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SIMPSONS REVIEWS!!

Bart Gets An F
I have a grand total of two problems with this episode. One, Bart's shirt isn't the right colour. and this is really the only episode this error pops up in, so, what the hell, guys. And two, Martin's plot isn't really resolved; sure, you see the shot at the end with Skinner stopping him and it's pretty easy to envision the direction this scene takes, that Martin gets a talking to, he gets disciplined by his parents, whatever, and then he's back to normal (and I do think this was a missed opportunity for the show in its beginning stages that could have really set the pace for it and changed the way it played out in the future - to see Martin with his "cool" persona, at least in the background, in a few future episodes, and have it as a small running story arc. But I know this aired out of production code order and the writers were already aiming fairly high with what they were doing to begin with, so no actual complaints there), but ultimately? This is cancelled out by the fact that we don't really need to see that. This is Bart's story, not Martin's. Martin plays an important part but once he's out of Bart's life he's out of the story, since the entire episode - literally the entire episode, Bart is present in every single scene - is from Bart's point of view. When he steps out of Bart's world, it doesn't matter what happens to him anymore. It isn't so much a genuine subplot of its own right, it's an aide to the main plot that does nothing more than serve its purpose and doesn't overreach or overstep its own boundaries.

But that's it. Because really, the entire episode comes together so wonderfully. The direction on this is fantastic and far more innovational than prior primetime cartoons. There isn't any real action, it's a much more down-to-earth episode, but it's full of fantastic direction and fluid, only slightly exaggerated movements that are complimented by the cartooniness of the characters, but grounded enough that they're still real people. We get a lot of shots in which Bart is underneath the camera, and a lot of the adults - Krabappel frequently, and during the parent/teacher meeting - are way above it. Makes perfect sense considering Bart's situation, and it's all the more rewarding when we finally get him more on-level and with a slightly upwards tilt at the very end when he, well, passed. Otherwise we're looking down on him and it just helps to further the emotion, and all of the upward shots on Krabappel just heighten this even more. (And just as a side note but I love that things aren't necessarily there just to fill up background space, or they aren't flat-out random. When Bart's picture of a cat is covered up, it's actually supposed to be a cat. "Look at those cute little whiskers" - and from that, the story moves straight onwards! So good.)

But it isn't just the shot direction. It's definitely within the actual movement of the characters as well. They do little things that makes them feel all the more lively, and they don't just stand still when delivering dialogue. I really love Bart's actions after he loses at the grandma arcade game (the game which is, of course, hilarious in and of itself), the way he cocks his head back and forth, side to side in-time with his laughs and gives the controller a little smack as he turns around. It's always a bit that stands out to me, even though the episode is chock full of such bits. It does a great job of portraying the slightly crazier characters as well, really helping to ground Bart; Otto's quick movement combined with excellent voice acting as he leans down when he says, "Now I DRIVE the school bus!", and, of course, Martin's increasingly stringy hair and bugged out eyes as he feels the rush of being popular (which is, to retread, another clue that he isn't ready for such social heights; he has no idea what to do with himself and if authority never intervened, chances are he'd burn himself out incredibly quickly regardless. He looks crazed when he tastes the rush).

Oh, and on that, voice acting. Holy fuck, it is brilliant. Nancy Cartwright really puts her heart into this performance and it shows. Bart emotes beautifully. His voice matches his face and his body language at all times. When he starts to choke up, it's so well done I start to choke up. At the parent/teacher conference his voice goes straight from trying to avoid and not address the issue with his air of nonchalance and indifference only to completely crack when a truly terrifying ultimatum is handed down to him, and the desperation in his voice is palpable. Same with when he starts to actually cry at the end. The facial expression might be overdone - it's discomforting to look at, which might be the point, but considering that this is S2, it seems to me more like it was just plain overdone and the animators had no idea how grotesque it would come out with characters with these types of faces; just because they knew what they were doing in terms of direction hardly means they actually had everything nailed down and knew their characters and the style - but the voice acting sure isn't. Those are real tears, real sniffles, and a real upturn in his voice when he gets his D-. Marcia Wallace plays with him brilliantly as well, I adore her "Just barely," as well as her concerns when she's listing off Bart's test scores. There's actual concern in there, if not a little cruel incredulousness, and when she says "Just barely," combined with her body language and such, she's genuinely happy for him and is really working towards encouraging him. It's a great moment. Likewise Martin's voice acting is just as brilliant and plays off of Bart just as nicely, and Lisa's speech about Bart owing god is so level-headed but the words are those of an eight-year-old - comparing god to her parents, the most direct figure she knows - that it comes off as wise beyond her years, but still with a hint of childishness in it.

Oh, and not just the voice acting. The sound effects and the music cues, too. At the beginning what caught me was all of Martin's acting, the whoosh as he moves, the sounds his fishing pole makes as it moves around ever so slightly. Even the squeak of the highlighter later on is fantastic and helps by not only sounding realistic, if not somewhat exaggerated, but that exaggeration just adds to the comedic element. Also, chalk squeak! With the adorable little downturn as Bart doesn't lift off the board right away, and we see that in the animation. Great little moment, wonderfully executed awkward pause. And the music throughout this is great, I love the peppy little tone it starts off with when Bart descends into the basement that quickly grows deeper and smoothly fades into a stereotypical colonial-era music. It just adds so much to the scene and it does this throughout the episode; another excellent instance is the montage of Bart and Martin helping each other out, perfectly light-hearted with only small amounts of voice acting or sound effects when necessary, allowing the music itself to set the pace for the entire montage, keeping it fun but moving it along rather quickly - but it's so in-time with the music that you don't even really notice just how fast it goes. It's just plain enjoyable.

