Rate & Review: "Catch 'Em if You Can" (FABF14)

[Cole]

From SNPP (http://snpp.com/upcoming.shtml)
Bart, Lisa, and Grampa (and maybe Maggie too; it's not clear) are going to Miami when they discover that Homer and Marge went there on their own...and when Homer and Marge give them the slip, "The Simpsons are going...all over the place!"You can check out the preview/speculate thread (http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39133) for more details.

A repeat of "Today I am a Clown" will be shown at 8:30/7:30 c.

As usual, the thread and poll will open once the episode airs.

[Kefka]

It was pretty good (omgwtf!) I liked that one animation bit where it showed Lisa and Bart chasing Marge and Homer.


One thing I didn't like is how they just kinda dropped the Grandpa Subplot midway

[Datoupee]

4.5 out of 5. An alright episode with many great jokes dead on. The only reason for the .5 drop off this week is due to the exaggerated plot. Wow ! That was far fetched !

Datoupee comment of the week: This episode should have been titled "Catch this plot if you can".

[mayo]

average ep... good plot, and there a few funny jokes. subplot with grandpa and the gay guy was all right, but i wish they would of tied it up at the end. (montage of old people in miami was hilarious)

3/5

[blueguy]

I couldn't stop laughing through that whole Catch Me If You Can sequence. Surrounded by Marge's line in the elevator and Homer's thong, those couple minutes bumped up my rating that would have been a 3 to a 4.

[Andy]

I think it was actually very inventive for a Simpsons episode. It wasn't excruciatingly wacky, but it had a very rapid pace. The plot went along just fine, too.

But where the hell was Maggie?

[Mason]

Great ep!Alot better then I expected! Great sequence with the whole chasing bit, and everything else was excellent. The Grampa sub-plot shoul've been tied up, but everything else was fantastic! A

[Dennis]

It was bad until Bart and Lisa started tracking down Homer and Marge, then it got terrible. 1/5. Third worst of the season.

Treehouse of Horror XIV 2/5
My Mother the Carjacker 3.5/5
The President Wore Pearls 3/5
The Regina Monologues 1/5
The Fat and the Furriest 1/5
Today, I am a Klown 2.5/5
'Tis the Fifteenth Season 4/5
Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays 1/5
I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot 3/5
Diatribe of a Mad Housewife 2/5
Margical History Tour 3/5
Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore 2/5
Smart and Smarter 3/5
The Ziff Who Came to Dinner 1/5
Co-Dependent's Day 3.5/5
The Wandering Juvie 3.5/5
My Big Fat Geek Wedding 2/5
Catch 'em If You Can 1/5

[bartimus prime]

couldn't help but wonder where was maggie as well.

good episode, far fetch plot but it worked, great jokes as well.

[kevin]

This episode was pretty good, no real problems, although things moved so fast, I could barely keep up. Plenty of laughs as usual, and no major errors. B

Treehouse of Horror XIV B
My Mother the Carjacker A-
The President Wore Pearls A-
The Regina Monologues D+
The Fat and the Furriest C-
Today, I am a Klown B+
'Tis the Fifteenth Season A
Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays B-
I, (Annoyed Grunt)-bot C-
Diatribe of a Mad Housewife B
Margical History Tour C+
Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore A-
Smart and Smarter B-
The Ziff Who Came to Dinner C
Co-Dependent's Day B-
The Wandering Juvie A-
My Big Fat Geek Wedding B
Catch 'em If You Can B

[Doctor Nick]

Overall an enjoyable episode, especially if you've seen "Catch Me If You Can." The plot was very exaggerated and the Grampa subplot was pretty useless (is grampa still in Florida?), but the CMIYC parody makes up for it. 4/5.

[Mira]

4/5 Pretty Good overall.

[Pie Pants]

4/5. Started off pretty slow but it got good when bart and lisa got on their tracks.

[Wavy Gravy]

Well, this ALMOST garnered a perfect 5/5, but I drop a point due to a few things - namely, the Scullyesque ending, the complete abandonment of Grampa's subplot, and the total disappearance of Maggie. Otherwise, a very funny episode! Some great jokes and references in Act I (Bart's water balloon lecture, the Simpson men and women at the party, and the Futurama poster at Lackluster Video). Some pretty good jokes during the "Love Story" scene, especially Bart and Lisa arguing. Homer choking Bart through the wall was a bit farfetched, but funny enough. The plot really got interesting when Homer and Marge went to Miami, with more good lines ("There's a FIRST Class?", "Everything happens to Eemore", etc.). The tornado seemed a bit overblown and Scullyish, as did Marge laughing as hard as Homer, but Bart and Lisa brought the episode back up. Marge's line in the elevator was hilarious, as was the "Catch Me If You Can" scene, though had it been excised, it probably would have left more room for Grampa's plot. I'd say Bart and Lisa's characterizaation in this episode was spot-on, especially during the dawn scene. As I said before, the ending was a bit lame, but the USA/Canada argument made it funnier. All around, a bit of an empty conclusion, and Homer and Marge seemed unnecessarily nasty in some points, but still pretty funny.

4/5

[Tomacco]

This episode was exactly what it tried to be: FUN! I definitely didn't find any time was wasted either. It started out right away with Bart and Lisa fighting non-stop, which was the spawn of Homer and Marge's adventure. Now, before I get into my more full review, let me point why Homer and Marge weren't quite AS cruel as it seemed (because I know this will be everyone's biggest problem with the episode): First of all, Bart and Lisa are characterized for being pains in the asses in this episode, which they often are, but appropriately exaggerated in this one to give Homer and Marge a reason to break free. Aside from their brawling, they refuse to attend their uncle's party, they refuse to go along with Marge's family suggestions, and cause a ruckus during their movie night. Marge's intentions were good, but the kids were misbehaving monsters.
Now, obviously Marge and Homer's actions aren't really RIGHT by going off to Miami, but what they do makes sense still. They have this opportunity to have a romantic honeymoon (making up for their bad first one), the kids are being taken care of by Grampa, so...what's left? It really doesn't seem that unfair. The only unfair part is they don't let Bart and Lisa in on the fun.

Now, Bart and Lisa find out and refuse to let them have their weekend together and track them down. It gets tricky here, because most parents would probably be furious that the kids came all that way and would worry about their safety. But that doesn't make for good TV really.

My only problem with the episode is actually what happens at the amusement park. I can accept the wackiness of the bouncy castle, but just how abruptly it ends is a bit of a letdown. Ultimately it comes across as once they have sex then it's all good. I guess somewhere along the lines of "Natural Born Kissers", they get their thrill by the whole castle incident. Anyways, this is a bit overanalytical, but the abruptness was the main issue. I would have really liked to see what happened with Grampa, which kinda petered out. At least they didn't meta-ref it (they also cut Bart's comment about "we ruined your vacation and Grampa's with a gay guy in Miami!" from the commercial).

As far as humor goes, I thought this episode was FUNNY and balanced. Chuckles, and belly-laughs, with the standout being the Catch Me if You Can parody, which was masterfully done. The Canada references are always appreciated, there were some decent old-folks jokes, and good one-liners. All in all, this was wacky, but it was fun.

All in all, solid. 4/5 - Definitely one of the more memorable ones of the season. A spice up from the so-called blandness of FABF08 and 10. And truthfully, I didn't find this rehashed in any way really. It didn't feel like any other vacation episode, and it showed a new side of the entire family. I can think of no other episode that was reeaaally like this one. And for the record, I didn't notice Maggie's disappearance. And it doesn't bother me either. They chose to ignore it obviously, and I was fine with that.

I'm more concerned about next week's episode.

[Eddie]

Funny enough, I suppose. That Catch Me if You Can parody didn't really work for me, however. 7/10, B

[My Little Needle]

3.49/5 (3 on the poll)

PEF said it right, it was inventive. The Catch Me If You Can-esque bit had me intrigued.. The first act seemed disconjointed and the plot was rehashing a lot of old ideas. Overrall pretty great though.

[no_msg]

I know that this episode will get a plethora of bad reviews because it was so wacky. But really, I didn't mind it. The Simpsons shouldn't be a show that strives to epitomize realism. One of satire's main qualities is caricature...

[Magnum]

Marge was at her worst characterization ever (since when is she verbally abusive to the kids?)

had too many sex jokes

it was still was pretty funny

parody was brilliant despite having to see Homer's crotch at the end

and I still want my fuckin GTA references. Where are they!?

tis all

[Cole]

Yeah, the unexplained absence of Maggie bothered me, as well. The fact that Marge didn't seem to care that Bart and Lisa were flying around the country unsupervised was also a little unsettling. I guess it showed exactly how desperate Marge was for some alone time with Homer, though. Also, Grandpa's subplot felt very unnecessary at times. Perhaps some of the time set aside for it could have been used to further develop the main plot.

This episode wasn't short on laughs. There were plenty of humorous exchanges between Bart and Lisa. Bart’s “I’m grown up! I’m grown up!” was very funny .. possibly his funniest line of the season. Homer had plenty of hilarious comments regarding "chick flicks," marriage, and parenthood. The "Catch Me If You Can" opening credit parody was very thorough, elaborate, and hilarious. I was surprised at how long it was, but I enjoyed every second.

I'll watch this again before giving it a final grade, but for now I'll rate it somewhere in the B-/C+ area.

[Spooner]

Man, I thought you guys were better at taking small details and blowing them out of proportion. You'd think totally leaving out and ignoring an entire family member would elicit jeers of "kill Graham!" Whatever, season 15 seems to be the heroin to your seasons 9-14. It's numbing you into a sense of security and peace, convincing you that it is all alright for now, and that the episode is on it's way up.

But if I were to compare this to a baseball team, season 15 is struggling around .500, and this episode was a 4 game series sweep. I hope the prospects can develop and pay off in the future for this once great franchise.

[Larson Something]

Two very weak acts to start with. The lingering shot of the phone was a painfully obvious dub-in cover. Even the business names were uninspired (Lackluster Video? The Swelldorado Hotel? Ugh.) The only really good bit was Bart and Lisa's Wicca/Kabbalah exchange.

But Act III was enjoyable. As you can see by my new location, I enjoyed the US-Canada Coast Guard exchange (Shatner-stealing Mexico touchers!) And the Catch Me If You Can segment makes me believe they could pull off a VA-free ep should the need arise.

2.5/5 (3 for poll purposes, but that was generous).

As for Maggie, I assume a wizard did it.

[Jake]

Originally posted by Spooner
Man, I thought you guys were better at taking small details and blowing them out of proportion. You'd think totally leaving out and ignoring an entire family member would elicit jeers of "kill Graham!"

There might not be a show in the near future, so let's all be extra nice! ;)

Pretty good show, but the way the Homer and Marge were trying to get away from the kids was a tad disturbing. And I agree with the people who were questioning the absense of Maggie. But those minor problems aside, it was a fun episode as Tommaco sez.

Grade: B (4/5)

[That Jerk]

Ingenously original and a brilliant take on the "the simpsons are going to.." episode. And i was laughing through the whole thing. Homer gave two lines that were by far the most witty and hilarious quotes of the season. It's a shame i forgot them, but i remember hearing them and going "wow this episode is a classic."
But there were a few things i had problems with dropping my grade down to a 4. I love this episode, but unfortounetly all i can recall are the cons for this review, and they are:

-Confusing first act. They were speaking about going to see an uncle, then suddenly at Lackluster video. The exposition moved so quickly i didn't catch why they said they were gonna do something then did something completley different.

-The uncle's flashback was disspointing, and took up too much time to deliver such a flat "kill me now" joke. In the old days they would have skipped the dreamy flashback fade and went right for the jump cut.

-The CMIYC montoge was brilliant, but the advertisments ruined it for me. I think a lot of that joke relies in the suprise.

-Grandpa's subplot died the second his feet rolled up (at least we go that "potato farm" joke out of it). I didn't even realise maggie was gone until i read this board actually.

-Finally. I found the marriage and sex jokes to be a little too over cynical. It's the kind of hateful humor i'd expect from Married... With Children. I think Homer just hit Bart one too many times, i can't put my finger on it.

yet i was very impressed by the episode. A look into Homer and Marge's outlook on married life, the vast range of settings, and the montoge parody made this a very ambitious and respectable episode. Even with all those flaws, this one goes stright to my top five of the season.

[Magnum]

Also, Simpson relatives from Lisa the Simpson in the uncle flashback were great.

EDIT:Sorry, I didn't notice Wavy already pointed that out.

[Spooner]

I gues I'm just a little confused as all, wheras before you guys were raving over meticulously defined plots that left nothing unanswered and were always sewn up nicely, sometimes at the expense of humor, now you guys are allowing major plotholes and mis-characterizations and giving humor the right of way.

Which don't get me wrong, I've always said I'll take a few minor plotholes or out of character lines for teh sake of humor, but these were major (Maggie missing, Marge way out of character) and the jokes weren't even that funny. Grandpa seduced by a gay guy in Miami... where are the calls of blasphemy? Why hasn't a fire been set? I went fires set, and I want cars overturned, and I want to see a candlight vigil for the Simpsons of Yore by 9 AM tomorrow. The only thing that can show how serious we are about wanting decent shows is with destruction and candles.

[Bort328]

Catch 'em if You Can certainly wasn't the most intelligent, satirical, or unique episode ever, but it was just a whole lot of fun.

There are obviously a bunch of strange things going on in the plot (why were Bart and Lisa so dead-set on their parents not having fun) and some serious holes (who's this mysterious uncle?) and contrivancies (the tornado in Dayton). However, the entire episode was just fast-paced and fun, with just enough wackiness to keep it that way. Also, there were a ton of great one-liners and sight gags scattered throughout the episode.

I do have a couple of complaints: the "Catch Me if You Can"-esque animation sequence, while really well done, was much too long, and a little too derived from the source material. Also, I can't see that sequence aging very well. In 10 years, I doubt many people will remember that movie too much, making that sequence kind of confusing and ineffectual (although Moe's cameo was great). Also, it seems like Grandpa's plot was abandoned about halfway through, which is a shame, because it had some decent potential.

Did anybody notice that the lines we saw in the commercial ("we're crashing your vacation, we ate your dinner, and Grandpa's with a gay guy in Miami" or something along those lines) weren't actually in the episode? Oh well.

So... not the most interesting or well-plotted episode ever, but just really humorous and fun, and in the end, isn't that what really counts?

My score: B+

[Gorky]

Let me start off by saying this: I didn't have high-expectations for this episode. Now here's what I thought of it:

Well, what can I say? I didn't like this one. Sure, it had some great jokes, but the plot itself bothered me.

First of all, the bad aspects. Marge and Homer's actions were at least justified, but still out-of-character in a number of ways. As it has been stated, Marge was completely oblivious to her kids' feelings. She was also an unconcerned parent. Why would Marge not be bothered by her 8 and 10 year olds roaming the country looking for her and her husband? It seemed as if all Homer and she cared about was sex. Sure, this offered a number of jokes, but I kind of got mad at the writers for it. The idea of taking a second honeymoon on the spur of the moment is wonderfully romantic, in a way. But, the writers could have handled it with more care.

