“The Gene Mile” has a beautiful starting point in the rite of passage that is the mile fitness test. The episode keys in on the two natural stories it provides for Tina and Gene. For the former, this is a tale of competition gone awry, with Jimmy Jr. talking a big game about running a nine-minute mile only to prove just the most spectacularly weird, uncoordinated runner. As for Gene, he finds himself dragged entirely against his will into pushing himself and proving he is capable of more than he would have thought possible. That said, the mile itself is more featured backdrop than the heart of the episode—the hushed mention of an eighth grader running it in fewer than eight minutes is one of the few bits of observational comedy the episode gets out of the run, though the race does set up lots of funny buffoonery from Coach Blevins and Mr. Frond. “The Gene Mile” decides early on that it’s not really going to be about the race—if it were, Louise and the rest of the gang wouldn’t have been able to escape it so readily—but it offers some fun, unexpected windows into the characters.
I’ve talked enough times about how difficult Gene can be as a character. He’s at his most fun as a delivery mechanism for bizarre one-liners, and that essential randomness makes it hard to nail him down long enough for a character arc. What works well here, then, is that Gene doesn’t really make any choices once Mr. Frond catches him and forces him back into the race. He’s got to run, so he runs, and he would have stopped if Large Tommy hadn’t convinced him that stopping at all would spell catastrophe. He does absolutely end up deciding for himself that he wants to finish the race, but this isn’t something the episode has to dig deep inside Gene to justify. Instead, he just goes with the flow long enough that he then realizes he wants to keep doing it, even if that means delaying ice cream or getting back up after Mr. Wheeler stood in his and Tommy’s way or just generally trying hard at something for once. The result is that “The Gene Mile” is a sweet, winning Gene episode that doesn’t have to force its title character into a more active mode than we usually see him or than how he works best.
There’s a lot of that deft kind of character work on display here, and again Bob’s Burgers benefits here from its willingness to gradually nudge the status quo. That Gene and Louise’s gang would include Regular-Sized Rudy is no shock, but it’s still a little remarkable to see Courtney accepted so totally as part of the group, and I’m pleasantly surprised that the show has actually committed to Alex Papasian as Gene’s new best friend. What’s especially sweet about the group here is that it doesn’t feel like it was put together for any particular narrative purpose—Courtney does give the story the cat-tracking GPS and the galactically annoying dad, but beyond that she and Rudy and Alex are all just there because the Belchers enjoy their company and vice versa. The moment where Gene opts to smooth over any hurt feelings from Alex by giving him a big hug, only to be joined by Courtney and Rudy, is so goofy and earnest and depicts the Belcher kids—or at least Gene, given how Louise opts out—forming friendships we’ve rarely seen elsewhere.
A more typical dynamic is on display with Tina and Jimmy Jr. It’s always been an open question what Jimmy Jr. actually thinks of Tina, with his feelings veering from openly disdainful to basically dating depending on what the story needs. The main constant, and the big differentiator from what we see with Louise and Gene’s group, is that he’s usually way too busy thinking about himself to have time to develop a coherent opinion of his butt-obsessed admirer. What that means this week is that he’s focused entirely on proving what an amazing runner he is, so much so that he forgets little details like what running is supposed to look like, even vaguely. The octopus pinwheel that is Jimmy Jr. running is some of the funniest visual humor Bob’s Burgers has ever done, especially when contrasted with Tina’s compact, arms-down stride. It’s fun to see Tina actually be decent at something, as she proves the much faster and more efficient runner than Jimmy Jr. She’s also an adept trash talker here, for once managing to bait Jimmy Jr. into saying the setup to her taunt just before the race kicks off.
One of the basic building blocks of comedy is surprise. It’s not easy for Bob’s Burgers to manage that so deep into its run, but this is where all the subtle tweaks to the established status quo offer great little opportunities for gags. Louise is still riding an adult’s bike at long last, and she’s still way too self-consciously proud of her every little accomplishment, to the point that even Rudy comments on it. Tina is actually getting better at backing up her vows to show Jimmy Jr. she’s not to be taken lightly. Gene, as previously discussed, doesn’t really change, but look at who guides him along his weird path in this episode. That would be the newly named Large Tommy, one of the show’s longest-running background characters—per the show’s wiki, he can be seen holding up an “Eat cheeseburgers, not me-burgers” sign all the way back in “Human Flesh,” though his most memorable moment before tonight is probably his defeated sigh when Mr. Grant asks him if he really wants to be on student television.
