Review: Bob’s Burgers “To Bob, or Not to Bob”

Overview:

Calvin Fischoeder wants the Belchers to put on a play for his brother. In exchange, he’ll let them expand their restaurant. Also, Louise is jealous of Tina since she gets to sharpen the knives.

Our Take:

The business next door is closing door, which means the building is vacant. Linda talks about potentially expanding the restaurant, but Bob is hesitant about it. Calvin Fischoeder pays the Belchers a visit and he wants their help.

His father gave him a trophy before he passed away, but it was stolen many years ago. Calvin believes his brother, Felix, stole it. However, he can never get him to admit it. He is inspired by Hamlet to put on a play, which will cause Felix to reveal the location of the trophy. He asks the Belchers to put on the play and in exchange, he will waive their rent for a month. On top of that, he will also allow them to expand their restaurant into the newly vacant building.

Bob eventually agrees, but he keeps having dreams about the possible expansion. he doesn’t think it’s really what he wants to do, but he doesn’t want to admit it. When it’s time for the play, he snaps and reveals this on stage. The plan ends up working as Felix reveals the location of the trophy. Bob apologizes to Linda for not wanting to expand the restaurant. It turns out Linda was only excited about it because she thought that’s what Bob wanted. Everything works out for the Belchers.

There’s also a subplot about Louise being jealous of Tina for getting to sharpen the knives. Bob tells her she doesn’t have enough hand strength and he’s worried that she’ll ruin the knives. Louise eventually apologizes to Tina, but Tina tells her she doesn’t even like sharpening the knives. She touches Louise how to do it and Bob isn’t pleased with the result.

I don’t care much for Bob’s struggle with the idea of expanding the restaurant. He makes it clear at the beginning of the episode that he doesn’t want to do it, so I don’t really understand why that becomes a major plot point. I guess he’s conflicted because he thinks Linda wants to do it, but it just doesn’t click with me.

I think the idea of the play is executed well enough. Hamlet plots are cool and paper and this one actually works out. It might no work out in the way it’s intended, but Calvin gets the answer he wants. The subplot is also amusing. I’ve always found Louise to be one of the more enjoyable characters, so I like seeing her antics in scaring Tina. Plus, she gets to do what she wants by the end.