Another thing that I got mad about was, as I have said in other threads, Grandpa and Raoul. For one thing, the whole idea has been used a bit too much. There were two great episodes that dealt with the same idea that Abe and Raoul's sub-plot was trying to express (those two episodes are "Homer's Phobia" and "Three Gays of the Condo"). Even though I didn't like the idea to begin with, the fact that the writers kind of just abandoned Grandpa in Miami without a second thought made me even angrier and made that bit of the episode incomplete.

Enough griping, here's what I liked.

The first act tied in with the episode's main theme. Bart and Lisa were being monsters and were inconsiderate and oblivious to Homer and Marge from the beginning. As Tomacco said, this gives Homer and Marge's later actions some type of justification.

The brilliant and masterful parody of "Catch Me if You Can"'s main title is the biggest highlight of the episode. That montage was amazing, and I loved the music.

So, the bad far out-weighs the good. I give it a C. For me and my purposes, a C is a 2/5.

Did you guys notice the Futurama poster in the background of the video store? Look for it if you want. It's hard to see, but it's blue with art similar to that of the cover of the R1 Futurama Volume 1 DVD.

[pocketfox]

You guys are pretty rough on this one. Granted, a bad review is very hard to get from me (I'll admit freely), but come on. The parody of Catch Me If You Can was awesome. one of the top 5 parodies in the history of thge show. Very good show all-around. 5/5

[That Jerk]

How is Marge's characterization off? She's been known to escape for "Marge time" and negect the family many times starting with the Rancho Relaxo episode... And i just assumed Maggie was with Patty And Selma until it was brought up she was gone. As for Grandpa and the gay guy, eh, rather it be clichied and unfunny, than idiotic and offensive.

[Magnum]

Originally posted by That Jerk
How is Marge's characterization off? She's been known to escape for "Marge time" and negect the family many times starting with the Rancho Relaxo episode...Sure but I don't seem to recall her ever having a 'my kids ruined my life' attitude, not by a long shot.

[Spooner]

Marge has been known to leave teh kids, but it's always been with Homer or someone home. Granted, them being with homer is potentially more dangerous then being alone, but I don't see how Marge would ever leave her children entirely alone for any reason.

(Yes, I know she left them with Grandpa Simpsons, and I can understand them blowing off Uncle What'shisname to go to Miami, but once they left the kids in Miami and other various places, it jsut got a bit too much for me to handle. I mean, c'mon, she didn't even like tehm watching Itchy and Scratchy.)

[DotheBartman]

Wow, what a suprise. I didn't have high expectations for this one at all, but it was a pleasant suprise. As Tomacco said, this episode's focus was on fun. And I have to say it met that requirement well.

The storyline, wierd as it was, was legitimately clever and inventive, and felt very fresh. Characterizations were great even; Bart and Lisa as purely kids (instead of bizarre mini-adults) and Homer and Marge as exhausted parents. The Catch Me if You Can parodies were particularly nice, and the parody of the intro (Homer's dream in the airplane as it turns out) was great and well animated.

And humor wise things were pretty much great through and through. Homer and Bart's stolen credit cards, the choking scene, nearly all the Grandpa/old people scenes, the "Futurama" poster, and the ending with Ned and Rod....all just examples of good gags that stand out. I should also note I particularly liked Bart and Lisa playing "the floor is made of lava", since my sister and I played similar games as kids.

All in all I don't know what else to say about this one. It didn't have the absolute greatness of, say, "Tis the Fifteenth Season", but it was nonetheless very good. This "Beatle Browed" internet reviewer liked this one a lot.

B+

DYN: I'm fairly sure Dayton is actually Nancy Cartwright's hometown (and is also close to Cleveland where I myself have a bunch of old relatives).
If it wasn't already obvious, some of the relatives seen in the Dayton flashback first appeared in "Lisa the Simpson".

[Mira]

Originally posted by Spooner
I gues I'm just a little confused as all, wheras before you guys were raving over meticulously defined plots that left nothing unanswered and were always sewn up nicely, sometimes at the expense of humor, now you guys are allowing major plotholes and mis-characterizations and giving humor the right of way.

Which don't get me wrong, I've always said I'll take a few minor plotholes or out of character lines for teh sake of humor, but these were major (Maggie missing, Marge way out of character) and the jokes weren't even that funny. Grandpa seduced by a gay guy in Miami... where are the calls of blasphemy? Why hasn't a fire been set? I went fires set, and I want cars overturned, and I want to see a candlight vigil for the Simpsons of Yore by 9 AM tomorrow. The only thing that can show how serious we are about wanting decent shows is with destruction and candles.

Well I can only speak for myself here, but, Mis-Characterazations and Plot-holes/ Conituity Errors etc. Have never bothered me at all. too much Blandness and Dullness or extremely unessecary wackiness are things I give low ratings to.
If it's supposed to be a funny episode and it is funny or a an emotional episode that feels emotional, then It'll get a good rating from me.

This episode seemed like it was just meant to be funny and nothing else and it made me laugh. I've nevered cared about little character problems and such.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Spooner
Grandpa seduced by a gay guy in Miami... where are the calls of blasphemy? Why hasn't a fire been set? I went fires set, and I want cars overturned, and I want to see a candlight vigil for the Simpsons of Yore by 9 AM tomorrow. The only thing that can show how serious we are about wanting decent shows is with destruction and candles.

Grampa hung around with Raoul becuase he finally found someone to listen to his outrageous stories.

And as for Maggie, she didn't get her reputation as "the forgotten Simpson" for no reason.

And I found Marge was mainly out of character in what she said verbally, not her actions.

[Spooner]

I don't think they delved far enough into the Drandpa subplot for us to make any assumptions on it. All we know is:

a) THe guy wanted Grandpa Simpsons
b) Grandpa though the guy might be gay
c) Grandpa will tell stories to anyone whether they care or not.

And I know of the reputation, but c'mooooon, it's not like they wrote her in THEN forgot, they just completely left her out!

And in your third point, I have no clue what the fuck that means. I saying something not an action? When was this law passed?

[Crotis Jivefunk]

I expected the episode to be a good, fun vacation episode, which is what I got. Plenty of laughs, no really bad jokes, with the exception of the tornado destroying the basement and one or two in the third act. No tasteless gay jokes either. :) Ralph was funny too. I'm expecting next week to be on par with The Fat and the Furriest, maybe a bit better. I don't think we'll ever see any more Helter Shelters anymore. Final Grade: A-

Season Rankings:

The 5/5s:
-My Mother the Carjacker
-The President Wore Pearls
-The Regina Monologues
-Today, I Am A Klown
-Tis The Fifteenth Season
-Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
-The Wandering Juvie

The 4's:
-THOH XIV
-I, D'oh-Bot
-Diatribe of A Mad Housewife
-Smart and Smarter
-The Ziff Who Came to Dinner
-My Big Fat Geek Wedding
-Catch 'Em If You Can

The 3s:
-The Fat and the Furriest
-Margical History Tour
-Co-Dependent's Day
-Marge Vs. Everyone

[HomertheGreat]

Pleasantly surprised. This season has had a tendency to be very bland and run-of-the-mill, (The Ziff Who Came To Dinner, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) but this certainly has to go down as one of the most creative episodes the show has produced. But what I liked about it was that it still, for the most part, remained true to the characters. I disagree with many of you in that the characterizations were excellent. Bart and Lisa were actually KIDS, and Homer and Marge were the typical, middle aged couple looking for an escape from kids and from their normal boring lives. Combine this with a great set of one-liners, gags, and a riotus parody of "Catch Me if You Can" and you've got yourself a nice episode. Buuuuttttt there are some minor flaws. I'm not sure if I liked the ending that much. Falling off of Niagra Falls and having sex took it a little over the top. There are also some other things like "Where was Maggie?" but I feel like I'm nitpicking with that.

Overall it was a breath of fresh air and the kick in the ass this season needed. Hopefully they can pull off the wacky, zany episode two weeks in a row. B

[doyle]

I missed the episode last week, my first missed episode in quite some time. As a result, I had gone about a month without seeing a new episode. This was a decent one to see to getmyself back into the Sunday night routine. This was mostly a Bart on the Road-esque adventure episode that relied on humor above everything else. It delivered there as few jokes fell flat. Homer and Marge each had some very good lines. Abe's "I'm a legal guardian" line stands out as a highlight of the night. The Catch Me if You Can parody was very nice. The plot held up pretty well. The main plot at least. Abe's subplot really just filled up space because the main plot was a bit empty, as fun as it was. However, the parody made took up some space with no dialogue, and that didn't bother me too much, so the subplot shouludn't really be a big deal. The romance plot was a bit hokey, and there were a few moments that reminded me of Natural Born Kissers, but the problem was a different one than in that episode. The Niagra Falls scene was the worst part, but still not something that disgusted me. Characterization was iffy, particularly Marge's line about all the children being accidents, but Maxtone-Graham has done worse. In fact, he did a pretty good job with things in this episode. Overall, it was a decent show that got by with good humor. B

[Maddog53]

4/5. I thought this one was pretty good, and quite un-wacky for Graham episode. Maggie being left out bugged me too, as was the total forgetfulness of Grandpa at the end, and Lisa is supposedly Wiccan now?

Other than that, a pretty funny episode that was meant for nothing else. I didn't find Marge to be out of character at all (or anyone else for that matter). Marge and Homer are a married couple who just want a few minutes to themselves, once they find it, they don't want to lose it. Meanwhile, Bart and Lisa don't mind going with their parents to places, just not to boring ones (their uncle). When they find out that they are having fun without them, they get appropriately mad. Of course, the lengths to which each set goes to accomplish their goal is a tad extreme, but I thought worked overall, and this is why my grade is so high.

The parodies, jokes, one-liners, and sight gags were all very well done, and more than overcompensated for some of the plotholes. As well, the Marge and Homer problem seemed to be solved for sex, which really wasn't their motivation to begin with. Now THAT is being too overanalytical.

I found this episode to be quite funny and among the best of the season. That is extremely ironic when I gave Graham's last episode (the horrid Dude, Where's My Ranch) a 1/5, but in this episode he redeems himself and produces a GOOD wacky episode.

Maddog.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Spooner
I don't think they delved far enough into the Drandpa subplot for us to make any assumptions on it. All we know is:

a) THe guy wanted Grandpa Simpsons
b) Grandpa though the guy might be gay
c) Grandpa will tell stories to anyone whether they care or not.

And I know of the reputation, but c'mooooon, it's not like they wrote her in THEN forgot, they just completely left her out!

And in your third point, I have no clue what the fuck that means. I saying something not an action? When was this law passed?

Meh. I can tell by your attitude that there will be no discussion or reasoning with you, so catch ya later, Simpsons hater!

(joking, I know you don't hate Simpsons, but you do hate this season)

[Icedragon]

I'm with the minority on this one. I hated this ep.

1) Bad Characterizations all over the board. I could not imagine Lisa following her parents just to keep them from having fun. I was not sold by her actions during this "episode".
Marge as well. I understand getting away from hte kids, but as it has been stated before, not caring that her pre-teen children are traveling unsupervised all over the US? This isnt the Marge of old.
I was not impressed with Homer's characterization either in this ep, but less than the first two. At points in the first act, I thought I saw Jerkass Homer come on out for a while. After the first act break, Homer was tolerable.

2) Bad plot. I bought Homer and Marge needing some R and R from the kids, but I couldnt buy Lisa and Bart following(when they could have gone somewhere else and had fun on their own). The Grandpa subplot as handled poorly, and the absense of Maggie for some reason doent suprise me.

3) Not the greatest jokes. Some jokes just ran too long, like the scene with Homer and Marge and the young couple.

Anyway, this got a 2/5 for me. Not memorable at all.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Spooner
Grandpa seduced by a gay guy in Miami... where are the calls of blasphemy? Originally posted by Spooner
a) THe guy wanted Grandpa Simpsons
b) Grandpa though the guy might be gay
c) Grandpa will tell stories to anyone whether they care or not.a) It has been established that Grandpa is a lonely man.
b) We all know that he enjoys telling longwinded stories.
c) The gentlemen in Miami was willing to listen to the longwinded stories.

I don’t see where the “seduction” takes place.

[Spooner]

I don't hate this season. I hated the bad seasons. I'm pleasantly surprised by this season. I just think you guys are overrating it a bit.

A 3/5 isn't bad, which is what I've given most eps this season, but it's just not the quality I've come to expect from The Simpsons.

[Spooner]

Originally posted by Cole
a) It has been established that Grandpa is a lonely man.
b) We all know that he enjoys telling longwinded stories.
c) The gentlemen in Miami was willing to listen to the longwinded stories.

I don’t see where the “seduction” takes place.

a) Yes, we know.

b) yes, we know.

c) He turned his hearing aid off.

If you weren't getting the gay vibes that were going, you sure as hell weren't paying paying attention. Grandpa wasn't aware that he was being seduced, but oh, he was. Then they completely dropped that storyline for some other bad jokes.

[OldCootAbe]

I liked this one more than I have liked most off them this year. It seemed like the Grandpa thing was kinda tacked on. And they should have included Maggie somehow (just drop em of with Patty and Selma, how hard is that?) the chase scene was awesome. A lot of funny one liners too. Good episode. I voted 4/5. Grade: B+

[Cole]

The man was a homosexual, yeah, I got it. Grandpa wasn't participating in some sexual activity with him. He was having a conversation with him. As incognizant as Grandpa frequently is portrayed, you could make the argument that he wasn't even aware the man was attempting to seduce him. It doesn't matter either way. It's not unbelievably "out of character" for Grandpa to want to share his incoherent stories with this man. That’s the only point I’m arguing.

[Spooner]

We're not on same planes here, I'm not arguing Abe was out of character, I'm just saying that the whole idea of Abe being seduced by a gay guy sucked. And the delivery of it was even worse.

[ShadowBun]

The reviews for this one are far higher than I thought they'd be. Allow me to break from the norm...

I wasn't too impressed with this one. My biggest gripe with it is the characterization. First of all, the entire family was WAY too mean. I mean, they were positively brutal, boorish, and angry throughout the whole episode. While I understand that the characterization has to be stretched sometimes to make the plot work (Bart and Lisa needed to be aggravating so Marge and Homer could want a second honeymoon), I found they were extremely over-the-top here. Marge, especially, was characterized terribly. Honestly, this is some of the worst Marge I've ever seen on the show, and she's been pretty nutty. She was yelling at her kids ("None of you were planned!"), complaining non-stop, and lacked ANY of the endearing, forgiving Marge characterization of the past. This felt like far more like the psychotic Marge of Mad Mad Mad Mad Marge and Strong Arms of the Ma than the generally-relaxed warm-hearted housewife we've all come to know and love. And in the case of Homer Alone, she never once insulted or screamed at her own children. Likewise, she and Homer were positively sex-crazed throughout the whole thing. It was very odd.

