Review: Bob’s Burgers “The Plight Before Christmas”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Bob and Linda try to attend all three kids’ holiday performances at the same time.

Our Take:  

When you have more than one kid in your family, you do what you can to give all of them the attention they deserve. It’s more challenging than taking care of only one child, but it’s also more rewarding if done right. However, when part of the challenge is attending your children’s performances on the same day, you should rethink having more of them.

This week’s episode has the Belchers celebrating another holiday season by attending a special Christmas performance. I’m sorry, did I say “a special Christmas performance”? I meant “three special Christmas performances”. First, Gene has a musical xylophone performance at school, while Tina performs in the Thundergirls holiday play at the City Hall plaza. Finally, we have Louise participating in a poetry contest at the library. The problem is that they all start at the same time.

The episode takes plenty of cues from other sitcoms that feature characters attempting to be in two places at once, or in this case, three places. Bob and Linda face the crucial task of catering to Gene and Tina and the former reaching the library before Louise reads her poem. The parents thought Louise had a poem about picking up reindeer poop, but they later realize that it’s a cover-up for Louise to hide her feelings about them not going.

This is another scenario that I enjoy regarding sitcoms, animated or otherwise. It’s just something about seeing a character running from one place to another and vice versa that makes an episode entertaining. It showcases them trying to be a better person for others who have different events occurring simultaneously, even if it means lying to one or the other. “The Plight Before Christmas” briefly shows this situation with Bob trying to get to the library for Louise’s poem during Gene’s performance.

But, of course, the kids’ performances weren’t without their share of problems, which led to some suitable chuckles. First, we have Louise deciding which poem to use since her family doesn’t show up. Then, Linda struggles to leave Tina’s performance because she’s helping out as a stagehand. Finally, Gene’s xylophone concert gets a last-minute substitution who doesn’t know anything about music.

These elements make up a recipe for another formulaic yet funny episode that sees the parents trying to appease their kids. However, the second half provided a Christmas miracle regarding the direction. From the heartwarming musical score to its finale’s clever twist, “The Plight Before Christmas” gives viewers a delightful gift that resembles the show’s key element: the love and support for the Belcher family, mainly the kids. This is another holiday episode from Bob’s Burgers that’s heartfelt enough to deliver the Christmas spirit amid the family’s goofy shenanigans.