daughter.
- After learning the Gold Dragons want to finish the game and not get shut-out, Louise and Bob each sacrifice their personal interests to help score the goal needed to prevent the shut-out.
- Speaking of, the Gold Dragons' sheer joy when they get the goal. Even Bob and Louise are happy.
- It's subtle, but at the end Bob tells Tina she did a good job as his assistant coach. Tina says a fiery but sincere "I frickin' love you, man" in response.
- Linda and Gene tightly embracing at the end after Gene comes back from his first sleepover.
- Bob and Linda realizing that their mutual snoring is a comfort for each other even if they both admit it's gross.
- It's subtle, but after Tina returns to the group, Jimmy Jr. addresses her by name rather than "Fluffy-Butt" like everyone else has been.
Are You There, Bob? It's Me, Birthday
- Bob and Linda's dual epiphanies at the end of the episode. Bob decides that even though he doesn't like surprise parties, he should let Linda throw one for him since it's how she expresses her love for him. However, Linda calls off the party when she realizes it wouldn't be Bob's idea of a good time, instead giving Bob the gift of a steak dinner, a night on the couch with his family, his dryer-warmed sweatpants, and his favorite movie on the TV.
As I Walk Through the Alley of the Shadow of Ramps
- The police's reaction to being told that Rudy is a Littlest Cancer Patient is to offer their sympathies and let the kids continue to play in the alley. Also counts as a funny moment given Rudy's confusion and the fact that it's a blatant lie.
- Bob helping Louise learn to ride a bike at the end.
- Bob learns that the vendor he used to purchase pickles from, Harry, has passed away and that Bob has been asked to give a eulogy at the funeral. Bob and Harry parted on bad terms, as they'd gotten into a fight over whether Harry's latest batch of pickles was too sweet or not, ending with Bob throwing a pickle at Harry's face. Bob is not welcomed at the funeral as a result, until Harry's lawyer interrupts to throw a pickle at Bob, as Harry requested... and to pass on Harry's last message: "Love you, buddy." Even after their sour parting, Harry never held any ill will towards Bob. Bob is so touched that he cries, and tells his departed friend that he loves him too.
Something Old, Something New, Something Bob Caters For You
- Linda's speech in support of Conner and Farrah's marriage after she had initially declared it wouldn't last because they hadn't been together long enough to be through enough bad stuff. She recognizes they really do care about each other when literally everything about the wedding ceremony goes wrong and they take it in stride.
- Bob's dedication to properly catering Conner and Farrah's wedding is pretty sweet; they fell in love in his restaurant, and he's genuinely proud of this and desperately wants this to succeed as validation of the value of his career.
- Linda's side of this counts as well. Yes, she's a pessimist and thinks the couple is doomed to split. However, it's also made clear that she thinks Bob is being hard on himself—for her and many others, the wedding doesn't have to succeed for Bob's career to be validated.
Season Nine
- After Tina laments that she couldn't spend one afternoon focused on one boy, Linda reassures her that there's nothing wrong with being boy crazy.Linda: You're a hopeful romantic. You fall in love as many times as you want, honey. Each one is lucky to have you. Except Jimmy Jr.; I'm not sold on him.
- At the end, it's revealed that Boo-Boo has decided to return to Boyz 4 Now because he wasn't just himself without his band. They, for one, welcome him back with no hard feelings, and pick up as if he never left.
- When the eighth-graders turn the titular school program into a sweatshop, Louise is (obviously) annoyed and angry but is willing to tough it out. But when she sees that poor Rudy has suffered to the point of hallucination, she immediately draws the line and mounts a strike.
- Bob's story line is about him helping Edith despite their mutual animosity. At first he's just trying to be helpful since her car broke down, but then he gets caught up in her scheme to get revenge on her quilting group by stealing their history squares. When he find out that the seizure pills she's been using to blackmail Bob into helping her are actually for gas, he puts his foot down and refuses to help her anymore. That's when Edith reveals the real reason why she's angry at her quilting mates; they rejected her history-quilt square of the freakshow that used to be part of the Wonder Wharf. The sideshow freaks babysat Edith when she was a kid whenever both of her parents had to do their jobs at the Wharf at the same time, and she believes that the freak show was part of the town's history and that those involved in it were just people like anyone else. This persuades Bob to continue helping Edith, and at the end, he convinces the rest of the quilting group (except for the leader, Lillian) to vote to include the square into the history quilt.
- Over the credits, we see Bob and Edith in the car, singing - jamming! - along to Golden Earring's "Radar Love"note with a sense of familiarity. Turns out, after all this time, they might have similar tastes in music!
- When Tina thinks that aliens are going to destroy Earth, she spends what she believes is her last day kissing boys and telling her family that she loves them. She even demands that Bob tell Linda that he loves her. It's cute because Bob, though completely confused, sounds totally serious and sincere when he tells Linda "I love you, Lin."
- When Susmita asks if Teddy is Tina's dad, Teddy's response is a cheerful, "I wish!"
- As obnoxious as Henry Haber can be, his and Susmita's Relationship Upgrade definitely counts, as does the fact that it sticks in future episodes.
- When Logan and his friends are about to pelt Louise with painful snowballs, Tina (and shortly after, a reluctant Gene) quickly goes down there to shield Louise.
- Louise shows mercy for Logan by giving him a head start to run away from the large group of people who plan to attack him with snowballs.
- Bob was willing to claim the scarves he and Linda made for the kids were from Gloria because he saw how upset Linda was that he took to knitting better than she did. Then, it turns out all three kids love Linda's scarf the best, and she immediately takes credit for it.
