Bob’s Burgers should do a masterclass on how they write, feature, and include side characters in storylines.
The animated sitcom manages to give love to all of its main characters aka the Belcher family along with their friends, loved ones, or even, some one-offs. That’s why seeing this episode title made me so excited.
With a title like “The Amazing Rudy,” that is something worth discussing as Regular-Sized Rudy is a favorite side character. Even though he’s mainly friends with Louise, it’s clear he enjoys the company of all the Belcher kids and even their parents on occasion.
Before getting into the episode, this is your spoiler warning. If you haven’t watched the Bob’s Burgers episode, “The Amazing Rudy,” there will be spoilers from this point on.
What you missed in “The Amazing Rudy” on Bob’s Burgers
“The Amazing Rudy” begins with a bird flying from the Belcher’s house over Regular-Sized Rudy’s house and we find out Rudy is spending the day with his father. Before they go out for dinner, he wants to stop by the magic shop to become “The Amazing Rudy,” and he finds a new “trick.” He also heads to the mall with his dad and runs into the Belcher family who invite him to dinner yet he declines.
While the dinner seems fun at first, it’s revealed that it’s an awkward family dinner between Rudy and his parents along with their new partners. The situation gets worse as Rudy’s dad is feeling incredibly nervous before they head in and the dinner ends up being incredibly sad for Rudy as he begins having flashbacks to all of his old family dinners when his parents were together.
It all comes to a head when Rudy spills a drink on his dad’s date and he ends up running away since his trick is ruined. Rudy winds up at Bob’s Burgers and gets invited up for dinner at the Belcher’s. The Belchers figure out what happened and try to call his dad yet the call goes to voicemail so Rudy finally confesses everything to the Belcher family.
Bob decides to drive Rudy back to the restaurant and make sure he gets back safely yet Bob can’t find the car keys. Even though he finds them, Louise volunteers to walk Rudy back and it ends up being a much better time for him.
“The Amazing Rudy” was a surprisingly emotional episode

With a title like “The Amazing Rudy,” there are certain ideas that come to mind yet Bob’s Burgers threw that out the window. On the whole, the episode was anything but amazing for Rudy. He had a terrible time with his magic trick, his parents and honestly, was struggling a lot which was hard to watch. Regardless, it all came full circle as Rudy spent time with the Belchers and they helped him out.
Bob’s Burgers rarely focuses on its side characters as much as it did in “The Amazing Rudy” but it was awesome. It was great to see another side of Rudy and allow him to be the focus of an episode. Coupled with Louise going with him at the end, it was such a sweet moment and one that brought a tear to my eye.
Even though this episode wouldn’t have been a great opener for the season, it tugged my heart just as much as a season opener would. Given how much more we know about Regular-Sized Rudy and his life now, I can only hope we get more in the future.
Bob’s Burgers airs on Sundays on Fox at 9/8c.
What did you think of “The Amazing Rudy?” How did you feel about the Belchers taking a backseat this time? Let us know in the comments!