Outside of Marge, Lisa and Bart were similarly mean-spirited. The water-balloon sequence was great, but everything after that was too over-the-top to be enjoyed. Their obsessive behavior revolving around destroying their parents' time off just feels unjustified and dumb, and a very flimsy reason to travel from place-to-place.

Finally, a couple smaller things annoyed me. Grampa and Raoul's subplot went pretty much nowhere (and that's probably for the better in some ways). Where the heck was Maggie? The ending was just too blasted wacky, with Marge and Homer apparently having sex while in the inflated castle (that was quick...and probably hard to do while plummeting over Niagra Falls, of all places).

Now a lot of people here are saying that these don't matter in this episode, as it's just supposed to be a fun, funny show. But I didn't think it was THAT funny...not any moreso than your average season 15 episode. Besides, I find character-driven humor the funniest on the show, and when the characterization is this messed-up, I just can't enjoy it that much.

Now for the good parts. The humor was generally consistent, if unremarkable. The animation was very good. There were some really funny moments, not the least of which was the inspired Catch Me if You Can parody, with a hilarious cameo by Moe. Ralph's role was really good too (the finger-in-the-eye bit, followed by the scissors). By the middle of the third act, when Bart and Lisa decide to apologize, the episode looked like it would finally end well (and showed that OFF wasn't completely heartless), but then they had to follow through with that crazy spacewalk section.

It was an inventive premise, but it honestly didn't make much sense and the characterization was just too mean-spirited for me to enjoy it fully. The best "all-out humor" episodes still have strong, likeable characterization (Homer Bad Man) while retaining a wonderful sense of humor. Besides, I didn't find this one THAT funny.

3/5 C

[Cole]

Well, I felt the Grandpa subplot was often unnecessary but I don't see anything horribly wrong with the premise. I agree that the execution left much to be desired. I now see your point, Spooner, but I don't entirely agree. We'll leave it at that.

One thing that I did find humorous was Lisa’s criticism of the character in “Love Story” being “wooden” when, in fact, that’s also a perfect description for some of the characters in this episode.

[Mira]

Hmmm So Far I would say this Season has been OK, just OK.

Tis the 15th Season (A+)
President Wore Pearls (A+)
Smart & Smarter (A)
My Mother the Carjacker (A-)
I Doh Bot (B+)
Catch em' if you can (B)
Milhouse doesn't live here anymore (B)
Diatribe of a Mad housewife (B-)
THOH 14 (B-)
The Wandering Juvie (B-)
Co-Dependance Day (B-)
Margical History Tour (C+)
Today I am a Clown (C+)
My Big fat Geek Wedding (C)
Regina Monolouges (C-)
The Ziff who came to Dinner (C-)
Marge vs. S,S,CC&T&G (C-)
Fat and The Furriest (D+)

So, yeh some people do seem to be overrating it a bit.

[Tibor]

An unexpected gem, really liked this one. The pacing- great! Really impressed at how the pace was so fluid and fun, just grabbed me up. And the consistent humor really kept me in it all the way, with well placed gags keeping everything buoyant. The most memorable being the Miami Vice (?) and Catch Me If You Can parodies. And the freshest marital stress angle in a long time. Marge and Homer's romantic eloping was written with empathy and charm, not as well-written as Natural Born Kissers but more than enough to hold the story up and to get you into it. Characterization is fine, people. Even the kids' pursual of Marge and Homer wasn't written in any kind of irritating obnoxious way, they were just written as kids- in an unusual farce, but not out of bounds. Even Grampa and Raoul's bit was sweet and funny, if superfluous. Even things like Maggie's glaring absence and the (I suppose, appropriately) silly ending don't stop this from being pure fun. All of it taken together made a neat original jaunt. A refreshing episode, especially with it being a vacation/travel episode without just using it as an excuse for new ker-aziness and an onslaught of made-for-promo gimmicks. Have to hand it to IMG (or whoever was responsible :uhh: ) for this one. B+/A-

[Crotis Jivefunk]

Best of the season: Tis The Fifteenth Season 5/5
Worst: Co-Dependent's Day 3/5

[Radioactive Man]

Originally posted by ShadowBun
Likewise, she and Homer were positively sex-crazed throughout the whole thing. It was very odd.


There have been a lot of jokes that have felt odd and weird this season. For one, I didn't need to hear Marge use the phrase "triple x throwdown." I also didn't like the fact that ralph was about to cut off his own finger. I liked the ralph joke up until that point. Another joke from the other episode tonight I did not care for was when it was revealed that Ranier Wolfcastle is apparently an anti semite. These jokes do not ruin the episode for me but I wish they were not included in the episodes. I'm not offended by them or anything they just seem weird because it's The Simpsons.

[pat]

I'm not going to nitpick this episode too much, because it was just meant to be a fun, enjoyable episode, and it was. The episode had some great lines (Grampa's "TLC" line, Grampa's "I'm a legal guardian" line,). The water balloon bit at the beginning was good too, as was the "Miami Vice" homage. Of course, the Flanders opening their credit card bills at the end was an amusing end to the episode. The chase scene, a la "Catch Me if You Can" was outstanding, and the animation involved in it was something never done before, and the animators pulled it off well.

I only had a couple problems: One, I felt the Grampa subplot was unnecessary or could have actually been concluded instead of forgotten about. Two, I was hoping the episode would end at the hotel room when the family decided to sleep there for the night and go back to Springfield tomorrow. Besides that, it pulled off what they set off to create: a fun episode. Because of those two main problems I stated, I lowered the grade, but it was still a respectable B (4/5 on the poll).

Season 15 Rankings:
1. 'Tis the Fifteenth Season A
2. My Mother, the Carjacker A-
3. The President Wore Pearls A-
4. Today, I Am a Klown A-
5. The Wandering Juvie B+
6. My Big Fat Geek Wedding B
7. Catch 'Em If You Can B
8. Margical History Tour B
9. Diatribe of a Mad Housewife B
10. Treehouse of Horror XIV B
11. Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore B-
12. Marge vs. Many, Many People B-
13. The Ziff Who Came to Dinner C
14. Smart and Smarter C
15. The Regina Monologues C
16. Co-Dependant's Day C
17. I, D'oh-bot C-
18. The Fat and the Furriest D
Average: B-

[Jessfrogger88]

Honestly I was expecting to come here and find a ton of terrible reviews and im shocked (and worried) that it is getting such good reviews. I thought it was TERRIBLE 1/5, 1/10, F TERRIBLE. I thought the whole families charcterization was way off. Marge and Homer were jerks and sex fiends. Lisa and Bart were annoying and Lisa was over annoyingly PC Thug. Maggie disappeared mid act. The plot was REDICULAS lets go on the run from our children. Lets leave our eight and ten year old children chasing us through the streets of Miami, Atlantic City etc.. while we go do the nasty. The plot disgusted me and I wish this episode could be erased from the Simpsons history. There were a few good gags like the Miami/old stuff montage, but it does not nearly make up for the horror that was this episode. Probably in my top ten worst episodes ever.

[Spooner]

Originally posted by jsad
There have been a lot of jokes that have felt odd and weird this season. For one, I didn't need to hear Marge use the phrase "triple x throwdown." I also didn't like the fact that ralph was about to cut off his own finger. I liked the ralph joke up until that point. Another joke from the other episode tonight I did not care for was when it was revealed that Ranier Wolfcastle is apparently an anti semite. These jokes do not ruin the episode for me but I wish they were not included in the episodes. I'm not offended by them or anything they just seem weird because it's The Simpsons.

Actually, I thought Ralph wanting to cut off his finger kinda fit his neurotic self. I mean, the leprechaun did tell him to set fires, remember?

[Hockey Mask]

Loved the episode. Reminded me of Season 5-10 stuff. Before the gross-out jokes that offend so many of you.

[Moose of Doom!]

Originally posted by ShadowBun
[QUOTE]Outside of Marge, Lisa and Bart were similarly mean-spirited. The water-balloon sequence was great, but everything after that was too over-the-top to be enjoyed. Their obsessive behavior revolving around destroying their parents' time off just feels unjustified and dumb, and a very flimsy reason to travel from place-to-place.

If your parents had lied to you, made you believe they had died (indirectly, but that's not the point), and ran away to an extremely fun and relaxing JUST to get away from you, wouldn't you be mad?

The ending was just too blasted wacky, with Marge and Homer apparently having sex while in the inflated castle (that was quick...and probably hard to do while plummeting over Niagra Falls, of all places).

As wacky as Groundskeeper Willie coming out of nowhere with a video? Or Sting digging a mine to rescue a little boy that publicly humiliated an entire town? Or Mr. Burns bursting into Seussian rhyme? Or Sideshow Bob singing the entire score to H.M.S. Pinafore?

Many of the best Simpsons episodes have endings that can be considered "wacky". Plus the Niagara Falls ending can be considered a reference to a running gag found in several Simpsons books where we see Homer going down the falls during their (SURPISE!) second honeymoon.

[Spooner]

All those examples were contained randomness. They were random, but they tapped you on the shoulder before they punched the face. They were meant to be random. However, with this ending, they didn't try to make it come off as random. Thya attempted (badly) to have it make sense. Marge and (an apparently drunk?) Homer just automatically making teh sex in an inflatable ride after going over Niagra falls... c'mon man.

[Channel Surfer]

My Review (http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeReviewPage/showid-146/epid-300243/blockid-79455/)

Hmm, I disagree with Tibor here. First for the season I think.

Well, I guess like ShadowBun, I'm in the minority when I say I didn't care much for this episode. And for the most part it had little to do with the questionable characterizations either. Yes, Homer and Marge should be concerned about their kids traveling across the country chasing them, and Lisa and even to some extent Bart by no means should be like the hellraisers they were in this episode (yes, they were "children", but their contrived hatred at points was a lot like "Make Room for Lisa"). It was a gag episode. It was more about the humor, carried by a lighthearted, farce filled plot that doesn't care for a compelling, believable character-driven storyline. Plenty of episodes are like that. "Tis the Fifteenth Season", even considering that it was a satire, was like that. If that's what it wants to be, that's how it will be looked at. The problem is that I didn't find it very funny.

A fair chunk of the humor for me had an air of "been there, done that" or predictability attached to it. Homer and Marge being pampered in first class is one of the most obvious gags in existence, and it doesn't help that there's a famed "Seinfeld" episode based around such a scenario, or that it was already done with Bart and Lisa in "Fear if Flying. Others like the uncle's "kill me now" statement in the flashback tangent, the tornado coming back to finish the hotel in Dayton, Ohio, or Homer and Marge laughing at the couple who wanted kids were fairly obvious, predictable punchlines. And perhaps I'm getting too familiar with the show here, but how did I know that the moment Homer and Marge got into that bouncy castle that some sort of wacky, life threatening scenario was going to take place for some nonsensical reason, much like "Large Marge", "Dude, Where's my Ranch", or "Smart and Smarter". Plus, if the gags weren't predictable, they were delivered from the oddball characterizations of this episode, the spiteful, out-of-control behavior of the kids and Homer and Marge's spiteful attitude towards them. As I said, while I can forgive character lapses in an episode that doesn't concern itself with character, trying to derive humor from loopy, eccentric character behavior tends not to work very well, and it reminded me a lot of "Tennis the Menace" in that way. Then there's the Grampa subplot with Raoul. Again, it was fairly obvious and predictable that Raoul, because he was gay, was going to be played in a way so that he would appear to be coming onto Grampa (putting his hand on Grampa's shoulder, praising his, I think, neck wrinkles). Obviously, not all the humor was like this, and there were some gems, the "Catch Me if you Can" parody (which, as someone else here said, probably would've been better had it not already been played in the ads, but I still liked it), Grampa mentioning he was the feet in "The Wizard of Oz", Lisa ignoring Bart's insults, Grampa fretting over being a legal guardian, various sight gags like the "Lisa the Simpson" relatives in the flashback, and much of the stuff at Lackluster video. There were more good gags than this, but as a whole there just weren't enough for a farce without much else going for it.

I will give credit to the plot being well constructed for a vacation episode, never degrading into a plotless sketch show. While the story itself felt very minimalistic, there was still a story going on, which is more than I can say for much of "The Regina Monologues". It also didn't follow the standard marriage crisis/rejuvenation/whatever formula either, which was nice as well. But it wasn't very funny, certainly not for a farce, and it didn't do justice for the characters at all. Not awful, but nothing I especially cared for in any case.

Grade: C-

[Joey1138]

4/5 Great episode. Really loved the CMIYC intro homage; glad they used the actual music from the film.

[Jessfrogger88]

As wacky as Groundskeeper Willie coming out of nowhere with a video? Or Sting digging a mine to rescue a little boy that publicly humiliated an entire town? Or Sideshow Bob singing the entire score to H.M.S. Pinafore?

None of that is nearly as "wacky" as the Niagra falls incident

[bovine_university]

Wow, the last time I ever disliked an episode this much was Simpson Safari. I don’t know what it was, but the humor just seemed all wrong. Every joke was loud, in your face, unrealistic, or cartoonish in an annoying way. There was little reason for why Bart and Lisa decided to start fighting with each other, and even less reason for why they decided to give Homer and Marge a break, it seemed like they were only acting that way because the script needed them to. In fact, almost everyone’s behavior can be described that way. Grandpa in Miami was uninteresting and took up too much of the plot. There were so many jokes I cringed at, like the tornado destroying the hotel, Grandpa’s feet curling, Homer and Marge trading the old tickets in for the new, in fact, there was only one joke that made me smile, and that was the animation parody of Catch Me if You Can, and even that went a little too long. All around the mood of the episode also felt way too wacky and hyperactive, like the writers had a little too much caffeine during the brainstorm. There was so much gratuitous violence in the first act, so many gratuitous sex jokes in the other two acts, and too much gratuitous yelling, and screaming all around. It all built up too an unnecessary climax involving a life-threatening situation (the writers need to stop putting the family in danger if they don't need to be!). I guess I'm in the deep minority here, but I have to give this a 1/5.

[Glumplich]

Not as good as last week's. As everyone else has stated, the biggest problems were the lack of Maggie and the failure to resolve the Grampa subplot. Grade: B-.

[ShadowBun]

You know, this episode reminded me of Family Guy.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by ShadowBun
You know, this episode reminded me of Family Guy.

I can see that. Homer and Marge were reminiscent of Peter and Lois at times.

[Spooner]

Yes, but, that would be a bit more in character for Peter and Lois, now wouldn't it?

Hell, even for them it would be off. They'd at least leave the kids with Brian. You can always trust dogs with your children.

But anyway, if this were a Family Guy ep, I'd return my shirts. >=(


EDIT-

Actually, on second thought, it would be out of character for them to run away from the kids to make teh sex. They've never really worried about doing it in front of the kids. Hell they did it with Brian on the bed. Or, were going to, but Brian left...

