As the show continues to be on break for the time being until Valentine’s Day of this year, just...god forbid nothing bad happens on January 20 because certain people are connecting the dots with a certain ongoing series that is currently on the decline predicting a dystopia coming from its Halloween episode earlier in the season just because of what happened over with the raid of the US Capitol, with yours truly trying to do something to get some revenue. And no, I don’t think storming through a random place isn’t one of them. Yeah, I don’t roll that way. Plus, there’s a pandemic.
And with the first thoughts/review of The Great North came out last week, it’s honestly more of what to do to past the time until Valentine’s Day, well, the week of February 14...this was one of the ideas that have never been touched. Was going to probably do it but the old laptop died and was about to get either a repair or a new one, but Covid-19 happened, and uh...yeah, kinda put on hold. Well...looks like the ongoing crisis known as the winter hiatus that we were supposed to over with decided to stick around because I don’t know what FOX is doing following the fandom winning their second championship in over half a decade, yeah...so this is a thing now. Doing a character discussion/profile look for each of the characters on the show. And I guess we’re starting off the discussion/profile saga with the Wagstaff students with if the title didn’t give it away by now, Courtney Wheeler. Why the Wagstaff characters? Because fuck you, it’s my page. I do whatever I want.
Remember back in your school days, either elementary, middle, or high school. Hell, even college where you wander around the campus. Entering through the cafeteria, getting your food, and trying to find a table to sit and you see each group in every table in a wide area or perimeter. Or rather, in your graduating class, think that might be making the most sense where I’m going with this. You have the cool kid, the talk of the school. You have the nerdy kid, who just minding his or her own business reading comic books, or getting ready for another D&D session. You have that one kid where he or she is always gorgeous and fabulous (and hoping that doesn’t sound really weird and uncomfortable) even though systematic gender-stereotypical gestures are freaking bull-bull to the common eye. Look at that, almost sounding like we’re naming the groups for each lunch table like it’s a scene coming from the 2004 movie Mean Girls. But...there also has to be that one grade, that one lunch table where you have someone who has a bad habit of invading people’s spaces. Jumping into the conversation like it’s a YouTube chat during a live stream or a Discord call and wanting to jump in because why the fuck not. There has to be the annoying kid. The outcast who is trying to get some attention. Even though this certain character has some friends, it just...beginning to think if her health issue might be the factor in the form of a pity party. Either you love her or hate her...or iffy about her because of the changes as time progresses.
Courtney Wheeler, the sixth-grade blond girl who sucks on her locket from time to time, suffering through a congenital heart condition, and the friend/ex-girlfriend of Gene Belcher and friend to Alex Papasian. Not to mention, if you follow along with the Battle of the Week Voting Tournament, the co-vice champion because Alex won back in December of 2020. The term ends in December of this year. But yeah, Courtney Wheeler, the first character in the Wagstaff students pack to be selected to be touched upon regarding her character, her history, her personality. The whole shebang. Though things might be repeated with the other characters and their relationships later on. There are some before reaching the February 14 return date for the show to air newer episodes for the spring half of the season. Just a heads up.
When it comes to her personality, Courtney...she...she’s an...interesting character to say the least. Interesting to the fact that the fans of the show some way, somehow being split in the love/hate ratio when it comes to her popularity. I see 60:40 hate, or rather 50:50 to say the least as the series progresses when it comes to the girl. Mostly because people can’t live down either her being annoying, her sucking on her locket, her being bratty, her pressuring Gene into a relationship, or maybe it because she faked her death after Gene broke up with her and ending their first relationship, just to get back at him for not coming up to her and also using her to get to Doug because of his job profession. According to TV Tropes upon researching her for the discussion/profile piece, she can be, in the website’s word, a “jerkass.” But jerkass may have a point upon finding out that Gene was using Courtney to get to Doug over him being the jingle business even though he was originally going to break up with her on behalf of the Belchers. But doesn’t have to go that far into getting back at Gene like faking her death. Really shouldn’t done that but she did, and both her doctor and her parents go along with it. Again, people are not going to live that down once they’re done watching the episode.
Did I mention that when she was introduced back in Season 3 that she, according to Gene, the most annoying girl in her grade? If not, the whole school. How annoying? Like being annoyed so much that you want to jump over a bridge where instead of water, it’s molten lava and the bridge is located outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Sucking on her necklace, check. Being a spoiled brat and go all me-me-me-me, check. Mouthing things during her activities whether being talking on the phone in the bathroom, saying “tinkle” while peeing, saying “licky, licky” while eating ice cream, trying to kick Bob’s seat while driving, check...double-check...triple check. There has to be a scale on how annoying the character can be and where to put Courtney in upon the bar...?
Try Excalibur from Soul Eater. And I think even Courtney would be annoyed over Excalibur’s company and he was King Arthur’s weapon for Christ’s sake! Though then again, Courtney may have the upper hand with that...no, Excalibur may be more annoying than Courtney Wheeler. Oh god, imagine these two meeting and joining forces...California, brace for impact. You may have company over.
But...here’s something interesting when it comes to Courtney’s character and personality...mostly Courtney as a whole and that is once the later seasons come into place, being Seasons 5 and 6, upon her return. Mostly around Season 6 with “The Gene and Courtney Show” when her annoying trait, while it’s still there later on in the show to where we are now, seems to be fading away. Her being somewhat matured once Season 6 comes into play was, in my opinion, the most surprising thing to expect coming from both the creator and the writers. Can’t tell if either the writers, at the behest of the creator, to make some changes when it comes to her character because they wanted to or probably because of how much the fans reacted negatively about her since the end of “The Unbearable Like-Likeness of Gene” when she faked her death when Gene broke up with her. Either one may have the writers to say, “You know what...let’s change Courtney’s personality to make the fans at least like her. Yeah, let’s go with that.” Thus, Courtney’s character and personality taking a complete 180. To the point that where she is becoming more likable, to some, as the show progresses. To the point where come “The Gene Mile”, she becomes a member of the Belcher kids group. To the motherfucking point where Gene like-likes her, and for reals, in “The Gene and Courtney Show.”