S2 episodes don't really have quite the record on being funny so much as emotional, but there are great moments in this episode. My favourite is always going to be Bart peering out of his window and we see such a ridiculous celebration of a snow day with literally everyone out there and having an amazing time, going so far as to have the mayor declare it the funnest day ever, having all of the townspeople - and why would they even do this, nobody does this - gather together to sing, to further up the ante by pulling the camera back so it looks like a freaking Christmas card - and passing by are Patty and Selma, still with grumpy expressions, which somehow makes it even funnier - only to end on the perfect beat to have all of the sound just completely cut out and we're left with Bart pressed up against the class, staring incredulously out at the town, and that all of this crap can be going on (it isn't even a moment of regret that he can't join them, it's just a massive what the fuck bit as the scene gets increasingly absurd without stretching realism all that much really). The timing is so amazing and good god, I just love that joke. A close second is "Look everyone, John Hancock's writing his name in the snow!" which is a pretty freaking awesome line. Though of course there's more; subtly indicating Homer's - and sometimes even Marge's - own dimness as a partial explanation for Bart's own behaviour; it's particularly great with Homer, the beat after which his true handwriting is revealed combined with Pryor's expression is excellent. Also, "giant rats". And a metric fuckton more. It's certainly more downplayed, and the gags aren't quite a mile a minute - though, again, that montage is great, and "Soon you will be ready to try with a real book" is such a beautiful line, I can't even - but they're strong and they're effective and they're funny, and even though this is a season known more for its amazing ability to just zone right in on that emotional, empathetic core, this is a genuinely humorous episode.

But, yeah, enough of all that. That would suffice me for a normal review but... this is Bart Gets an F, and the real meat of the episode is in Bart. And Bart is. Hands down. My absolute. Favourite. Character. In anything. Ever. Any show, any medium, whatever it is you want to throw out there, no other character will ever come close to topping Bart for me. And this episode is such a perfect portrayal of him. Honestly, if he was in my fourth grade class, I'd fucking like him. I can't stand kids who just dick around and try to leech off answers or just fail without a care. But as a fictional character, I can sympathize with him. Even more strongly when taken into account the fact that, though I've never been in his particular situation, and I've never come remotely close to failing anything ever, I identify and relate to Bart so strongly in this episode.

This was the perfect episode to kick off The Simpsons' second season with, what with its move up against the fucking Cosby Show - it's the first animated primetime show in years, and it's competing directly against that - and right up in the midst of Bartmania. This is a time when everyone is in love with Bart, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, he's considered so radical of a character that his likeness is getting banned from schools. This is the mistake of those bannings; it makes him out to be a one-dimensional trouble-maker character. A rebel without a cause, revolting against authority figures and encouraging his peers of the real world to do the same. And this episode disproves that image in a single go, and we get a real, solid look at Bart. He's realer than real in this episode, and we really do see him for who he is.

He's average. He's an average ten-year-old boy. He doesn't like being told what to do, he doesn't like boring things, he wants to have fun, and school and homework prevent such things. Kids like Martin exist, but they aren't the norm. Bart isn't really the norm either, as evidenced by just how far behind he is all of his peers. He's the other extreme, and that's why pairing Bart and Martin up later in the episode works so well. But anyways. He doesn't want to read a boring book when he could be outside playing (though honestly, knowing him, I think he could probably get into Treasure Island if he'd just opened the damn thing). Not only does he get to have fun but simultaneously, he gets to stick it to someone else. He isn't someone you tell what to do, he does what he wants, and a lot of it is just harmless kiddie stuff - video games, cartoons - he's a total free spirit.

But even despite this he recognizes when it's time to start buckling down. The problem is his life keeps on interfering with him, and he keeps on getting caught up in it. Going to the arcade after school? Not a single problem with this - he just spent the day learning (or at least cooped up in a building trying to make him do something he honestly has no interest in), it's time for a break. The break extends a little beyond it should when it comes to cartoons, but oh well, there's still time. Then dinner, which is good... Oh, and we see more of a hint of Bart in here. He gets a little jealous of Lisa, not because she's doing well, but because she's making him look bad. So he isn't totally indifferent to his grades, though he doesn't really realize it at this point; and this makes sense, because he has a reputation, and he's such a sociable character that of course he's going to care about his reputation, or at least having something to be proud about, even if it's just a drawing of a cat. But anyways, beyond that, he just gets further caught up in his life. And Bart, the bad influence on kids? Is enjoying some quality family time.

Things just catch up to him and by the time he's ready to buckle down, after a day of knowing that he should and having his plans thwarted by oblivious family members, he falls asleep. He's young, it's late, he's had a mentally strenuous day, and so on and so forth. This is the side I never saw to kids who would just fuck around in school all time, and I can't blame Sherri and Terri for their prank on Bart here. It's mean, but if I wasn't aware of Bart's previous night and how he actually did try to study - though he should've tried earlier, but that's not his nature, and that's my own pettiness showing through - I would've done something similar. Not to mention it's funny, especially when combined with Martin's encouragement. Bart does have genuinely good people skills, but he believes in himself a little too much that he can just charm the answers out of people, and poor guy, he's so academically unprepared he has no idea what he's in for until Martin brings reality crashing down on him.

