R & R: Last Exit to Springfield

[Charmy]

This episode is commonly regarded as one of the best and, in many cases, THE best. But why? What are your reasons for loving this episode so? On the flip side, do you think this episode is overrated? Discuss it all here.

[Sloppy Jimbo LXIX]

I think the reason this episode sits atop most people's lists is that it's an easily justifiable choice, and a popular one at that. It's quite possibly the best representation of the Simpsons versatility in humor. From slapstick, to parodies, to subtle character exchanges, to satire, the humor covers a lot of ground here and I don't think a single joke misses its mark. The plot however, is somewhat empty and lacks a bold statement or satirical point that other great episodes contain. Also, there's not that much emphasis on the characters either. It's all fairly simplistic and the only thing that really stays with me afterwards are the jokes. So for me, it's not a perfect episode but certainly one of the most, if not the most humorous episode and for that it deserves top thirty recognition at least.

Grade: A+

[Garp]

One of the best of all time. 10/10.

[Steve Allen]

10/10.
What can I say?

[Rnymd]

i was gonna to tell you how good LETS is, but i agree with Sloppy Jimbo XII points, so there's no point repeating them.

No. 3 on my all-time list. An Absoulte classic. A+

[kane]

LETS Deserves It's praise. Nice to see one of the best episodes as the name of one of the (if not, THE) best website.

5/5

[y2dave2004]

9/10.

[squishee lady]

Overrated, but not by much. A

[Simpson Purist]

4.5/5

It is a great episode and filled with lots of fantastic moments, but I'm not too sure if it's THE best. Personally I consider episodes like Homer the Heretic, Homer at the Bat, and Lisa's Wedding to be much superior.

[Firewalker]

I wouldn't say it's the best, but it's sure up there. This episode does have a few itty-bitty flaws. Homer is a bit childish, and the plot itself is a tad off-kilter.
But it's hilarious, no doubt about it, and that's what makes the episode so loved. Mr. Burns' grinch parody, Homer thinking Burns is coming on to him, and Burns' flashback with his grandfather. It's all good. Certianly worthy of the name "classic."

A+

[pat]

Not my favorite, but in my top 5. Fantastic episode. Very funny and a well-flowing plot. 10/10.

[SideshowTim]

Classic 10/10.

[chiefdan]

Overrated, for these reasons:


Originally posted by Sloppy Jimbo XII
The plot however, is somewhat empty and lacks a bold statement or satirical point that other great episodes contain. Also, there's not that much emphasis on the characters either.

4/5.

[Tibor]

This episode is among my favorites and has a timeless hilarity. Like samples, character humor, sight gags, parody, absurdity are all thrown in a blender and delivered deftly one after another. The characterization remains likeable and intact, not being compromised for a gag. The story isn't ground-breaking, earth shattering, or any other cliched hyperbole I can think of, but it isn't any more or less meaningful than a joke driven episode has to be.

[Krustofsky]

Originally posted by Tibor
This episode is among my favorites and has a timeless hilarity. Like samples, character humor, sight gags, parody, absurdity are all thrown in a blender and delivered deftly one after another. The characterization remains likeable and intact, not being compromised for a gag. The story isn't ground-breaking, earth shattering, or any other cliched hyperbole I can think of, but it isn't any more or less meaningful than a joke driven episode has to be.

Well put.

[George Cauldron]

I see it as a very good episode, but not the best, and for that reason, I think it's a little overrated. A few people claimed to love this episode, and seemingly, the rest of the board jumped on the bandwagon. There's a wide variety of humor and jokes to enjoy, and you just have to love Homer and Burns' "bathroom" and "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" dialogs.

[Wezzo]

In my top 10, just, at #9. A+ deserving of its praise.

[Dennis]

5/5!! My favorite episode. How many times have we had this poll?

[Charmy]

No idea, Dennis. I ran a search and couldn't find one.

