In my review for “Can’t Buy Me Math,” I said it was the first episode of season five that felt like a legitimate classic. Let me retract that, because “The Runaway Club” smokes that episode. “Can’t Buy Me Math” was funny, likable, and sweet in a way that only Bob’s Burgers can be, but here, a structure that makes the most of the show’s ensemble reminds us of how brilliant Bob’s Burgers can be when it utilizes every single character’s strengths.
The plot is only vaguely similar to The Breakfast Club, which is referenced in the title and in the episode’s first and final scenes: the Belcher kids, along with Tammy, Jocelyn, Jimmy Jr., and Zeke, all get detention after Tina and Tammy’s wearing identical bracelets results in a fight breaking out. This is all the more inconvenient, since detention is on the same day as the town’s cotton candy festival.
Mr. Frond, convinced that the fight was the result of a fashion crisis, decides to turn detention into a fashion contest, with teams made up of Jimmy Jr. and Zeke, Tammy and Jocelyn, and the Belchers competing, and school faculty members Ms. Schnur, Coach Blevins, and Mr. Branca serving as judges. Whoever wins the contest can leave three hours early. This concept doesn’t just work because of the absurdity, but also because of how much it fits Frond’s personality. Recently, he’s been more of a cookie-cutter antagonist for the kids, but the eccentricity here fits the character: a well-meaning, often irritable guidance counselor who often gets in trouble for trying to bring his quirks and hobbies into his work.
While it would have been interesting if this were a bottle episode, set entirely in detention (much like the movie it’s supposed to be referencing), Bob and Linda’s story is fantastic as well. When a socially awkward girl named Sally comes into the restaurant selling magazines so she can go to turtle camp, where she’ll learn better communication skills, Bob is convinced that it’s a scam. Sally tells the organizer Trish, who comes to the restaurant and threatens Bob and Linda, forcing Bob to buy tons of magazine subscriptions. This would be just a so-so plot if not for Jenny Slate, who uses her knack for hilarious voice-acting to turn Sally into recurring character material. Plus, the resolution, where Bob ensures that Jimmy Pesto will get scammed more than him, is a nice return to their rivalry.
The resolution in the main storyline is solid, too. When Principal Spoors tells Frond to end the fashion contest, the kids attack Frond’s pride, resulting in the entire group competing against Frond. If he wins, they’ll tell everyone that the fashion contest is a great idea. If the kids win, they all get to go home early. Tina and Tammy manage to win the contest by giving up their bracelets—Tina willingly, Tammy by force. This is a nice moment in an episode that is mostly exceptional for its jokes alone.
“Can’t Buy Me Math” is still a season highlight, but “The Runaway Club” is potentially the season highlight. Easily the best episode since “The Equestranauts.”
Rating: 10/10
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Jocelyn’s mom, who makes a brief appearance at the beginning, is incredible.
“That night, I was upset. But instead of lashing out in anger, I turned to the needle. That’s right, the knitting needle.”
Another great moment: Jocelyn sleeping with her eyes open.
“We’ve got a deal like Ally McBeal.” “We have got a deal like Steven Spiel…berg.” Tina is apparently Jean-Ralphio now.
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“Don’t underestimate us. Our family’s motto is, ‘Maybe we’ll get lucky this time.’” “I thought it was, ‘Stop touching that, you’re getting it all greasy.’”
“So, are you guys gonna buy any magazines?” “No, Sally, ‘cause your life is a lie.”
“Kids, the tailored fit around the wrists of my lettuce suit was impeccable.” “We can easily change it to peccable if you prefer.”
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