The kids have never been a liability to the Griffins like they have to the Simpsons. Wheras Homer was upset everytime Marge got pregnant, it was Peter's idea to have a fourth child, despite it never happening.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Spooner
Yes, but, that would be a bit more in character for Peter and Lois, now wouldn't it?

Hell, even for them it would be off. They'd at least leave the kids with Brian. You can always trust dogs with your children.

But anyway, if this were a Family Guy ep, I'd return my shirts. >=(

Ah come on, Family Guy has enough blunders too. "From Method to Madness"? That was junk. But let's not go too off-topic. :)

[Icedragon]

For both couples, it would be off, as spooner said. Maybe not as much in FG, but It would not be in character at all.

I propose we chip in some money and buy Maxtone-Graham a DVD copy of the Simpsons, so he would know what quality weps are.

[Spooner]

I never said all the eps were great. Only the eps that are great are great. Method to Madness was anti-great. Sexy Parties were great, though.

=P

Anyway, *points to his great edit.*

[ShadowBun]

Well, not just the characters and the zany plot, but the cutaways reminded me of Family Guy. Specifically, the "I want to die" one.

[Spooner]

Peh, geeze, EVERYONE knows Family Guy stole that from The Simpsons. So really, it reminded you of The Simpsons by proxy.

[Stackhouse]

Originally posted by Icedragon
I propose we chip in some money and buy Maxtone-Graham a DVD copy of the Simpsons, so he would know what quality weps are.

i propose you shut up

maxtone-graham's best episode ever (but thats not such a feat)

[Jitb]

2/5
Decent humor, but the plot just wasn't that interesting, and Marge's characterization made her very unlikable.

[Kefka]

How odd.. the day I like an episode you all seem to hate it..

[Spooner]

That's jsut because the world is out to make you look neurotic and insane. Don't worry, just lay back and let the process develop.

[Jake]

Originally posted by Jessfrogger88
None of that is nearly as "wacky" as the Niagra falls incident

I just watched it again, and does this make the second time Homer and Marge have had sex in a 'castle'(the other being the mini-golf castle) and I wonder if this one is inpregnible, aswell.

[Enter The Moleman]

best part of ep...catch me if you can opening credits parody.

that is all

[Rowdy]

Pretty strong episode that along with a few others this season, has brought back the humorous character comedy that seems to have been missing lately...it always works and is far stronger than a string of pointless third tier characters apppearing or "look at random guest star and/or parody of something"....good good episode, and I hope there's more like it in the future.

[SLH]

FABF14 - Catch 'Em if You Can

This one was okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible. First the negitive points. Marge was out of character and seemed to hate Bart and Lisa. Maggie seemed to disappear after the first act and the Grampa sub-plot wasn't resolved and just seemed to be there to fill in time. Also, Homer and Marge going over Niagra Falls was also far-fetched.

Now to the positive parts. The Catch Me if You Can opening credits parody was great and so were the American and Canadian's fighting. Homer using Ned's card and Bart using Rod's card was good also. Most of the jokes were good and didn't fall flat.

Overall, an average episode. But, one of Maxtone-Graham's best, which isn't saying much.

Grade: C+

[squishee lady]

Overall, a pretty funny episode, I smiled almost the whole way through. The Grandpa subplot that everyone was worried about was virtually non-existant. I did think that the "Catch me if you can" chase parody went on way too long, but it was still clever and visually appealing. My biggest question is WHERE THE HECK WAS MAGGIE? Her unexplained disapearance continues to gnaw at the very fibers of my soul. Overall, a B+ episode.

[HoyvinGlavin64]

Wow. This episode was surprisingly decent. Faulted, but still decent. I'll look at what made the episode so great.

The Good:
--Bart's lesson on water balloons
--The video store gags (Bart going into the "Adult" section, the Futurama refference, Homer's tips to Bart about romance movies)
--Bart and Lisa's Wicca/Kabbala fight
--Homer and Marge's reaction about another couple wanting kids
--The "Catch Me if you Can" montage scene. Best joke of thew episode.
--Grandpa's subplot (at first)
--"The Floor is Lava!"

The Bad:
--No Maggie. I was expecting a joke about her being ignored like in Pappa's Got a Brand New Badge or Three Gays of the Condo.
--Grandpa's subplot was never completed
--Marge's characterization was very bad, as in most Jean episodes (Diatribes of a Mad Housewife being a rare exception)
--Most of the jokes about Homer and Marge in the first act fell flat
--The plot didn't progress until the third act

Overall, a 3.5/5, or a 3/5 to round it off.

[Wenshepp]

Originally posted by PsycheEnFuego
I think it was actually very inventive for a Simpsons episode. It wasn't excruciatingly wacky, but it had a very rapid pace. The plot went along just fine, too.

But where the hell was Maggie?

Yes, where the hell was Maggie? I can't believe that was overlooked

[Tomacco]

The only thing I didn't get in this episode was Homer's line "And yet, I've never been to me" line after Marge points out he's been in space. Oh well. I think I get it, trying to sound deep like "I've been all over the universe but I hardly know myself" or something phylosophical, but I'm not entirely sure.

[DotheBartman]

Yeah, I think that's all it is. But with the obvious twist that Homer fails to make a deep comment, as he always does.

[Larson Something]

Originally posted by Tomacco
The only thing I didn't get in this episode was Homer's line "And yet, I've never been to me"

That's a reference to Never Been To Me, a cheesy 1982 hit song by a one-hit wonder simply called Charlene. It's a woman reflecting on all the exciting things she's done and places she's been, but realizing something's missing. "I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me."

Yes, it is as bad as it sounds.

[Tomacco]

You know after this episode and "Co-Dependent's Day", Marge and Homer are going to need some serious lessons in being responsible parents.

[The "Urban" Lenny]

I thought this episode was better than I expected, it was definently one of the better episodes this season. The only I didn't get is how the fuck does Rod have a credit card! I guess it was a joke, but for god sakes why would flanders let his son get a credit card, He dosen't have insurance because he considered it a form of gambling.(Hurricane Neddy)That little annoying thing knocked this epsiode down from a perfect 5/5 to a mere 4.5/5!

"That Boy failed show and tell, but he's on our ass like Sherlock Holmes!"-Marge

P.s. what was that whole Grandpa and that Gay guy for, that added nothing to the plot!

[Destro]

This was a relatively fun episode and an improvement from last week's episode. I do have one question about the episode. Why in the world does Rod Flanders have a credit card? Did Bart apply for a credit-card in Rod's name? It wouldn't be the first time he committed credit-card fraud(see Canine Mutiny).

This along with Maggie's absence really irked me about this episode.

[George Cauldron]

Originally posted by Larson Something
That's a reference to Never Been To Me, a cheesy 1982 hit song by a one-hit wonder simply called Charlene. It's a woman reflecting on all the exciting things she's done and places she's been, but realizing something's missing. "I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me."

Yes, it is as bad as it sounds.

Oh, it's not that bad. It was number one in the charts here, as you may already have seen in http://www.nohomers.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39265. But yep, you're right, it's definitely from Charlene's I've Never Been To Me.

For those interested, the lyrics are:
Hey lady, you lady, cursing at your life
You're a discontented mother and a regimented wife
I've no doubt you dream about the things you'll never do
But, I wish someone had talked to me
Like I wanna talk to you.....

Oh, I've been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run
I took the hand of a preacher man and we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to be free
I've been to paradise but I've never been to me

Please lady, please lady, don't just walk away
'Cause I have this need to tell you why I'm all alone today
I can see so much of me still living in your eyes
Won't you share a part of a weary heart that has lived million lies....

Oh, I've been to Nice and the Isle of Greece while I've sipped champagne on a yacht
I've moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo and showed 'em what I've got
I've been undressed by kings and I've seen some things that a woman ain't s'posed to see
I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me

Hey, you know what paradise is?
It's a lie, a fantasy we create about people and places as we'd like them to be
But you know what truth is?
It's that little baby you're holding, it's that man you fought with this morning
The same one you're going to make love with tonight
That's truth, that's love......

Sometimes I've been to crying for unborn children that might have made me complete
But I took the sweet life, I never knew I'd be bitter from the sweet
I've spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that costs too much to be free
Hey lady......
I've been to paradise, (I've been to paradise)
But I've never been to me

(I've been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run)
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to Neice and the isle of Greece while I've sipped champagne on a yacht)
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to cryin' for unborn children that might have made me complete)
I've been to paradise, never been to me
(I've been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run)
I've been to paradise, never been to me

[Larson Something]

Originally posted by Tomacco
You know after this episode and "Co-Dependent's Day", Marge and Homer are going to need some serious lessons in being responsible parents.

So I guess it's back to that class from Home Sweet Home-Diddly-Dum-Doodily, then.

"Garbage in garbage can. Hmmm, good advice."

[penny]

I expected to come here and see mostly bad reviews because of the general "wackiness" of the episode. There were so many funny jokes that i think made up for the strange plot. I do have to say that i think Marge was out of character. She went along with whatever Homer did, and it seems to me that she should have been reluctant to ditch the sleeping Bart and Lisa at the hotel in Miami. She reminded me a lot of Homer in this episode. Yes, they're a middle-aged couple who just wanted one child-free night, but this was very far-fetched. Other problems were (as many have pointed out) Maggie's disappearance and the unfinished Grampa subplot.
Originally posted by Dondelinger
The Niagra Falls scene was the worst part, but still not something that disgusted me.
The Canadians arguing with the Americans was hilarious, but Marge and Homer going over the falls and having sex was horrible.
Originally posted by Dondelinger
Characterization was iffy, particularly Marge's line about all the children being accidents
I thought it was humorous the way Marge broke up the argument by pointing out that none of the kids were "planned." Using the word "planned" instead of "accident" made it really funny and not at all nasty for Marge to say.
My husband and I laughed our asses off when that couple in Miami were talking about how having children would be a snap because of diaper genies, etc....and then Marge and Homer rolling around laughing. Bart ordering the low fat meal and then Homer screaming was great. I enjoyed the first 30 seconds of the "Catch me if you can" animation bit, but it was just way too long. Otto's remark about driving off a cliff was unnecessary. I did find the Flanders' credit card thing pretty funny, and loved the ending of the episode (Not Scully-esque!). Not too shabby. 3/5 (Because of the great jokes)

[I'M A BRICK]

I Liked this ep a lot, gave it a 4, need to watch it again.
CMIYC scene was spot on w/ a few twists w/ was nice, & for once I have actually seen a popular movie they are spoofing.
My friend thought it was a James Bond opening credits spoof.

[My Little Needle]

Originally posted by HoyvinGlavin64
Wow. This episode was surprisingly decent. Faulted, but still decent. I'll look at what made the episode so great.

The Good:
--Bart's lesson on water balloons
--The video store gags (Bart going into the "Adult" section, the Futurama refference, Homer's tips to Bart about romance movies)
--Bart and Lisa's Wicca/Kabbala fight
--Homer and Marge's reaction about another couple wanting kids
--The "Catch Me if you Can" montage scene. Best joke of thew episode.
--Grandpa's subplot (at first)
--"The Floor is Lava!"

The Bad:
--No Maggie. I was expecting a joke about her being ignored like in Pappa's Got a Brand New Badge or Three Gays of the Condo.
--Grandpa's subplot was never completed
--Marge's characterization was very bad, as in most Jean episodes (Diatribes of a Mad Housewife being a rare exception)
--Most of the jokes about Homer and Marge in the first act fell flat
--The plot didn't progress until the third act

Overall, a 3.5/5, or a 3/5 to round it off.

Wow, I agreed with almost everything you said.

Also, was I the only one who used to play the floor is lava?

[Tomacco]

I played "the floor is lava" when I was a kid, and it was typically in a new hotel room. If not that, then I would just hop from bed to bed for no reason.

[Crotis Jivefunk]

I used to play it in the family room all the time.

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

I thought this episode was pretty good. I disliked the absence of Maggie and the stuff with Grampa made no sense whatsoever... it was utterly pointless. Also the CMIYC parody was WAY too long, it got boring after about 15 seconds.

There were quite a few funny parts, and actually I thought the sex stuff was done quite well, considering some of the horrible stuff they've done in past episodes. It was a nice plot which didn't fall into bad habits of previous vacation episodes.

4/5

[Tara]

It wasn't bad. Not one of the best though and some parts went really down hill... 3/5, average.

[squishee lady]

Originally posted by Tomacco
I played "the floor is lava" when I was a kid, and it was typically in a new hotel room. If not that, then I would just hop from bed to bed for no reason.

I did too. Way too often, and mostly by myself. I guess that explains alot.

[Mafia]

I played it too...

I was very happy to see Bart and Lisa acting like kids (as opposed to Lisa showing few signs of being a child in the past few years).

[HomerX]

What a terrible waste of a good idea. I liked the basic plot, but it was terribly executed - mainly because of these things:

* Everyone was way out of character. I mean, Marge would NEVER leave her children in such a haphazard way and then go running about the country (I mean, come on - crossing America so many times takes more than a weekend - and I'm pretty sure Ned's credit card hit its limit long before that).

* Maggie. You know, if this had been another cartoon family, without a one year old baby, I would've enjoyed the episode much more. But this writer completely forgets Maggie - if I'm not mistaken, she's only seen one time throughout the entire episode. What happened to Maggie when Bart, Lisa and Grampa went to Miami? More importantly, why didn't Marge and Homer take her with them to Ohio in the first place? She never expressed any will to stay in Springfield, but still, the writer just convieniently wrote her out.

* What happened to Grampa? Three-quarter-ways through the episode, his story is concluded - with him telling stories to a gay italian. What happened after that? They definitely could have fleshed out that one a bit more.

* The corny references. This is getting out of hand. I was not in the least bit amused by the whole "Catch me if you can"-rip off. There were hardly any real jokes in it, except one that further degraded poor Moe. Give the guy a break!
Also, it seems the writers have gone nuts with Star Wars references. Just a couple of episodes ago we had the whole "Cosmic Wars" thing, a mildly amusing segment parodying mainly the Phantom Menace, and now Homer talks about "Chocolate Star Wars". Come on, that's barely a joke!

* The Niagara Falls. I swear, if I see another boat/car/raft/toolshed/outhouse/bouncing castle/person going down a waterfall and miraculously make it, I'm gonna puke. It's the oldest trick in the book, but the worst thing is that I think they wrote in Niagara Falls JUST so they could have a sequence with someone going down a waterfall.
Just stop it. It's difficult to survive going down a water fall - trying it in Niagara is plain impossible.

[Dennis]

Originally posted by Strong Sad
Best of the season: Tis The Fifteenth Season 5/5
Worst: Co-Dependent's Day 3/5

You're serious? I thought Co-Dependent's Day was one of the few semi-decent episodes of the season. I do agree with your best of the season, except its more of a 4/5.

