Rate and Review Saturdays Of Thunder

[Butters]

Synopsis:
In order to build a father/son relationship, Homer helps Bart build a soapbox racer. However, when Martin crashes his racer during the time trials, Bart must make an important decision: Turn his back on his father and be Martin's replacement driver, or race in his soapbox and let Nelson win.

The Good
- Nelson
- Barney still trying to hit on Selma (see 7F15 and 7F20)
EDIT: Oh, wait, it was Patty this time.
- Most of the Homer scenes
- They're finally hauling away Homer, it's for the best
- Homer 'asking' Ned about when a kid should start dating
- 'Kill Spectators'

The Bad
- Homer been a jerkass when Bart turned his back on him.

4/5

[George Cauldron]

I really like this episode even if it's not an obvious candidate for one of the best episodes. It's full of touching father/son bonding moments, the humor is extremely subtle in places and it's just got a feel-good factor to it, particularly the ending. The best part is where Homer attempts the Fatherhood Quotient tests, both times.

[Generic]

4/5. I disagree with the notion that Homer was being a jerkass though. I think it was more a combination of his immaturity and feelings of hurt and betrayal. He had made a genuine attempt to bond with his son after being shown up as an unattentive father, and Bart's decision to race in Martin's soapbox racer was tantamount to rejecting the attempt at bonding.

[squishee lady]

An episode so unmemorable, I can't even remember it, even though I know I saw it.

[Kuje]

I lik eit, the plot is very simple and family based. A lot of new episodes should be more like this, staying in Springfield and not wacky or unrealistic

4.3/5

[snrub]

It's OK - not my favourite Bart/Homer episode though

3/5

[MacGyver 666]

I like this episode a lot (probably in my top 100), it may not be the most memorable but it's filled with a lot of good humor, and moments. A/A+

[Robertuybrush]

I think it's a good episode. 4/5

[pat]

Good episode, exploring the relationship between Homer and Bart and how driving Martin's car broke Homer's heart. Good jokes as well give it a 4/5.

[brentholomew]

Squisheelady..if anything this episode is one of the most memorable episodes ever. Lots of memorable moments. Not one of the best though, but stilll good.

4/5

[doyle]

4.5/5 A top 50 episode

[squishee lady]

Originally posted by Brent
Squisheelady..if anything this episode is one of the most memorable episodes ever. Lots of memorable moments. Not one of the best though, but stilll good.

4/5

I'll have to re-watch it. It's been atleast a uear since I've seen it. The jokes may have been good, but the plot just didn't grab me, thats why I always tend to forget it exists.

[SideshowTim]

Haven't seen it in a while but what from what I remember it was very entertaining, Very funny and had a nice Bart/Homer story, 8/10.

[Wezzo]

5/5. Another underrated classic. Good thru and thru.

[Channel Surfer]

Grade: A

As is expected of season 3, this is another highly character-driven distinct episode that while the premise isn't as known as well as others in season 3, its still very captivating as one of the few good Homer/Bart bonding episodes ("Brother From the Same Planet" and "King of the Hill" being the only others I can think of). I certainly didn't see Homer's behavior as "jerkass". Like AB said, Homer tried to be a loving father to Bart by helping him with his soapbox racer, but felt betrayed when Bart agreed to take Martin's racer. Perhaps a bit immature, but Homer's an immature person, and it's not as though he doesn't redeem himself anyway. The jokes were great too, from the already mentioned attempts at the Fatherhood Quotient tests by Homer, to the "Ben Hur" homage (even if perhaps the most overdone parody in cartoons), Patty with the "Mary Tyler Moore" haircut, the McBain video, and the opening with "I Can't Believe They Invented It". Might make my top 50, and if not certainly borders on it.

[Rnymd]

3/5: Good episode, not the up there with the best though

[DotheBartman]

While not my favorite "parental bonding" episode of season 3 (Lisa's Pony gets that distinction), Saturday's of Thunder is nothenless one of the best episodes of the very strong season 3. As Channel Surfer said, there are too few bonding episodes between Bart and Homer, and I consider this one to be the best of them. It is very moving and captivating in many areas, with very likeable characters. And, lets not forget all the hilarious moments, of which there are many (Martin running on fire, "you sure gave that kid the heebie jeebies", Quimby's lines, "and I'm also fat!", etc).
Grade: A

[Simpson Purist]

9.5/10

Awesome episode. Homer was not a immature, greedy jackass. Personally I thought it was better than Lisa's Pony, mostly because it never got too syrupy (although Lisa's Pony was pretty good too).

