AlthoughBob’s Burgerstechnically contradicted one character’s original introduction in season 15, episode 21, the retcon made sense given the episode’s larger storyline.Bob’s Burgersseason 15 has brought back charactersthat viewers could have completely forgotten about, from Bob’s seldom-seen father, Big Bob, to Damon Wayans Jr’s pint-sized karate kid Arnold.
First seen in season 9, episode 22, “Yes Without My Zeke,” Arnold was the diminutive but uber-confident karate enthusiast who helped Louise, Jimmy Junior, and Gene to get Zeke out of Flagstaff. One pivotal plot point of his introductory episode hinged on the fact that Arnold was the only one who could successfully sneak into the school undetected.
Arnold’s “Mr. Safebody” Story Completely Contradicts His Original Introduction
Arnold Was First Seen Breaking Into A School
Despite this existing character detail,Arnold can’t escape a school inBob’s Burgersseason 15, episode 21, “Mr. Safebody.”Early on in the outing, Arnold enlists Louise’s help in promoting his titular bodyguard service. In another one ofBob’s Burgers’ smart subversions of sitcom tropes, the episode doesn’t end up focusing on this plot.
Instead, Arnold finds himself trapped in an abandoned school by teen bullies alongside Tina, Gene, Louise, and Regular-Sized Rudy. As Arnold struggles to evade two teen attackers, the group ends up barricading themselves in a gym flooded with sewage water.
The entire reason Arnold was introduced back in season 9’s finale was that he was both small enough to sneak inside and athletic enough to reach the second-story window.
However, this is a little confusing for anyone familiar with “Yes Without My Zeke.” That episode made a point of highlighting Arnold’s escape artistry. It wasn’t a minor moment, either, as the entire reason he was introduced back in season 9’s finale was that he was both small enough to sneak inside and athletic enough to reach the second-story window.
Why Bob’s Burgers Season 15 Episode 21’s Arnold Retcon Works
Arnold’s Story Still Sees Him Outsmart The Villainous Teens
Arnold’s changing characterization is a little jarring, since he seems to have lost his most impressive attribute off-screen at some point without any clear justification. That said, there could be an explanation for this retcon. “Mr. Safebody” mostly focuses on Arnold’s attempts to market himself as a bodyguard.
Kevin Cline
Calvin Fischoeder
As such, it is aheartbreakingBob’s Burgersseason 15 twistwhen Arnold runs away at the first sight of a fight between the teens. In the finale, Arnold’s engineering an escape would have been a full callback, but it wouldn’t have allowed him to face his fears.
Instead, Arnold needed to challenge the teens head-on and outsmart them, thus proving he wasn’t as cowardly as he seemed. As such,Bob’s Burgersrequired this confusing retcon to make Arnold’s heroic ending feel justified.
Bob’s Burgers
Cast
Bob’s Burgers: Premiering in 2011, Bob’s Burgers follows Bob Belcher, a third-generation restaurateur, as he manages his burger restaurant alongside his wife and three children. Despite operational challenges including poor location, they remain committed to their business’s success.