And I agree everyone was really out-of-character. Lisa just plain annoyed me, as did Bart. Marge saying "Triple X throwdown" and "ass" was kind of unexpected and equally unfunny. I liked it when she said "Rock the Kasbah" in one episode but "Triple X throwdown" a little odd. And why were Bart and Lisa so anxious to bother Homer and Marge? And did I miss something or did the Grampa subplot stop before it started? Maybe if the characterization was hella good then the episode would have been hella okay, but because of that and a lot of jokes falling completely flat, and not making me laugh once and... ah, nevermind. The list is endless... 1/5. F. That's the third F this season... The last 4 look promising (except Simple Simpson).

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by HomerX
What a terrible waste of a good idea. I liked the basic plot, but it was terribly executed - mainly because of these things:

* Everyone was way out of character. I mean, Marge would NEVER leave her children in such a haphazard way and then go running about the country (I mean, come on - crossing America so many times takes more than a weekend - and I'm pretty sure Ned's credit card hit its limit long before that).

* Maggie. You know, if this had been another cartoon family, without a one year old baby, I would've enjoyed the episode much more. But this writer completely forgets Maggie - if I'm not mistaken, she's only seen one time throughout the entire episode. What happened to Maggie when Bart, Lisa and Grampa went to Miami? More importantly, why didn't Marge and Homer take her with them to Ohio in the first place? She never expressed any will to stay in Springfield, but still, the writer just convieniently wrote her out.

* What happened to Grampa? Three-quarter-ways through the episode, his story is concluded - with him telling stories to a gay italian. What happened after that? They definitely could have fleshed out that one a bit more.

* The corny references. This is getting out of hand. I was not in the least bit amused by the whole "Catch me if you can"-rip off. There were hardly any real jokes in it, except one that further degraded poor Moe. Give the guy a break!
Also, it seems the writers have gone nuts with Star Wars references. Just a couple of episodes ago we had the whole "Cosmic Wars" thing, a mildly amusing segment parodying mainly the Phantom Menace, and now Homer talks about "Chocolate Star Wars". Come on, that's barely a joke!

* The Niagara Falls. I swear, if I see another boat/car/raft/toolshed/outhouse/bouncing castle/person going down a waterfall and miraculously make it, I'm gonna puke. It's the oldest trick in the book, but the worst thing is that I think they wrote in Niagara Falls JUST so they could have a sequence with someone going down a waterfall.
Just stop it. It's difficult to survive going down a water fall - trying it in Niagara is plain impossible.

I think I can justify all those complaints simply by saying "it's a cartoon".

About Maggie being forgotten, I can see that being something that the writers would just be laughing about way down the line when they do commentary on a DVD of this episode. I don't understand why people are actually angry about it. Can't we just assume she was left with Patty & Selma like in "Blame it On Lisa"? I just don't see why it's such a big deal.

[Dennis]

Maggie was the funniest character in the episode...

[doyle]

Originally posted by Tomacco
I played "the floor is lava" when I was a kid, and it was typically in a new hotel room. If not that, then I would just hop from bed to bed for no reason. The best part was the line Homer did. It was like "Oh, we just wanted to get away form the kids, and now the floor has become lava." Not a direcct quote, but it was hilarious.

[whisman]

I thought this episode was funny, but it just lacked something. Something I cant put my finger on.

[Shlomo]

Just download the episode. I think it's the best of season 15.

It would have been perfect, but major errors were:
a. What happened to Abe
b. What happened to Maggie
c. What happened to Enough Family Vacations
d. It's not really an error but I don't know what was the parody. Although it was EXCELLENT.

overall 4.5/5

[untalented]

i'm downloading it... will take 15 hours because it's going slow :(

[Shlomo]

use da torrent, dude... or download it from mIRC

[Magnum]

Now that I think about it I did kinda overreact but Marge was still iffy

[Charmy]

Looks like Channel Surfer and I are part of a lone few. While my opinion of the episode has risen since I saw it, I in no way agree with the mostly positive reviews here.

Marge's utter contempt for the kids was weird, and way out of character for her. I was pretty surprised to see her that way. Lisa's determination to ruin any fun her parents could possibly have also seemed very, very strange. The humour didn't really strike me as being up to par, although Homer's "and now the floor is made of lava" line made me laugh. Overall, a poor effort. C/C-

[DotheBartman]

Wow. Like Tomacco I'm not sure why people are so bothered by Maggie being missing. I mean, Homer once got Maggie stuck in a newspaper machine. Not exactly perfect parents they are (plus technically it could be Bart, Lisa, and Grandpa that "forgot" her anyway). Can't it just be assumed that she's with Patty and Selma, or in her crib or something? Similarly, Grandpa has been left in various places or gotten himself into situations where we never saw how he got out, so I don't think its a big deal considering it wasn't vital to the episode anyway.

And I dunno. This episode seems like one of those that you're just supposed to trust and go along with. Like Trilogy of Error: that plot was pretty farfetched, and I seem to recall everyone liking that. If you don't find it entertaining that's okay, but I don't think small (and we're talking pretty small here for The Simpsons) logicistical issues should really bug people so much.

Homer X: The joke behind "Chocolate Star Wars" is twofold: one, its the stupid kind of movie Homer would enjoy. Two, there's plenty of bad Star Wars parodies out there with cheap gimmicks (see: "Thumb Wars"). The joke isn't in the title itself, more that its similar to other unfunny parody titles.

[Moose of Doom!]

Originally posted by HomerX
It's difficult to survive going down a water fall - trying it in Niagara is plain impossible.

Uh, not really.

If a 7-year old boy can go over Niagara Falls in JUST a life-jacket AND survive and if a schoolteacher that can't swim go over the falls in a barrel AND survive, then a couple in an inflatable castle can survive.

Do some studying work before making such half-assed assumptions.

[That Jerk]

Originally posted by HomerX
Just stop it. It's difficult to survive going down a water fall - trying it in Niagara is plain impossible.

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/WORLD/americas/10/21/niagara.falls.survivor.ap/story.niagara.survivor.2.jpg

[Cole]

Originally posted by Shlomo
It's not really an error but I don't know what was the parody.If I understand what you're asking, the parody was of Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can" (http://imdb.com/title/tt0264464/). That's also where the strange quotes in the poll came from, if anyone's wondering.

Originally posted by DotheBartman
Wow. Like Tomacco I'm not sure why people are so bothered by Maggie being missing. I mean, Homer once got Maggie stuck in a newspaper machine. Not exactly perfect parents they are (plus technically it could be Bart, Lisa, and Grandpa that "forgot" her anyway). Can't it just be assumed that she's with Patty and Selma, or in her crib or something? But .. but then I'd actually have to think and develop my own conclusions. I'm a lazy television watcher. After that kind of work, I need a nap.

[Gorky]

Okay, I have to say something. Because so many people liked this episode, I decided to rewatch it. And guess what I found out: "Catch 'Em if You Can" is actually a pretty good episode. Granted, I still think that Marge was a bit out of character and there are a few other things that bug me, but my opinion on this episode has improved since I first saw it last night.

I still think that the montage was brilliant, but I also neglected to notice something else. As others have stated before me, Lisa and Bart were actually kids. They were acting like brother and sister, fighting and in a way being innocent, yet still staying in character. Lisa was still smart and Bart was still, well, Bart.

The perfect example is the scene in which Lisa and Bart are alone on the couch in the hotel, discussing how inconsiderate they were to Marge and Homer. They are carrying on a conversation, yet being kids and staying in character as well. Bart says "Yeah, I guess you can get pretty annoying" to Lisa. This is something that Bart would normally say, but a real kid his age would make a crack like that too.

Then Lisa replies "I guess the chase was more thrilling than the catch", something she would normally say.

Bart says, "Hey, I just zinged you!", and Lisa replies "I know, my new thing is to ignore you. I'll be outside. When you grow up, c'mon." (I know it's not the exact quote, but you get the point) I know that all kids say things like that. Siblings ignore other siblings.

And then, the line that reflects Bart as a kid the most, is "I'm grown up, I'm grown up!" Both the reading of the line and the line itself show that Bart is really just a kid.

And, you can't deny that there are some great jokes along the way. Like, "All I wanted was a second honeymoon, and now the floor's made of lava." (speaking of which, the floor's made of lava game also shows that Bart and Lisa are kids).

Like I said, this episode still has its flaws, but it isn't as bad as I initially thought:New Grade-B+ (from a C)

[penny]

I just remembered something i forgot to mention earlier. What's with the Simpsons getting upgraded to first class? The first class bit was funny in "Fear of Flying" with Bart and Lisa, but i thought it was stupid in this one.

[Spooner]

Originally posted by Dennis
Maggie was the funniest character in the episode...

Ha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha!


And PennyCandy, the first class bit had one of the few jokes I laughed at. "What would you like for dinner; a steak, or two steaks?" "Can I have both?" "Of course."

[Tibor]

HomerX owned by Moose: 0 Credits

And Homer reading the Economist was worth the path-of-least-resistance first class gag strip.

Similarly, Grandpa has been left in various places or gotten himself into situations where we never saw how he got out, so I don't think its a big deal considering it wasn't vital to the episode anyway.

"Hi David, I'm Grandpa!"

[Cole]

Originally posted by Dondelinger
The best part was the line Homer did. It was like "Oh, we just wanted to get away form the kids, and now the floor has become lava." Not a direcct quote, but it was hilarious. Haha, I had forgotten that line. That was some beautiful voice acting by Dan. Homer seemed so depressed .. I couldn't help but laughing.

[caribou]

Originally posted by Dondelinger
The best part was the line Homer did. It was like "Oh, we just wanted to get away form the kids, and now the floor has become lava." Not a direcct quote, but it was hilarious.

Best line of the episode, and the first in a long time that I know I'll see myself quoting in everyday conversation. Dan's delivery was priceless; I've missed that inflection in Homer's voice that we saw here.

[caribou]

Who voiced the old lady who said, "No scar; he must still be on his first heart."?

[Jake]

Originally posted by Tomacco
I think I can justify all those complaints simply by saying "it's a cartoon".


Because something is drawn and animated it is excused from having lazy/incomplete writing?

[Tibor]

Homerpalooza: Sounded like Tress (??)

[vox]

Wait, are you guys serious about Maggie? Did you not see the scene where she was passed off as a ferret and left in the kennel with SLH and SII(+III)?

No?

Well go look for it and tell me when you find it. Say nothing more of her until you do so. Kthxbye.

[HomerX]

Okay, I'll withdraw my comment about the impossibility of going down a water fall. Not having done it myself, I wouldn't know, but I think the chances are pretty slim.
However, what I think is the problem is that this kind of sequence has been used hundreds of times before - in both movies and TV shows as well as on the Simpsons. For example, I can think of a couple of similar sequences in Simpsons history: Homer and Bart going down the water fall in "Call of the Simpsons" (7G09)and the Homer dummy in "Mother Simpson" (3F06), just to mention a few.

I thank DoTheBartman for the explanation of the "Chocolate Star Wars"-gag, but you're missing the point. Of course I understood the joke, but I still don't think it's funny. I mean, is "chocolate" really the funniest prefix to Star Wars they could come up with? We are not amused.

And I don't think we should wawe away the errors of this episode with "it's just a cartoon", because if there's one thing "The Simpsons" has showed us over the years is that it is more than a cartoon - and that's why we shouldn't settle for such sloppy writing.

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by HomerX

I thank DoTheBartman for the explanation of the "Chocolate Star Wars"-gag, but you're missing the point. Of course I understood the joke, but I still don't think it's funny. I mean, is "chocolate" really the funniest prefix to Star Wars they could come up with? We are not amused.



The point is that its the funniest prefix Homer can think of (he is an idiot after all). Its funny, because he thinks its hilarious.

[Jessfrogger88]

Regardless of what everyone says I still thought this episode was terrible and it actually made me depressed about the simpsons remembering the golden era. Yesterday I watched "Fear of Flying" a so called weak episode from season six and thought this would be the best episode of the season if it aired today. I have deduced that this is one of my four least favorite episodes of all time.


I propose we chip in some money and buy Maxtone-Graham a DVD copy of the Simpsons, so he would know what quality weps are.

I find it strange that I hated this episode and look who wrote it. I had no idea he wrote it until I looked in this thread. I know I have hated his work in the past how many of these has he written.

Sunday, Cruddy, Sunday
Alone Again Naturadiddly
Weekend at Burnsies.

[Roger Myers III]

Ahhhh... a more-often-cartoony-than-not Simpsons, rooted in an actual 'married-couple' phenomenon (that hasn't been hacked-to-death yet by previous television treatment), with rich, real-adult characterization. Its no surprise that younger you are, the more this ep will trouble you. (Don't worry - this will be one of your many "Eps you changed your mind about" in a number of years of real life, if that thread is still here.)

Some DYNs:

The very-cartoony Maggie flying into the kitty-litter set the "cartoony-meter" on 'high' at the very opening of the ep.

Loved seeing the "Lisa the Simpson" extended cousins used again.

Larson's right: "Lackluster" and "Swelldorado" were weak. But "If it doesn't star Sandra Bullock, your rental is free!" redeemed the first one.

"Say it ain't so, Ho!"

The video titles: Ski Shul, President Black Guy, TV Show: the Movie, Sea Triscuit, Jerkules, Ape Chimp. (Couldn't make out the romance title over Marge's shoulder.) Pictured were the Futurama S3 set, Baraka, Tron, and one picturing the cornfield from "North by Northwest".

That was the "Love Story" theme music, with Homer adding lyrics.

Liked the untypical "camera angle" from inside the clothes-closet in H&S's bedroom discussion. And closing the scene was a worthy re-use of both the srangling gag and "crapshack", imo.

"Say Aloha to Value!" ('Aloha' means 'hello' and 'goodbye'.)

"As the bible says:'Screw that!'"

Coming into the ending of Kent's: "...and that would be the turtle... that couldn't. See our website for recipes!"

"I'm an orphan!" "I'm a legal guardian!"

"We'll finally and romantically hump."

"The car's been driving funny since Orlando"

God, the entire "Miami Vice" titles parody and the boom-box. And "Hepburn types".

"I wouldn't kick him out of bed for dying!"

Tatum's Atlantic City pitches - both of them (at alternating hours.) And the Trump Brothel

Raoul was a tip to Hank's role in the South Beach, Miami-based film "The Birdcage".

I'm a huge fan of when they animate in the styles of other cartoons - whether specific toons, or just genres - and they do it far too rarely. The take on the 60's Saul Bass-homage that was used in the film CMIYC's crerdits was brilliant. The way it was framed as Homer's dream (while obnoxiously occupying the plane's restroom) was fantastic. Extra points to Alf Clausen for capturing the music perfectly.

Homer in a thong, always funny. Cap it with a traumatized waiter, and a nasty tip from the taint, still accepted with tongs, very, very funny.

"Before the intercourse... the dinner course!"

"But I was saving that for my birthday."

I'm stoked to see that the very-childlike "lava game" lives on and on, especially in hotels. (I really wonder what kid came up with that, and how long ago....)

"Niagara Falls: Weddings, Honeymoons, Suicides!'