- At first, it appears Jimmy Jr. is headed in one direction with his inexplicable coldness toward Tina, only to find something almost touching in his plight. As you would expect with Jimmy Jr., it involves dancing and his butt, as it turns out he injured himself trying to copy an especially tricky move from Save The Last Dance and was too embarrassed to tell her until she was too angry to listen. Then Jimmy Jr. goes so far as to try and subdue a rampaging Bruce the Goose, despite Tina still being mad at him. Whatever question there was about how much he cares about Tina feels resolved by just how much butt and goose-related pain he puts himself through for her sake.
- Bob’s song near the episode’s end about how much he loves running the restaurant but also how much he loves being with his family.Nothing makes me happierThan cooking again and againBut nothing makes me happier[cut to Linda and the Belcher kids waving as Bob approaches]Than them.
- Bob is feeling frustrated after Randy finishes shooting his movie, because of how Randy kept going on about how dreary and depressing Bob's Burgers was. Linda reassures Bob that she loves him and she loves the restaurant, even if it is kind of a "stinkhole".
- Tina initially wants nothing to do with the plot to get Zeke out of trouble; she would rather he be sent to an alternative school so she can hang out with Jimmy Jr. by herself. But when she sees how upset Jimmy Jr. is, she changes her mind and decides to help.
- Louise's empathy toward Tina at the end of the episode, acknowledging how hard it was for Tina to give up the opportunity to have Jimmy Jr. all to herself, and praising her for doing the right thing.
Season Ten
- Bob's come a long way from the pilot episode—he not only remembered his anniversary, but remembered far enough in advance to have a gift prepared for ages.
- The fact that the kids all feel bad about losing the ring in the water park—Louise doesn't even make an attempt to deflect the blame. They too have come a long way since the pilot episode—where once they would have laughed at Bob's misfortune, they now take the guilt head-on and work to help him find the ring.
- It's rather sweet of Nat to pull some strings and call in all those favors just to get the help Bob and the kids need to find the missing ring.
- After seeing the lengths Bob went to in order to find his anniversary gift for her, Linda assures Bob she doesn't need a big fancy engagement ring (or even a small plain one) to know Bob loves her.
- The fact that Eddie Wetty is willing to keep the water park open to let the Belchers, Nat, and Nat's many friends enjoy the night. Bob and Linda get to enjoy their anniversary floating down the lazy river.
- While Bob and Linda will never know, the ending is pretty cute - the ring got picked up by a bird that took it back to its nest to give it to its mate, and their nest is located right on top of the Bob's Burgers sign.
- Nat's cover of "Mona Lisa" to be about Linda that ends with her stating that to Bob she'll always be a work of art as they cuddle in their inner tubes.
- Bob and Gene bonding throughout the episode. At the end, Bob compliments Gene's wilderness skills and admits that, contrary to his earlier comments, they'd have a good chance to make it a few days in the apocalypse.
- Tina is initially so focused on her boat turning out well that she does everything herself, despite it being a father-daughter boat race. When she overhears Bob talk about how his kids are growing up and don't need him, she decides to let him help even if she's not completely on-board with his taping skills.
- Tina apologizing to Bob for uncharacteristically snapping at him.
- When Tina gets second place, she and Bob are so happy that Bob hugs Tina and lifts her up in the air.
- Louise spends the entire episode getting revenge on Dino for upsetting Gene.
- Zeke is also annoyed when he finds out that someone was mean to Gene, who he calls his precious little lamb.
- A subtle one. Rudy reveals to Zeke that his favorite color is green. Now remember that his Best Friend and implied crush prominently wears green every day.
- After working out, Bob and Linda take the time to compliment each other.
- After failing to bond with her "little fish" in a mentorship program (and worse, being the only eighth-grader to do so), Tina spills chili and soda all over herself. To distract the rest of the class, Louise makes a speech about how great her "big fish" mentor is, then reveals she was talking about her sister instead of Tammy. Gene gets in on the speech too, and it ends with Gene and Louise telling the class that if people fail to bond with Tina, it's their loss because their sister is an amazing person to know.
- After the long day they had, Bob and Linda carry a fast asleep Gene and Louise into the apartment.
- When Gene and Louise have a burger competition, both of their burgers are nigh inedible. Teddy happens to stop by during the judging and, after finally catching Bob and Linda's hints, spares Gene and Louise's feelings by saying that they're both great. Then he eats most of both when the kids leave them for him despite their grossness. Finally, the poor guy is unable to choose between Bob and Linda when they reveal their side bet, showing just how much he values their family as a whole.
Poops!... I Didn't Do It Again
- Louise and Bob bond again as the latter sympathizes with the former due to their mutual problem with using public bathrooms. After Bob helps Louise get laxatives, Louise even gives Bob a quick hug and thanks him for his help.
- When Louise decides she can't go to the bathroom at the aquarium, Bob goes to pick her up without a second thought. He then says that he'll always be there to pick her up, even at college, on business trips, or her honeymoon.
- Shortly after that, Bob does help Louise poop at a public bathroom by going to the bathroom at the same time.
- Bob spends the episode bringing Jimmy Pesto his hernia medication, then playing with his cool stuff after he falls asleep. While Jimmy is upset when he discovers this, he eventually forgives Bob; the two of them joyfully play with his slot cars, and even Linda gets in on it. Another sign that the show puts effort into giving even Bob's rivals a bit of heart.
- It's also hinted that Jimmy has all this cool stuff in his apartment, but no one to share it with; in contrast to Bob, who has very little material possessions but has a loving family. Enjoying the stuff together is a good way for each of them to share what they have with the other.