Speaking of adults being unnecessary jerks, “The Gene Mile” manages to make a bunch of kids sneaking off from the mile to go get free ice cream look like some of the more mature individuals around. Coach Blevins being fooled by an excuse note from Dr. Gooddoctor is a great little flashback, while the woman at the ice cream store speaks with the steely if haunted resolve of someone who has seen horrors and expects to see plenty more before this Free Ice Cream Day is done. Courtney’s dad is basically just officially the worst at this point, showing up to yell at everyone and demand answers for his missing cat. Even Bob crosses a minor line here, as he wants so desperately to go see the new version of Cake that he finally snaps at Teddy. His anger is completely justifiable—I’d call it long overdue, honestly—but it’s still shocking to see him turn on his customer and basically friend like that. Some of this might threaten to cross over into mean-spirited, but Bob’s Burgers remains smart about knowing what—and who—to take seriously. Teddy can be hurt enough that he will actually want an apology, but he’s too easily distracted by, well, pretty much anything to remain focused on his feelings for very long. All the other adults are just different manners of impediment to the kids getting what they want. It’s rather sweet that it turns out what the kids want isn’t free ice cream, but for Gene to get the one thing in his life he’s ever properly earned. Or, in Tina’s case, a chance to help Jimmy Jr. stretch out his glutes. Both are meaningful and beautiful things to want.
Stray observations
- I don’t exactly know what I was picturing when Mr. Frond said he would be monitoring the race on his adult scooter, but somehow I was not prepared for him to be riding around on an old Razor scooter decked out in helmet and kneepads. I underestimate this show at my own peril.
- The narrative collision of Gene and Tommy, the kids returning from the shop, Mr. Frond, and Courtney’s dad looking for the lost cat feels like it could have been some really great comedic chaos but didn’t quite find that final spark to be a really memorable climax. That said, what we got instead was Mr. Frond briefly prioritizing the safety of the cat over literally all other concerns, so I’m not exactly displeased with the scene we got.
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“Are you saying this is my fault?!”“YES! Who doesn’t charge their phone, Teddy?!”“I did! It only charges at 23%!”“THEN BRING A CHARGER, YOU IDIOT!”I’ll never get tired of Bob’s rage voice. The way H. Jon Benjamin almost went hoarse as he screamed made me laugh my ass off!
“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? How’d you get it to stay up there?”
Wait…were there two empty seats behind Bob? I was led to believe the season was sold out! I really hope somebody at the Wharf Arts Centre got fired for that blunder.
“I Can’t Believe It’s Not Brother – DNA Testing” is a wonderful store name.“Courtney, it’s Susan! I’m desperately seeking Susan!”
Yeah I felt a bit uneasy with Bob and Teddy’s shouting fights in this episode. Sure they’ve argued before and there’s no denying Teddy’s incompetence but it felt like their fight escalated too far (and then doubled over a second time). At least things are back to status quo, as usual.On the flipside, I liked how the writers mixed up the kids’ gang this episode. Always nice to have other Wagstaffian students, like Courtney and Alex, join the hijinks. And newly christened background player Large Tommy gets a supporting role, neat.
The ending was great too when the cycling quartet combined their remaining scoops into a mystery flavor that Gene truly appreciated. (“licky, licky, licky”)
I kind of liked it when the restaurant subplot devolved into Bob and Teddy yelling at each other, one because I always enjoy Bob and Teddy’s back and forth, and two because there wasn’t much to that subplot otherwise. Agreed about the kids. It’s kind of amazing how long the show took to give Gene some friends of his own, rather that just having him hang out with his sisters and their friends, but I’m glad they did. Alex, Courtney, and Gene have a pretty fun dynamic.
Yeah there wasn’t a lot of meat on the ticket subplot, though it wasn’t lacking in laughs either. I didn’t entirely hate Bob and Teddy’s screaming matches because, like you, I like their weird back and forth conversations where they stumble over their words. But this was the first time I had mixed feelings about them.I forget if any of the other kids the Belchers hang out with – prior to Alex and Courtney – were in Gene’s grade. Maybe Peter Pescadero or Darryl? Anyway I’m glad the writers freshen up the friend pile and introduce new classmates little by little. I’m expecting Susmita, Tina’s science project partner, to return now.
Peter Pescadero is in Gene’s grade, though he’s less a character than “Jon Benjamin doing a funny voice”. Darryl is the next grade up, between Gene and Tina.
Large Tommy actually was named and had a line back in the fifth episode of season one: Hamburger Dinner Theater.
Yep I remember seeing him around. I don’t recall if he had a name back then but he hung around the sidelines.Edit: I looked at the episode script, he did have that name.
I loved seeing Bob at Cake. His face was pure joy.
It’s pretty amazing, and a credit to the writers, how Alex has gone from being the weird kid in a pretty forgettable episode to a believable best friend for Gene in all of two subsequent appearances.
Isn’t that just the magic of this show, though? No character is too lightly-drawn to be taken seriously under the right circumstances, shichh is what makes them so human.
This may have been my favourite closing credits of this show ever. Bob really likes professional pattycaking.I also think Tina may have learned how to run from watching Naruto. Is Tina an anime ninja?
I was waiting for this review just so I could say that the end credits were amazing.
Listen, I’m always happy when the show gives a character a complete win, because they come so few and far between, and Bob seems to get them the least of anyone, so it was really enjoyable. Plus this episode had plenty of RSR so I’m feeling great today.
I don’t believe in episode grades. But if I did, any episode that featured Regular Sized Rudy, the greatest fictional character of all, would automatically get an A
Regular Sized Rudy is like the 6th man of the year. Always provides a spark off the bench and can win you games. Rocket Boosters FTW!