I would say I would compare her to either...well the characters I can think of where characters from each show have developed and have their traits and characteristics changed. Kinda like with some names most, or some, are familiar with as prime examples when it comes to characters have their personalities change around as their series go forward and how long for the switch to be made. I mean, Pacifica Northwest from Gravity Falls has her character to do a 180. The same goes recently for Amity Blight from The Owl House...guess Lilith Clawthrone at the end of “Young Blood, Old Souls”, but...Amity and Pacifica, that was mostly them being the perfect girl, rich girl, mean girl vibe only to find out that they were victims of their parents’ ego and claim to fame. Whereas Courtney, she was started off as annoying and irritating. A bit of a mean girl because she was bratty in her own way and using her health issue in her heart defect as an excuse. But other than that, annoying in her own right but come later on in the show when she returned in Seasons 5 into Season 6, we got a shift that we didn’t even expect to see in our very eyes. Hence, why I say that Courtney’s sudden change in her personality and character as a whole was surprising to see. And yes, while the annoying traits are still there and all with some still not over the fact that she faked her death and all, she has come a long way and has somewhat matured. So that’s something.
Courtney's History and Appearance
So let’s explore Courtney’s history, being her multiple appearances on the show since her debut. Though knowing Courtney, most of her time on the show mostly comes with her relationship with Gene. So I guess you could say that we’ll be exploring her history and also her relationship with Gene into one. Though hoping to divide that, probably to make it short and sweet once we get to the relationship portion of her character. So let’s begin with “The Unbearable Like-Likeness of Gene” where we have her, alongside her friends Julie and Rupa, coming up to Gene with Courtney requesting Gene to sing her happy birthday but in the way that she was getting way too close to the camera. Like if this episode were in 3-D, the viewer would like to either change the channel, take the glasses off, or burn the house down. Luckily, Louise told her to step off and so Courtney backed off and if you think that be the last of her...oh...no, no, no. When Louise and Tina trying to find out who is crushing on Gene when Rupa reveals to them and Gene that someone like-likes him, it leads to the last person that they would expect. That person being Courtney Wheeler.
Who she, along with Julie and Rupa, come up to Gene and asks him who is crushing on him as Louise and Tina runs to him and tries to stop it, of course, that didn’t happen. Too little, too late on that. With Courtney revealing to herself as the person who has a thing for Gene, which...beginning to question how the fuck does Courtney see in Gene? This isn’t me shitting on Gene, it’s just...have you seen him? He may be lovable and friendly and all but...yeah. I mean, that’s like I were to question Susmita about what she sees in Henry and her discussion and same for Henry is coming. It’s coming. In the foreseeable future. Though one thing that bothers me and I guess this would save the time for the relationship portion of the post and that is the whole start of the relationship. Most people have issues with Courtney because she applied peer pressure to Gene with her friends also being a part of having him to be with Courtney into relationship status on Facebook. Though that’s one half of the issue. The other may have to go Gene. The fucker didn’t say no. Like...I get, you don’t want to hurt the girl’s feelings and don’t want to be the talk of the school as the “bastard who hurt the girl’s feelings” and in front of her friends. And knowing that she has a heart defect, who knows what could happen. I mean, a gentle “no” would’ve at least do that and say, “I glad that you’re offering being in a relationship and all, but I think that we should wait. This feels rushed. I barely know you. You’re a good person and all but...relationships take time. I think we should wait.” You know, try to not get the “asshole” label when trying to reject the offer. I don’t know, and this coming from someone who has never been in a relationship. Seriously, 23 going into 24 in a matter of months...what the fuck am I doing with my life? Yeah, Gene fell into peer pressure and becomes Courtney’s girlfriend. Though Louise and Tina, Bob later on, ain’t having none of that. And you’re probably thinking, what’s so bad about it? Well...
Try passing out notes for each hour to celebrate an anniversary, writing over the binder, installing a portrait in your locker, which how in the living fuck did she even put that up? How did she open it? How? What? Why? I mean, we could say don’t question it and go on, but...may not going to live that down. Having the lunch period turning into a date, dressing up in Gene’s clothes, and don’t what Courtney was doing when Gene was climbing up the rope but don’t really want to imagine it. Point is, Gene ain’t having it. The Belchers ain’t having it with Louise and Tina not happy over the fact that their brother succumbs to peer pressure and Bob telling Gene to break up with her when feeling Courtney kicking her feet with Julie telling her the heart condition excuse. And so, Gene was about to do his family a favor by breaking with her but...
Daddy dearest here, Doug, i.e. Ass Hat Joe, being the jingle business and stays in a relationship with Courtney rather than breaking up with her as he and the rest of the family had planned. Threw the proposition away when seeing your girl’s dad in the jingle business, one of the dream professions for Gene in the music world...guess this is where the “jerkass has a point” trope ready to roll on in. Because we have Gene performing at Courtney’s birthday party with Courtney interrupting him time after time, only for him to snap and yells at her...so remember when Gene should’ve said no but also to not act like an ass and fears what would happen if you decline Courtney’s offer to her heart defect?
