14x11 Mission Impossi-Bob

[7.6/10] “Mission Impossi-Bob” needed about one more act, but it was still a quality episode! The emotional throughline is good! Bob doesn’t believe that he’s smart, demurring from helping out with Gene’s math homework out of his insecurity. But when Teddy needs him, and it takes all sorts of (mildly contrived but still entertaining) real world problem solving, Bob has the right stuff. It’s a good setup!

The puzzles are clever, from finding which turn to take based on the timing of a song lyric, to tracking down a mansion through a floral smell, to hiding from an eccentric rich guy with a false wall within a fasle wall. The episode dramatizes Bob’s subtle cleverness well, and it’s fun to see a guy who demeaned his own capabilities rising to the occasion because his friend needs him.

Granted, that part is a lot of fun. Bob rushing to rescue Teddy from an enclosed safe while Teddy goes into unnecessary detail about the situation “for context” or keeps his phone on despite the dwindling battery, leads to plenty of great back-and-forth. Bob’s dry responses and incredulous reactions bring the laughs as usual.

So does the B-story, which sees Linda and the kids striving to create a giant burger known as “the beef-hemoth.” They too are doing some creative and off-kilter problem-solving, having to figure out how to flip a giant patty, or turn dozens of little buns into one super bun. It’s the kind of loony subplot I love from this show, and the kids’ enthusiasm, matched with the absurdity of the goal, makes this one a winner.

Overall, this is a good, bread and butter episode of the show, but one that does everything it sets out to do well, and gives Bob a nice win in the process.