Holy crap, I didn’t realize “Naruto run” was an actual thing before today.
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/naruto-run
Didn’t Teddy get two passes? Who went with Bob?
I’m assuming Linda came along. No need to focus on her, this was all Bob’s thing.
I was hoping someone would mention this! The end credits this week were the best part of a very good episode.
I also came here to heap praise on the credits scene. I love how they’re able to capture so much astonishment and joy with the simple limitations of Bob’s Burgers’ animation. I also love that they’ve kept this narrative thread with Bob having been previously dragged to Cake and then obsessed with Cake. It’s one of my favorite gags because Cake is just THIS close to being the kind of performance art that would actually be made, and be surprisingly amazing.
I thought it was just a riff on Stomp.
The octopus pinwheel that is Jimmy Jr. running is some of the funniest visual humor Bob’s Burgers has ever done, especially when contrasted with Tina’s compact, arms-down stride.It’s funny that how far they went to make JJ’s running style weird, since I’ve always found Tina’s Naruto run (credit to Minimum Maus for that apt comparison) really odd. I’m sure it could just be one of Tina’s many idiosyncracies, but it’s always been so unnatural.
J-Ju’s running reminded me of Phoebe on Friends
JJ’s running made me think of a jazzy cat on its hindlegs.
J-ju’s running style is priceless in its accuracy. As a long distance runner I do nuances like the flexible body (eg dancer’s) tend to lack a certain rigidity needed for efficient propulsion. It tends to be a
Tina runs exactly like a 4 year old.
Given all the years Bob’s Burgers has been on TV, it’s amazing how it’s done the impossible—get better every year. What other show has accomplished that too?
Rudy just wants to be included!
ooooo…. vanilla.
He has good taste, it’s an underrated flavor. And it probably served as a nice base for the other mixed flavors on Gene’s scoop.
“There’s a lot of that deft kind of character work on display here”its a fucking animated comedy where voice actors trade quips in a recording studio. like what the fuck are you talking about lmao
More of Bob talking to inanimate object s and animals please. Can H. Jon Benjamin make a video of him going to a zoo to talk to the animals as well.
Bob watching Cake 2 in the credits made my morning! Throw in Tina running and Gene finishing the race..so much to love in this one. The writers have done a incredible job of developing alex and gene’s friendship.I agree though that Bob and Teddy’s argument made me squirm. It went a few beats too long.
As much as I love the show, Bob still not admitting that Teddy is his best friend (and he is) irks me every time, mainly because Teddy’s more than earned it.I did love seeing Teddy just snap back at Bob and their back and forth, specually because Bob of all people shouldn’t snap at people using an old, unreliable phone.Had the show revealed Bob went with Teddy to Cake 2, it would had been a perfect ending (mainly because I can picture Teddy’s blank stare next to Bob’s enraptured joy)
I noticed Bob glancing to the side at one point, and kept expecting the camera to pan over to Bob’s less-than-thrilled companion, be it Linda or Teddy.
“Cars don’t run on batteries, idiot! They run on gas, and batteries! Dammit!”
Looked like there were a lot of extra seats still open for “Cake.”
Long bathroom & confectionary lines
Tina running reminded me of this. And if you made a thing about it, it’s probably how she’d respond too. Then apologize and offer to clean up.
And to complete the reference, Jimmy Jr. runs like this:https://youtu.be/DY_DF2Af3LM
My boyfriend pointed out while we watched this that Tina runs in the slightly-deranged-noticeably-Wrong way the evil doppelgängers in “Us” do and now I can’t stop seeing it.
I believe it was also the way Molly Shannon’s Catholic school girl on Saturday Night Live ran.
Mary Catherine Gallagher! Good call, that’s a more accurate comparison than the Naurto run
I don’t know what to think. 8 minute mile isn’t fast for an 8th grader.We had to do a timed mile in high school gym, freshman year, and plenty of 9th graders ran 6 minute miles.
I think that was the joke. Jimmy Jr’s target is to run it in under 9 minutes. These are not kids who run or a school that takes sports seriously.
I mean, I am not an athlete, but I can barely eke out a 12 minute mile so 8 seems pretty fast to me.
– The show went to great lengths to show how passionate Bob was about the tickets; he chased off customers, he was short with Linda, and he lit Teddy on *FIRE* in the argument, all things he very seldom if ever does. I feel like his sheer joy during the credits scene is the only way to redeem him for it.
– I’m only a little disappointed that we got Chekov’s Camelbak-o-Warm-Milk with no payoff.
– I feel like the show is setting up Alex at the expense of Zeke, and Courtney as a more sympathetic Tammy. I’m hoping that we see more of the kids independently, as the show often groups them all up and it makes the age difference indistinguishable.
“Oh crap! I forgot my hardhat!”
“Why would you need a hardhat?”
“Because I’m about to demolish you.”Daaaaaaaaaaaamn!
Trash Talking Tina is the best!
Large Tommy speaks and is named in Hamburger Dinner Theater back in season one. About 15 minutes in when Louise is taking questions about the robbery.