To the point that he does what any desperate kid would do, and fakes a sickness to get out of the test. Realistic and a good display of Bart's penchant for theatre and attention as he makes quite the show of it and somehow manages to come across as borderline, can't-risk-it convincing. And Bart's whistling and flying like an airplane through the halls is a great moment; again, he just likes to have fun. And he's gloating in his success a little, he's earned it, that was quite the show he put on, not to mention it worked. The nurse's ineptitude is another great moment, and getting sent home gives Bart time to study... but he's just scored the day off, so why would he do that? He has time for it later. The world slips by him and he's just having fun, until he remembers the test and goes for the easy way out. Which, again, makes sense. He doesn't want to have to do any work, and he isn't desperate right now, he's on top of the world because his plan succeeded and he's been having an awesome afternoon/night. Kama comes right back though, and I love that he studied Milhouse's answers and somehow fucked them up even worse.

Up until this point, Bart is aware that he needs to study, but he isn't willing to do anything about it. Why should he? Life is going on perfectly fine. The snub to his reputation is forgotten, it isn't the immediate moment. He's focused on having a good time and keeping himself entertained, and he has no real last incentive to even make an attempt to try. The parent/teacher conference that comes in is a brilliant scene, not just for its comedic moments mentioned up above, but for the way it strikes through Bart. We hear Krabappel listing off his increasingly shitty grades - as though he started the year capable, and the beginnings of school years tend to be more relaxed, and then realized that he wasn't having fun, so he started to slack off more and more and more - and then the bombshell drops.

Repeating a grade would be emotionally crippling, at least for Bart. It's shameful and in grade school you tend to hang out with your classmates. If Bart were held back, he'd be shunned by his friends, and really, his social life is what he has going for him at this stage. It's a strong suggestion and you see the way it affects Bart as he leaps right up and starts pleading. He was flat earlier - "I don't know" - but suddenly, a consequence is handed down to him. And it's a real motherfucker. Enough to snap Bart right into action, and wake him up, because before this he had no consequences for his behaviour. Get yelled at by a teacher, so what? He's clearly used to it by now, considering he was able to figure out exactly what Krabappel was telling him whilst ignoring her; nothing but meaningless buzzwords that aren't going to do a thing to encourage a ten-year-old. Why should he think about the far-off future? He's ten. His main concerns are having a fun afternoon and getting to the weekend so he can have more fun. What does he care if he does well in school or not, he's going to go on to the fifth grade with all of his peers anyway, because that's what happens. It's what happened in travelling to the fourth grade, to the third, and so on. But this sends a real shock to him. It won't be like the past. He will suffer consequences if he doesn't work. And they aren't meaningless "Oh, yeah, my future, and then I won't be able to get into college" consequences, this is shit that will impact his life in the very immediate and foreseeable future; so much so that his imagination latches onto the horror and - and he does have a rather good imagination (and a really depressing one in this case; he's balding! He can already predict that happening. Production-code wise this is rather after Simpson and Delilah where Homer informs Bart that balding is hereditary, so, that's a really awesome touch; otherwise I could take this and get into far deeper psychological issues than it warrants) - and sees the worst immediately. Everyone around him is so stern and serious and while not really yelling at him, it feels like it. This is the worst possible thing that could happen to him, and that's his kick to get his ass into gear. There's his drive. That's why studying is worth it.

The doubt that every adult has in that room when he's been knocked straight into reality is kind of painful to see. Of course they have no reason to believe him, he's just a kid reacting to a threat and he probably isn't going to do anything - and they're right. But from Bart's perspective, that has to hurt a lot. These people gathered together to try to help him and when he swears that this time it's going to be different, they still don't believe him. That's not a sign of encouragement in the slightest and it's just fortunate that Bart's been shocked so strongly that he's much more committed to the idea now, otherwise, who knows.

Another good moment for Bart is that he recognizes he can't do this on his own. He's tried that and it hasn't worked. He has the threat now, but he simply has no idea how to actually get his ass in gear. He's never done this before and his default mode is to live in the moment and look for the easy way out, but he cannot do this anymore. He sees a prime opportunity in Martin and swiftly convinces him that they can help each other out. Bart has excellent social skills, at least amongst his own peer level (though we do see his talent with words and his skill at rhetoric, as well as creativity, later on in the series. I honestly feel that here he's closer to a real kid than when the show went further into the classic era, not that there's anything wrong with the development to his character beyond S2 and such, but here he really does come across as more average without anything necessarily extraordinary about him; he likes his comics and his cartoons and... yeah), while Martin is lacking so pathetically. On the flip side, Martin is clearly brilliant academically - as we see in the beginning with his good presentation that it even goes completely over the heads of his classmates - and this is the exact area where Bart needs help. It's a reasonable trade and they can both only benefit from it. And it works perfectly, and Bart is developing good study habits, until he inadvertently fucks himself over by introducing Martin to too much too fast, especially considering how hurt Martin's been over being teased in the past. It's affected him far more than Bart's low grades have affected him before he started caring; this is evident in Martin's forlorn sigh after he returns Bart's ball. He'd come to accept the isolation as his existence, with a naive belief that hey, maybe some kids do like him. Being on the other side of things was far too much of a rush.

Leaving Bart stranded. He'd never really studied seriously on his own before, and the things that Martin teaches him - aren't really about the subject matter. They don't aid directly to Bart's history predicament, they're only general tips. Plant life. Highlighting. What is that? What Bart really needed to get this all in his head properly was to have a real joint study session with Martin, but Martin flipped out too early for that. Bart already knows - and has had it drilled into him, thanks to that parent/teacher conference - that he can't do this on his own. He's on his own now. So, fuck it, let the ship sink down with him.

