Bob's Burgers: The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas (14x10)

A very cute episode!

Cons:

I was having this weird experience of imagining a whole different episode that could have played out, but that didn't: where the Belchers have to stay at home in their freezing cold home without electricity for Christmas. There's almost a whole other episode concept there, of everyone trying to keep busy and have an unplugged Christmas while also dealing with the winter chill. I liked what we got, but I almost wish there had been time to play around with that concept more as well!

Pros:

Linda being the most sentimental about the tree, while Louise is worried about the practical consideration of Santa not being able to find them, was a great contrast. I think Bob was just trying to keep the family together, and Gene and Tina were mostly along for the ride! Another "what this episode could have been" moment was the family getting stuck in their car, and I was pleasantly surprised at the subversion there, where just as things looked really dire, they did in fact arrive at the cabin where Mr. Fischoeder had sent them. And, in another subversion of expectations, despite some creepy wall art and strange instructions for maintaining the property, nothing super spooky or dangerous happened to them once they were there!

Linda's quest to rescue the tree was charming and cute and also melancholy in the best way. She had to give up on the tree in order to save herself. I loved the part where the tree is getting caught on her clothes like it's begging her not to leave it behind. Dark! But hilarious! Then there's the touching moment of the kids having made a tree out of twigs and skis, which Linda takes as a sentimental gesture, while Louise tells us it's all to make sure Santa is able to find them.

Something about Louise believing in Santa Claus and also believing in all these literal rules around how good you have to be, and how specific your requests should be, is very funny and cute to me. She's a mastermind and a cynic, but she's still a kid, too! I'm comforted by getting to spend time with the Belchers in their perpetual childhood.

Bob does his typical worry routine but actually plays it pretty cool; most of the day is spent being creeped out by a large picture of eagles devouring their prey. A strange little subplot with less meat on its bones (hehe) than the others, but I like that Bob is often the most calm, lackadaisical character on screen, amidst the chaos of the rest of his family.

And that's it! This was an appropriately holiday-oriented episode, actually airing near to the holiday in question, so that's good! See y'all next year.

9/10