[Sloppy Jimbo IV]

Disregard.

[simplysimpsons]

4.5/5 - maybe a 5/5 because I can't really find fault with it, an extremely well made, high quality ep. Homer was at his best - a shining example of the old Homer before the Scully Era. You actually felt sorry for him when he cried! Lots of rare Homer/Bart bonding moments too, which was a treat. Even though it was a more plot-based ep, it still had its share of funny gags. Grade: A/A+ (About average for S2!)

[Wezzo]

It's from S3. Sorry to nitpick :).

[Eddie]

Not as good as "Lisa's Pony", but it definitely deserves credit as one great episode involving the relationship between Homer and Bart. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of tender moments. A very overlooked episode. 8/10

[squishee lady]

OK, I'm gonna watch it again, as soon as I get to my parents house (where my DVD player is) this weekend and see if I like it any better.

[Unbelievable_Truth]

After numerous repeated viewings of this specific episode, I've come to the only possible conclusion...it is indeed the best episode out of season 3 and there is even potential of being one of the best ''Simpsons'' episodes known to date. I shall name several aspects as to why I think so....

The intro was PURE GOLD! The witty conversation between Nick and Troy Mclure makes me laugh every single time I watch it. Nick being the standout character for sure with some very clever lines, '' Not so fast Troy''......''Buuuuuttt troy hooooww cannn I make it lower than 39.95?'' Troy:'' Find a way'' :LOL: You get the picture! Homer's reaction is sure to give you some funny laughs too.

Following this perfect scene is another glorious performance by actor Mc.Bain. Not essential to the story, however, it adds a very funny contribution!

We already have some very non-important scenes, but the story itself is excellent...Superbe!

In my opinion, Homer was at his best delivering a perfect 10! Having a hatred against Martin after Bart decides to take advantage of Martin's car, makes for some of the most entertaining moments ever. When Homer meets Martin, his reaction is hilarious! ''ÝOU! Homewrecker!'' :LOL: ''I'll curse that name till the day I die'' :D

GRADE: 10!

[The Foot]

An enjoyable episode with good involvement between Homer and Bart, but not one of my favorites.
This one gets a 7/10 on the laugh-o-meter. Grade B

[y2dave2004]

3/5

[ShadowBun]

A solid 4.5 or 5/5! I loved the ending in particular to this one...like the last 3 seconds. The rest was great as well...

[bovine_university]

An episode from season 3, but not one of my favorite episodes from season 3. There aren't really many spectacular or memorable moments from this episode, and I always thought that Patty and Selma didn't make very good use of the numerous scenes they were in. Not a great episode, but it's at least satisfactory. 3/5

[Reservoir Dog]

This episode strayed a little bit from the 2 story theme that made the 3rd season great. 3/5

[Rest your giant head]

This is one of my least favorite episodes ever... The problem is that this episode is between brilliant pieces of season 3,and that's why this episode seems like crap to me every time i see it. It's just not good as the others. Homer was too harsh on Martin,it was so out of character. The episode is full of pointless and stupid lines,like this one: "My dad,he's just sitting and staring at the TV,I've never seen him like this". God,we always see him like that! The episode made me laugh only few times,the only thing I really liked here is the scene with Homer doing the test. All in all... 2/5

Also,this episode seems like season 1 holdover - cruel animation,bad jokes,and incomplete characterisation.

[Sniper Squirrel]

Very good episode, nice touching Father/son moments, a little lower on the laughs, but still damn good, 4/5

[LionelBrockman13]

God, I love this episode and love this season. Such a tight plot with nothing wasted, as every single element contributes to the overall narrative. Also very funny, particularly for a Season 3 episode:

- Homer: If stuff starts flying, just turn your head.

- The entire Reineer Wolfcastle part is, with the possible exception of his segment in LETS, his finest moment in the entire series. "MEN-DO-ZA!!!!"

