Biggest Unanswered Questions In Bob's Burgers

A dysfunctional yet lovable family of five is a recipe for animated success, and Fox's adult animation "Bob's Burgers" is no exception. Following the day-to-day lives and capers of the Belchers — Bob (H. John Benjamin), Linda (John Roberts), Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Louise (Kristen Schaal) — the show has been a comedic hit since it first aired in 2011. Still going strong after Season 13 aired in late 2022, fans have had a lot to discuss over the years. The Belcher world introduces viewers to a never-ending wealth of side characters, from the perpetually nervous guidance counselor Mr. Frond (David Herman) to the always irritable art store owner Edith Cranwinkle (Larry Murphy).

With all of these new additions come many storylines — and even more questions. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that "Bob's Burgers" opens up more questions than it does answers. The characters are incredibly easy to love, but they can often come with unanswered mysteries, particularly surrounding their long-term personal development. With the 2022-released feature film not offering up too many solutions, it's up to us to try and crack the case. Here's what we know about the biggest unanswered questions in "Bob's Burgers."

An ongoing thread throughout the 13 seasons of "Bob's Burgers" is Louise's bunny ears. Ever since the show's pilot episode, she's been shown to wear them, including during early flashback scenes in episodes such as Season 2's "Mother Daughter Laser Razor." When Logan (Kurt Braunohler) ends up stealing her ears in the Season 3 premiere, "Ear-sy Rider," we never see her head, with Louise keeping it covered with a hooded sweatshirt until she gets them back. In other episodes such as Season 2's "Food Truckin'," Louise is seen hanging upside down until her hat falls off, though the camera pans away until she has them firmly back in place.

As one of the biggest mysteries in the show's history, fan theories have never been too hard to find. One Reddit user questions whether she is self-conscious about her ears, while another digs further into the idea that the youngest Belcher is reluctantly the spitting image of Linda. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that she might have a genetic bald patch like Bob. There's clearly an emotional connection to Louise's bunny ears, but the answer doesn't get any explanation until the movie — and even then, she still never takes them off.

Fans have been present for celebrations of Bob, Linda, and Tina's birthdays, but the other two Belchers have never been included in the annual milestones. Similar to "The Simpsons," – in which some family birthdays get more seasonal airtime than others — "Bob's Burgers" has yet to follow a birthday for Gene or Louise. As an animation set in a certain period of time, it makes sense for the creators to shy away from any storylines that would obviously age characters. But with episodes such as  Season 1's "Sheesh! Cab, Bob?," and Season 5's "Eat, Spray, Linda" not showing all of the Belcher kids living their best lives feels like a missed opportunity.

Not only is this something that viewers have picked up on (via Reddit), but fans have also rightly assessed that Tina has had two birthdays, (turning 14 in Season 12's "Some Like It Bot Part 1: Eighth Grade Runner") and classmate Regular-Sized Rudy (Brian Husky) had his party shown in the Season 6 episode, "House of 1000 Bounces." Thanks to small details — such as Gene not being allowed on the trapeze in Season 8's "V for Valentine-detta" as he is under 10 — Gene and Louise's ages of 11 and 9 are fully locked in. The explanation could be as simple as holding Gene and Louise's birthdays back to be explored at a later date, but there's a definite hesitancy to see the youngest Belcher kids get any older.

Aloof and out-of-the-box, Mr. Frond is regarded as unusual in all forms. As the main school counselor at Wagstaff, the Belcher children often have run-ins with him outside of the classroom. Across the show's 13 seasons, one of the smaller details that we learn about the character is that he doesn't drink. In the Season 4 episode, "Bob & Deliver," Bob and the kids see him in a kitchen supply store, with plans to make alcoholic drinks before changing his mind. This is followed by not being invited to the weekly gossip at Wagstaff in Season 8's "Mission Impos-slug-ble" because he doesn't drink and then downing a bottle of wine out of stress on his date with Gayle (Megan Mullally) in the Season 6 episode, "The Cook, The Steve, The Gayle & Her Lover," which ends poorly.

There arguably doesn't need to be an explanation as to why Mr. Frond doesn't drink. But in order to learn more about his character and backstory, it would be a nice detail to explore. Described as geeky, incompetent, and perpetually flustered, it is a creative decision that fully leans into his character. Fans have speculated (via Reddit) that he might be a recovering alcoholic, or that turning to alcohol is a byproduct of his typically stressful job.

As Jimmy Pesto Jr.'s (Benjamin) best friend, Zeke (Bobby Tisdale) could be described as a loose cannon. First appearing in the Season 2 premiere, "The Belchies," he's since been a prominent fixture on our screens. Not a lot is known about Zeke, especially in connection to his family. He speaks in a distinctive Southern accent — something that isn't questioned until the Season 3 episode, "Broadcast Wagstaff School News." After being revealed as the "Mad Pooper," Zeke's reasoning for his actions during an on-camera interview for the school news channel is that his "family moves around a lot."

Though his family has been introduced during different episodes, a lot of the facts remain unclear. Zeke's father is supposed to have a girlfriend called Cheryl, but it isn't clear whether she is the same Cheryl that is later mentioned as a stepmother. He also has a 44-year-old brother which is loosely explained, alongside a mention of his father's newborn baby which is never seen. As far as family dynamics in "Bob's Burgers" go, Zeke's might just be the messiest.

Louise Belcher doesn't have many friends, other than reluctantly buddying up with siblings Gene and Tina. She often uses Regular-Sized Rudy when she wants something, but only has one other significant friendship — with possible nemesis, Millie Frock (Molly Shannon). Introduced to fans in the Season 4 episode, "Fort Night," Millie convinces herself that the two are best friends when in reality she only makes a nuisance of herself. Things step up a gear in Season 5's "The Millie-Churian Candidate" when Millie runs for school president in order to have direct control of Louise. Though her adoration of the youngest Belcher is obvious, Millie's reasons for why aren't as clear.

Stalking and antagonizing Louise at the same time as hardly saying a word, Millie keeps ignorant of the fact Louise wants to be left alone. As the only person that Louise is afraid of, it could be argued that Millie thinks she has a special effect on her, convincing her to join a trick-or-treating gang when they first meet. Fans have frequently discussed how creepy they find the character (via Reddit), with others hinting that Millie has started to show some character progression.

As the local cop who is sparingly on the scene, Sergeant Bosco (Gary Cole) is a man who prefers to have the job done for him — then he'll take all of the credit. First seen in the Season 2 episode, "Bob Day Afternoon," Bosco has been on the case for some of the town's most high-profile cases, from the robotic shark that runs wild on the Wharf to Edith's quilt square stealing at the retirement home. Divorced, slightly narcissistic, and once thought to be in the Navy, Sergeant Bosco ticks all the boxes for a classic TV cop, except for the fact he's absolutely terrible at his job.

Taking a leaf out of Chief Wiggum's book, there is never a case that Sergeant Bosco completes with any kind of skill. While trying to catch the Little Boy Bandit in the Season 4 episode, "I Get Psy-chic Out Of You," he asks the newly-not psychic Linda for her help — a move that no competent officer would make. It begs the question of how he got his job in the first place, with his elderly mother, a string of ex-wives, and other background information providing no answer. Fans on Reddit agree that he is an incredibly cool character, though his competency leaves a lot to be desired.