Off to the hospital with your graduating class, mostly the posse of Lenny DeStefano along with the other sixth graders, mad at you for snapping at her with Gene being called up and sees Courtney having trouble breathing. And...this is where the part that has people peeved off comes in. With Gene coming in and seeing Courtney attached to a heart monitor. Upset that Gene was using her to get to her dad and saying that if he wants to break up with her, might as well rip the band-aid off. And so he did...and that straight up kills her from a broken heart. With Gene feeling bad and thinking that he killed her but instead...
Surprise! She faked her death. And both her doctor and her parents tag along with the stunt that she pulled after Gene broke up with her and causing her to die. Rather, faking her death to make Psyche! Pranked the fuck out of him and making him look bad. Like...what the actual fuck?! I mean...in what world, in what fantasy, what kind of genjutsu are you trying to pull on Gene? I mean, I get that you may have known that Gene was using you because Doug works for the jingle industry, but...in what reality that playing possum with your actual health issue is ever considered a good idea? To the point where she made Gene look bad and had to deal with the guilt over him killing a person because of a broken heart. Now I beginning to see why people were peeved off over Courtney’s little stunt that she pulled. But regardless, the first relationship of Gene and Courtney...it was a tire fire. That what it is, a tire fire. Though she did forgive Gene for what happened and hoping for him to land her Peter Pescadero. That and also cleaning her bedpan for him to keep. She said clean, so hold your fire. But yeah, first relationship...complete tire fire.
When we get to “Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl”, entering Season 5, we have Gene and Courtney (in their costume), along with Louise, Tina (in her costume), Bob, Linda, and Doug in Frond’s office and telling him what went down that lead to them landing themselves in his office. Starting with the days leading up to the night of the Fall musical with hearing that the school is announcing that the musical from each student will be picked as the Fall musical. With Gene wanting to do his musical version of Die Hard to be picked.
Of course, here enter Courtney to the Belcher kids’ table with Louise thinking that Courtney only came in that they want to get back together. Though gotta give props to the episode with some continuity with Courtney telling Louise that she doesn’t want to get back together with Gene. But instead, want a part in Gene’s musical if it were to get picked. She even enrolled in some hip-hop dancing in hopes to get the part. Hell, she brought up that Gene introduced the musical version of the film while they were dating. Which uh...yeah, this is Courtney’s second appearance on the show but now we just found out that Gene presented his musical version of Die Hard while they were going out? As in the same dating relationship where Gene got pressured into dating you and wanted to break up but unable because your dad is in the jingle business and faked your death when calling off the relationship? Unless you forget something, production code-wise and also episode-wise, this came before “The Gene and Courtney Show”. Something tells me that while they were dating for the first time, Gene, while hoping to get into the jingle business and whatnot, hoping to get a first impression by showing off what he was working on. That piece being his musical rendition of Die Hard. Courtney showed off her dance, Gene sees it and denied her the role. There are two stories from both him and Courtney and either way, Courtney got bent. Guess what happens next?
Courtney ends up auditioning for her part to get her musical version of the film Working Girl to be picked for the Fall musical and so...it did. Her musical rendition of the movie got picked for the Fall musical. Pretty much shutting out Gene to the point where she may have ran unopposed when it comes to the whole thing. I mean it’s her version of Working Girl, Gene’s version of Die Hard, or Peter Pescadero just throwing leaves and play with his flute like an absolute madman. But regardless of that, Courtney’s musical got chosen, leading Gene, with the help of Louise, to host an underground showing to rival Courtney’s come opening night. Hence, the two former lovers, if you want to call them that following what happened in Season 3, now become rivals leading up to opening night and that was after the auditioning process.
Then come opening night with the two musicals opening up to the public with both kids in costumes in opening up their own musicals. Though Gene is pretty much a one-man show because he had Rudy, Zeke, Peter, Darryl, Andy, and Ollie, all were originally auditioned for Courtney’s musical but didn’t make the cut and now didn’t make the cut again because...well, competition. But when Courtney and Doug realized that the audience who were in attendance for the show is gone, going over to Gene’s one-man show, they decided to come in and see it for themselves. Though Courtney seems impressed over him doing the show, despite being the boiling room and everyone right now upon watching it is sweating their asses off, over the Holly Gennaro musical number. They may be rivals in the episode and used to date...at least Courtney is supportive? I guess. So there’s that but Doug...not so much and decided to disrupt it. Thus, to where we are with everyone in Frond’s office with him canceling the event. So thanks Doug for pretty much fucking things up. Including the school’s musical night. Lucky that Gene came in and decided to patch things up by combining both his and Courtney’s musicals into one.
And they did. Everyone from Courtney’s camp and the people who failed the audition process or didn’t even audition at all coming together to make one hell of a show for everyone to enjoy to wrap up the episode. Of course, since it is a Courtney discussion, it’s all about her. She did a pretty good job at performing. Especially with her in her Working Girl character crossing over and somehow get along with Gene’s character in Hans Gruber. And of course, to wrap up the Season 5 section of her history, that little stage kiss she had with Gene. While yes, it is for the audience because gotta add the romance angle into the musical crossover to add some flair. But at the same time, you’re beginning to question to yourself when it comes to Gene, was all of this just for show? Giving the audience what they want for the two musicals crossing over like it’s something coming from a read-along at the library except that it’s not a book, it’s a fanfiction piece from the internet? Or, and this might make me feel like I’m sounding like a crazy person, Gene beginning to have second thoughts about the whole relationship with Courtney thing? You’re probably giving me the eye when coming up with that but...think about it. Just...think about it. But other than that, their performance looks spectacular and a good way to start off that season. And since it is a Courtney discussion...the girl has talent. I’ll give you that.