- Homer: [watching 'Football's Greatest Injuries'] Oh, you made me miss Joe Theismann!

- Homer describing one of Bart's friends as "that little weiner kid, you know the one who always has his hands in his pockets" is hilarious and surpisingly dirty at the same time. At least that's how I interpreted it, maybe I just have a twisted mind.

- Bart: [upon watching his father getting taken away] Maybe it's for the best.

- The reverse psychology bit was well executed I thought and fits perfectly with Homer's character, as he doesn't even realize he's being manipulated (by himself, of all people).

- Of course, Martin's crash was great.

And is this the episode where "Wind beneath my wings" plays in the background at the end, or am I thinking of something else entirely?

Either way, great ep. A

[Imperciph]

As a Homer/Bart episode, I like Saturdays Of Thunder.

It starts on a great note with the opening tv parody with Troy Mclure and Dr. Nick which does a great job of lampooning infomercials. From then, the episode does a good job with building up Homer's hilarious incompetence as a father as demonstrated by his indifference to Bart using dangerous power tools, his attempts to get off doing something with his children as cheaply and quickly as possible, his refusal to rent Lisa what she wants.

Once the main conflict goes going the episode continues its high quality. I found Homer's bonding scenes with Bart to be very well-done and touching though I realise it may come off as sappy and manipulative. While some may complain that Homer's reason to get that upset is unbelievable and contrived I would argue that it was perfectly logical : he was using the car as a means of bonding with his son and he was upset at the fact that his son chose to win rather working with him. The true reason Homer got that upset was the fact that Bart failed to realise that the project meant more to him than just a car and didn't fully appreciate Homer's intentions. Homer interpreted Bart's inability to realise his intentions also as a failure of himself as a father. And the ending scene with Homer sitting in Lil' Lightnin', which soon falls apart under his weight is strangely sad and poignant. Who knows, perhaps the falling apart of the car symbolises the unravelled relationship between father and son.

Humorwise its on par with almost all of Season 3; particular standouts include the Mcbain parody (which easily is one of most LOL moments in the show's history) "Bill Cosby, you've saved the simpsons", footballs greatest injuries, Patty and Selma as Mary Tyler Moore and how Homer passes the fatherhood test.

I particularly like the the ending scenes. When Bart wins and both Bart and Homer taunt Nelson, it is the Simpsons-esque twist on the standard "you earned the respect of your opponent" plot device and is touching at the same time as it is great to see the father and son get back their smarmy attitudes. And the ending with the song playing in the background with Bart and Homer hugging each other is quite an emotional moment but I am aware that it may come off as being sappy and manipulative. I, however, like it.

I give this one an A-

[coltonwiggum]

5/5, I love it.

[Homerpalooza]

I give it a 4.5/5 this is one of my favorite episodes ever.

[Fox Executive]

4/5. Ben hur with bart and nelson :lol:

[tom cody]

5/5- Terrific episode. An episode that greatly examines Bart and Homer's relationship. I recently bought Season 3 of the show on DVD and can't wait to watch this episode.

[Moe Nopoly]

it's more an average episode for me.
Nothing really stands out for me from this story.
Not bad, but could have been sometimes a little bit more funny.

3.5/5

[sconer]

A really good episode. Helped make season 3 one of the best. 5/5

[ThatAsianGuy]

nice use of martin in an early episode. 5/5

[sri16v]

One of my favorite episodes of season 3. So many great jokes,the fatherhood institute part, homer: "what boy" (when talking to dave of the institute). The mcbain scene, the reverse physcology part. Homer being taken away in the wood paneled station wagon and bart just says " maybe its for the best".

I watched a reasonably new episode of the simpsons today and homer just doesnt compare to what he used to be, not even funny and his stupidity doesnt seem believable.

[Morris Szyslak]

I overrated this episode, because it was between two masterpieces, but in the last reviews it has slightly disappointed me.
No doubt it's good, with a great Homer-Bart interaction, but it lacks some humour and the story about the soap box derby doesn't fit with Bart very well. 9/10, I still like it, but not as much as I used to.

[4 Alarm Chilli]

Classic, the scene in the video store was great