Bob’s Burgers recap: Is Tina versus Tammy played out?

It’s hard to believe that Bob’s Burgers has been around for 12 seasons. Premiering in 2011, the show has changed so much in the past ten years. In particular, we’ve watched the Belcher family grow and change, together and separately.

To keep things fresh, we’re talking about a question from each episode. Considering that the series is animated, it doesn’t follow a larger plotline but it’s nice to look at a question from one particular episode. For Season 12, the first episode question focused on Louise and Millie. However, these questions can range from a plotline in the episode to a character or just a general question the show has yet to answer or will hopefully answer.

Season 12’s second episode “Crystal Mess,” gives us a different look at Tina and an unlikely friendship she has with a side character. It also features drama, mystery, and scandal. When Tina is involved in an episode, there’s no telling what could happen as she can be a magnet for chaos.

Before getting started, there will be spoilers for the Bob’s Burgers Season 12 episode, “Crystal Mess.” If you’ve watched the episode, then be sure to let us know what questions you have and if you haven’t, then come back and let us know your question after.

Here’s a short recap of Bob’s Burgers episode, “Crystal Mess.”

While the episode has two plotlines, the major plotline focused on Tina being nervous for her oral report about Wagstaff. Upon arriving at school, her nerves are noticed by Mr. Frond who invites her back to his office. While there, Frond gets a text from his new girlfriend who likes crystals, and offers Tina his crystal to help with her nervousness.

Whether it’s due to the crystal or not, Tina aces her presentation and then everyone believes she’s lucky. Of course, everyone wants in on the luck, causing Tammy to steal the crystal and it eventually breaks. Thankfully, everything works out in the end as Tina embraces her nervousness and Mr. Frond’s girlfriend explaining that she believes the crystal spread good energy everywhere even though it’s broken. It’s a bit of an odd-ball episode, but it makes me wonder if Tina and Tammy’s rivalry is being used too frequently in the series?

Are Bob’s Burgers using Tina and Tammy’s love-hate relationship too frequently?

Obviously, this question is a matter of opinion but it seems like the show is really playing into Tammy and Tina’s hatred for each other. In a lot of ways, it feels more one-sided, especially within the past few seasons. Tammy really hates Tina but she doesn’t really have a reason to now. As for Tina, she seems content with Tammy being her friend or not. Ultimately, it’s become a little bit tiresome at this point.

However, it’s only fair to look back at some of the episodes and see how frequently it’s been used within the last five seasons. Starting in Season 7, there are two Tina-Tammy episodes with “The Quirkducers” and “Teen-A-Witch while Season 8 has “Sit Me Baby One More Time” and “Sleeping with the Frenemy.” It’s already clear that the show has a tendency to use it at least twice during a normal season which seems a bit high already.

Moving onto Season 9, there is the only one which is “Tweentrepreneurs” while Season 10 is pretty Tammy-free aside from one episode. As for Season 11, there is “Fast Time Capsules at Wagstaff School,” and a small moment in “Vampire Disco Death Dance.” Within the last three seasons, the show has definitely toned things down a bit.

Nevertheless, Bob’s Burgers does focus a lot of Tina’s plotlines on her love-hate relationship with Tammy. While Tammy is certainly a good nemesis, it’s starting to get a little boring now. We know that Tammy’s a mean girl who is rude to Tina specifically. However, there isn’t really any motivation for Tina to keep things up with her. Rather, Tina should be moving on and trying to find a true friend.

While it’s nice to see them employ the plotline a few times, it’s getting a bit repetitive and boring at this point. Considering that the show is 12 seasons in now, I think it’s time for a pause on Tina and Tammy’s drama. Rather, it would be fun to see the show introduce a new friend for Tina or introduce someone who becomes Tina’s enemy before Tammy starts to get jealous. It could be a fun way to mix things up. Hopefully, the rest of Season 12 doesn’t rely heavily on Tina and Tammy as frenemies.

Bob’s Burgers airs Sundays on Fox at 9/8c. 

What did you think of “Crystal Mess?” Do you think Tina and Tammy’s dislike for each other is played out too much? Be sure to let us know in the comments.