And then...enter the dragon, also known as “The Gene and Courtney Show” in Season 6 where we really deal with a massive shift when it comes to Gene’s character, but this isn’t his discussion even though Courtney’s history in the post is more in the line of her relationship with the guy altogether. To the point where her friendship with Alex may come next after this. So “The Gene and Courtney Show” is the episode where not only we get not only a massive shift, but also dumping a truckload of development to not just Gene, but to Courtney as well. And like I said in the personality section of the discussion post, once this episode comes into play, her character takes a massive shift. While some of the annoying traits are still there, the girl whom Gene and everyone deemed her as the most annoying girl in Gene’s grade, if not, the whole school...nothing more than a memory. A bad and forgettable that involves like 12 cans of beer to get the images away type of memory. As for her history/relationship with Gene in the episode as a whole...
The two seem to be good friends following the last two episodes that Courtney appeared in and even somewhat trying to lighten the mood in their homeroom while listening to the morning announcements with LaBonz taking over the mic and boring everyone to death. Them being the saving grave over mocking what LaBonz is saying over through the intercom. And even sharing their talent outside the class with some students getting some front row seats of what could possibly be the beginning of Gene and Courtney’s little show. Thus, catching the attention of the school’s AV teacher, Mr. Grant, to give them an opportunity in sharing their talents to the intercom and being the co-anchors of the morning announcements. In which, they did accept and once the big day arrives, the two didn’t throw away their shot. It’s like they’re being professionals behind the mic. Probably telling LaBonz to put her motherfucking head back down as they’re taking over the airwaves and entertaining the masses.
It’s like one day, you and your friend, who used to be in a relationship with, somewhat garnered the people’s attention and entertaining them. And then the next, getting discovered, landed a gig, and didn’t fuck up the first performance and could be hitting the big leagues after performing at a local comedy club. Being the top of the world and knowing both Gene and Courtney, despite having a knack in the world of music and theater in Season 5, them being an entertainment duo with them performing their own acts to at least prevent anyone from going back to sleep like it’s switching the station on the car radio from NPR to lively music from any FM station. Nothing can ever stop them now...well...until one faithful night over at Courtney’s house where they rehearse for tomorrow’s show at one moment and then into the next, they noticed that they’re holding hands and having an awkward conversation like something you see coming from two people ready to cross the line from the friend zone to the romance zone. Hence, seeing these two beginning to feel a connection when working on new material for their show like Courtney’s hot ham and cheese song, in which Gene is amused over Courtney’s singing. Then, of course, there’s this...
The moment you realized upon watching or rewatching the episode and saying to yourself, “Oh...oh this...this is real.” Like...no peer pressuring. No succumbing to whatever job profession your parent have by using your partner to get to that parent’s job. No annoyance whatsoever. This isn’t like the first time they dated where Courtney pressured Gene into a relationship. No motherfucker, this is legit. These two kids connected since the events of Season 3 and Season 5. They felt a connection as time progresses. Enough for the writers to say that, “Yeah, I think we learned our lesson with what happened in Season 3, so...yeah, let’s have these two be a couple again.” And let’s not forget that “The Gene and Courtney Show” is a Valentine’s Day episode and according to Bouchard over at Twitter when answering a fan’s question regarding the kiss between Louise and Rudy (which someway, somehow disappeared out of the blue)...
Yep, canon. The holiday episodes are canon coming from the higher-ups. Meaning that what happened with Gene and Courtney, their second relationship and the events of the episode leading up to their second breakup come the third act...canon. Part of the story. Can’t deny it. That’s part of Gene’s story. That’s part of Courtney’s story. And their second relationship is nothing like their first because, with the first time they dated back in Season 3, Gene was not fond of the idea even though he fell under the pressure of both Courtney and her friends. Whereas Season 6, their connection in them liking stuff like music and theater and also getting a gig for the morning announcements have them reconnect to the point where they decided to go out again. But this time around, they feel happy over it. They treat their relationship like an actual relationship. Finally found the right piece of the puzzle. And that’s good for Gene and Courtney to finally found themselves in a perfect relationship and it took the writers learning their lesson from Season 3 and having Courtney’s character to be revamped to do all of that. But knowing the episode, their newfound relationship is affecting their show for the morning announcements. And not one day where they fucked up but it’s only one day, they’ll get through this and try not to mess things up in the future. More than one day where their relationship messed up their flow. To the point where if they continue to be a happy couple but also not being focused on their work, it’s lights out for the Gene and Courtney show.
Thus leading to the third act with the couple now dealing with the most difficult decision to make and with Valentine’s Day looming, yeah...not looking good. Like a Sophie’s Choice type of situation for Gene and Courtney when finding out that their relationship is harming their work and could be on the verge of cancelation if they don’t get their shit together. Shit together being ending their relationship for the second time. Easy for Courtney to pick “end relationship” because while she enjoyed her time as a couple for a second time, the job and responsibility comes first. But Gene, and I know that it's Courtney’s discussion and talking all things Courtney and y’all think that I’m defecting towards talking about Gene, don’t forget that her history on the show is pretty much her relationship with Gene as a whole, don’t forget that this episode has given development to Courtney, but also to Gene. And Gene almost went to the opposite choice in staying in the relationship but instead, have to go along with the job being the primary focus. And you can feel the pain and heartbreak coming from Gene when both he and Courtney had to make a difficult decision in either end the relationship and the show must go on or continue the relationship but have your show having its plug pulled.