[The Foot]

This was a very good episode but not the funniest or greatest of all time. I do feel this episode is a little overrated. There were some good gags and jokes as well as some good satire. The song by Lisa was alright the first time around, but after the second and third listening, it started to get a little boring. This episode gets an 8/10 on the laugh-o-meter. Grade B+

[Channel Surfer]

Grade: A

A limited satire (businesses are exploitative and corrupt, unions are greedy and corrupt) that is practically summed up in Burns' flashback, but a great gag episode that ranks right up there with the best (though unlike many, I do find the "Lisa needs braces" sequence to be grating). To list just a sample of the gags: The opening with McBain, Lisa's Yellow Submarine fantasy, Burns and Smithers running the plant, Burns as the Grinch, Homer rolling on the floor as Curly, Homer's "is he coming onto me", Burns's strikebreakers, and the smartline discussion are among the many highlights. Not quite the funniest episode, and certainly not the deepest, but it does more than enough to qualify as a classic.

[Eggy]

4/5, great ep.

[Paul]

You're just saying that to get attention, Eggy. How pathetic. This episode is absoloutely brilliant, and anybody who dislikes it should be shot immediatly. I know I'm all against bitching about other people's opinions, but in this case, I don't care. 5/5 for the episode. This isn't my all-time favourite episode ever, but it is an extremely good one at that.

[Wezzo]

Eggy, you think no-one'll know you edited that?!!

[YesMan]

Originally posted by Wezzo
Eggy, you think no-one'll know you edited that?!!

I don't care if people think I edited it... I seriously meant to put 4/5.

[Charmy]

Originally posted by YesMan
I don't care if people think I edited it... I seriously meant to put 4/5.

You're not Eggy. Or are you? :)

[Eggy]

Originally posted by YesMan
I don't care if people think I edited it... I seriously meant to put 4/5.

Who the @#$% are you?

Anyway, I'm starting to wish I did give this episode 1/5, because you peopel are so annoying.

[YesMan]

Originally posted by Charmy
You're not Eggy. Or are you? :)

I am. :LOL:

[Eggy]

Originally posted by YesMan
I am. :LOL:

WTF??? You're not me, you stupid moron.

[Wezzo]

What the bloody hell..

Why did you put 'and that's being generous' originally then?

[Paul]

A moderator ought to check these two idiot's IP addresses, that'll clear everything up. And Eggy, you're a terrible liar. Everybody will know that you have edited it, it fucking says so right underneath your first post in this thread. Please... just act normal. After that post you made, the 1/5 option had been chosen, so that just proves you gave it a low rating. If you deniy selecting the option, an admin or mod will be able to see whether you voted on it or not.

[Eggy]

Originally posted by Wezzo
What the bloody hell..

Why did you put 'and that's being generous' originally then?

Because 4/5 is being generous!

Do I have to draw a diagram for you peple!?!?!?

[chiefdan]

Yeah, you do. Humor us.

[wee raging wilie]

4/5 it was ok.

[Wezzo]

Originally posted by Eggy
Because 4/5 is being generous!

Do I have to draw a diagram for you peple!?!?!?

Please stop trying to explain yourself out of this. When people say "..and that's being generous", they refer to something terrible. you can't fool us.

[Commander McCool]

Good, classic, but not #1 of all time.
Mostly though, overrated.

[msbotz]

i give it a 4/5


fuck i mean what is so good about this episode i mainly like that animation there are way better episodes than this

[Homer Jay]

A+ THE BEST EPISODE EVER. There was nothing bad about this episode, the parodies were great, the slapstick never fails to make me laugh, the plot is solid, the animation is good.

[kevin]

whoa, huge bump. anyway, this is my favorite episode. A+

[SLH]

A great episode. Its in my top ten. A+

[samsa]

OVERRATED!!!

jk. 5/5

[mayo]

i dare you to find a show/episode with such good timing, plot and humor

a+ - 5/5

[Alpha]

5/5 fantastic.

[evergreen]

'Last Exit To Springfield' is the last and the best episode from the writers duo Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodow...Wolarsd....wolosky..., forget it, just Jay Kogen
(Now for you to find out what episode copied this gag of mine, ahem)

[chiefdan]

You copied that gag from "Worst Episode Ever".