"Vis-a-vis the Visa!" Also, note earlier that Homer & Bart display their "Viza" cards - changed as a legal precaution.



If there's any parody complaints it's this: Why are there always multiple James Bond references when there are any? There were 3 in "Regina", and here there was 1)the skiing-and-jetpacking in the "CMIYC" sequence, 2) Marge's "Nobody does it better", and 3) the military boat "are you alright?" when encountering a watercraft, to find a couple having sex in it - a Bond perennial closing gag. Perhaps its intended to tick off IMG specifically?
_________________________________________

I see that HomerX is new, so I'll go easy.

* "Crossing America so many times" didn't happen, except in Homer's dream sequence. In the episode, they flew from Springfield to Miami, then up the coast to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and then a very-short hop to Niagara Falls, NY. Not improbable at all, or a lot of flight-time, or - and, understand, using the Flanders' Visas is a "gag" - very expensive. Rod having his own card is not only quite possible, with Ned's stellar credit, but, given that card companies have been pimping them hard to children for the last 8 years, very likely.

* Maggie. Ignored and neglected so many times, this doesn't really anny or stand out. She appeared twice - first with her own gag. There's no reason to believe she wasn't handed over to P&S, or even Jackie, or even - heaven forfend - left alone by accident. She's quite capable, for a baby, y'know.

* Most people wanted less of the Grampa subplot - you wanted more? Here's more - he's not a 'gay Italian'. He's Cuban-American, and there's a healthy gay Cuban community in Miami. Fow even more, you can consult your local Swedish Film Library. ;)

* I'm sorry, but this one I just have to quote directly: "The corny references. This is getting out of hand. I was not in the least bit amused by the whole "Catch me if you can"-rip off. There were hardly any real jokes in it, except one that further degraded poor Moe. Give the guy a break!"

* Ummmm, having a "boat/car/raft/toolshed/outhouse/bouncing castle/person going down a waterfall and miraculously make it" are the seven "oldest tricks in the book"? Sadly, no. Niagara Falls, as well as AC and Miami, are 3 of the most popular honeymoon destination in the US. (And the family's been to Vegas and Hawaii, the 2 others.) And, as Moose made clear - its not just possible, its been done. About 7 months ago, someone did it again - by himself, with no flotation jacket - or castle.

Give your "We are not amused" a rest. The royal "we" is so pompous, "we" are going to puke.
____________________________________________________

[i]Originally posted by Dennis
Maggie was the funniest character in the episode...

In the same sense that "Dennis was the funniest poster in the thread"... oh, whoops! I see Spooner found it hilarious. Sorry!

[HomerX]

* "Crossing America so many times" didn't happen, except in Homer's dream sequence. In the episode, they flew from Springfield to Miami, then up the coast to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and then a very-short hop to Niagara Falls, NY. Not improbable at all, or a lot of flight-time, or - and, understand, using the Flanders' Visas is a "gag" - very expensive. Rod having his own card is not only quite possible, with Ned's stellar credit, but, given that card companies have been pimping them hard to children for the last 8 years, very likely.

Maybe, but I'm still having some trouble making it all fit. Maybe I'm a little bit too nitpicky, but I think a lot of things didn't really match up, and that kind of ruined my viewing experience.

Regarding Niagara Falls, why couldn't they just have left out the entire water fall sequence. Yes, I realise the very point of Niagara Falls is the water fall, but it's sooooooooo predictable. (And besides, if it is as easy to survive as you say, what's the big deal anyway?)

I well aware that Maggie's a capable baby - but would Marge (and later, Lisa) really leave her like that? I would say no.

I thought the gay guy was Italian because of his looks and his accent. Not having met many Cubans, I'm not very good at discerning them. However, I shall devote all the time I've got between hunting polar bears and eating smorgasbord to learning how to recognise a Cuban!
No, seriously, my problem with the Grampa plot was that they ended it in a pretty odd way. Closure! I want closure!

I simply think that there are too many jokes about Moe: Moe trying to kill himself, Moe being desperately lonely (how many times has he said that anyway?), Moe being a pervert, and, let's not forget the ever-so annoying "Whaaaaaaaa?!"
I don't mind it once or twice, but when they're constantly joking about his psychological problems or are trying to degrade him in some way, well, it's not funny.
Back in the old days (prepare for a long and rambling story!), jokes about Moe just touched some of his shady business - like that classic scene in Who Shot Mr Burns part 2 where the police are using their lie detector on him, or when he hid a whale in the tavern - and that was what made it fun. The elusive part of it, really not knowing what Moe was up to. That was what I liked. But now we get to know everything Moe is up to, and in almost every episode to top it off. And considering what kind of guy Moe is, that's really something you don't want to know.

Give your "We are not amused" a rest. The royal "we" is so pompous, "we" are going to puke.

Well, we've always been a bit pompous.

[Roger Myers III]

I don't understand how your viewing experience is ever not ruined for this show.

No one ever said that going over the NF is "easy" - only that it was quite possible to survive it. (BTW, your 'waterfall' refs are all from very early seasons - it practically works as a compliment.)

Then its fairly easy to take for granted that Lisa took care of Maggie's supervision.

Sweden has polar bears?

Moe has always been hostile, violent, hot-tempered, a loner, had problems w/ women, and leaned toward the crooked or shady. (And even your examples are matters that are "explained" fairly extensively, within their jokes: in the lie detector scene, he's demonstrated to be desperately lonely and hostile. The whale scene was a 'shady-business' example, as were the pandas, the speakesy, bookmaking, and drug-free surgical procedures, etc., etc. (Just as surely, the writers sometimes play on Moe's exhibited behavior with the 'unexpected reversal' joke - like the reading to the homeless scene in "Homer loves Flanders", or his tender scenes with his bar-mice.)

Loving Moe does not require pitying him, and asking for the writers to treat him with kindness. It requires loving Moe for who he is, warts and all, as he behaves. (And I do realize that I'm writing about a cartoon character.)

Besides - your concern is entirely irrelevant anyway. What's so incedibly upsetting to you, or insulting to Moe, about him being surprised at having a 60's-cartoon-styled-woman's body, within a dream of Homer's?

On a different note - I do admire your honesty in embracing your pomposity!

[ShadowBun]

I didn't see the Moe joke as anything to do with Moe being pathetic, or cross-dressing, or whatever. I just saw it as a very random joke ("Who's the most random person we could have appear at this point?" "Moe!") that I honestly found hilarious.

Even so, I wasn't too happy with this episode. If you ask me, last week's stomps all over it.

[simplysimpsons]

Well, this one is a tough ep to grade. On one side you have some great humour and pacing, but on the other you have extremely poor characterisations all round and a silly, wacky story to match. This episode, as I said, had some very funny moments (see best lines) throughout the second and third act especially. The animation was once again great, and the episode was overall fun-filled. However - characterisations were a major problem. Homer was much more a jerk than normal, and Mad mad mad mad Marge was present. It's such a shame that just when I thought Marge was on the road to recovery, she once again becomes the strange character she was before, and even worse, along with Homer, immensely dislikes Bart and Lisa throughout the whole episode. The kids were also poorly characterised, trying to spoil Homer/Marge's trip and fighting all the time (although I do admit they were characterised more like kids than before which was good). This episode also sported one too many wacky moments for me (like Grampa's toe curling, the tornado), and the plot also seemed pretty random. Another thing - did Homer/Bart steal Ned/Rod's credit cards?! If so, that is unacceptable.

Overall, a fast, comedy filled episode that works on some levels, but the extremely poor characterisations and zany, random plot brings it down, but I don't think it was a Maxtone-Graham mess, as we've seen a LOT worse from him. Grade: B- (previously C+, upped because it was purely meant to be a fun episode)

Great lines:
I break my teeth on ribbon candy! Ohh!
You don't exist! ... I'm right here under staff....
Homer's getting a low fat meal! Noooooo!
And now the floor's made of lava..

[vox]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
Couldn't make out the romance title over Marge's shoulder


"When Harry Became Sally"

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
Coming into the ending of Kent's: "...and that would be the turtle... that couldn't. See our website for recipes!"

It went, "I guess you could call him the little tortoise that couldn't. See our website for recipes!" Hilarious.

[Stackhouse]

Originally posted by simplysimpsons
Another thing - did Homer/Bart steal Ned/Rod's credit cards?! If so, that is unacceptable.


Why is it unacceptable? Homer has stolen loads of things from Ned in the past, and Bart's stealing of Rodd's credit card is just obscure, which makes it funny.

[caribou]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
Why are there always multiple James Bond references when there are any? There were 3 in "Regina", and here there was 1)the skiing-and-jetpacking in the "CMIYC" sequence, 2) Marge's "Nobody does it better", and 3) the military boat "are you alright?" when encountering a watercraft, to find a couple having sex in it - a Bond perennial closing gag.

And Marge's pitch for the zipper museum, which contained something like a zipper from each Bond movie.

[Jamie]

Wow that sucked. 2/5


Did the "Catch Me If You Can" opening credits parody reallly need to go on so long?
Why do Homer and Marge need to get away from the kids to have sex? They've had a sex scene in pretty much every episode for the past 3 years.
Wow that sucked

[Spooner]

I like How RMIII found it amusing to list just about every joke from the show in his "hilarious!" list. I could go back and do the same, listing all the unfunny crap waste-of-my-time jokes, but I think it'd just be easier to copy/paste RMIII's.

And not to start another fight, but hey, let's start another fight. RMIII also finds it funny to constantly vilify those who don't like the Simpsons as much as other shows. Look at his sig, ok, Dennis and I weren't the only ones who didn't like this ep, but he singles us out why? Maybe it's because we disagreed with him on the contract-negotiations issue. Maybe it's because we don't bow down and suck Al Jean's cock following every mediocre episode. Or, behind door 3, maybe he's just a self-absorbed fool. Sound possible? Sounds likely.

You guys brag and brag about characterization and plot development, how well the characters are kept in character in good eps, then this ep comes out. Lacking a sensible plot, throwing almost the entire family out of character, just about completely forgetting about Maggie, AND OMG PERFECT %!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111 lol

I expected this ep to get bad reviews, hell I was hoping this ep got bad reviews. Not because I want to see The Simpsons go down in a fiery ball of death, but because it shows that you guys aren't allowing them to pass of mediocre half-assed eps off as real Simpsons episodes. I know you guys have always been real critical of the show and the slightest mundane details have, historically, resulted in calls for writer's heads, but was that in anyway a bad thing? The Simpsons has a certain level of excellence set to itself that no other show has. Not Friends, not Frasier, not any show of all time. Not any show in the history of the US (and it's many offseas branch offices) has ever been held to such scrutiny as The Simpsons has. AND THAT'S WHAT MADE IT AWESOME. When the writers have to not only walk the extra mile, but sprint it while carrying a cinder block, just to please the fans, that was what made The Simpsons the amazingly amazing series it is.

But apparently you guys are abandoning that now. Mis-characterization? Bad jokes? Plot-holes the size of really big holes? Fine, we'll take that, just please please please no more jerk-ass Homer. We're willing to accept an entire series of mediocre eps, and we'll call them the greatest things ever produced, just so long as you drag us out of the snake pit that was seasons 9-14.

I said it before, this season is your heroin. You guys went through a lot of bad times in season 9-14, and now you you've had enough of it. So you'll take your weekly shot Temporary Fix(tm) and make believe it's all ok, and that it's all going to get better soon, but it's not. Not if you guys won't help it.

[HomerX]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
I don't understand how your viewing experience is ever not ruined for this show.

No one ever said that going over the NF is "easy" - only that it was quite possible to survive it. (BTW, your 'waterfall' refs are all from very early seasons - it practically works as a compliment.)

Then its fairly easy to take for granted that Lisa took care of Maggie's supervision.

Sweden has polar bears?

Moe has always been hostile, violent, hot-tempered, a loner, had problems w/ women, and leaned toward the crooked or shady. (And even your examples are matters that are "explained" fairly extensively, within their jokes: in the lie detector scene, he's demonstrated to be desperately lonely and hostile. The whale scene was a 'shady-business' example, as were the pandas, the speakesy, bookmaking, and drug-free surgical procedures, etc., etc. (Just as surely, the writers sometimes play on Moe's exhibited behavior with the 'unexpected reversal' joke - like the reading to the homeless scene in "Homer loves Flanders", or his tender scenes with his bar-mice.)

Loving Moe does not require pitying him, and asking for the writers to treat him with kindness. It requires loving Moe for who he is, warts and all, as he behaves. (And I do realize that I'm writing about a cartoon character.)

Besides - your concern is entirely irrelevant anyway. What's so incedibly upsetting to you, or insulting to Moe, about him being surprised at having a 60's-cartoon-styled-woman's body, within a dream of Homer's?

On a different note - I do admire your honesty in embracing your pomposity!

Well, I'm usually quite open-minded when it comes to Simpsons episodes, but this episode was so flawed that I got annoyed and just found more and more errors.

The water fall sequences I mentioned was just off the back of my head. (Is that the expression?) There have been many more, both in old and new seasons. And besides, almost every movie, TV series and comic book has used this kind of sequence - it's a cliché.

They could easily have written in a scene where they dropped of Maggie at Patty and Selma's (or someone else), but they didn't, which bugs me. But, of course, that wouldn't make up for Marge not taking Maggie with her in the first place.

Oh yes, we've got lots of polar bears in Sweden. They walk the streets and drive our buses.

Why would Homer dream about Moe wearing a dress? Okay, it could probably be the usual Homer-sillyness. But I think that there are too many jokes about Moe. I used to love his character, but in the later seasons they've made him into such a whining, perverted, depressed freak that it's just not funny anymore. I think they should lay off the Moe jokes a little bit.

Absolutely. Pomposity runs in my family.

[DaSimpsons]

the catch me if you can sequence was great but i thought the episode just felt too flat. The connections between each family member were way too wierd. And is it just me or does this seem like an episode where they thought of the title and parody and then built the episode around that? ugghhh. 1.5/5 - bumped to a 2 in the poll

[StrideR]

I think it's one of the better recent episodes. Pretty good Catch Me if You Can sequence.

6/10.

[Roger Myers III]

Vox & Homerpalooza - thanks for the misses!

Originally posted by Spooner
And not to start another fight, but hey, let's start another fight. RMIII also finds it funny to constantly vilify those who don't like the Simpsons as much as other shows. Look at his sig, ok, Dennis and I weren't the only ones who didn't like this ep, but he singles us out why? Maybe it's because we disagreed with him on the contract-negotiations issue. Maybe it's because we don't bow down and suck Al Jean's cock following every mediocre episode. Or, behind door 3, maybe he's just a self-absorbed fool. Sound possible? Sounds likely.

Nah... it simply that you two kids are the easiest to 'get', what with your extremely predictible, silly little nonsense comments. Plus you rarely analyse anything with sense or accuracy (pssst: I don't have a sig! And I believe I may have mentioned HomerX...) - so the sputtering "unintentional" results from you are always funnier than the 'intended' comedy ("Heroin"? Oooh - shocking!). "Fights" are funny when they're even - not when you have to explain "characterization" to the person in order to even have a "fight". No thanks!