But if there's still a chance, just any sort of chance... So he prays. Lisa's line sums the situation up for the audience, and it's displayed beautifully. Love the shadows in this part, and the focus on the siblings' backs, along with Lisa's quick scampering away. The angelic chorus after the snow starts to fall is a great moment, and here we do see Bart's old tendencies rise right back up. He gets too caught up in the moment. It isn't his fault, he just wants to have fun, and schoolwork is getting him absolutely nowhere. He's just living life. It's like when he faked his sickness, he's going to enjoy the time he has, until Lisa reminds him of his promise. It's so subdued and quiet, but it's simple, honest, and for once, someone isn't talking down to him. This is someone who genuinely cares about his success (unlike Martin), and who can actually provide encouragement (unlike his parents and teachers) as well. It's humbling, it's on his level, he's being treated more as an equal, and it works.

Bart recognizes that he can't afford distractions so he isolates himself and here we see the first real bit of studying that he's done the whole episode. He reads the textbook aloud in a determined tone. He repeats key phrases to himself over and over. But... He's determined, but it's still kind of boring, and he gets distracted. And he knows he can't do that. And him hitting himself is a brilliant transition, if not pretty sad because he's been reduced to punishing himself for not concentrating.

The fact that Bart has actually tried this time, unlike all other times, shows itself in this final moment. He cares so much he's willing to inflict physical pain on himself. He's actually been reading the book. And he wants Krabappel to just mark it now, because the wait would be unbearable. And for once, he didn't rush straight out the door to freedom... He tried to do his schoolwork. The fact that his teacher doesn't realize it right away is a tad disconcerting, but makes perfect sense. The fact that he got a 59 - considering that he'd previously scored less than a 12, this is already a marked leap of improvement, but even then, it's not good enough and dismissed under the fact that, hey, you still failed.

And this. This is the moment that tugs at my heartstrings so strongly, and this is one of the strongest scenes in which I can relate to Bart. I've never been in this situation. I've never been close to failing before. But you recall Dr. Pryor's earlier words, during the conference, about Bart being an underachiever and yet with a fear of failure and that's it right there. I feel the exact same damn thing. "I thought you'd be used to failing by now," Mrs. Krabappel remarks. Totally missing the point as Bart cheerfully chokes out, "But I really tried this time." And that's... fuck, that fucking stings. It's such a strong issue of concern. If you don't try, and you fail, then oh well, it's not like you tried. It's not like you wasted time and effort, and by no means does it mean you're stupid or incapable. But if you try and you still end up failing... then what? You tried. You tried to actually do a good job. You put your heart and your soul into succeeding and despite all of the will and determination and pushing yourself to your absolute outermost limits, you still can't do it. You're a failure. And in that moment there's absolutely no hope for you, because if you can't do it when you don't try, and you can't do it when you do try, then you just plain can't do it. Game over, repeat the fourth grade again, and again, and again into adulthood, and you'll just never. fucking. get it. When you actually do try at something and you put that much effort into it, it's scary. If you don't try, it's the easiest thing in the world to just brush off. If you do try... then this is a reflection on you. And if you fail, despite trying, then you are a failure.

It's simplistic, it's glib, and it's not true. It's an emotional response. You can always try harder. But in the immediate moment - which is what Bart lives in - it shatters your self-esteem. It equates you to worthlessness and hopelessness. And it feels so painful and it's too real and it's just easier to not deal with it.

And here Bart did try, and he still failed. Hopelessness, worthlessness, and he's a failure, and he'll always be a failure. He's been warned, he knows the consequences, but this is beyond the consequences and a reflection on himself and who he is and what he can and can't change. So yeah, I can't blame the kid for crying at all. God knows I've been there so many times over. I just can't emphasize the sheer amount of hurt that genuinely trying and still failing brings. And to someone that's doing this for the first time, that's experiencing this for the first time, it's such a fucking bombshell.

I love that this is handled in a realistic manner, though. This is, of course, the absolute pinnacle of the episode, but it isn't fabricated at all. Of course Bart was going to improve - he did try. When he got the 12, he didn't try. Getting the 59, he did. That's still quite the difference in percentages, despite not being good enough. But he wasn't going to make a miraculous leap. He has a somewhat better idea of how to study, but it's not all going to come in one test, over the course of just a few days. Give it some more time, and as long as he keeps trying, he'll get far better grades. He isn't brilliant, by any means. He isn't stupid either. He's average. If he puts some effort in, he can do this. But for right now he's just starting and he's still unfamiliar with it so it isn't flat-out miraculous.

It's too upsetting to leave it at that, though. That's far too downbeat of a note for the episode to end on... So we get a little bit more thrown in that brightens the ending up immensely, and proves that Bart's fully capable at the same time. He read the textbook, and some things stuck with him. If it's an obscure fact, let it be so; it's a battle, he's a ten-year-old boy, fights are cool and Washington is a hero. That sticks with him, and finally he gets some actual encouragement from his teacher here. These aren't the meaningless buzzwords that have no impact on a ten-year-old kid, this is something immediate and now. This is something directly impacting him with ramifications he can actually feel. This means something. And it isn't undeserved, either. He's worked hard, and it's starting to show, and he gets just the right push that he needs.