[Colburn]

This has been said on here about a million times before, but BEST EPISODE EVER. With longer and more intelligent jokes, great timing, and endless homages, this episode is worthy of its A+. My second favorite is $pringfield, because it's just SO DAMN HILARIOUS.

[Robertuybrush]

I thought I had already answered to this one.
PERFECT 5/5. 'nuff said.

And evergreen copied his joke from Treehouse Of Horror IX.

[evergreen]

That's the only good answer!

Indeed Treehouse Of Horror IX(also a 5/5) copied my joke.

[D'ohmer]

I think it's a tiny bit overrated, but it's still my favorite of season 4. 5/5!

[Drumstick]

Great episode a little overrated but with good reason. Some good jokes a nice plot and you have to love Lisa's song.4.5/5

[tom cody]

5/5, one of the best episodes ever, not the best but it's easily in the top 10.

[Gamblore]

Classic period at its finest
5/5

[Moe Nopoly]

a great episode imo.
The characterization of Mr. Burns and Homer is really good.
The story is pretty clever, funny and entertaining.
one of the best episodes from season 4.

[Financial Panther]

I absolutely hate this episode. One of the all time worst.

[Chou]

^ Mind saying why?

LETS is not one of my all-time favorites, to be honest. When I think of season 4, my mind doesn't jump to that episode. But I won't deny that it is indeed a great episode, and I can see why it gets such praise. The plot is simple with a light touch of satire, and even in it's simplicity, it's engaging. It doesn't need to be elaborate. The humor is a great blend of what The Simpsons has to offer; character based humor, visual gags and slapstick, parodies...and almost all of the jokes in LETS work. The characters are in top form and remain very likable. It's a very enjoyable episode and most certainly a classic one.

5/5- A

[Financial Panther]

I just don't like the plot of the episode, and I don't think there are really any laugh out loud parts.

[violent jase]

To be honest I don't really like this episode much. That's not to say it's bad, but I think it's vastly overrated. There are some truly hilarious moments but generally I don't relate to the humour in this episode. I'd give it a 3/5. Let the beating commence.

[Mister Cheech]

Lisa's song singlehandedly elevates this from a good episode to a great one. Oh, yeah, also that joke where the power comes back on and the neon lights for all the strip clubs illuminate is great.

[Green Man]

Almost perfect -- 99/100

[qwertyuio]

A Simpsons quintessential episode. I could be hours talking about its multiple contributions to the series, in characterization, humour, plot development, criticism, culture references and even charisma. It's the episode I would show to anyone who started watching the series.

Homer is great here, giving some great lines as his hilarious ambiguous dialogue with Burns, or his dream as the union leader. Lisa satisfies her role making another funny and sometimes touching subplot that complements the main plot. Burns was also great. Evil, inconsiderate and astute, but showing his weak spots and finally being defeated.

The song is the pinnacle of this episode, that moving and emotional work of art, sung by Lisa and used to link plot and subplot.

This is a typical Simpsons story, carried out with an optimum quality. A total masterpiece, and top10 material. 10/10

[Gatorsrule]

You copied that gag from "Worst Episode Ever".

I thought it was copied from one of the THOH segments, Hell Toupee? Chief Wiggum accuses Homer of the murder for "Ned Flanders and Apu nahasa...nahasape..nah...nevermind, Ned. Just Ned."

[My Two Cents]

A Simpsons quintessential episode. I could be hours talking about its multiple contributions to the series, in characterization, humour, plot development, criticism, culture references and even charisma. It's the episode I would show to anyone who started watching the series.

Homer is great here, giving some great lines as his hilarious ambiguous dialogue with Burns, or his dream as the union leader. Lisa satisfies her role making another funny and sometimes touching subplot that complements the main plot. Burns was also great. Evil, inconsiderate and astute, but showing his weak spots and finally being defeated.

The song is the pinnacle of this episode, that moving and emotional work of art, sung by Lisa and used to link plot and subplot.