With both Courtney and Gene, mostly Gene, thinking to himself, “Wow, the first time we were a couple was a total crapfest with the pressuring and Courtney faking her death to get back at me for getting to her dad. But the more I get to know her, she’s actually not that bad. She’s not the annoying girl that I know of. We shared common interests and even got a gig in the morning announcements. Hell, we even got back together, and we feel happy over it. All of that in over a week. And I have never felt this happy before but when we find out that our relationship is affecting the show, I had to deal with a difficult choice to make. Do the show or stay in a relationship. And at the end of the day, the show comes first but my happiness is now covered in a cloud of sadness and grief.” Like, he has second thoughts when it comes to the decision process of doing the show or be in a relationship and was going to go with "stay in the relationship" despite that Courtney wants to do the show because it’s a huge responsibility. Like he isn’t given any opposition to the option and had no choice but to respect Courtney’s decision but as a result, for the second time in the series, they’re no longer a couple. But this time, rather than feeling bad, he’s feeling sad to the point where he lies awake in the middle of the night, reflecting on the good times, and then starts working on something for the show.
That something, come Valentine’s Day morning, being the song that Gene made. Which garnered everyone’s attention through the intercom. Everyone in a surprising mood upon listening. Tina, while passing out the roses after raiding through the box in hopes to find if someone left a note for her, getting a change in perspective after listening through the song. You got Zeke tearing up, which...okay, I’ll give you that. I mean Gene’s songs...who knew that music like that can get a muscular guy like Zeke to feel like a softie and there’s nothing wrong with that.
And then, there’s Courtney, who got a front-row seat for the whole thing. Listening to the song from start to finish just as she was about to speak through the microphone. Feeling both stunned and surprised by what Gene did when making the song, but also how much of his emotions does he put into it. Like him saying that his time with Courtney as a couple was the happiest few days in his life before making the hard decision to end the relationship and focus more on the show. To the point where Courtney, after Gene finished performing the song, questioning Gene that if the song that he made overnight is about her and Gene’s time as a couple. In which Gene replied that it’s not. Even though...it kinda is because he did reflect overnight of him and Courtney to the point that he put his heart out into making that song. I don’t ship these two. I’m okay with them being friends and just friends despite a few times after the events of the episode where she flirts in a friendly manner, but them as a couple...first relationship was a total junkyard tire fire with the pressuring, Courtney faking her death, and Gene’s failure of breaking up earlier in the episode and the second relationship is them finally getting along as friends, gotten a gig for the morning announcements, and then their history decided to catch up and become a couple again, only to call it off to focus on the show after a few fuck ups behind the mic. Two times that they dated...two times and I know that they’re kids and all, but...two times and can’t even have a stable relationship. Maybe in the future, I guess, again, I don’t ship these two, but relationships do take time and whether if they want to just stay as friends all the way to adulthood or go for round three and try not to fuck it up is clearly up to the decision of the cast and crew. But for now, Courtney liked the song. Both she and Gene decided to stay as friends and putting their romantic relationship aside. And of course, giving him a kiss on the cheek because...it is Valentine’s Day, so...might as well take that for a performance of a lifetime.
“Mom, Lies, and Videotape”, there’s not a lot to talk about only for the fact that she only appeared in Gene’s story for a sick Linda with her playing the role of Mombo, rather the imagination, mirage whatever with Gene’s character looking for his staff and finding out that he doesn’t need a staff and all it took for Courtney’s character to come to life is by using the power of armpit farts from the audience and the performance that uh...really going over the school theater department’s monthly cost for the school year. Ending it with Courtney going after the dads, which feels like Gene’s way of calling Bob out for not able to record the performance for Linda to watch. At first, I thought it was more of me saying, “Okay, wow, is Courtney somewhat dealing with some daddy issues right now?” But the second time around, it’s more of Gene’s way of calling out Bob for the whole thing with the camera.
Then comes Season 9 with “Roller? I Hardly Know Her!” when both Courtney and Doug are in a dire need of a roller-skating partner for the upcoming competition and have their set, or skates, on Gene since...apparently, Courtney knows Gene well by coming up to him as he, along with Louise, Tina, and Alex, by picking her up, which he did but not by a lot. I mean c’mon, Courtney’s not THAT heavy if you think about it. Other than that, Courtney and Doug asks Gene to be her dance partner for the competition but refused the offer. Not his forte and also...yeah, being around the skating rink for a whole week around Courtney and Doug...who wouldn’t? Well...after Gene refused to be Courtney’s dance partner, while Gene and Alex wander off to the basement of the restaurant and play a game of RoboWizard Quest, off-camera, dealing with a dilemma with Courtney’s old partner opting out and Gene refusing the offer to fill in the spot, with only a few days until the competition, they were pretty much on red alert...well, Doug was on red alert when upon seeing the issue on who will become Courtney’s dance partner. And so they did. Enter...
Alex Papasian. Who after Gene refused to be Courtney’s dance partner, Alex becomes the next man up to fill up the role. And so, he did...in the behest of both Courtney’s dad, which the wiki in Courtney’s profile said that Doug bullies Alex into joining. Okay...I mean, pretty sure he wouldn’t do that but since we’re in the episode where it pretty much clarifies that he’s an asshole, sure, why not. That and also Alex’s mom agreeing, just for him to at least get some exercise and also cheering on her son as a supportive mother that she is. But this is Courtney’s discussion and yeah...Alex becoming Courtney’s dance partner...almost feels like a big middle finger towards Gene after refusing to take the spot. And having your best friend being the dance partner of your ex-girlfriend...oh man, that is...wow. Though thank god that the episode does NOT involve a love triangle because no. We’re not having that even though the episode kickstarted the Gene/Alex ship and that might be touched once we get to Alex’s discussion in the near future. But other than that, Alex became Courtney’s dance partner. Gene got upset. And the person who now has second thoughts on the whole Alex filling up the role part of the episode. And that is Doug, who went behind Courtney’s back and conspire with Gene to sabotage the performance. Luckily, Gene stopped it at the last minute and apologize to Alex and apologized, so forth, so forth.
