Bob's Burgers season 14 proves that the popular animated TV series about the charming and quirky Belcher family still has a lot of life left. Ever since its premiere in 2011, Bob's Burgers has told a whimsical and hilarious story about Linda (John Belcher), Bob (H. Jon Benjamin), and their three children Louise (Kristen Schaal), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Tina (Dan Mintz) as they run an unsuccessful burger joint.
While Bob's Burgers has well-done Thanksgiving episodes, there is a Bob's Burgers season 14 episode that focuses on a popular character and tells a unique and memorable story.
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The Plot Of Bob's Burgers Season 14's "The Amazing Rudy"
In episode 2 of Bob's Burgers season 14, "The Amazing Rudy," loveable side character Rudy Stieblitz (Brian Huskey) is preparing to go out for dinner with his divorced parents and their new partners. Rudy is one of the best Bob's Burgers characters and it's nice to get to know him better in this episode. Both he and his father, Sylvester (Brian Huskey), pretend that they aren't nervous, but secretly they're anxious about how the evening will go. The episode finds Rudy going to Wands, Wands, Wands to buy something special so he can impress during "Tableside Magic By The Amazing Rudy."
Rudy says that he wants:
"a magic trick that brings all of humanity together, even in the most awkward of fine dining experiences."
After the magic shop, Rudy and his did visit the car wash and the mall so Sylvester can buy a bigger shirt as he says that he has gotten muscles. Before leaving the condo, Rudy and Sylvester have upset stomachs, and then they settle in for an awkward dinner. After Rudy makes a mistake with his magic trick and sodium polyacrylate spills on the table, Rudy lies about going to the washroom and runs over to the Belcher apartment, where he is served Gene's loaded baked potato lasagna. The episode is filled with quirky details that viewers know and appreciate. The gross-looking dinner also makes it one of the best Bob's Burgers episodes about Gene.
In the end, Rudy shares what has happened to his family with the Belchers, who are compassionate toward him. Louise offers to walk Rudy back to the restaurant and stay for dinner so he feels more comfortable.
What Makes "The Amazing Rudy" So Special?
"The Amazing Rudy" is not only one of the most compelling Bob's Burgers season 14 episodes, but it's also one of the most moving of the entire series. While many would agree that Louise is the best Bob's Burgers character, there's something unique about Rudy, who is often called Regular Sized Rudy. In this episode, Rudy's difficulty accepting his parents' separation is explored, along with how his mom and dad can navigate this painful and stressful transition. While the animated series does have emotion packed into every episode since the Belchers care about each other, "The Amazing Rudy" stands out because the main storyline is so emotional.
When Rudy finally opens up to the Belchers and explains what happened at dinner, he says:
"Yeah, uh, technically I ran away."
This moment allows Louise to showcase her caring side, which isn't always a part of her personality that she wants everyone to see. In Bob's Burgers Halloween episodes, for instance, Louise will do anything to achieve her goal of getting as much candy as possible. In "The Amazing Rudy," however, Louise proves that she is a true friend who recognizes that Rudy is struggling and needs some support.
This Bob's Burgers season 14 episode is also special because it takes the rare approach of focusing on a side character instead of the Belchers. The episode opens with a bird flying over the town and cuts to Rudy lying in bed and trying to hype himself up for the evening. The Belchers are only seen when Rudy is at the mall. Gene's desire to eat loaded baked potato lasagna because he brought his science grade from an F plus to a B minus is secondary to Rudy's emotional journey.
The Bob's Burgers season 14 episode "The Amazing Rudy" balances humor with emotion, which is a unique feature of the TV series. At the end, Louise says that she's sure that Plate and Fork, the fancy restaurant, can put sugar on breadsticks. Rudy also jokes about earning $13 mowing grass, and he says:
"It's a fun way to learn I'm allergic to grass."
Other Notable Episodes In Bob's Burgers Season 14
There are several other great episodes in Bob's Burgers season 14, including:
- "Fight at the Not Okay Chore-ral" (season 14, episode 1)
- "Running Down a Gene" (season 14, episode 4)
- "Escape from Which Island?" (Season 14, episode 6)
In "Fight at the Not Okay Chore-ral," Linda and Bob want the kids to do chores and make up a Western-style story to teach them about responsibility. At the core of the story, Louise feels that too many adults are bossing her around, which shows she wants to have some power and agency over her life. In "Running Down a Gene," the quirky middle child struggles to write a good song. In "Escape from Which Island?" Bob gets a job working for a wealthy dinner, but the best part of the episode is when Gene and Louise host a party for Tina to learn more about social skills and etiquette. These three episodes prove tha t Bob's Burgers has great songs and well-developed characters dealing with relatable situations.
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