And just like how Martin went overboard with his taste of success within the social realm, Bart goes overboard with his taste of success in the academic world. Which is hilariously and adorably brought crashing back down when he realized he just kissed his teacher. Seriously. Ew. Perfect way to cap it off and keep everything from getting far too sappy.
Overall Grade :A/A+



Lisa The Greek
Lisa The Greek is the best Homer and Lisa episode in my opinion. The characterization of both characters is spot on and everything works in this episode. But it's weird that this is my 3rd favourite of season 3 but it's also my third favourite of disc 3 of season 3.

In this episode you can see clearly the roles of both parents in the house. Marge who is doing a truly nice thing for Bart by buying him clothes when they are disgusting/ripped gets no affection from Bart because he knows his clothes look dorky but that's what parents do. But Homer on the other hand gets hailed as a good father for gambling with his 8 year old daughter because he is able to buy them gifts(good ones) and he tricks Lisa into thinknig gambling is a good thing to participate in. But you can also see the kids characterization/roles predominatley in this episode as Lisa is willing to embrace her father love of something she doesn't really like for the sake of a paternal bond while Bart makes a fuss at every turn when Marge takes him out because he doesn't want to waste his Sunday. Which is perfectly reasonable for a child of ten.

There are some extremely heart warming moments in this episode. Of course they all revolve around Lisa and Hoemr bonding. A few of the moments are when Homer grabs Lisa's hand at the guilded truffle and during their first day of watching football Homer throws Lisa up and down. Also when Homer tucks Lisa into bed after their first day of watching football. But the most heartwarming moment was of course the final scene with Homer fufilling his promise to make every Sunday daddy-daughter day by climbling Mt.Springfield with her and them watching the sunset together.

But there was also some very depressing moments in Lisa The Greek. Most of these revolve around Homer's selfishness and his love of gambling over her. Which he does disprove at the end of the episode(the gambling thing). The two saddest moments in this episode are of course when he tells Lisa that he won't spend the Sunday after the superbowl with her to go bowling with Barney(proves his selfishness) and when he is in Lisa's room bringing her the coat and even when he manages to get her spirits back up and seem like he's back on the right rtrack he asks over and over again who she thinks will win the Super Bowl so that he can gamble and win money.


Homer's character was spot on in this episode. He is kind and sweet towards his daughter but breaks her hear in the middle of the episode because he is too oblivious to realize that Lisa wanted more than to just watch football wih him. She wanted to build a firm bond with Homer. Homer's obliviousness is also shown in the fact that he buys Lisa yet another Malibu stacy accessory because he thinks that's what's making her happy but it wasn't and she doesn't forgive him. But he does do the right thing in not gambling in the game and not really enjoying the game (which he could've if had set aside his love of gambling). He also shows his new found bond for his daughter by blowing off Barney next Sunday and spending it with Lisa the way Lisa truly wanted to spend it.

Lisa's character is portrayed brilliantly in this episode. It showed a side of her not really explored as of yet in the series as a daughter who is desperatly seeking a bond with her father. For once she wasn't shown as a brainiac geek which would become her stronghold in later seasons and in my opinion weakend her character in the long run. In this epsidoe it was a great mix of both. She takes the advice at the hands at the parent she already ahs a bond with and tries to share a passion with Homer. Even thouh Homer is reluctant to have around at first Lisa still stays strong and stays to watch the day of football and it does pays off(mostly because she can pick the winners) she has a new bond with Homer. The weeks pass and they become tightly connected through gambling and the love of being together(for her). Lisa even uses her brainiac side to research football stats to help her bond grow stronger with Homer because the more they win the more Homer loves Lisa. But her character can only take so much and when Homer says he is not spending the next suday with her (daddy daughter day) she is crushed. Despite his many tries to get her back on his side she refuses and gives away all the Malibu Stacy stuff he bought for her. She is even so mad at Homer that she calls him Homer and not Dad. But in the end she does show that she truly loved sharing Sundays with her dad by telling him the right team would win to prove her love and she gets what she wants a stronger bond with her dad(exemplified in the hike up the Mt. Springfield )

But aside from this episode being an emotional delight and beautiful spotlight on the shows two best characters of the classic era it was also really funny. It's filled with alot of jokes revolving around pregame football. This is shown in the lock and the shoe -in of the week gags(Lisa has one too the 5 bullet special or whatever except she is always right). Homer eating the chips and calling that gambling hot line which do exest and talk at paces like that. Of course the pegame ritual of players talknig to the media saying they're going to win(everyone's started to do it since Namath did it and won) and Lisa seeing the fear in the palyers eyes when Homer didn't was quite funny. Also Bart with the gift Homer gave him the Go To Hell right after Homer breaks Lisa's heart and the Bart in his underwear joke. But my favourite joke of the episode was the church sermon to no one and Lovejoy saying " Well, I'm glad some people could resist the lures of the big game" and the one guy leaves the church screaming because he realizes the game is on(did anyone else notice Flanders was not in church?)

This is what a season 3 episode should be hell this is what a Simpsons episode should be. A great mix of smart humor,film references and emotional depth. Sorry if this was a bit redundant and for any spelling mistakes the spell check wouldn't work on my computer.


Sorry will post more later. This is what we did instead of going to the show tonight sorry Chad. When are we starting our Simpsons viewing club CHAAD??

[xJohnnyx]

Dood thats WAAAAY too much readin for me!

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Mother Simpson


Mother Simpson is an episode that is filled with a great mix of emotion and humour. This episode is easily one of the top of season 7 a true standout in a strong season. There is not really a part of this episode that doesn't work.

