(Editor’s note: This being Heave’s final week of operations, the following is the last installment of Matt’s coverage of Bob’s Burgers.)

Damnit. I don’t want to stop writing about these wonderful characters. Somehow this feels like a series finale of Bob’s Burgers. But, thankfully, the show will not only (hopefully) go on for years to come, but tonight wasn’t even the season finale.

One day there will hopefully be entire episodes of Bob’s Burgers dedicated to Gayle or Teddy. The Belchers will be a B-story, but a non-Belcher will drive the story. That’s my hope for this beautiful, honest show as it moves toward a tenure that will be most similar to The Simpsons. The pieces are slowly moving into places where this could become a possibility. In a day and age where Ken Jeong probably lays down Dr. Yap lines in an afternoon, is it really that inconceivable?

So let’s talk about this season’s MVP: Linda. Gene and Linda have been regarded as the weakest two Belchers. The other three have proven in Seasons 1 through 3 that they can hold their own in a story. Gene had a few shots, but not much stuck save for the O.T. episode. Linda, however, has gotten a real chance to prove herself this season. Whether she’s a member of a punk-rock girl band or calling Louise’s bluff like tonight, she’s proving to be more than a mom who doesn’t mind a glass of wine while chaperoning a school dance. The writers seem to follow genetics and family habits when designing their characters. With Linda, a lot of development has happened in reverse. As much as Louise relates to Bob on levels of apathy, the evil genius stuff comes from Linda. We see that in practice tonight.

Just so, Gayle (wonderfully voiced by Megan Mullally, as always) provides a bit of that craziness Louise’s maternal side has to offer. The A.V. Club did a piece on Bob’s Burgers and how Tina’s happiness is the focal point of everyone’s drive. The peace remains as long as she’s content. I would like to argue an amendment to that statement should be made. Everyone in this family will do what is necessary to help a family member get through a moment of growth. Louise has never been one to admit fear. For once, the little sparkplug needs some courage. That means everyone including Gayle and Teddy has to get involved. It’s really something to see adults, albeit animated adults, making complete fools of themselves for one little girl. That’s the heart and soul of this show, after all.

Before all that, though, Louise is put to the test in Gayle’s dismal studio apartment. The stakes, as always, are not very high, but damnit they feel critical in this world. There’s something reminiscent of Seinfeld in that respect. Instead of the cynicism, an impeccable heart stands in its place. Gayle’s seven levels of hell show how durable Tina and Gene are against Louise’s waning patience. Again, I believe their strength comes from the strength they know Louise needs. Both of them know this is for their own good. You never need to hear them say it because it’s in their actions. The subtle moments tell the whole story. Yet, when push comes to shove, Gayle is the one who gets Louise through her fear. After all, Gayle is the epitome of fear.

Teddy’s insistent presence has to be one of my favorite elements of Season 4’s “back nine.” It’s like a writer is constantly bringing up how Teddy should be in the story and no one knows how to tell him no. The result is magical. He has become a surrogate uncle to the kids and, at times, a spare parent. For a show with not much serialization, his character progresses. There isn’t anything quite like Bob, Linda, and Teddy crying together as they hear Louise scream from biting into ice cream. Even Dr. Yap has even shown a bit of progress, though his past episode with the frat house was not my thing. I have issue whenever Dr. Yap resembles Chang from Community. Jeong’s too cool to be handled like such a joke. This week was a return to form.

These are the anecdotes I have been sharing with you since the beginning of my coverage. The true measure of this show has yet to be fully known. Maybe I’m giving it too much credit and it will never beat out Family Guy let alone The Simpsons, in popularity. That kind of cultural impact is difficult to replicate. All that said, it’s no question to me that Bob’s Burgers is The Simpsons’ rightful heir.

I hope you enjoyed my coverage of Bob’s Burgers. The series will have three more episodes this season. Next week’s episode will be Gene-centric, and I’m curious to see what they have in store for him especially after my thoughts regarding his need for improvement. Following that, there appears to be a two-part story about Wonder Wharf. Mr. Fischoeder’s brother Felix will return. I’m not complaining one bit.

It’s been fun, Season 4. For these last 3, I guess I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.