- The main plot involves Kaylee's attempts to get her parents to homeschool her instead of public school, and asks Louise to help her pull off a prank big enough to do the job. Louise is happy to mentor her at first, but once she learns that Kaylee's trying to avoid having to deal with anyone outside her home, she struggles with it before ultimately putting a stop to it, as she thinks Kaylee should give the school a better shot. The episode ends with Kaylee having joined up with the Think-gineers, and starting to fit in much better with her new environment.
- When Louise and Kaylee get pulled into Frond's office for the aborted prank, they successfully clear the air about the situation and no punishments are handed out as no harm was done. Just as they're wrapping up, Rudy barges into the office to try Taking the Heat for the prank, as the Think-gineers were consulted on a catapult design for it. It didn't actually do anything, but that may have influenced Kaylee's decision to join the group.
Season Eleven
- Mr. Fischoeder gets Bob to cook at his nightclub by offering the Belchers one free month of rent. Though chaos ensues, at the end of the episode Calvin and Felix show up at Bob’s Burgers to give Bob a symbolic empty envelope and say that, yes, he still gets a free month’s rent despite everything that happened. It’s a nice, solid win for the Belcher family (and their finances).
- Calvin also gets Felix to apologize to Linda for locking her in a closet.
- When Bob and Linda catch the kids in their swimsuits and covered in wet buns, Louise makes sure they know that the mess they made in the basement wasn't Jen the babysitter's fault.
- There's a brief glimpse of the kids playing in their "swimming pool" full of water-soaked buns, and everyone seems to be having a good time. Tina and Jimmy Jr. watch Rudy do a cannonball, Zeke makes a "bun angel" on the floor, and Gene and Louise are playing with the Pesto twins (with Louise on Gene's shoulders and Ollie on Andy's shoulders).
Bob Belcher and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Kids
- After the kitchen catches fire, the kids admit to probably starting the fire trying to improve Linda's mermaid sculpture. Even Louise, who at first tries to lay most of the blame on Gene, admits blame without much of a fight.
- It's worth mentioning that there wasn't a single shred of evidence linking any of them to the fire (granted, this was because they didn't start the fire after all, but nobody knew that at the time). They didn't have to say a thing, and nobody would have suspected them at all. The fact that they confess in the first place shows just how bad they feel about it.
- Teddy is just as upset over the fire as the Belchers are, and gives them all a big comforting hug, even if it does go on a little too long.
- Bob's reaction to learning the kids potentially caused the fire. He's obviously freaked out and stressed, but he knows they didn't mean any harm and makes it clear he's not about to hold a grudge.
- Bob apologizing to his flattop grill is oddly touching; he really treats his restaurant appliances like family.
- The kids attempt to help Bob by getting the thermocouple needed to fix the flattop. Sure, it involves breaking and entering into the restaurant of the woman who bought it, but the intent is still there. In the end, they don't have the guts to go through with it, but the woman, Pam Shrimple, finds the apology note Tina intended to leave and is so moved she lends Bob the thermocouple, as her restaurant doesn't open for another month and he needs it more.
- The apology note itself is fairly heartwarming, showing that the kids, through thick and thin, really do love their father.
- The ending, where the kids realize that they weren't behind the fire after all. They're so relieved that they didn't ruin the restaurant, and Bob takes the the time to reassure them that they aren't horrible and never were.
- Louise states that she'd do anything for the restaurant. Granted, "anything" in Louise's book includes murder (which is the example she specifically gives), but it's still sweet in its own way.
- At the end of the episode, Gene apologizes for being a Big Eater and eating some of the old chicken parmesan after Bob told him not to, but Bob tells Gene that he loves that about him because he loves to feed Gene. Bob then reveals that he was really curious about food when he was Gene's age, too, which is why he decided to cook and invent recipes for a living. Bob also promises that as soon as Gene recovers from the food poisoning, Bob will share a meal with him; father and son are shown eating the Thanksgiving leftovers together in the credits.
The Terminalator II: Terminals of Endearment
- Bob telling Linda the reason he doesn't like Al and Gloria is because he doesn't like the way they treat her and that they don't deserve a great daughter like her.
- Bob remembering to get Teddy a snow globe after Teddy asked for one in the opening scene. Sure, Bob got it out of the Lost and Found, but it's the thought that counts.
- For all the grief he gives Bob, Jimmy Pesto actually respects his cooking skills, enough to commend him to the Yacht Club to cater at their Christmas boat parade. Sure, he was doing it hoping to get inducted into the club, but the fact is he was using Bob's food to do so instead of his own.
- Louise almost gets away with getting presents before the other kids from Teddy as Santa Claus, but just as she's home free, she sees all the kids getting in line and actually feels sorry for them and gives the gifts back. As a reward, Teddy makes sure to save her one of the racing cars she wanted.
- Jimmy comes over to rub his numerous customers in Bob's face, only to realize that the restaurant is packed and everyone there is enjoying the food. Jimmy is actually pleased that Bob had such a good turn out for Valentine's Day and tells Bob he's proud of him. True, Bob hates it and tells Jimmy he doesn't want him to be proud of him, but it's a surprisingly sincere sentiment coming from Jimmy Pesto of all people.
- Just as Hugo is about to shut down the restaurant because his expected date, Cheryl, has seemingly stood him up, she arrives and immediately hits it off with him (turns out she accidentally went to a different store also called "Urge," just as the Belchers suspected earlier). This convinces Hugo to let the restaurant stay open, and when Bob and Linda offer the couple a burger, the other customers start asking for burgers too.
- It's minor, but Bob is absolutely stoked about the antique juicer Linda got for him and cannot stop playing with it at any given opportunity. It's rare to see him just express pure joy at things.