The plot is incredibly strong and well written. They manage to keep you interested without any subplots. Instead they focus on the return of Mother Simpson and I think that really works. They were able to push aside a sub plot because there was enough to fill up the time without it. It was chalk full of flashbacks intertwined with modern times and it worked incredibly well. I think it would have damaged the episode if there was a subplot since Mother Simpson returning was such a monumental event and it needed a lot of time to be explained so multiple plots would have lessened the punch this episode has.

For an episode that packs such an emotional punch the jokes are fired off at an incredible rate that only the classic era Simpsons could achieve. This episode has one of the funniest intros ever. Homer faking his death to get out of recycling is quintessential Homer which we loved in the first 8 seasons. The back and forth between Lenny and Carl during this scene is just classic. The scene to follow was also hilarious where he pronounces that they must live up their Saturday and Homer is just sitting on a hammock while Bart pounds the patio with a hammer. I don’t want to keep rambling summarizing the episode but the first act is basically jokes being fired off one after another. It’s simply mind blowing how writers can do this. There was one of my favourite Moleman appearances. "I don't want to cause a fuss" and then is lowered into the grave. Also homer becoming an expert on things randomly was used hillariously too (Homer knowing who Walt Whitman is). The flashbacks work incredibly well. My favourite would defiantly have to do with the Super Bowl and the quarterback’s hair. The poking fun at what kids thought the 60’s were all about was quite humorous too. (Bart shouting off random slogans). The 25 years older gag was funny too. People that are complaining about lack of jokes aren't paying enough attention if you ask me.

This episode had some of great film, television and literary references in it too. The use of the Dragnet detectives was absolutely hilarious. You did not have to be a fan of Dragnet to laugh and that’s why it truly works. The Apocalypse Now reference was nice too. I love how the music was taped over, classic. There was a couple literary references in this one too (Walt Whitman, Steal this book, etc.). That was nice since there is not a ton of literary references in The Simpsons (it may just seem like less because there is so many other references I don't know.)

The emotion of this episode is essentially just a punch at your gut at the end. That’s the only problem I have with most Simpsons episodes. Instead of filling an entire episode with emotion they tend to pack it all into one scene (usually an ending). Not that I am saying that is a problem per say because it leaves room for jokes. Some episodes manage to be emotional throughout and still have jokes (Lisa's Sub and a Streetcar Named Marge). The ending sure is great though. I still get teary eyed at the ending no matter how many times I have seen this episode. The two long shots of Homer by his car (one day one him sitting on his car at night) both do their job and fill the scene with an incredible amount of emotion while it still feels sincere. Homer looking up at the stars is defiantly one of the most powerful moments of season maybe even the series.

This episode is defiantly a must watch for Simpson's fans. An episode that balances humour and emotion quite nicely. This episode sure does a number on your gut from the humour and the emotion. This episode defiantly has the Oakley and Weinstein stamp on it. A true standout of the seventh season
A-

[xJohnnyx]

My cat's breath smells like cat food...

[officespace]

Here's A much shorter one:


Radio Bart
It is a brilliant mix of social commentary along with some just hilarious moments along with a few touching moment that only the early season could produce. The social commentary is rampant in this episode maybe even crammed down our throats . It centers all around media and peoples captivation with it and the media/celebrities using tragedy to gain money/fame. Although most people use the Timmy thing as the most blinding satire in the episdoe my favourite moment of that essence is Homer wathching the televison(hot dancers funky see funky do?) and blindly handing over money to Lisa and even Lisa the smart one of the family being sucked into impersonating these women on the Tv screen showing that even the smartest can be suckered into media as well as showcasing Lisa although often portrayed as years above everyone in maturity levels can still be a girl who wants to have fun.

While the celebrities use Timmy too gain money and fame which is shown in the intervie with Krusty "we throw the rest of the money down a well etc". But it is not just the celebrities that use this to gain money it is the town of Springfield. The people set up a carnival like setting surround Timmy's well. With people selling t-shirts and even useless things such as baby teeth item like this are usually rampant in times of media craziness ( people buying celbrities clothing and pee etc).

Then while Timmy is down the well he is portayed as a hero(family dicussion in front of the TV of all places) but when an actual child(Bart) falls down the well nobody cares. Even a political person who is supposed to be caring for the citizens of the town flip flops on the issue and vows to leave him down in the well. The older couple even say they don't like the new boy in the well(Bart) and don't want to rescue him because he is not the fit for being rescued. Even the media turns away from hi monce again being thrown into a frenzy over an outright ridiculous even the Lincoln squirrel.

This show even in my opinion is filled with touching moments with Bart in the bottom of the well about what he will not get to do in the future and Homer starting to dig the well to save Bart. One of the psudo-touching moments is Sting saving Bart but he only does it because Bart is one of his fans(not). The episode has one of my favourite endings with Bart being rescued and the little sign being put up to warn people about the well.

Grade :A/A+ A nice play on Ace In The Hole and just shows the brilliance of the writing at the peak of the series

[grind/bro]

I could do this for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes, but I am too lazy. Let's just say that it was the most socially progressive series on television at the time.

[Hollow]

I could do this with Saved by the Bell episodes and I'm betting Zach could do the same thing with Degrassi.

[xchadx]

.

[officespace]

AWESOME!!! I fully support this!

Amanda and I discussed having a Vegan potluck soon. Maybe we can start watching a ton of crucial Simpsons episodes then?!?!!?

YES!YES!

