Ranking Every Valentine’s Day Episode of Bob's Burgers (so far)
Valentine’s Day is often overlooked when shows need seasonal episodes. While most sitcoms that do holiday episodes have consistent Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas episodes, the consistent Valentine’s episode is more rare. While a few seasons of the Bob’s lineup are missing Valentine’s episodes (likely due to scheduling), there are still quite a few in the catalogue.
While some seasonal episodes of Bob’s are very obviously stronger than others, every single Valentine’s episode of Bob’s Burgers is nearly impeccable. This ranking was the hardest one to write so far, and if you need some lighthearted cheer during this season, put these episodes on repeat.
Note: Bob’s Burgers didn’t release holiday episodes until season 3, so that’s the earliest episode on this list.
8. Bed, Bob & Beyond - Season 9 Episode 13
As I mentioned in the Thanksgiving post, Bob’s Burgers unfortunately relies a bit too much on epistolatory episodes. The only Valentine’s episode I dislike suffers from this phenomenon. When the theater the Belchers watch a British rom-com in closes early, the kids make up their own endings in an effort to get Bob and Linda to stop fighting (and distract from the fact that the kids broke a bed). While Bob and Linda’s laundry fight encapsulates the realism Bob’s does so well, the plot of this episode has too many elements, and the execution is sadly a bit dour.
7. Ferry on My Wayward Bob & Linda - Season 12 Episode 12
One reason I think Bob’s is so popular? The Belchers often grapple realistically with feelings of inadequacy and lack of meaning in a way you rarely see on TV. In this episode, Bob and Linda hit setback after setback while trying to attend a fancy dinner on King’s Head Island. It’s overall charming and funny, but not top-5 material. The main reason this episode isn’t ranked higher? It’s extremely plausible that if Bob and Linda showed up at a fancy restaurant covered in sheep poop, extreme side-eye would ensue.
6. Can’t Buy Me Math - Season 5 Episodes 11
In an unlikely alliance, Tina and Daryl form an alliance for their mutual benefit. Tina will teach Daryl how to be a boyfriend and win over his crush, if he’ll tutor her in math. Things go awry when, after winning the Cupid’s Couple Contest, Tina develops a real crush on Daryl. This episode is silly and sweet, and puts the viewer straight back into pre-adolescent relationships.
5. Romancing the Beef - Season 11 Episode 11
In order to capitalize on the restaurant-mania around Valentine’s day, the Belchers decide to cram in extra tables and try to trick patrons into thinking they run high-end restaurant called “Urge.” Linda’s rejected paramour/vindictive health inspector Hugo shows up for a blind date, threatening their business opportunity. Though in a more recent season, this episode has the silly scrappiness of earlier seasons that makes the Belchers so endearing.
4. The Gene & Courtney Show - Season 6 Episode 7
When the advisor for the student TV program catches Gene and his ex-girlfriend Courtney riffing off the morning announcements, they usurp Ms. Labonz and take over Wagstaff. Gene & Courtney grow closer, while Bob desperately tries to track down 200 carnations for the school fundraiser. This episode is pretty heavy on puns, and even heavier on 6th grade romance in a nostalgically-sweet way.
3. My Fuzzy Valentine - Season 3 Episode 13
I’ve mentioned it before, but I LOVE when Bob’s Burgers has realistic weather built into the animation. On a rainy Valentine’s Day, Bob sets out to prove that he can give Linda a meaningful V-Day experience. Meanwhile, Linda hosts a chaotic speed dating event at the restaurant. It’s got so many one-liners it’s hard to pick just one, and Linda sings one of her most iconic songs. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a classic Hugo-Bob showdown.
2. Bob Actually - Season 7 Episode 9
Patterned after Richard Curtis’s Love Actually (and/or Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day), every family member gets their own romantic subplot in this tight episode. Bob tries to surprise Linda with dance lessons, Gene falls in love with an Italian lunch lady, Tina orchestrates a dramatic kiss with Jimmy Jr., and Louise is afraid Rudy has a crush on her. With a very successful meme inclusion (“this is hip hop”), love weeds, and more, it’s a perfectly-executed episode (with no problematic sub-plots).
1. V for Valentine-detta - Season 8 Episode 8
Bob and Linda’s Valentine’s plans are derailed when Tina has a major puberty crisis. With the help of Nat, a precocious limo driver, Linda, Tina, and Louise plot revenge on Jimmy Jr. Meanwhile, Bob and Gene go on a romantic father-son trapeze date. Nat is one of the best guest characters in the franchise, and this episode takes some absolutely delightful twists and turns. Between the girl power jams, the makeovers, and the trapeze outfits, this is one of the best episodes of Bob’s Burgers…maybe ever?