- Gene attempts to make Linda drop the camera by asking for a hug with both arms. Linda is not fooled and tells him to hug Bob instead. Gene, ever affectionate, goes for it and Bob puts his hand gently on Gene's head very sweetly.
- The park ranger, who at first is very stern about the Belchers staying at the lookout too long, is moved to tears by Linda's story about how important the family picture is to her and decides to help them pull Linda out.
- Tina is shown to be a compassionate hall monitor. When she catches Zeke chewing gum and makes him spit it out, she then slips a new stick for after class.
- Louise convinces Tina and Gene to help her transport the exploding bridge he owned to his mom's house. She partially did so so she could see it do so, but mostly out of feeling remorse for insulting Rudy and making him angry at her. Though she tries to hide it behind the bridge's explosion, she genuinely apologizes to Rudy without being pressured into it, admitting she's bad at apologizing and considers Rudy a close friend. Rudy, being the nice guy he is, easily accepts the apology.
- Gene stole a magazine from Dr. Yap's office and tore a page out because he had won a game of dots and boxes inside; he rarely gets to win at anything and wanted to keep the magazine as proof. Yap is at first upset and becomes obsessed with getting it back, but once Gene confesses and explains why, Yap tells him that he understands how he feels because he envies other dentists for having nicer waiting rooms than his (hence why he takes the magazines so seriously). Yap lets Gene keep the magazine because of this... and also because when Gene hid the thing in his pants, he got his butt sweat all over it.
- The guy on social media growing the cucumbers that Bob and Teddy have been enraptured with shows up at the city council meeting and invites Bob to come and see the cucumbers. Bob's first reaction is to call Teddy and invite him to come with him.
- A small moment - when Tina chews her classmates out for how obnoxious they're being in the theater, a man gets the movie paused. While he does tell her she's ruining the movie for people, he doesn't really yell or chew her out, but instead follows up by asking if she's okay.
- Bob takes Tina to see the titular Audience Participation movie with him because he saw it as a kid and wants to share it with her. Unfortunately, Tina invites her schoolmates, whose Jerkass behavior causes her to give them a "Reason You Suck" Speech and run out of the theater crying. However, the evening isn't totally ruined, since Bob leaves the theater to console her.Bob: You know, the first time I came to Vampire Disco Death Dance, I came by myself.
Tina: Really? You came alone?
Bob: I didn’t think anybody I was hanging out with would like it. But I remember sitting there, looking around the theater at all these people in costume, all of us singing together, and I thought, “Wow, I’m-I’m not alone. I’m with people who, you know, kind of get me. Th-They exist.”
Tina: So you found them? People that got you?
Bob: Yeah. Eventually. You know… some. Basically, your mother.
Tina: Anyone else? People you keep in touch with? Groups of old friends you go on adventures with?
Bob: (chuckles) Oh. Oh, no, I-I don’t do that. I mean, I just kind of go to bed. But Tina, you’ll meet people like that. Y-You’ll go on adventures. You’ll stay in touch. I know you will.
Tina: You really think so?
Bob: I know it, because I would want to be one of those people if I met you.
Tina: Thanks, Dad.
Season Twelve
Manic Pixie Crap Show
- Tina, freshly insecure from being insulted by Tammy and Jocelyn, asks her family if they think she's pretty. Without skipping a beat, Bob and Linda reassure her that she and her siblings have been beautiful since birth. Louise follows it up at the end of the episode, telling Tina that while she shouldn't worry too much about being pretty, she still is.
- The A-plot sees Louise Taking the Heat for all the other girls, claiming she acted alone when stealing the wands so they don't get banned from the Pixie Princess Promenade. She even puts in a good word for Millie.
- Shortly afterwards, Tina reassures Louise that being One of the Boys doesn't make her less of a girl, and that it's okay to have different interests from the rest of the pack.
- The B-plot sees Bob, Teddy, and Mort helping Linda cope with the death of a dog that traumatized her decades ago. It's a simple enough concept, but it's sweet seeing them all care about Linda's well-being.
- Linda reveals her motive for sneaking into the gym to smash her pumpkin: she overheard that she was on pace to win the carving contest, but didn't want Gayle to feel bad.
- The B-plot sees the Belcher kids worry about getting a popular brand of candy that Bob bought for trick-or-treaters. When it seems like he's run out, Bob waits until the last of the trick-or-treaters has left before revealing that he anticipated this and didn't want his kids to feel left out, so he specifically reserved a bag for each of them.
- As much of a jerk as Sergeant Bosco can be, he takes the time to visit his mother Lillian even though she clearly favors his brother Gary (who doesn't visit Lillian at all). Linda in turn defends him when calling out Lillian, noting that even though she neglects him he doesn't neglect her.
- When the Belcher kids learn from Zeke that the nursing home lobby's TV is broken, meaning the residents won't be able to watch the Thanksgiving parade, they decide to put on their own parade to entertain everyone. They even make their own parade float by decorating a bed with medical supplies.
- For the finale of the kids' parade, Gene takes his balloon he made from rubber gloves and gives it to the audience so they can play with it.
- At the end of the episode, Louise admits in front of a decently-sized audience that she likes Bob and considers him a good dad, and Bob in turn apologizes for focusing more on being a chef than a dad. The end of the episode shows Bob letting her use the flame gun that she'd had her sights on all episode.
- When Bob goes to apologize to Louise, she replies that unless he's a parade float or a balloon, she's not listening to him. So what does Bob do? He makes his own balloon out of garbage bags so he can join the parade and apologize to Louise in front of the audience.