If you haven’t read my review of the episode, a guess could say that Roller is pretty much my Magnus opus when reviewing the newer episodes of the show and did create a filling for a gap in between the Alex and Gene apology scene and Alex and Courtney, along with Gene, entering the rink and getting back at Doug where Gene and Alex spotted a frustrated Courtney on the day of the competition and want nothing to do for the competition. Gene and Alex feel bad for her. Courtney seeing both Gene and Alex patched up their friendship with Alex saying that he wants out as well with Gene telling her that, “Yeah, Courtney...you dad’s a douche nozzle who came up at my door last night and told me to sabotage your performance with Alex. Just because he had second thoughts about having him as your partner.” I mean, that and also not wanting to be in the competition because she doesn’t want to follow her father’s footsteps because he was once a roller-skater. Of course, the idea that I came up with back in November of 2018, did end with the three kids, Courtney, Gene, and Alex, coming in terms to get back at Doug by going over the two-person limit, not knowing that it could get them disqualified, and agree for all three to perform on stage. That and also in that little gap fill in between the scenes in having Courtney asking both Gene and Alex to hang out once this whole mess is over with. Which they did to wrap up the episode. But for now...
The three enter the stage and performing together, upsetting Doug and trying to yank Gene out of there, though not noticing until Alex chimes in, about the whole sabotage plot to get him getting diarrhea in front of the crowd. Of course, Courtney doesn’t want to be a part of the competition because she doesn’t want to follow in her father’s footsteps and would rather freestyle dance with two, that’s right, TWO of her friends. That and also getting that glorious scene of Alex’s mom going all momma bear onto Doug for finding out what he was planning on doing to her son and having his best friend to do the dirty work. But also Gene and Alex trying to lift Courtney up before being to get off the stage because they’re disqualified for going over the two-person limit in the competition. Even though they’re out of the competition which...they were going to lose anyway, there’s no doubt about it, the day is not a total loss, and the three kids here, we got ourselves a trio when playing a game of RoboWizard Quest.
Staying with Season 9 with “The Gene Mile” with Courtney, now a member of the Belcher kids group alongside Alex, getting the supportive role but an important one when it comes to the plan for the five kids, being Louise, Gene, Alex, Rudy, and of course Courtney, to escape mile day and avoid dealing with a very long line come the after school hours by bringing out her phone that also serves as a GPS to locate her cat and using the collar that has the locator chip built into it into Large Tommy’s backpack once the big day arrives. And that was after Courtney invited all five of her friends, including Tina, who was too busy stretching and focusing on wanting to pummel Jimmy Jr over not accepting Tina’s offer in turning mile day into a date.
Thus, the whole plan begins once mile day/free scoop day arrives with the tracker being put into the backpack of Large Tommy and going behind him because go behind the slowest runner in the entire school go all Shawshank Redemption to the nearby ice cream shop once they reached the curb and make their on their bikes...until Gene ends up falling from his bike, gets caught, and run back to do the mile, having the remaining four to head out and thinking that it’s “for Gene”. And I know it’s Courtney’s discussion, profile thing but Rudy did have a point over the whole thing and thinking that the whole “for Gene” quote from Louise, Alex, and Courtney is nothing more than just them eating ice cream and just leave Gene behind to deal with the dreaded mile day. So there’s that.
Once arriving at the shop and got their scoops and begin eating it as the clock ticks and knowing that they don’t have time to savor the moment and have to get their asses back to the mile route without Frond noticing. Though you have Rudy trying to fight the brain freeze, Alex bummed over not having Gene around, and Courtney saying “licky, licky, licky” while licking her scoop before all three, with the decision making from Louise, to give Gene their scoop and they did get there in time but at the worst possible timing with Doug coming in because of the cat tracker going off, thinking that the Wheeler family cat, Susan, ran away even though that’s not the case. And then Frond arrives and sees the four kids on their bikes, holding a scoop of ice cream and handing it over to Gene. Of course, Courtney, along with Louise, Rudy, and Alex all got punished for bailing mile day and have to retake it but not before telling Frond to not include Gene because while he did fall behind during the whole escapade, he did run a mile, both him and Large Tommy, so that means that they don’t get punished and the four who made their escape taking the fall.
Once Season 10 arrives with “Wag the Song”, Courtney was one of the students who compete for whose song will replace the school’s old song after...well, cancel culture at its finest regarding whaling in the lyrics. Though what do you expect coming from a school that has Whalers in its name and as its mascot? She competed against the other kids, that included the Belchers, well mostly Gene and Louise as a duet and Tina struggling to find a single note, with her trying to hit a high D note leading up to the day of the contest. And once the day arrives, she did finally got the goal of hitting the high D note at the end of her song, pretty much-amazed Gene for that in saying, “Oh my god, that son of a bitch did it.” Well, before coughing up when hitting that high note. But she did hit it, so take that as a consolation prize because she, alongside everyone who is not named Zeke and Jimmy Jr, did not win the competition.