This is a typical Simpsons story, carried out with an optimum quality. A total masterpiece, and top10 material. 10/10

Great review, agree with this part especially.

Absolutely wonderful ep. So many terrific jokes and barely one that falls flat.

This is what a Simpsons episode should be about for me. A mix of subtle, intelligent jokes (Homer's negotiations with Burns) and more obvious, but nonetheless great, humour. (Hired goons?)

Not to mention things like voice work, animation, direction, etc are all spot on here.

[hughes]

By virtue of it not being my #1 favorite episode I guess I could say it's overrated--but it's not! My top about 30 are really more or less interchangeable so none of them are overrated despite not being BEST. EPISODE. EVER.

Anyway, this is definite A+ material, not one thing in the whole episode doesn't work! I saw a review of the S4 DVD once where the guy said he laughed more at the first act of the clipshow than he did during this whole episode--nothing on the clipshow, but my first thought was "What the hell are you smoking?" Seriously, I cannot tell how somebody voted 1/5 on this (but maybe you can't see me giving "Trouble with Trillions" or "Dangerous Curves" and A+ so I don't hate you for it ;))

Holy shit, that was one rambling paragraph, let me just sign off with 5/5, A++

[Le Jake]

I don't get it...why is everyone praising this medicore episode? Yeah, it was in S4, but even the older seasons had a the occassional dud and this was S4's.

Homer reminded me of the Scully Homer as he tried to get ANOTHER job and Lisa's annoying singing made me wish I had the power...to turn the channel. Ugh!

1/5, as it Season 4's worst...nah, 2/5 as I liked the Batman parody.




BTW, april fools!

[keith stone]

BTW, april fools!

Aha! Didn't catch that at first! I was scared that we weren't going to agree on anything Jake!

5/5 for me. Everything I have to say has probably been said already, so I'll skip any explaination. Was a favorite episode for about a year, has sinse moved down to 2 or 3, but that doesn't matter. A+++

[joe miller]

anything less then a 5/5 is terrible for this episode

[Sniper Squirrel]

such an amazing episode, classic era Burns at his best, definitely one of the best of season 4, if not the entire series

[Jimbo77]

Great, Great episode

5/5

Love when Mr. Burns and Smithers go through the long series of doors and then find the dog...rich

[goodfella]

I think some people rate this episode poorly for attention.
The idea of burns being the evil baron who doesn't want to give his employees benefits, and homer as the idiotic negotiatior, it works brilliantly with the lisa needs braces sub plot.
It has many parodies, batman, godfather, etc etc. Burns at his evil best, before turning into a senile old man in "Trouble with trillions".
A great ending, and a really well written episode. I'll give it an A. Maybe it wasn't hilarious as it was possible.

A

[Nauru-1]

Easily a 5/5. Hilarious in spots and entertaining throughout. My only complaint is the Dental Plan bit going on as long as it does. I didn't like it when they did the repetition gag with the rakes in Cape Feare either. Minor complaint though.

[Boss]

Best episode because of the plot. Ranked number 1 in my top 150. 5/5, a pure gold episode. (Not my favorite, though. My favorite is Homer The Heretic.)

~I said fine, what part about sure don't you understand?~

[bartyboy]

5/5, although its not my favorite episode..

[Duffless]

I don't really see why people like it. I mean sure it was funny at some but I don't see why people think it is the best episode. :eek:

[TheForbiddenDonut]

people like it
because

it was funny
and I honestly doubt that there that many people that

think it is the best episode.

[hughes]

I sure don't

Number 3 for me!

[Léo Pard]

I sure don't

Number 3 for me!

19/20, number 7 for me.