- Gene goes into a depression after breaking his favorite Christmas record, a rare and obscure LP with no known copies. At first the rest of the Belchers are relieved that they don't have to hear it anymore, as Gene always plays it nonstop over the holidays, but seeing him so down spurns them to re-record it from memory as best they could. Although Gene rejects it at first, he warms up to it eventually.
- Teddy wanted to do a Secret Santa exchange between him, Bob, and Linda, but then Mort and Mike join in and Teddy ends up with Mort, which he dislikes because he doesn't know him as well as the Belchers. He spends much of the episode moaning about it and begging to switch to someone else. In the end, however, Mort turns out to be Teddy's secret Santa and gave him one of the only thoughtful gifts of the group — a small name plaque he can put on his favorite stool on the restaurant. Teddy immediately goes from resenting Mort to loving him.
- Linda ended up giving the other only thoughtful gift of the group — she turns out to have been Bob's secret Santa, and got the car washed for him. It sounds mundane, but Bob's reaction makes it clear that he's actually really grateful for it — just more proof that Bob and Linda know how to make each other happy even with simple acts.
- After being his usual Control Freak self about their front lawn decorations, at the end of the episode Doug Wheeler decides he likes the way his display looks, regardless of what the neighbors think. When he notes that he kind of misses all the reindeer they used the year before, Courtney gives him a hug and encourages him to go get them out of the garage.
- Louise gets a (deservedly) bad grade from Ms. LaBonz and lets out her frustration on her student evaluation, filling the comments section (and adding a few other pages) with mean-spirited zingers. After handing it at the end of the day, Louise learns from LaBonz that she thinks she's a bright student and gave her the bad grade because she feels she could do better and needs to try harder. This makes Louise reconsider her evaluation, especially after watching how Ms. LaBonz has to walk two blocks to the overflow parking lot. (The teacher with the best evaluation got a parking lot closer to the school.) As Mr. Frond discusses the evaluations with LaBonz, Louise goes on the PA system as an "anonymous student" and gives her a glowing review. While Frond refuses to accept Louise's redo, Principal Spoors overhears it and overrides Frond, allowing the redo to pass and ensuring that LaBonz gets the parking space.
- LaBonz also admits she grades Louise harshly because she knows Louise tends to be motivated by "revenge and spite," reminding her that after the crappy grade on the crappy diorama Louise delivered an outstanding oral report on Latvia that earned her an A-. LaBonz shows she's willing to play to Louise's strengths to get her to do the work she knows Louise is capable of.
- A subtle example—the fact that Louise's redo was enough to get Ms. LaBonz the parking space means the other fourth graders must have also rated her highly.
- Bob and Linda disagree over their funeral arrangements; Linda wants to be cremated, Bob wants to be buried. After discussing the advantages of each, they finally agree that it doesn't matter what happens to their remains, as long as they are together.
- After being mentioned in an offhand line, the credits song is Rudy singing a sweet little song dedicated to his plush flounder, Pancake:Rudy: (sung) I want to thank you
How can I thank you?
I guess by thanking you
Pancake, I thank you
Rudy: (spoken) I know you'd squeeze me back if you could, buddy.
- The kids' relationship with Big Bob. Compared to their poor relationship with Gloria and Al (and their utter lack of enthusiasm to visit them), it's refreshing to see them genuinely love Big Bob and be excited to see him (even Louise), and even more to see Big Bob return that affection.
- While the episode later shows that their relationship still isn't perfect, the fact that Bob is willing to have Big Bob over for dinner shows just how far they've come since "Father of the Bob".
- The story behind the tree incident turns out to be as mundane as it sounds (a tree nearly crushed Big Bob on a camping trip), but it was what happened afterwards that made the event so memorable. It resulted in Big Bob reassessing his relationship with Bob's mother (who was also on the camping trip and would have been crushed if not for a lucky bathroom break) and deciding that he was lucky to have her, which eventually led to his marriage proposal. Something as simple as a falling tree led to the Belcher family as we know it.
- It turns out that Bob has never heard the full story, with Big Bob always keeping his explanation very brief and omitting any mention of Bob's mother, which in turn made him come across as cold and difficult to talk to. After the truth gets out, Bob wants to know why Big Bob withheld it for so long. It turns out that Big Bob didn't mean to upset Bob by keeping quiet; rather, he wanted to do the opposite—he felt that mentioning Bob's late mother would make Bob sad. Ultimately, Bob realizes his father was misguided but never meant any harm, and Big Bob vows to be better at communicating with his son, further mending their relationship.
- Between this and "Father of the Bob", it's clear that Big Bob, stubborn as he is, is more than capable of reflecting upon his own flaws and growing as a person. After the previous season showed Gloria as an Ungrateful Bitch incapable of accepting the blame for anything, it's refreshing for at least one of the Belcher grandparents to be a decent person at heart.
Season Thirteen
What About Job?
- When Gene and Tina's stories don’t ease Louise's worries about the future, Bob gives a straight, if not elaborated, story of what her future could be. No matter how mundane or repetitive it can be, her career can benefit someone or even the world cause she has the right job at the right place at the right time. With his story and Linda's support, Louise becomes more at ease and ready to finish her homework.
- The rest of the Belcher family stays up to help Louise find a career she can look forward to.
- Each of the stories involve Louise's completely platonic friend and roommate Rudy in some respect. However Louise feels about Rudy, be it romantic or just very close friends, her family seems to have picked up on how important he is to her. On her end she doesn't question the fact that she might want to be (totally platonic) partners with Rudy in the future. This is a far cry from Season 1 Louise, whose only friends were lackeys who she wanted to manipulate.