And then finally, at the most recent appearance in “Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid” from this season alone, so far, much like with “Mom, Lies, and Videotape”, nothing else to say to the fact that she’s just there. Though more in the line of the secondary/supporting/background role for each of the three stories told by Louise, Tina, and Bob. She was one of the soldiers stationed in the middle of the forest and then got turned into a pretzel alongside Gayle courtesy of the Bread-ator. Was originally going to be Gene’s wife in Tina’s story, the parody of Air Force One, but got scrapped and handing over the position of Vice President and deal with the situation of the plane being hijacked by talking pears. And serving as one of the scientists over at NASA when dealing with a hurling asteroid resembling chicken parmesan. And so ends the history portion of Courtney’s profile/discussion. And again, the history portion...is pretty much her relationship with Gene for each time she appears. So entering the relationship portion of the post, this will be shortened and I hope as each character gets their own piece, their relationship to each of the other characters might as well be their history.
Courtney's Relationships
So Courtney’s relationship with Gene, of course, gave away by her history on the show, in her debut episode, she did pressure Gene into dating her the first time they’re in a relationship. Of course, we all know how that ended with her faking her death and Gene only using her to get to her dad and all. But once we get to Season 6, when they enter their second relationship, things really clicked between these two kids. Becoming good friends, getting a gig of a lifetime with the morning announcements, and now, back together again where this time around, they felt happy like they have felt never before. It’s pretty much a trifecta and that was a whole week. A whole goddamn week! And that was after finally getting along between the two former “lovers” turned rivals turned good friends turned lovers for real. Even though them being in a relationship pretty much affect the show and were given two tough choices to make in either continue the show but end the relationship or continue dating but the show gets axed. A very tough choice but Courtney, even though she’s happy that she’s back together with the guy who once pressured into a relationship with and competed against during the Fall musical, went for the job option because although they like being with each other, they have a responsibility. She has a responsibility. Gene too but he almost went with the relationship option but rather than opposing the option, he just went with whatever Courtney said. And again, you could feel the pain and sadness coming from Gene from the moment that their second relationship, which happened to be a real one and not one where it started because of peer pressure, comes to an end.
Of course, there was that song that Gene made overnight that he worked his butt off and performed it with Courtney getting a front-row seat when performing through the intercom that the entire school, and on Valentine’s Day no less, listened to the whole thing. Suspect that if the song Gene made was about their relationship, which...he did reflect over what happened. Don’t lie to us, man! But other than that and Gene refused to be her dance partner in “Roller? I Hardly Know Her!” and being a part of the scheme to escape from mile day in “The Gene Mile”, consider their romantic history as a game of baseball. That relationship already has two strikes. One more and your out, motherfucker. That’s the law. But we’re going to see Courtney again in the future of the show and of course, in the movie. And as for...well, the whole Gene/Courtney pairing...although that they have shared common interests like music and theater and not to mention that they’re co-anchors for the morning announcements and like to entertain the crowd, them as a couple...yeah, two times after being in a relationship and call it off two times, yeah...they should stick to just being friends and friends they should remain. Even if Courtney, after Season 6, while being friends with Gene, has some moments where she somewhat flirts around him. But other than that, I like them as friends and nothing more though I feel like sooner or later, whatever bullshit the writers might pull...third time’s the charm? God, I hope not. For now, they’re friends.
And same goes for Alex when it comes to Courtney after agreeing to be Courtney’s dance partner for the competition after Gene refused to take the spot. Though Gene did question Alex if he has a thing for Courtney and Alex gave him a firm...maybe and saying that he like-likes other girls in his grade and also Strawberry Shortcake, which...okay, I mean we all have our cartoon crushes back in the day, Gene did seem unphased and showing no sign of jealousy. Crisis averted on that one. But...I don’t see it. Don’t think that’s going to happen with Alex and Courtney being a couple. I see more of a brother and sister type of relationship between these two. I mean, they did feel bad for hurting Gene with the whole competition, Alex for going behind his back and Courtney for taking him away and if she were to patch things up during practice, I feel like, and she could be, partially responsible for their friendship being on thin ice. Though the three did put aside their differences, got Doug his comeuppance and standing up to the guy, having a three-way dance despite getting them disqualified, and of course, them forming their little trio, the GAC Pack, by playing a game of RoboWizard Quest. Which...c’mon. C’mon. You all wanted it! I wanted it! C’mon Bob’s Burgers writers, please do a GAC Pack episode! Please! Please! Do it you monsters! Don’t make us beg!
Julie and Rupa, interesting cases when it comes to these two in the Courtney expansion pack of relationships. Because we only see them with Courtney for one episode in Season 3 but after that, you don’t see these two around her as the series drags on. Think they auditioned and performed on Courtney’s, and later Gene and Courtney’s shows. But after that, we see both Julie and Rupa in the background but with other people and seeing Courtney with Gene and later Alex, Louise, Tina, and Rudy. So unless there are some changes going between them...that or the writers, when it comes to Courtney, decided to give her more focus on her relationship with Gene. Either one of the two to say the least. Though that is one thing that is questioning regarding Julie and Rupa when it comes to Courtney...how are they friends with her despite being the most annoying girl in all of Wagstaff? Not in sixth grade, but Wagstaff as a whole? Don’t know if that was the whole heart defect talking that landed those two to be with Courtney and also having her being around Lenny’s little posse, harem whatever. I feel like that needed to be touched but...they won’t. Not gonna happen. Never to be touched unless some magic bullshit miracle decided to come out but I doubt it.