I demand the hanging of 6 "illuminated" which rated 1/5. http://nohomers.net/images/icons/grin.gif

[Uosdwis R. Jewoh]

i would give it like a 3.5/5 its definitely better than average but i don't understand why people pretty much want its nuts

[Goon]

Great episode - yeah
Best ever - nah
This is one awesome episode, it contains some of my favourite jokes, and a splendid plot.
Still it's a bit overrated. Sure it's 5/5, but let's be honest here, Cape Feare totally owns this ep, and there are many more that do. Of course this episode is a model of how every single episode should be and a standard against which all classic episodes are compared. Mostly because the plot doesn't revolve around something ep-unique, like Sideshow Bob, a one time character or a flashback, and still manages to be great in it's averageness (is that even a word?).

[Green Man]

Top 3 episode. This one is so awesome and it truly deserves all the praise it has. 5/5

[Steve]

Believe it or not I've only seen this episode a handful of times that I can recall, and I don't have the greatest memory of it. It's pretty good, but I don't know if I'd call it GREATEST EPISODE EVER as it seems to often be called. I'd have to watch it again to see where it really stands, but tentatively I'll say 4/5.

[Granto]

Overrated but still a good very episode. However, many Season 4 episodes beat it.

3.5 rounded to a 4/5

[The Robot Devil]

A+

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVV_Qr82kL4&feature=related

Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!
Dental Plan!
Lisa needs braces!

[Kiyosuki]

I think this is the series' gateway episode. Like, it's either the one you show people who have (completely by some off shoot chance) not seen the show before, or it's just that episode. The one almost everyone knows even if they don't remember what it's called, or the entire thing.

I think it's because it's got a bit of everything that made this show famous in equal amounts. It's got wordy humor, physical humor, parody humor, emotive or more dramatic parts, even if Homer's arguably the "main" guy it features a bit of everyone, and it has a really strong satiric point. It's one of the series truly timeless episodes because the point of it will never become dated. Not anytime soon.

[zitro]

I finally decided to watch this episode (I've never seen it). While the story isn't my favorite, the humor is what made the episode shine.

I'm also surprised by the amount of wackiness present throughout the episode, but it works very well here. I also love all those little quick jokes like Homer's "this morning, I'm gonna punch Lenny in the face", cut to him doing that then switching to another scene in less than 2 seconds.

Best gag: tossup between Lisa's future pics and Homer thinking Burns was flirting with him.

4.5 - 5.0 stars

[Quazie89]

Yes, this is a really good episode. Its not really one of my all time favorites but I do like the Burns as the Grinch parody. I would have to give this episode a 4/5.

[Rudigha]

When I started watching The Simpsons more often, this was one of the first episodes that really stood out to me. It was one great, hilarious scene after another IMO, with a decent song as well.

I don't know if it's my favorite, but definitely top 5.

Classic. 5/5

[tristar]

5/5..... hell, that isn't even good enough. Make it 6/5!

I was laughing throughout the entire episode. I love it, it is on the top of my list for "Greatest Episodes Ever!"

I must have seen it over 50 times, and I never get bored of it.

[JimBob]

This episode is probably my favourite simpsons episode throughout seasons 1-5,in my opinion it is the best episode on season four because it is very,very well written and I also like the part where Lisa start's to sing and play the guitar in front of the power plant,I also like the scene when the dentist shows Ralph the big book of British smiles.I would give this episode a 5/5.


So well march day and night by the big cooling tower they have the plant but we have the power.

[Bella Drape 'er]

A touching, well constructed and very enjoyable adventure from season 4 (Lisa's protest song is catchy!)

However, there have been so many better episodes. 4/5

[Little Nellie Kelly]

♫ Come gather, 'round children, it's high time ye learned; 'bout a hero named Homer and a devil named Burns. We'll march 'till we drop, the girls and the fellas, we'll fight 'till the death or else fold like umbrellas. So we'll march day and night, by the big cooling tower, they have the Plant...but we have the power... ♫

[Darren.Erg]

♫ Come gather, 'round children, it's high time ye learned; 'bout a hero named Homer and a devil named Burns. We'll march 'till we drop, the girls and the fellas, we'll fight 'till the death or else fold like umbrellas. So we'll march day and night, by the big cooling tower, they have the plans...but we have the power... ♫
It's they have the Plant but we have the power

[The Wiggs]

This episode is regarded by some as the greatest episode in the series. Its not my personal favorite, but its still very, very good. 5/5 no doubt.

