Bob's Burgers (2011)

I did not expect Bob's Burgers to make me cry but here we are. The Belchies hit me completely off guard. Linda Belcher is written with such care that the emotional moments land with full weight.

You can watch Bob's Burgers for pure entertainment or for something more meaningful. Either way you win. Loren Bouchard's ability to layer complexity into seemingly simple stories is remarkable. the genuinely loving family dynamics is evidence of a master.

Bob's Burgers works on two levels: kids get the surface entertainment and adults get the subtext. Loren Bouchard's writing treats its audience with respect. The episode The Belchies is as good as any live-action drama.

Bob's Burgers started strong and only improved. By season two, Loren Bouchard had found a confidence that made the show feel inevitable. The Belchies is one of the finest episodes in animated television history.

Bob's Burgers has a few weak episodes scattered through its run but the high points more than compensate. Gene Belcher's storyline is beautifully handled. Loren Bouchard had a rare clarity of vision for the whole series.