[7.5/10] What do you know? A pretty good Gene episode! I really like the central idea of this one. Gene has a grand idea for what virtual reality is like, to where he’s willing to spend all the money he's saved up on a one-hour experience. Bob wants to support him, but is worried about Gene getting his hopes up over something uncertain and expensive, and then wants to protect him from the bad decision. There’s good, understandable emotions on both sides of the parent/child divide, and both experiences are relatable.
I imagine most of us have been the kid who was super excited about something only to find it roundly disappointing. And I imagine most of us have also been the person trying to cheer up a loved one after something they were looking forward to didn't live up to their expectations. Mixing it with a parental protectiveness and genuine sweetness between Gene and Bob really lifts this one up.
The gags are solid and well-observed too. Clearly, the folks who wrote this episode have been through a disappointing VR experience, because all the trademarks are there. I’m not necessarily the world’s biggest Kyle Mooney fan, but he’s well-cast as an unhelpful slacker of an attendant at the arcade. And Gene’s one liners about the things he’s going to be disappointed in got some great laughs out of me.
The B-story is so-so, but still enjoyable. Tina and Louise trying to build a menu tower that reaches the ceiling is a solid bit of Bob’s Burgers quirkery. There’s just not a ton of laughs in the two of them chastising others for breathing or waving their arms too much while they walk to the bathroom. That said, I like that both of them (and Teddy) are afraid to place the top menu, lest they be responsible for accidentally demolishing what they’ve worked so hard on. And I love Linda being the one to cheer them on, to have come this far and be willing to take chances rather than shrink for the moment. It helps add the slightest bit of emotional heft to a low-stakes subplot.
The same goes for the A-story. I like Bob realizing that it’s okay for Gene to get a little “mud in his muffin.” Bob had a tough childhood, which makes him want to protect his kids from the harshness of the world as much as he can. But recognizing the need to let them make their own mistakes, and appreciate that things won’t always work out, is a good lesson. The fact that eventually, even though Bob can’t get Gene his money back, Gene nevertheless finds ways to have a good time is a nice affirmation of how, contrary to his softer qualities, Gene can handle this type of adversity and make the best of it on his own.
All-in-all, a quality episode of the show with a sweet Bob/Gene story to carry the load, and a smaller B-story at the restaurant that ends someplace wholesome.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2022-12-20T05:38:26Z
[7.5/10] What do you know? A pretty good Gene episode! I really like the central idea of this one. Gene has a grand idea for what virtual reality is like, to where he’s willing to spend all the money he's saved up on a one-hour experience. Bob wants to support him, but is worried about Gene getting his hopes up over something uncertain and expensive, and then wants to protect him from the bad decision. There’s good, understandable emotions on both sides of the parent/child divide, and both experiences are relatable.
I imagine most of us have been the kid who was super excited about something only to find it roundly disappointing. And I imagine most of us have also been the person trying to cheer up a loved one after something they were looking forward to didn't live up to their expectations. Mixing it with a parental protectiveness and genuine sweetness between Gene and Bob really lifts this one up.
The gags are solid and well-observed too. Clearly, the folks who wrote this episode have been through a disappointing VR experience, because all the trademarks are there. I’m not necessarily the world’s biggest Kyle Mooney fan, but he’s well-cast as an unhelpful slacker of an attendant at the arcade. And Gene’s one liners about the things he’s going to be disappointed in got some great laughs out of me.
The B-story is so-so, but still enjoyable. Tina and Louise trying to build a menu tower that reaches the ceiling is a solid bit of Bob’s Burgers quirkery. There’s just not a ton of laughs in the two of them chastising others for breathing or waving their arms too much while they walk to the bathroom. That said, I like that both of them (and Teddy) are afraid to place the top menu, lest they be responsible for accidentally demolishing what they’ve worked so hard on. And I love Linda being the one to cheer them on, to have come this far and be willing to take chances rather than shrink for the moment. It helps add the slightest bit of emotional heft to a low-stakes subplot.
The same goes for the A-story. I like Bob realizing that it’s okay for Gene to get a little “mud in his muffin.” Bob had a tough childhood, which makes him want to protect his kids from the harshness of the world as much as he can. But recognizing the need to let them make their own mistakes, and appreciate that things won’t always work out, is a good lesson. The fact that eventually, even though Bob can’t get Gene his money back, Gene nevertheless finds ways to have a good time is a nice affirmation of how, contrary to his softer qualities, Gene can handle this type of adversity and make the best of it on his own.
All-in-all, a quality episode of the show with a sweet Bob/Gene story to carry the load, and a smaller B-story at the restaurant that ends someplace wholesome.