- Louise cleaning up the mess she accidentally caused and taking responsibility for it. Bob and Linda then join in to help her.
- After Tina’s story ends, Louise states that if she does become an archeologist, all the treasures she finds will have to be returned to their country of origin because they belong to them. Surprisingly very responsible of Louise instead of trying to keep it for herself.
- In Louise’s lab office in Bob’s story, she has pictures of Tina and Gene taped to her computer.
- Bob and Linda’s vision of the future for their kids. Bob understands that they might not want to take over his burger place, and he pictures them having careers that they would love; Tina owning a horse farm (with a few cows for the sake of his story) cause she loves horses, Linda picturing Gene going on a world music tour in his bus, and Louise as a biochemist cause she likes beakers and fire. While in the end, he did say they reopen the restaurant, it's clear it's more for fun than an actual career, and it's their choice. He even accepts Tina and Gene’s suggestions that they can sell veggie burgers and fedoras at the restaurant, too. Linda also has a lot of confidence that her children will do amazing things when they grow up:Linda: I know all three of you are gonna do great things. And I can't wait to see what those things are.
- After spending seasons of being Tammy's sheep-like best friend, Jocelyn actually stands up for Tina and even makes Tammy apologize to her.
- Bob has the most charming conversation with a Sweet Seal after spending the whole episode doubting that the universe gives out signs. It's not only really cute to see, but also sweet to see Bob get a little more optimistic, even figuring out a solution to make his counter-tops look more sleek and clean.
- Teddy and Kathleen, whom he met in the episode "The Helen Hunt," are still dating.
- When Zeke and Tina find out that Jimmy Jr.'s dance teacher is a notorious Control Freak, they immediately try to come up with a plan to keep Jimmy Jr.'s dreams from being crushed.
Apple Gore-chard! (But Not Gory)
- Louise and Jessica sneak into a barn so they can make a hay pile and jump into it together.
- When a new VR Game store moved in next door, Gene decided to use his savings to buy an hour of gaming for himself instead of asking for more money. And when he realizes his dad wants to try it, Gene invites him and even offers to use his money to treat Bob. Something very rare of Gene as he's closer to Linda than Bob during the series.
- Seeing how unhappy Gene was during the VR games, Bob convinced the owner to give them an hour free of game time. Even faking interest in the games so Gene doesn't get further disappointed.
- Bob let Tina and Louise keep the tower of menus up for a while, not wanting to see his other kids heartbroken after the day Gene had.
- Bob and Gene bonding at the end, with Bob and Gene using the glitch in the game to make a dance party out of it.
- Seeing how much trouble Louise and Gene would get for breaking the Yeti's golf course, Tina decides to help them fix it despite getting into a fight with Louise over how to spend their day.
- Even though she had a horrible time at the mini-golf for being the worst one in the family, Linda and Bob have a simple kiss after returning home and getting Thanksgiving meal ready. Showing no bad blood between the two over a game.
- Minus having to pay for the yeti's damage, the episode remains one of the rare Thanksgiving specials where Bob made it back on time to prepare Thanksgiving with all his family members attending.
- Tina and Louise making up and apologize to one another after Tina's attempts to help them.
- After the kids’ MacGyvering the repairs for the yeti animatronic fails and its legs fell off while a little girl was at the course, Louise decides to confess and not let the kid take the blame. It would have been easy for her and her siblings to just walk away, but Louise decides to take responsibility instead.
- Linda “meeting” Bob’s mom by finding her gravestone and taking a minute to talk to her about how great Bob is.Linda: Uh, so, I’m Linda, your daughter-in-law. Sorry this is the first time we’re meeting. I wish we’d met when you were alive, but I didn’t know Bob back then… But hey, I gotta tell ya — you made a good guy. Bob’s sweet. He’s a great dad. He always remembers to put the toilet seat down in the middle of the night… except that one time when I fell in. That was bad.
- The fact that the kids genuinely worked hard on their cards for their deceased grandmother (especially since they admit to half-assing gifts for Linda's parents) and look forward to leaving them at her grave. Also, they all willingly stick with Bob while he tries to find the grave, even when it becomes clear that they'll miss their chance to go snow tubing.
- Bob letting the kids go sliding down a snowy hill in the cemetery to make up for not getting to go snow tubing. Even though it's getting dark and they need to find Linda, he just wants his kids to be happy, and he is shown smiling as he watches them have fun.
- When the Belchers finally arrive at the grave, Bob suggests they come back another day, as it's past sundown. Despite her vocal disappointment over the way the day turned out, Louise gently but firmly tells Bob he needs to have his visit.
- Linda reassuring Bob about the fact that he hasn't visited his mom's grave in years:Linda: Listen, I think I know your mom well enough to know that she would be okay with you not coming till now, because she would want you to be busy living your life with your three beautiful children and your fun, hot wife Linda. And she'd be so proud of you. I mean, look what you've done. With the restaurant. With this family. Tina, take your hand out of your butt.
- After Teddy finds out that the leftover meatloaf he ate from the Belchers' fridge was supposed to be their dinner, he spends the rest of the day making them a new one. And when he accidentally drops it on the floor once they return, he immediately offers to make them another one. The end credits scene shows the Belchers and Teddy all enjoying the (presumably floor) meatloaf together.
- The use of Frank Sinatra's song "Lily Belle" over the end credits, as Bob's mother's name is finally revealed to be Lily. Doubles as a Tearjerker.
