Review: Bob’s Burgers “The Pickleorette”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Gretchen forgets to plan her sister’s bachelorette party and ropes Bob and Linda in faking a proper party.

OUR TAKE

Wow, a GRETCHEN episode? That’s where we’re at now? I mean, it’s not that I necessarily dislike her as a character, it’s just kind of surprising that she’s getting the focus this time after so long without it. Gretchen definitely feels like part of the older versions of the show that you would think had fallen away by now like Hugo the Health Inspector or Jimmy Pesto Sr. But she’s got the same voice as Teddy so I guess she was always in the back pocket if they needed her. Apparently she hasn’t made any appearances whatsoever in three of the past four seasons, so it doesn’t look like anyone really had any idea of what to do with her, but maybe there was someone on the writing staff who just suddenly REALLY had a strong idea for a Gretchen episode…but for whatever reason that script got lost so they gave us this one. I know not every episode can be like last week’s one with Rudy, and hey, it’s still neat that the show is branching out and trying stuff with the supporting cast after all this time, but nothing in this episode really stood out to me that much.

Like cool, Gretchen still exists, is Linda’s friend, has a sister, and she wants to impress that sister by doing a makeshift bachelorette party, but now we have the usual shenanigans of trying to make it seem legit every step of the way. But wait! They can’t get the male strip club they were hoping for, so they gotta set up at the restaurant! Oh well, Gretchen has to confess that this was all improvised and hope her sister forgives her for forgetting to make the plans, which she does. And hey, the honesty paid off, because a couple of the strippers actually found the restaurant and did their routine! Yes yes yes, fine fine fine, being honest with your loved ones is important but trying your best to show your love to them despite your own screw ups is also important. Very good, very good, just didn’t really blow me away compared to last week, which really felt like it was going for a big swing. I’m probably not going to compare every following episode to the Rudy one, it’s just that this one is right after it so it gets the comparison. I’m sure next week will feel pretty normal an episode, but hopefully with a few more surprises than this.