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by Spooner

You guys brag and brag about characterization and plot development, how well the characters are kept in character in good eps, then this ep comes out. Lacking a sensible plot, throwing almost the entire family out of character, just about completely forgetting about Maggie, AND OMG PERFECT %!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111 lol

There weren't any problems with characterization and plotting in this one as far as I'm concerned. And as was established, the location of Maggie wasn't important to the story. Would it have mattered if Maggie was important to the plot? Yes. But she wasn't.


I expected this ep to get bad reviews, hell I was hoping this ep got bad reviews. Not because I want to see The Simpsons go down in a fiery ball of death, but because it shows that you guys aren't allowing them to pass of mediocre half-assed eps off as real Simpsons episodes. I know you guys have always been real critical of the show and the slightest mundane details have, historically, resulted in calls for writer's heads, but was that in anyway a bad thing? The Simpsons has a certain level of excellence set to itself that no other show has. Not Friends, not Frasier, not any show of all time. Not any show in the history of the US (and it's many offseas branch offices) has ever been held to such scrutiny as The Simpsons has. AND THAT'S WHAT MADE IT AWESOME. When the writers have to not only walk the extra mile, but sprint it while carrying a cinder block, just to please the fans, that was what made The Simpsons the amazingly amazing series it is.

But apparently you guys are abandoning that now. Mis-characterization? Bad jokes? Plot-holes the size of really big holes? Fine, we'll take that, just please please please no more jerk-ass Homer. We're willing to accept an entire series of mediocre eps, and we'll call them the greatest things ever produced, just so long as you drag us out of the snake pit that was seasons 9-14.

I said it before, this season is your heroin. You guys went through a lot of bad times in season 9-14, and now you you've had enough of it. So you'll take your weekly shot Temporary Fix(tm) and make believe it's all ok, and that it's all going to get better soon, but it's not. Not if you guys won't help it.

Ever stopped to think that some of us still LIKE the show?

I think most people here have given at least one overwhelmingly negative review this season. If we were deluding ourselves into liking the show, we wouldn't give negative reviews.

[Tibor]

Spooner: can you save your flaming ball of horseshit essays for your flaming ball of horseshit essay website? I mean, good God man. If you want to know why you and Dennis are "singled out" it's because you are awful, awful tards. I'm sorry, I can't think of a nice way to put it.

-You don't know what characterization is. That's not even a knock, that's just a fact. Sorry, never mention it again.

-It's a good thing people don't defecate all over themselves about something like Maggie being absent from the story and miss the whole picture.

-Not everyone liked this episode (it's split pretty evenly, actually), not everyone liked last weeks or the week before. The reviews are NEVER unanimous (Moe Baby Blues was the closest to that, deservedly). As many or more people give out unreasoned knee-jerk bashing than give out unreasoned blind praise every week. And both of those are in minority. Of course, you have to ignore such inconvenient "facts" for your ridiculous assessment that "apparently you guys are abandoning that now" to remotely begin to make sense in the slightest.

-Channel Surfer's negative review is well-reasoned and well-written. That's how you write a negative review, jackasses.

[Icedragon]

Spooner- Come on man, calm the fuck down. Seriously.

You don't know what characterization is. That's not even a knock, that's just a fact. Sorry, never mention it again.

Then please explain what characterization is. Cause I felt this ep had Marge very out of character, as was Lisa. Could Tibor, RMIII, or anybody explain it to me. I must be confused.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Spooner
Look at his sig ...RMIII has no signature.Originally posted by Spooner
So you'll take your weekly shot Temporary Fix(tm) and make believe it's all ok, and that it's all going to get better soon, but it's not. Not if you guys won't help it. What? Help "it"? What's "it" .. the show or our addiction to ..


Eh, screw it.

[bovine_university]

Can't we all just get along?

[Jamie]

Originally posted by Roger Myers III
Ahhhh... a more-often-cartoony-than-not Simpsons, rooted in an actual 'married-couple' phenomenon (that hasn't been hacked-to-death yet by previous television treatment), with rich, real-adult characterization. Its no surprise that younger you are, the more this ep will trouble you. (Don't worry - this will be one of your many "Eps you changed your mind about" in a number of years of real life, if that thread is still here.)

Some DYNs:

The very-cartoony Maggie flying into the kitty-litter set the "cartoony-meter" on 'high' at the very opening of the ep.

Loved seeing the "Lisa the Simpson" extended cousins used again.

Larson's right: "Lackluster" and "Swelldorado" were weak. But "If it doesn't star Sandra Bullock, your rental is free!" redeemed the first one.

"Say it ain't so, Ho!"

The video titles: Ski Shul, President Black Guy, TV Show: the Movie, Sea Triscuit, Jerkules, Ape Chimp. (Couldn't make out the romance title over Marge's shoulder.) Pictured were the Futurama S3 set, Baraka, Tron, and one picturing the cornfield from "North by Northwest".

That was the "Love Story" theme music, with Homer adding lyrics.

Liked the untypical "camera angle" from inside the clothes-closet in H&S's bedroom discussion. And closing the scene was a worthy re-use of both the srangling gag and "crapshack", imo.

"Say Aloha to Value!" ('Aloha' means 'hello' and 'goodbye'.)

"As the bible says:'Screw that!'"

Coming into the ending of Kent's: "...and that would be the turtle... that couldn't. See our website for recipes!"

"I'm an orphan!" "I'm a legal guardian!"

"We'll finally and romantically hump."

"The car's been driving funny since Orlando"

God, the entire "Miami Vice" titles parody and the boom-box. And "Hepburn types".

"I wouldn't kick him out of bed for dying!"

Tatum's Atlantic City pitches - both of them (at alternating hours.) And the Trump Brothel

Raoul was a tip to Hank's role in the South Beach, Miami-based film "The Birdcage".

I'm a huge fan of when they animate in the styles of other cartoons - whether specific toons, or just genres - and they do it far too rarely. The take on the 60's Saul Bass-homage that was used in the film CMIYC's crerdits was brilliant. The way it was framed as Homer's dream (while obnoxiously occupying the plane's restroom) was fantastic. Extra points to Alf Clausen for capturing the music perfectly.

Homer in a thong, always funny. Cap it with a traumatized waiter, and a nasty tip from the taint, still accepted with tongs, very, very funny.

"Before the intercourse... the dinner course!"

"But I was saving that for my birthday."

I'm stoked to see that the very-childlike "lava game" lives on and on, especially in hotels. (I really wonder what kid came up with that, and how long ago....)

"Niagara Falls: Weddings, Honeymoons, Suicides!'

"Vis-a-vis the Visa!" Also, note earlier that Homer & Bart display their "Viza" cards - changed as a legal precaution.



If there's any parody complaints it's this: Why are there always multiple James Bond references when there are any? There were 3 in "Regina", and here there was 1)the skiing-and-jetpacking in the "CMIYC" sequence, 2) Marge's "Nobody does it better", and 3) the military boat "are you alright?" when encountering a watercraft, to find a couple having sex in it - a Bond perennial closing gag. Perhaps its intended to tick off IMG specifically?
_________________________________________

I see that HomerX is new, so I'll go easy.

* "Crossing America so many times" didn't happen, except in Homer's dream sequence. In the episode, they flew from Springfield to Miami, then up the coast to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and then a very-short hop to Niagara Falls, NY. Not improbable at all, or a lot of flight-time, or - and, understand, using the Flanders' Visas is a "gag" - very expensive. Rod having his own card is not only quite possible, with Ned's stellar credit, but, given that card companies have been pimping them hard to children for the last 8 years, very likely.

* Maggie. Ignored and neglected so many times, this doesn't really anny or stand out. She appeared twice - first with her own gag. There's no reason to believe she wasn't handed over to P&S, or even Jackie, or even - heaven forfend - left alone by accident. She's quite capable, for a baby, y'know.

* Most people wanted less of the Grampa subplot - you wanted more? Here's more - he's not a 'gay Italian'. He's Cuban-American, and there's a healthy gay Cuban community in Miami. Fow even more, you can consult your local Swedish Film Library. ;)

* I'm sorry, but [i]this one I just have to quote directly: "The corny references. This is getting out of hand. I was not in the least bit amused by the whole "Catch me if you can"-rip off. There were hardly any real jokes in it, except one that further degraded poor Moe. Give the guy a break!"

* Ummmm, having a "boat/car/raft/toolshed/outhouse/bouncing castle/person going down a waterfall and miraculously make it" are the seven "oldest tricks in the book"? Sadly, no. Niagara Falls, as well as AC and Miami, are 3 of the most popular honeymoon destination in the US. (And the family's been to Vegas and Hawaii, the 2 others.) And, as Moose made clear - its not just possible, its been done. About 7 months ago, someone did it again - by himself, with no flotation jacket - or castle.

Give your "We are not amused" a rest. The royal "we" is so pompous, "we" are going to puke.
____________________________________________________



In the same sense that "Dennis was the funniest poster in the thread"... oh, whoops! I see Spooner found it hilarious. Sorry!

Originally posted by Spooner
I like How RMIII found it amusing to list just about every joke from the show in his "hilarious!" list. I could go back and do the same, listing all the unfunny crap waste-of-my-time jokes, but I think it'd just be easier to copy/paste RMIII's.

And not to start another fight, but hey, let's start another fight. RMIII also finds it funny to constantly vilify those who don't like the Simpsons as much as other shows. Look at his sig, ok, Dennis and I weren't the only ones who didn't like this ep, but he singles us out why? Maybe it's because we disagreed with him on the contract-negotiations issue. Maybe it's because we don't bow down and suck Al Jean's cock following every mediocre episode. Or, behind door 3, maybe he's just a self-absorbed fool. Sound possible? Sounds likely.

You guys brag and brag about characterization and plot development, how well the characters are kept in character in good eps, then this ep comes out. Lacking a sensible plot, throwing almost the entire family out of character, just about completely forgetting about Maggie, AND OMG PERFECT %!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111 lol

I expected this ep to get bad reviews, hell I was hoping this ep got bad reviews. Not because I want to see The Simpsons go down in a fiery ball of death, but because it shows that you guys aren't allowing them to pass of mediocre half-assed eps off as real Simpsons episodes. I know you guys have always been real critical of the show and the slightest mundane details have, historically, resulted in calls for writer's heads, but was that in anyway a bad thing? The Simpsons has a certain level of excellence set to itself that no other show has. Not Friends, not Frasier, not any show of all time. Not any show in the history of the US (and it's many offseas branch offices) has ever been held to such scrutiny as The Simpsons has. AND THAT'S WHAT MADE IT AWESOME. When the writers have to not only walk the extra mile, but sprint it while carrying a cinder block, just to please the fans, that was what made The Simpsons the amazingly amazing series it is.

But apparently you guys are abandoning that now. Mis-characterization? Bad jokes? Plot-holes the size of really big holes? Fine, we'll take that, just please please please no more jerk-ass Homer. We're willing to accept an entire series of mediocre eps, and we'll call them the greatest things ever produced, just so long as you drag us out of the snake pit that was seasons 9-14.

I said it before, this season is your heroin. You guys went through a lot of bad times in season 9-14, and now you you've had enough of it. So you'll take your weekly shot Temporary Fix(tm) and make believe it's all ok, and that it's all going to get better soon, but it's not. Not if you guys won't help it.


Roger Myers III has more words in his post, so it looks like he is the winner in this clash of the titans

[Moose of Doom!]

Originally posted by bovine_university
Can't we all just get along?

For the last time NO!

[ShadowBun]

I'm not a Jean-era-Simpsons hater at all, check my sig. That's five episodes this season that I'd give an A- or above to. However, I thought in Catch 'Em if You Can that OFF was completely out-of-character. Yes, Bart and Lisa acted more like children, which is cool...but does that make up for their strange need to angrily chase their parents around the country? In my opinion, no. And I honestly don't see how anyone could think Marge was remotely in-character in this one...go back and watch Brush With Greatness or Marge Be Not Proud for outstanding Marge characterization, then compare her to the angry, foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed woman in this episode.

[vox]

Like all mothers, Marge loves her children. She works around the clock to take care of and nurture them. But like every other character in the show, and every other human in the world, there's more than one dimension to Marge. Every once in a while, she has to relax and pursue her own desires. It's not like this is the first time this aspect of her has popped up: Rancho Relaxo ("Homer Alone"), country club (Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield"), do those ring any bells (the rest of the family suffered from both of those things if you recall)? The only difference here is that what she wanted this time was a romantic getaway with Homer, without the kids. That's really what all parents want from time to time. They very rarely get to do that: even on their honeymoon, Bart was ruining it from Marge's womb. So is it really that hard to believe that she'd want to do this? Is it that far out of her character? No.

And kids never understand this. To kids, vacations are supposed to be a family thing. I always got just a little ticked when my parents went on their anniversary trip without us. Bart and Lisa had even more reason to be mad, because their parents flat out lied to them about it, right after a traumatic experience where they thought they were orphans. Wouldn't you be at least a little ticked?

So while the extent to which they went in acheiving their goals may have been somewhat extreme, their motivations were fine and entirely in character.

[DotheBartman]

I'd also like to point out that all these scenes of Homer and Marge's sex life aren't neccasarily new. Watch seasons three and four (when Jean and Reiss were in control, incidentally) in order, as opposed to the random syndication order, and you'll see what I mean. There's tons of references to their "snuggling", and even stuff partially on par with some of the scenes here, like in Kamp Krusty and Selma's Choice. The difference is they couldn't deal with this topic in as much detail (or, arguably, honesty) back then because of stricter censors.

[ShadowBun]

Those are good points, Vox Nerduli, and I can understand why Marge would WANT to have a romantic getaway from the kids for awhile. The problem I have with it is not with the idea, but rather the execution. In something like Homer Alone, the idea was presented in a much more in-character manner...Marge has an extremely tiring day, and she snaps--but not at her family (kids, namely), and definately not to this extent. Plus, smaller things like her not caring about her kids' safety as they traveled to various cities bugged me.

In short, it wasn't the motivation but the execution. The story could have followed a similar plotline, but with much better writing on Marge's part (triple-X throwdown? That doesn't sound like her at all!), and I would have been much more satisfied with the episode.

[Spooner]

I know, you've brought up those episodes too, but in none of them did Marge ever blatantly ignore Bart and Lisa like that. She left them with someone else. I can suspend belief for so long before I can't help but think that someone's just being lazy with their writing. Marge has wanted to get away before, there have been times where she's ignored the kids a little, there have been times where they've referenced to Homer and Marge making teh sex, but never has she ignored them this much and never has the sex talk and innuendo been this blatant. The sex talk I can understand with the advancement of time and relaxing of censors but there isn't any way in which I could possibly if I tried really really hard believe that marge would ditch her kids to go on a national journey to have sex. Especially when they've apparently never had problems with doing it inside the house with the kids before. It's out of character, it breaks continuity, and even if I were to attempt and believe that Marge would do something like that, the jokes still weren't funny.