- Tina realizes that Louise actually wrote a serious poem about Christmas and tells her mother to go her reading to support her. Throughout her Thundergirls pageant, Tina is trying to convince Linda to leave to help Louise, but Linda's stuck helping out backstage. Eventually, Tina abandons the pageant and makes it to the library in time to hear Louise present her poem, which convinces her to read her sincere poem instead of one that just has poop in the title. Cool Big Sis indeed.
- When Louise is reading her poem, as she gets to the part mentioning Tina you can hear in her voice that she's fighting back the urge to cry.
- As soon as Linda found out Tina left, she immediately followed after her to the library just as Louise was done with her poem.
- The poem itself is about Louise discussing her family on Christmas morning, gently joking about how she can smell Gene and how Tina somehow has gingerbread on her glasses despite them not having gingerbread, and saying she doesn't need to open the presents under the tree because she's surrounded by her presents.
- To be fair to both Bob and Linda, they had trouble deciding which event to go to as all three kids had an event, and they mistakenly thought Louise's reading was another night. As soon as Tina tells them, Bob runs to try and get to her reading, and it's only a series of misfortunes and unlucky events that force Bob to return to Gene's recital.
- Heck, the entire episode is one big Heartwarming moment. After the tearjerker of "Show Mama from the Grave.", this one shows that the Belchers are one of the, if not THE, most loving family in all of media.
- A small moment, but near the end Bob and Gene are shown visiting Ms. Merkin at the hospital. The Belchers aren't just considerate of their own family members but of their friends and mentors as well.
- While there's no dialogue, you can guess Gene's explaining what happened during the recital and from Ms. Merkin's smile at the end she's touched by the effort Gene put into saving the performance even though she wasn't there.
- When Bob is trying to get into the library, he sees a man walking his dog and explains the situation. The man immediately agrees to help Bob climb the fence.
- When the family is back home, Bob is shown reading Louise's poem while Linda patches up his skinned knees.
These Boots Are Made For Stalking
- After Tina embarrasses herself in front of the cool teens she tried to impress, the whole family is shown to be concerned for her. Linda empathizes with Tina for trying to fit in with others, but it's more important to be true to yourself and what you like. While this doesn't make Tina feel better, she does thank Linda for trying to cheer her up.
- In the montage that plays after her embarrassing incident, Tina slowly but surely begins to feel better, deciding to go back to listening to music she likes and wearing her old clothes. Soon enough, she's back to goofing off with her brother and sister at the dinner table.
The Show (And Tell) Must Go On
- When Louise decides to enter a cave to find a cannonball, risking being trapped when the tide comes in, Tina is right there to make sure her little sister is safe.
- Kathleen reassuring Teddy that they don't have to like all the same things just because they're going out, and that Teddy shouldn't try to force himself to like hurling for her sake.
- The only thing Mr. Fischoeder cares about more than his golf cart? Bob himself, which the family uses to successfully prank Calvin by making him believe Bob fell out of his treehouse.Mr. Fischoeder: AH! My dear Bob!
- After Tina spent the entire episode worrying that Jimmy Jr. had some ulterior motive to inviting her to frozen yogurt on April Fool's Day, it turns out that Jimmy Jr. didn't even realize it was April Fool's Day. He genuinely just wanted to get frozen yogurt with Tina.Jimmy Jr.: Seriously? It's April Fool's Day? I thought that wasn't until May.Tina: No, it's today. April first.Jimmy Jr.: Oh. Is that why you're so late, Tina? Were you pranking me?Tina: ...Yes? April Fools?Jimmy Jr.: Oh! (laughs) Man, you got me!
- In Bob's story, the second Gertie realizes that Mr. Miller (revealed to be a German spy) is legitimately threatening both her daughter and granddaughter, she goes on the offensive, stomping on Miller's hand when he makes a grab for Alice. Gertie may snark at her daughter a lot, but that doesn't mean anyone is allowed to mess with her family.
- This episode might actually have one of the sweetest Belcher family moments to date. After learning that the author of a children's book series (Snail & Newt) Bob and Linda used to read to Tina, Gene, and Louise comes to visit the restaurant, Linda reminisces on said times that they read the series to Tina, Gene, and Louise. Not only do they look absolutely adorable younger, but it's just so endearing seeing not only Linda but Bob, read the series to their kids with such joy and enthusiasm. Bob even accidentally falls asleep at one point!
- And to make it even better, during an emotional moment, Linda is forced to have Bob finish reading, and he says it even got to him.
- After Louise has spent the entire episode agonizing over her personal hero report on Amelia Earhart, it's Linda who reassures her that even though Amelia didn't achieve her dream of flying a plane around the world, her story is still important because she became an inspiration to other little girls regardless. Louise, in turn, apologizes to Linda for freaking out about her report on Mother's Day, and also thanks Linda for never telling her empty platitudes such as "girls can do anything boys can do."
- The episode's credits shows Louise and Linda cutting out shadow puppets in Louise's bedroom and clearly enjoying each other's company.
- Bob is wholly supportive and encouraging of Louise, even when she's having a crisis over not knowing how to handle Amelia Earhart's story; he gently encourages her to rewrite her ending. In general, the whole family may express a bit of surprise at Louise's newfound ambition, but they all encourage it.
- Tina, Gene, Peter Pescadero, and Benj (a fifth grader who loves puppets) all helping Louise perform her presentation.
- After Louise concludes her presentation, Ms. LaBonz, usually a low-key Apathetic Teacher, gives a quietly impressed "Wow."
- On the B-plot side, the whole family agrees to hire a masseuse student to give Linda the home spa day she wanted, which is a very sweet gesture. And aside from the mildly awkward way he enters their home and Linda seeming mildly out off at first, it goes off without a hitch for a change.