[Praise Land]

A+ I dont believe this episode is over rated it deserves its title of "One of the best". It has great jokes, great story line, great animation. Overrall a great episode.

[Company Picnic]

I watched this episode last night, after not seeing it for years. Surprised to see so many people rank it so highly but I can definitely see why.

One thing which struck me is that most of the jokes in this episode are among my all-time favourites, although before watching I might not have placed which episode they were from. Such memorable lines as 'Goons. (Who?) Hired goons.' 'That's a nice-a donut.' Grampa's long, boring speech and many, many others justify a top rating for this episode.

What made me go to this thread is that it's one of the strangest episodes I've seen. The amount of flashbacks, movie parodies, and the dark lighting combine to create a slightly disorientating episode. It works though. And the craziness is well grounded by a brilliant union story that showcases the best of Burns. Very nice!

5/5

[Rowdy Roddy Peeper]

Very fast paced and the episode genuinely has some hilarious moments in it but I am always surprised it's always selected as the 'best' one.

[Ben Chan]

i don't think the union storyline is "brilliant". it's competent, but moreso than most plots of season 4, it's a vehicle for jokes. therein lies the success of LETS: it's very, very dense and thank god that the jokes all work. if they didn't, or if it wasn't as dense, i don't think it'd top A-. nevertheless, it all works. A+

[HMS pinafore]

From a time when the Simpsons had a real heart.

A little girl singing a song of solidarity and defiance, as the strikers hold hands and sing along. There faces express not anger or pain, but a serenity of will won by the power of their unity.

Behind looms the massive complexes of capital, but they are shrouded in dark, inert, and impotent.

"They have the plant but we have the power'

[SUPERFOX5]

5/5

Homer: "WHOO HOO!"
*spins on floor*
"Woop woopwoopwoop... (and so on)"

I LOL'd at the Grinch reference with Burns.

I enjoyed the plot of the whole situation Lisa had to go through. (Poor Lisa...)

[Toomanygrandmas]

By some fans, and other media sources this is often cited as the greatest episode of the Simpsons. Though it IS a strong episode, it is not as good as other highly praised Season 4 episodes (like Marge vs the Monorail).

The humour in the episode is strong, but I wouldn't call this episode a gagfest - this is probably for the better though, so the episode can focus on other aspects, such as the plot. The episode portrays Homer positively, making him seem determined to support his daughter and fellow worker, though as Mr Burns discovers, he is 'not the brilliant tactician I(Mr Burns) though he was'. There are numerous pop-culture references, but thankfully none are too 'in your face' (meaning, if you don't get the reference, you can't enjoy the scene on any level).

However, ultimately I find it overrated - it's a funny episode, with good characterisation, but it just simply doesn't feel like the masterpiece it's made out to be.

4/5

[SpeedwaySquad]

I don't think I'll ever get the love for this episode. Many people state the humour as it's strongest point but it doesn't really do it for me. It has funny moments but the funniest of season 4? or even the entire series? not for me. Many of the gags rely on film parodies and cultural references (the donut/organised crime Godfather bit, the "mirror" scene, lisa in the sky with diamonds), which I'm generally not a fan of, well that's not true, but I don't like them in large quantities or to be very long.

Most importantly though, the plot was just.. not very interesting. Personally the story felt written around the gags as opposed to the other way round, and the story didn't really have a climax.. it just felt like a sequence of events. I would have liked a little Homer/Lisa moment where Homer perhaps says how he's doing it for her or something, but it never happens.

I can't understand why someone would consider the best, or even in the top 25. Obvious it's a classic era so it's still good but not a masterpiece. It feels like 10 years ago some guy put all the Simpsons episodes in a hat and pulled this one out and said "This is the one we're gunna claim to be the best ever from now on".

Really, really overrated. Rewatching season 4 and I have to say I personally don't think it holds up to many of its contemporaries (2, 6, 7 and i think 3 are all better).