[stumped.]

trim your reviews down man, i loved reading them but they came off more in the vein of essays. also, try to cut back more on the plot summerization. granted i only got a chance to read the bart got an F all the way through...
i felt like it relied too much on feeding me scene to scene analysis. like i said before, i really enjoyed the review, but it would be much more readable if a few key scenes from the episode was locked down as a firm examples of the themes being examined. its more digestable to the reader and leads to a firmer sounding opinion (as strange as this seems, considering more examples generally=more proof) but if you believe in a certain aspect of an episode you should be able to draw many examples from a single scene than having to take bits and peices from many to solidify your point.

this being said, keep it the fuck up!!!! you have an incredibley keen eye (and ear) for detail and despite issues with length, you managed to keep the whole thing engaging.
i'm going to read the shorter ones now

[officespace]

To be fair these were for our episode club on No Homers. So we may have gone a bit overboard with the scene summary but it is a thing that needs to be done in reviews etc. They take thier shit seriously!

[stumped.]

To be fair these were for our episode club on No Homers. So we may have gone a bit overboard with the scene summary but it is a thing that needs to be done in reviews etc. They take thier shit seriously!

OHHH okay. i was critizing under the pretense of general consumption by average folk.

[officespace]

Does anyone else here post on No Homers? If so Warren and I usermanes are Darren.Erg and Squeaky Voiced Teen. If not and you're a Simpsons fan you should!

[officespace]

Here's a short one
Lisa The Iconoclast
Season 7 is widely known to have been the season where The Simpsons world was expanded and many characters were fleshed further out with episodes such as 22 Shorts, A Fish Called Selma, Bart On The Road. But this could really be the best season of examples to Lisa's brilliant character with Lisa The Vegetarian, Summer Of Four Ft.2 etc. This is the last season where there was a great portrayal of the Lisa that everyone loves. Iconoclast does a brilliant job of building on Lisa's character with the need for knowledge and truth (despite being called a PC thug) along with the realization that occasionally the need for the truth to be exposed can (for at least a moment) be put on the backburner as it fits everyone else's need/wants and Lisa is not a fundamentally selfish character.


This comedic elements of this episode are in my opinion there but they are small in supply although side splitting. The Wiggum skull gag is one of my favourites in the series although it does seem kind of ridiculous that the towns’ folks who love this man let him play with the skull. One of my favourite lines is also in this episode "Can't we have one meeting that doesn't end with us digging up a corpse?” Of course the creation of the two new words from this episode is a great gag "cromulent and Embiggen". Lisa handing out the posters does supply some laughs at Moe's and the Kwiki Mart etc. Also the great copying center scene with the yellow paper and CGB and his screen play. Lastly the sniper joke was well done and a good way to cap off the episode.


I really did like in this episode that Homer chose to side with Lisa in this episode. But it didn't really provided the emotional sentiment that I think it must have been going for. This is one of the main reasons this episode never creeps into the top 5 of season seven in my opinion. But I did like that Homer sided with Lisa after making fun of her/ not respecting her beliefs in the earlier episode of the season Lisa The Vegetarian( he does recognize this with the kitchen scene).


The museum curator is the best season 7 one time character and in the top 3 of the series. Donald Sutherland does an emaculate job with the voice work and delivers every line brilliantly. The curator also provides many laughs with the Jebeditis lines and the three month lifetime ban. But the curator also is the main force behind the lie that the town was founded on and is Lisa's main opposition to the lie. Although the Curator does come to realize through the logic and passion of Lisa to come to the right mind and tell the town.


We have now come to the ending which for some reason has garnered some much attention. I do not really see the contreversy surrounding it. Lisa is not a selfish character and realizes that doing the right thing just for the sake of her own personal gains would not be the right course of action especially at that given time (the parade). Although I do agree with Narau about exposing historical falsities even if it turns out for the worse is the best thing to do. But there is a proper time for that and disrupting everyone’s happy times at the parade is not something Lisa would do or feel the need to do. She is even questioned by the Curator why she didn't and explains that the the lie that the town is built on brought the best out in everyone so why ruin that. Lastly Lisa riding on Homer's shoulders (getting yet another vegeback ride ha-ha) was a touching way to end the episode.

[officespace]

Sweet Seymour Skinner's Badasssss Song was always an episode I linked in with other average episodes. Until I viewed it about 6 months ago and since then have watched it 4 or 5 times and l love it more and more each time. It is a perfectly crafted episode from the best Simpsons season and the perfect fit for the 100th episode.


This episode is one of the few that has put Oakley and Weinstein in my top 3 writers of the show. Season 5 was truly their season with 3 perfect episodes written by them (Malibu Stacy, Sweet Seymour Skinner and $pringfield) and one decent episode (Lover). One of the main reasons why I think this episode does work so well is that Oakley and Weinstein were able to understand characters that they write for whether it is Marge in their first two episodes (Chains and Job) and especially Skinner in this episode and 22 Short Films the scene with Chalmers. They also were able to showcase their knowledge of the town of Springfield in their 2 seasons as show runners and a few episodes they wrote (Sideshow Bob Roberts and WSMB).

