Warning: SPOILERS forBob’s Burgersseason 15, episode, 15, “The Lost City of Atlantic.”
As it races toward the end of season 15,Bob’s Burgersjust dropped a bombshell reveal about Linda Belcher’s family history that needs to be explored further at some point in the series’ future. Thus far,Bob’ Burgers’ season 15 reviewshave indicated that the series is still going strong, having aged extremely well in over a dozen years compared even to long-running successes likeThe Simpsons. As long as the series doesn’t ignore the season’s biggest strengths thus far, the show could manage to fine-tune its excellence even more going intoBob’s Burgersseason 16.
Similar to other animated sitcoms likeFamily GuyandThe Great North, one of the most fun aspects of the series is seeing how each new storyline utilizesBob’s Burgers’ guest stars. Entitled “The Lost City of Atlantic,”Bob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 15 casts Maggie Wheeler (known best as Janice inFriends) as two different characters with strong ties to Linda. However, these ties run so deep that it’s hard to fully explore them in a 22-minute episode, necessitating the characters’ eventual return if the series wishes to make the most of its game-changing reveal.
Bob’s Burger Season 15, Episode 15 Introduces Linda’s Secret Half-Aunt
Linda’s Paternal Grandfather Wasn’t The Most Faithful Husband
On the heels ofBob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 14delivering a particularly strong Tina episode, “The Lost City of Atlantic” casts its focus primarily on Linda as the Belchers visit the casino where her grandfather Max worked. Not long after noticing their similarity in appearance,Linda discovers from casino worker Shirley that the casino’s costumed mermaid is her estranged half-aunt Sharon. Born from an extramarital affair between Shirley and Max, Sharon’s existence has been kept secret from Linda her entire life.
Both voiced by Maggie Wheeler, Sharon and Shirley aren’t the only new additions to Linda’s family history. She also meets Shirley’s grandnephew, Joe, although his familial ties to the others aren’t established untilit’s revealed that Joe and his girlfriend Susie are helping Shirley rob the casino by staging a fake audit. Linda gets wrapped up in their scheme while still reeling from the news of her seemingly once-honest grandfather’s infidelity, a complication that undercuts the episode’s emotional impact in a way that future episodes need to rectify.
Bob’s Burgers’ Affair Backstory Was Too Rushed To Fully Process Linda’s Reaction
It Doesn’t Quite Feel Like Shirley’s Earned Linda’s Forgiveness
Between its expanded focus on Linda’s family history and the casting of a classic sitcom actor in two prominent roles, “The Lost City of Atlantic” had the potential to become one of thebestBob’s Burgersepisodesever. Sadly,the additions of the casino heist and a rather aimless side plot about Bob eating prime rib interfere with the episode’s pacing. This most notably draws away from Linda’s emotional arc, which seems to stagnate for much of the episode until an almost unreasonably swift resolution toward the end.
Linda grew up believing Max was perfect, and she initially despises Shirley for jeopardizing that memory. ButLinda forgives both Max and Shirley simply because she learns her grandmother forgave the affair when Max came clean. Not only does she get over her initial despair rather quickly, but this also motivates her to assist Shirley and Sharon’s getaway with the stolen casino money. Even Sharon, who’s known about the affair since childhood, doesn’t forgive her long-standing resentments against Shirley so quickly. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time to explore Linda’s relationship with this new side of the family.
Linda’s New Family Sets Up Fresher Storylines For Her Character In Future Bob’s Burgers Episodes
Shirley And Sharon Challenge Linda’s Morals In New Ways
Due to their inclusion in most seasons thus far, family-oriented story setups such asBob’s Burgers’ Thanksgiving episodeswould provide some of the most sensible opportunities to revisit Linda Belcher’s bonus family. SinceGayle presumably doesn’t know about Max and Shirley’s affair nor the sheer existence of Sharon, these new characters’ return is already set up to explore new elements of the emotional fallout from Max Genarro’s extramarital excursion. But it doesn’t take Gayle’s participation nor the convenience of a holiday episode’s family focus for Sharon and Shirley to set up fresh new storylines for Linda.
Because of her frequent tendency to go along with whatever’s happening around her, Linda’s gotten herself into trouble in the past. She’s even done so for her family, such as her act of self-sabotaging vandalism on Gayle’s behalf in season 12’s “The Pumpkinening.” But her willingness to stand by and watch Shirley commit a felony feels like wild new ground forBob’s Burgers, and it’s intriguing to see how Shirley and Sharon could push her even further in future appearances. Regardless of what future storylines hold in store, Sharon and Shirley can undoubtedly facilitate intriguing new Linda episodes as recurring characters.
Bob’s Burgers
Cast
Bob’s Burgers: Premiering in 2011, Bob’s Burgers follows Bob Belcher, a third-generation restaurateur, as he manages his burger restaurant alongside his wife and three children. Despite operational challenges including poor location, they remain committed to their business’s success.
