TV #16 of 2022:
Bob’s Burgers, season 3
This animated family sitcom has been getting better year over year, and this third season produces what I’d call its first all-time classic episode, Mother Daughter Laser Razor. No other half-hour in this run quite matches that one’s fantastic blend of action, comedy, and character growth, but several do come close. Plus at this stage the writers have a firm enough handle on the core cast and their extended world of recurring weirdo acquaintances that the jokes are categorically well-grounded in personality, which helps smooth over the weaker stories. And while this will never be a particularly plot-heavy show, there’s sporadic signs of serialization and personal arcs throughout, mostly concerning Tina’s love life.
It’s still a mixed bag, though, and those clunkers like Mutiny on the Windbreaker have to be factored against the stronger moments. I think on balance the series remains ever so slightly more good than great overall, but at least it feels like we might finally be reaching a tipping point there.
[Content warning for fatphobia, ableism, and drug and alcohol abuse.]
★★★☆☆
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