Season Fourteen
Fight at the Not Okay Chore-al
- Louise apologizing to her mother for being stubborn about not doing chores and making Linda cry. Louise admits she was still sore about the incident earlier that day where Ms. LaBonz threw her candy finger puppet away, and Linda admits she worries about being a good parent, because a parent's actions can easily affect their children positively or negatively. Regardless, Linda says she's happy that Louise is is so spunky, because that means she won't be pushed around easily, and the two share a hug.
- Though the episode is mostly a major Tear Jerker, there are some sweet moments peppered throughout:
- The episode begins with a cute Call-Back: the birds from "The Ring (But Not Scary)" are still living on the Bob's Burgers sign, and their nest still contains Linda's ring.
- Rudy's cute banter with Esmeralda in the magic shop as she helps him find a decent trick for the dinner with his parents. It's clear she's fond of him as a regular, and Rudy's obviously comfortable being in the store.
- Rudy's dad tells him that regardless of their unconventional family situation, both Rudy's mom and dad still love him. Pity it's drowned out by the car wash they're going through.
- When Rudy's magic trick ends up spilling all over the table, both his parents immediately let him know that they're not upset. Even Vicki, Rudy's dad's girlfriend, doesn't get mad when the spill gets on her clothes.
- After Rudy leaves the restaurant in tears, a woman he passes on the sidewalk sees him crying and asks if he's okay.
- As the Belchers and Rudy sit down for dinner, Gene takes a moment to thank everyone for making his special dinner (a loaded baked potato lasagna) possible. He even thanks Rudy, telling him "Love ya, bro."
- When Rudy finally admits that he ran away from the restaurant his parents are at, Bob and Linda immediately start trying to contact his parents to let him know he's safe.
- In the end, it's Louise who volunteers to escort Rudy back to the restaurant and join him for dinner. As Bob and Linda watch them leave, both parents have a So Proud of You moment.Linda: Sweet girl we got there.
Bob: She is sometimes. - Upon entering the restaurant, Rudy hesitates. Louise turns to him and gives him a subtle nod, which gives him the confidence to proceed.
- When Rudy and Louise return to the restaurant, both Rudy's mom and dad run up to hug their son.
- Linda, Teddy, and Tina spend the entire episode helping and taking care of Little King Trashmouth from Animal Control, which Linda accidentally called. When the coast is clear, King’s husband returns, and the two begin to show affection for one another.
- Bob, a big fan of the Soul Breezers, begins to feel depressed when Ian, their manager, tells him how miserable they are because they have to keep playing the same song over and over. Ian asks Bob if he would still consider a lifelong dream enjoyable if he had to do it repeatedly just to stay afloat. However, after seeing the band play the song and enjoy themselves, Ian explains that there are times when happy moments bring you back, causing Bob to happily dance to the song.
- Louise and Gene start selling tickets for (bad) seating at their apartment to see the concert, accepting candies as payment. While their friends aren’t having fun at first, when the band begins to sing, they can’t help but dance, with Rudy even mentioning that his dad loves this song. Louise and Gene decide to throw an after-party and bring snacks, with no extra charge, just for the fun of it.
- Big Bob came to visit and took the kids on a trip to Wonder Wharf, once again showing how much the kids love spending time with him and how much he enjoys spoiling them. We even see a montage of them having fun in the theme park, with Big Bob taking a break and giving each of them five bucks, saying, “If they come back with the money, they aren’t using it right.”
- While searching for the kids, Big Bob got distracted and won a giant stuffed gorilla to give to them.
- Bob only realized that the kids were trapped in the Clamstradamus booth upon recognizing their speech patterns.
- As the kids and Bob tries to talk to Big Bob in the Clamstradamus booth, Bob attempts to explain to Big Bob how his cynicism about the future could negatively influence the kids and potentially make a bad future come true. In response, Big Bob countered by expressing his faith that the kids could do something to make the future better, which is why he wasn’t worried about the negative possibilities. Bob even states that this is the first time they had a legit good conversation.
Fraud of the Dead: Zombie-docu-pocalypse
- Just the simple fact that Teddy, Mort, Rudy, Jimmy Jr., Andy, Ollie, and others agreed to be in Louise's short film and put their absolute all into pretending to be zombies, especially Teddy in the beginning. While also doubling as a funny moment, Bob makes sure to remind Louise to thank them for all of their hard work. And speaking of Bob, despite his clear reluctance, he agreed to rearrange the restaurant's tables for the sole purpose of letting his daughter have fun making her short film.
- Tina is still just as enamored with Jimmy Jr. when he's a zombie and they're in a short film universe where they don't even know each other. While also funny, it still comes across as oddly sweet. It does help that she's already imagined herself in countless Zombie Apocalypse scenarios in her Erotic Friend Fictions.
- Even though it's part of the film, Linda's goodbye to Louise as she and Bob are trying to hold back the zombies manages to be touching and even a bit of a tear-jerker. Especially knowing that later in the film, they get turned into zombies and get shot by Louise's arrows.
- It's a small moment, and technically still part of the film, but Louise offering to get Gene some Chicken Satay at the end is adorable.
- The family's praise of Louise's short film at the end is very sweet to see. It's just another example (of which there are so many) of the Belchers being one of the most loving and supportive families on TV.
- Another small moment, but even though he's imaginary, Gene gave Ken a "Special Thanks" in the film's credits.
Other
- When Laurie Hernandez of the US Women's Gymnastics Team expressed her desire to binge-watch the show after the 2016 Olympic Games, the show's creators created a special image just for her.
- The short "Bored", showing the family attempting to starve off boredom in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, ending with a message saying "Stay home, stay safe. With love from all at Bob's Burgers".