B

[Blobulle]

Maybe in my top 20 episodes, one of the best of the season 4, classic episode. A 19/20

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Vastly overrated, but still good. 5/5.

[MDB]

This episode is one of the examples for why the simpsons is so famous and loved
5/5
10/10
A+
100/100
Excelente

did you understand me?

I can´t believe six persons give it a 1/5. they are not humans

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4263/33656824.th.png
this scene is amazing. how something so simple can be so funny?

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Always hated the buttcrack thing.

[Riviera]

Excellent episode, but not the greatest ever. Still, worthy of a 5/5.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

SpeedwaySquad - Can't believe how wrong you can be sir.

Anyway, I think the reason so many rate this 4/5 or say "It's overrated" is because of the reputation it has and for me that is unacceptable. You are only judging it that way for the sake of it and not for what the episode deserves. If ever there was a perfect 20 minutes of television then this episode is it. Great Humour, superb plot, spot on characterisation, Godfather parody, the message of the proleteriat against the bourgeoisie (or the little guy against the big guy) and so much more. 5/5, 10/10, 20/20 & A+ How Al Jean was co show runner of something as genius as this episode is mystifying.

[SpeedwaySquad]

SpeedwaySquad - Can't believe how wrong you can be sir. I think the reason so many rate this 4/5 or say "It's overrated" is because of the reputation it has and for me that is unacceptable. You are only judging it that way for the sake of it and not for what the episode deserves.

If you read my review, you'd realise that I don't just not like it as much as everyone else because it's universally loved. It's because it, in itself, is really not that great. The plot is unengaging, the jokes over-reliant on cultural references and the idea that making something last ages makes it funny (Grandpa onions thing, dental plan), and the characters fairly dull. Honestly this episode is almost a gagfest and it doesn't succeed in my books. It focuses perhaps too much on gags which essentially means if you don't find it funny, there's not much left to appreciate. And personally I didn't find this that funny.

There's still a level of decency because it's the classic era, naturally some jokes/moments of the plot are well executed. But overall it is nothing more than just "good" and it's pretty much the most overrated of all time. Even if I did find this hilarious it would still only get an A-. It's just lacking. This episode probably only scrapes my top 100 in fact. It actually might miss it.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

This episode probably only scrapes my top 100 in fact. It actually might miss it.

Wow. That is all.

[qwertyuio]

Hey Murphy, you don't need to be such a dick to anyone who doesn't think like you. I love every little bit of Last Exit To Springfield, but it's a gagfest, and being a gagfest implies a risk of not appealing to the comedic preferences of everybody. So it's not that difficult to find someone who doesn't understand the big thing about this episode, because it doesn't work that well for them.

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

I absolutely hate this episode. One of the all time worst.

:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@

Anyway, 5/5. The tied best of season 4 (Tied with Marge vs. the Monorail). My favorite part:
Homer: WHERE'S MY BURRITO? WHERE'S MY BURRITO? WHERE'S MY BURRITO?

[Financial Panther]

Do we really have to get into this again? First of all, I said that almost four years ago. The episode has grown on me a teeny bit. Second of all, I have explained my reason for my dislike of this episode over...and over...and over...and over...

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Crazy but you're entitled to your opinion mate.

[The Spruce Moose]

the greatest argument for eugenics is that 6 people gave this 1/5

[Guardaviewer]

Brilliant blend of everything that makes watching Simpsons so good. An emotional, powerful storyline, touches of silliness and humourous quips and gags. The bit with Lenny jigging his head along with Lisa's classical jingle was one of my favourite moments.
It was so beautiful to see the members of the plant stand up to fight for what they believed in, and Lisa's chants catalysed these various scenes into complete beauty.
5 OUT OF 5 JAMAICAN SCEPTRES

[lovedartsandsimpsons]

The best episode of the first four seasons, and easily one of the best of all time. Strong plot and some of the finest humour I've ever seen on TV. The scenes at Burns' mansion are particularly outstanding.

5/5

[irvine_11]

Good, but overrated. 4/5