Hopefully to wrap up the relationship portion of the discussion/profile piece of the character and that goes to Doug, the father of Courtney. Because apparently, whenever Courtney is there, with the exception of “Mom, Lies, and Videotape”, “Wag the Song”, and “Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid”, gotta include Ass Hat Joe here. And whenever you see Doug here on the show, there’s something you have to say about the guy. Fucker here trying to be the “cool dad” for the girl whenever he appears even though...dude...at least try to be a dad for once. I know that you want the best for your daughter on trying to be a respectable parent, although I’m not a parent, mostly because I’m still single as fuck, pretty sure Courtney needs someone to take care of her and try to be a parent. Let’s also not forget that uh...oh yeah, lot of stuff that caused by this fucker and there’s a lot of stuff to list since his debut in the same episode that Courtney debut back in Season 3. Whether being taking Gene’s idea without consent for the commercial, causing both Courtney’s and Gene’s musicals to be shut down because of his incompetence, or him trying to sabotage his daughter’s dance performance by using her friend/ex-boyfriend’s emotions on giving his best friend diarrhea. What the fuck is your malfunction?! You tried to at least be a dad and I guess the only parent figure to Courtney, and you go do that? Seriously, fuck that guy. Fuck him to the core. But...if it weren’t for Doug here, we would not have the two musicals combine into one courtesy of Gene and would not have the GAC Pack if it weren’t for this fucker.
But of course, I see that we’re missing one person on that list when it comes to the relationship portion and that is, of course, Courtney’s mom. We have not seen her since Season 3 and never to be seen since. Like...what the fuck happened to her? Where is she? We see Doug only there in the household but not Courtney’s very own mother? Well, and I hope anyone found the original source of that very popular headcanon regarding the Wheeler family down in the comments or DM me over at Tumblr, Twitter, and/or Instagram, apparently, there’s a headcanon out there and it has the majority of the fans agree to that very headcanon regarding the whereabouts of Courtney’s mom and why she hasn’t appeared since Season 3. Back in November 2018, the week of the airing, rather after the airing of “Roller? I Hardly Know Her!”, I talked to someone about the episode and I did come up with what happened to Courtney’s mom and the results...well...might as well get that out of the way and treat this headcanon/theory whatever it is like it’s the Season 6B gap theory from Doctor Who when it comes to Courtney’s family and of course, her mother.
So a headcanon that someone I talked to back in 2018, and I had to check back to it upon working on the Courtney piece, brings up that what happened between “The Unbearable Like-Likeness of Gene” in Season 3 and either “Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl” in Season 5 or “The Gene and Courtney Show” in Season 6 that both Doug and Courtney’s mom, which we really haven’t gotten a name, had a massive falling out during that gap and suspect that the Wheeler family is split apart. In Lament’s terms, Courtney’s parents are divorced, with Doug gaining full custody of Courtney. And the reason why Doug even got 100% total possession of their only child in the family is, and I guess this is where the fucked-up part may come into the picture, is that Courtney’s mom doesn’t want to deal with Courtney. Not even a visit for the weekend that Courtney’s own mother wants to have. Just because she doesn’t want to deal with Courtney and her needs. Saying to Doug once he won the Courtney custody sweepstakes that “She’s your problem now, asshole!” Okay, nothing like that but you need to be that messed up to say that you want to be split away from your marriage and not have your daughter, the child that you gave birth and raised through her entire eleven, twelve years on this planet, and say that you don’t her to lay one footstep to wherever you go once the divorce is finalized...just because you don’t want deal with her needs. Like wow...like what the actual fuck, lady? What the actual fuck? I know that Courtney can be annoying, spoiled, bratty, bit of a mean girl vibe in the beginning days of her tenure on the show...but that’s your daughter. That’s your own flesh and blood and when you said that you don’t want to deal with her and her needs, no matter what happened to her, being good or bad, I feel like, and this may possibly going to garner a lot of controversies, she failed as a parent. Yeah, she failed as a parent. I know some of y’all saying that I don’t know what is like living in a family that happened to be split. And you’re right, I don’t know what’s it like. But I do know that it’s hard to deal with the reality of not having the two halves of the puzzle around, especially in a young child’s age. I mean, take a look at the Pestos and the Stieblitzes. Jimmy Jr, Andy, Ollie, they have a divorced family where both Jimmy Pesto and Mrs. Pesto share custody. Though Andy and Ollie...well they’re Andy and Ollie. But Jimmy Jr...oh boy. Oh boy. What to do with him once we get to his discussion? Though Rudy, while his parents share the custody, we have only seen him with his dad, and that about it. And if that headcanon is true, then Gene becomes the third Belcher kid who knows someone, in his grade, who is happened to be divorced. I know it’s a headcanon but that headcanon feels like it may make the most sense when it comes to what happened to Courtney’s mom and why we haven’t seen her since.
I know that Courtney may be annoying and can be hard to at least appreciate her, but...she got a fucked up family. That’s all I gotta say and feel bad for the girl who had to deal with that. But other than that, her character was surprising when it comes to her development. No longer the annoying girl that was introduced to the audience and it’s still there to this day, she has somewhat matured later on and Courtney Wheeler...you have...one hell of a 180 turn when it comes to your character in a period of time.
The next character up on who will be getting the discussion piece will be posted on Twitter and Instagram once this is shared over at my social pages for the world to see. And hopefully, this is now a lesson I learned by not do the history and just stick to the relationships for future posts because it might be that...medium. Medium in the time consumption and how much space the site can hold. So there’s that. That is Courtney’s discussion/profile post. Thank y’all so much for checking out this very long-ass post that I worked tirelessly. Follow me over at Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram for updates and behind the scenes stuff. And if you want to help your out...
- PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/yahoo201027
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/yahoo201027
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/Y8Y8K4OP
You know where to go. PayPal, Patreon, Ko-fi pages are the way to go to help out in improving the page and paying the bills to keep the lights on and all that stuff. And until...well, don’t know when because new episodes don't come until February, so...I’ll see y’all later and come over to the Twitter and Instagram pages to see which lucky Wagstaff character is getting his or her own piece next.
No comments:
Post a Comment