The emotion in this episode is not one of tear-jerking gut wrenching emotion like Lisa's Sub. But it is in a way heartbreaking. The episode shows a perfect description of Seymour’s life and the sort of emptiness that surrounds it with his and his mothers relationship, his eating alone and his lack of and possessions because he chooses a profession where he could help people (a aspect he wasn't receiving in the army) and mainly children this is apparent in the voice flashback Cinco brought up (Learning to read etc). The awkward relationship that Bart and Skinner share provides also for some great emotional moments with the notes on the back and Bart's want to help Skinner get his job back because of his guilt etc. This episode sort of reminds me of Lisa the Greek not in the sense of a father daughter relationship build but that the episode is so fully wrapped in the two characters and their relationship that nothing else seems to matter and the fact that the emotion is spread so brilliantly throughout the episode.

I always liked the aspect of Ned becoming the principal of the school. It was a very smart choice the easiest route would've been make Leopold the principal and parody the whole kids’ shows where principal is replaced with a harsh militaristic principal. The way Ned also becomes principal is hilarious with the whole show and tell scene (one of my favourite things from early school years) and SLH going into the vent and the funny Alien reference. The first act also contains one of my favourite Chalmers lines "class after class of ugly ugly children" Heck this episode is probably my favourite Chalmers lines the religion line and the whole need for acceptance from the school children by repeating Ned's jokes. Ned's whole way of enforcing rules (mainly because of his upbringing from his parents which was one of the funniest moments in the episode) is often one younger kids often dream about with a chaotic, teacher free and unstructured day (shown in Milhouse and Bart's dialogue). But in the normal world you'd need some form of structure to succeed in learning and Chalmers and in a way Bart does realize it although his motivation is more linked to guilt and his realization that his "friend" wants his lost job back. The way Skinner also gets his job back is both funny and realistic with the whole no religion in public school scene and provides an easy way for things to return to normal the way it should be with Skinner at the reigns of the school.

The episode apart from being the best exploration of Skinners brilliant character is also a brilliant exploration of Bart's life and character. It is a great example that Bart is in fact a true child and not some hell raiser. As instead of just taking full advantage of the situation (he did at the start I admit) he feels guilt he usually feels when he does wrong things. This episode to me sort of sets the bar up for Bart in Marge Be Not Proud although a different kind of guilt/perspective they both deal with similar issues. He sees what Skinners life is truly like instead of just imagining what a principal’s life is. He sees his desperation for a friend/companion and his sort of sad/weird relationship with his mother and of course the Laundromat scene and his lack of possession even basic ones like underwear. He does in stint of guilt agrees to form this awkward sweet relationship with Skinner and although this relationship could be good for both of these semi outcasts Bart realizes Skinner need his job back and Bart needs Skinner in his life in a more of a in adult/faux-foe role. Bart also gets the feeling of living Skinner's lonely life with his Dinner alone at Luigi's. Lastly the end scene with the notes on the back is a cute and a nice return to normal of their relationship b/c Bart will never be a good student so they will never share that bond but they do share a special bond as they both are truly what each other need.

Now comes the time when I don't really want to bring up this topic but I feel it is an episode where The Principal and The Pauper did ruin Skinners character and does diminish the brilliance of this perfectly crafted episode because everything that makes this episode flourished gets flushed down the toilet i.e. His relationship with Agnes etc and his sweet relationship with Bart. These relationships and other aspects of P&P are why I do think it was a negative thing to do an episode where they erase a characters past etc.


Overall Grade :A/A+

[age of quarrel]

hey DWarren, have I ever told you guys how much I love you?

[keith.]

im half way done downloading season 5!



i love that song. reminds me of elephants.

[officespace]

i love that song. reminds me of elephants.

[officespace]

My review for Sweet Seymour Skinner:
Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song comes from one of the top seasons of the whole series. So it can easily be forgotten by the greats it is stacked up with. For some at least. This is my second favourite episode of a solid season. There is nothing that does not work in this episode. The humour is top notch, the writing is sharp and tightly woven, the overall plot is excellent and the character development made in this episode rivals almost any episode in the series. A milestone episode that instead of being remembered for just its milestone is remembered for being a great episode.

First off what people care about the most, the humour. This episode is one of those classic era episodes where the jokes were going off at a rapid pace. Right from the start where Bart is trying to choose his show and tell, the show in tell itself(Milhouse's line about knowing the dog beforehand had me in stitches), Willie in the air ducts, the exchange between Skinner and Chalmers, the school after Skinner leaves etc. I could go on and on but I do not just want to summarize all the funny moments. This is what the classic era is known for, an uncanny ability to pack so much humour into 22 minutes. It simply astounds me.

This is one of the episodes where there is not a moment where you feel the plot is moving at the wrong pace. It is cleverly written and packed with jokes. It also manages to pack a lot of down to earth, heart-warming moments in there too. The ending is one that is a truly touching moments. Not overtly emotional but it does make you feel tenderness. The mix between humour and sentiment shown in this episode is amazing.

The high point of this episode is defiantly the character development of Skinner. Skinner has easily become one of my favourite, if not my favourite character of the Classic era. This episode is one of those episodes that shows off the deep character Seymour Skinner can be. After Bart gets Seymour fired they quickly become friends. This is a relationship that grows only after the social restraints of "principal and mischievous student" are thrown off. It is quickly realized that both of them are not too different from each other. Skinner is still childlike in many ways. He is socially an outcast and really does not get any respect (from his students or from his old army group he was leading). This episode lets us look into the tortured soul of Seymour Skinner and it is really hard not to feel sorry for him.

Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss song is contained in one of the best seasons of the series but is defiantly not an episode that should be forgotten. The great mix of humour, sentiment and character shows off what made Oakley and Weinstein such great writers and future show runners.

[officespace]

Also anyone with a Facebook account needs to change their picture to one of Hans Moleman.