And aside from you guys, from other various Simpsons sites and the general public, I've been getting the impression that everyone who doesn't post here pretty much agrees it was a sub-par episode with a good line or two but just doesn't really live up to the expectations of a Simpsons episode. Mostly 2's and 3's with the occasional 4, but no one felt this was anywhere near the best episode of the season, no one didn't think Marge was out of character, and a lot of people struggled to laugh at even some of the "funnier" lines.

I know I shouldn't be going on here and be giving bad reviews, especially with a Fmaily Guy sig, (like poking a bear with a stick) but I wouldn't have to if they gave me something better to rate. A few more eps like "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and I'd be happy. That was an all-timer ep. Not this, though. I mean, c'mon, do you really see yourself remembering this ep 10 years from now? It's destined to be lost among the so-so eps of The Simpsons era.

Just call me the Last Angry Fan, I guess. My ratings always seem to be a little lower than anyone else's, but that's because I hold Simpsons to such a high regard. It's a classic series and I don't like seeing it dragged through the mud by an incompetent writing team. I'm more critical of The Simpsons than I am of any other show, because it's continually raised the bar for animation, and lately it's just been nowhere near that bar, and I want to see them raise the bar again. It doesn't look like it will happen anytime this season, but I dunno, maybe next. We can only hope, right?

Because you guys may see me as a guy here just to piss you off and belittle your series, but I'm not, I'm here because I like the show as you guys do. I watch teh eps, I TiVo the eps, I watch em over again. I'm not as big a fan as any of you by any means, but I'm still a fan, and I want what's best for the series. And this ep sure as hell isn't it.

Originally posted by ShadowBun
Those are good points, Vox Nerduli, and I can understand why Marge would WANT to have a romantic getaway from the kids for awhile. The problem I have with it is not with the idea, but rather the execution. In something like Homer Alone, the idea was presented in a much more in-character manner...Marge has an extremely tiring day, and she snaps--but not at her family (kids, namely), and definately not to this extent. Plus, smaller things like her not caring about her kids' safety as they traveled to various cities bugged me.

In short, it wasn't the motivation but the execution. The story could have followed a similar plotline, but with much better writing on Marge's part (triple-X throwdown? That doesn't sound like her at all!), and I would have been much more satisfied with the episode.

Awesomeness. I spent forever typing but I shoulda just copy/pasted what you said.

[vox]

I think that Marge's annoyance with the kids was built up as well here as her stress was in Homer Alone. The episode started out with her being (literally) shoved into the middle of a fight between Bart and Lisa. She then points out that neither child was conceived on purpose, but rather that they were a burden imposed on her. When she tries to incorporate the kids into an activity, they either reject or ruin it (going to Dayton, the list of activities to do that night, all of which Bart rejects making her have to settle for a movie, the kids interrupting the movie). And finally the flashback where, because of Bart, she's throwing up and Homer has to work around the clock on their honeymoon.

Had Homer and the kids followed her to Rancho Relaxo, there's no doubt that she would have gone to some other resort. She needed the break then and she needed it now too. And at first, it wasn't like she totally didn't care about the kids. She apparently left them the hotel key in Miami (they got in the room somehow), so it's not like she left them with no place to go. Plus, Grampa was still there with them. In fact, the only place they really ditched them was Atlantic City, as they let them stay in Niagra Falls with them. And besides, Bart flew to Capitol City alone in Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore, so letting the kids fly alone isn't that odd. I'll admit Marge was somewhat out of character, but many people are blowing it out of proportion. At least it wasn't crazy Scully Marge.

Originally posted by Spooner
I know, you've brought up those episodes too, but in none of them did Marge ever blatantly ignore Bart and Lisa like that. She left them with someone else. I can suspend belief for so long before I can't help but think that someone's just being lazy with their writing. Marge has wanted to get away before, there have been times where she's ignored the kids a little, there have been times where they've referenced to Homer and Marge making teh sex, but never has she ignored them this much and never has the sex talk and innuendo been this blatant. The sex talk I can understand with the advancement of time and relaxing of censors but there isn't any way in which I could possibly if I tried really really hard believe that marge would ditch her kids to go on a national journey to have sex. Especially when they've apparently never had problems with doing it inside the house with the kids before. It's out of character, it breaks continuity, and even if I were to attempt and believe that Marge would do something like that, the jokes still weren't funny.

Natural Born Kissers? Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy? Those were far more sex themed. And it was sex for the sake of sex too. This was more of a romantic getaway sex, keyword: getaway. In the house? Not a getaway. The stress & problems (in this case, the kids) were still there. That's never really been the problem before.

Also she blatantly ignored the whole family in $pringfield (Maggie nearly died and she went right back to slot jockeying, and of course Lisa's pageant outfit was awful because she broke her promise), and she was flat out mean to them at points in Scenes From the Class Struggle in Springfield. It's not that new

[Spooner]

I think it woulda been a bit more believable if it were more as if Homer was dragging Marge throughout the stops with Marge unwillingly following him. Marge coulda been helping the kids (giving them money, leaving them hotel rooms and such). After they go over Niagra falls in the castle, Homer spots the kids on the cliff and Marge finally explains that she had been helping them all along because she wanted them to be safe (blah blah blah) and Homer explains that he only wanted to get away from them because he loved here (blah blah blah) and then they finally and romantically hump. I've never been one for sappy moments and such, but this ep really coulda used one to help tie up the plot a little.

[DotheBartman]

Originally posted by Spooner


And aside from you guys, from other various Simpsons sites and the general public, I've been getting the impression that everyone who doesn't post here pretty much agrees it was a sub-par episode with a good line or two but just doesn't really live up to the expectations of a Simpsons episode. Mostly 2's and 3's with the occasional 4, but no one felt this was anywhere near the best episode of the season, no one didn't think Marge was out of character, and a lot of people struggled to laugh at even some of the "funnier" lines.


Was "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" one of the best episodes of that season? Was "Homer the Vigilante" one of the best of its season? Saying it wasn't one of the absolute best doesn't mean anything; there can only be so many episodes that qualify you know. Personally I thought this was in the upper half of the season anyway.

And honestly, you shouldn't use internet sites exclusively to create a general perception about Simpsons episodes (that includes the NHC, I'm afraid). The ratio of negative people on the internet will always be higher then "real life". Google up some alt.tv.simpsons posts from 1992 on and prepare for a shock.

As for Marge, I really didn't see the big deal. I didn't like the "Triple X throwdown" line as it just seemed like a bit much (but I was able to overlook it in the grand scheme of things), but otherwise it was in character. Even a housewife with an otherwise "wholesome" nature about her is going to want to have some private time her husband once in a while, and be away from the kids (by the way, her line about neither kid being planned isn't the first reference from her either; remember her line about why she didn't want to be catholic?). I can see some of the complaints (the Maggie, Grandpa, etc stuff comes off as silly to me though) but its overall not much different then seasons three and four inferred about Homer and Marge's "snuggling" time. Its just more openly referenced now, because with more relaxed censors the producers are more free to discuss the issues of an exhausted and sexually frustrated couple then they could in 1991.

I should also add that the perception of her as a "perfect mother" has not only never been entirely true (thanks for the examples, Vox), but she would be a much blander character if it were true. You have to give your characters some flaws and have them make mistakes once in a while or they don't seem "real" to the audience. Marge is a loving mother, but even a loving mother will occasionally become vocally frustrated with her children.

[vox]

Originally posted by Spooner
I think it woulda been a bit more believable if it were more as if Homer was dragging Marge throughout the stops with Marge unwillingly following him. Marge coulda been helping the kids (giving them money, leaving them hotel rooms and such). After they go over Niagra falls in the castle, Homer spots the kids on the cliff and Marge finally explains that she had been helping them all along because she wanted them to be safe (blah blah blah) and Homer explains that he only wanted to get away from them because he loved here (blah blah blah) and then they finally and romantically hump. I've never been one for sappy moments and such, but this ep really coulda used one to help tie up the plot a little.

Oh, when did they ever need money anyways? They had the credit card. And again, it seems as though she did leave them at least one room (Bart even says they have a free room in Miami and they're seen in there looking out the window).


And now I'm off to beeeeed.

[Spooner]

They coulda gotten rid of the Rod having a credit card gag (which personally I liked but some people here have a problem with) and they didn't leave them the room with the intent of the kids safely staying there. The room was paid for, they left, the kids had a key.

[kane]

Good episode. The wacky parody when Bart and Lisa follow Marge and Homer round the world brought Jukka (http://simpsonsfolder.com) to mind.....

[mohammed jafar]

gee fucking whizz, rod flanders has a credit card. good golly gosh shitbang wallop.

B btw. Between the dissenters and the fanboyz. A reasonably good S5-style episode with a mundane family situation twisted into a zany surreal parodyfest. But with too much sacrificing of characterisation as in S5 (no need to join in the marge argument, i agree with both sides to about the same extent). funny I guess, but still less funny than many character-driven episodes this season. ho hum

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Spooner

And aside from you guys, from other various Simpsons sites and the general public, I've been getting the impression that everyone who doesn't post here pretty much agrees it was a sub-par episode with a good line or two but just doesn't really live up to the expectations of a Simpsons episode. Mostly 2's and 3's with the occasional 4, but no one felt this was anywhere near the best episode of the season, no one didn't think Marge was out of character, and a lot of people struggled to laugh at even some of the "funnier" lines.


Actually I've seen a higher ration of really positive reviews for this one in places outside this board. I've seen some people call it the best episode in years even.

And personally I do see myself remembering this one over "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" further down the line because I think this one was different enough to be more memorable than FABF07, which is an ep I really like, but has a more forgetabble storyline and especially subplot.

[Sarcastic Guy]

A relatively funny episode. It seemed like the follow-up to Natural Born Kissers, with Marge and Homer wanting to spice up their sex lives. Unlike NBK, this episode provided bad characterizations of Marge and Homer. Apparently they forgot what happened when they left the kids with Grampa the last time in Home Sweet Home Dum Diddly Doodly.

Grampa and the gay guy was pretty funny, and that subplot was there because there needed to be one.

[Mike Scully]

A fun but really empty and barely funny episode. I was surprised at how well-paced this episode was, keeping me guessing the whole time when the kids would find Homer and Marge, and how the result would turn out. As a vacation episode, it was extremely fresh and exciting. But I'd liken this episode to Futurama's Three Hundred Big Boys, as an interesting stylistic plot that, unfortunately, doesn't have the appealing characters or the writing to pull it off. I didn't have any problem with Marge and Homer trying to get away from the kids, or the kids trying to track them down, but the writing between them was poor. For instance, Marge laughing like Homer, her "triple X" showdown line, the scene on the rollercoaster, and a bunch of sex jokes. It's frustrating, since, throughout most of the Jean era, I never had a problem with the way Homer and Marge were written as a couple, but this season, we've had Co-Dependent's Day, My Big Fat Geek Wedding, and now this. As for the Catch Me If You Can parody, I liked it, but perhaps the show shouldn't make long, direct references, that would alienate people who haven't seen the movie. Besides, in a short time, the parody will seem dated. The Grampa subplot makes the episode's humor even more uneven. I've grown just a bit sick of the generic Hispanic-sounding gay character that the show keeps using.

For now, I give this episode a C+/C, though it may raise on a second viewing like The Wandering Juvie did.

[Charmy]

Originally posted by Mohammed Jafar
B btw. Between the dissenters and the fanboyz.
...
(no need to join in the marge argument, i agree with both sides to about the same extent)

If Jafar was running for some sort of political office, he'd probably win. :)

Anyway, my two cents on the whole "Marge" controversy- I have no problem with her trying to get away from the kids. That was justified. She wanted some alone time with Homer and had every right to be on the run to try to get it. In that aspect there is no problem with Marge.
The real problem comes in her views on the kids, rather than her actions. You'll have to excuse me for my lack of direct quotes (I have a poor head for that kind of thing), but her resentment towards them was over the top. Again, because I have a poor head for quotes the only example that comes to mind is Marge refering to them as "Those stupid kids!", but there were others (boy, I making a really convincing argument, aren't I :)). Anyway, my point is that had her resentment towards them been toned down a bit and slightly better developed, I would have had no problem with it, but as it stands it was pretty poor.

[vox]

Originally posted by Spooner
They coulda gotten rid of the Rod having a credit card gag (which personally I liked but some people here have a problem with) and they didn't leave them the room with the intent of the kids safely staying there. The room was paid for, they left, the kids had a key.

Hmmm...how did they get the key then? They didn't have it before Homer and Marge got there (they didn't look too comfy asleep in the hall, doubt they'd be there with a key), for the same reason I doubt they broke in, and you can't just ask for any key at a hotel: that'd defeat the purpose of a key all together. So, either Homer or Marge left them a key. If you don't agree, tell me what happened.

[Tibor]

i can see where some particular lines would be oddball (as cs appropriately put it) but the light farcical tone of the episode didn't really invite a question like 'why are marge and homer not concerned about their kids travelling cross country.' most of these complaints taken objectively would be an issue but in the context of this episode they are not. as jafar said, it was basically a mundane everyday family problem exaggerated for a gag row. the characters were sound enough for a farce. my one concern is i see this episode's stock falling on subsequent viewings, as these types of episodes tend to do with me.

and why is spooner suddenly concerned about things like characters and stories? haven't i heard over and over that they're completely superfluous and just get in the way?

season assessment: don't feel like grading everything, but this season has slipped behind fourteen for me. no real super-standouts in the FABFs (possibly 'Tis the Fifteenth Season). unless it can kick out the jams in the last half it may even slide behind thirteen. this not look good.

[bovine_university]

With this new episode, this season has definitely fallen behind season 14, I just hope these next few episodes can pull it ahead of season 13, otherwise this will have been my least enjoyed season since the Scully era.

[DotheBartman]

Eh, I think 15 is still ahead of both Jean seasons, and probably ahead of nine too (although I admit its originally seemingly shoe-in position above 9 is slipping a little). Season 14 still only gets limited credit from me considering how uneven it was. Really, in its first four months it only produced two legitimately good episodes for me. It got better yes, but even then produced some duds like "Old Yeller Belly". Season 15, despite its faults, is more consistant for me. Season 13 is also ahead of 14 I'd say, but it also had some unevenness problems that kill its chances of being as good as season 15 for me.

With all that said I do hope that things pick up a little as season 15 does seem to getting more "ho hum" as it goes along, compared to the enthusiasm I had for it earlier on. But I think some of the next four episodes have some potential to be huge hits.

[Mike Scully]

To me, season 15 might end up being the blandest, most forgettable season of the show. So far, this is the first season since 8 that hasn't had a single despicably bad episode, but also has very few really good episodes, about the same number that seasons 10 and 12 had when they finished. Every other episode is in that average, ho-hum range. I get that sense that the writers are sort of tired with the show; stuff that worked fine in the past 2 seasons: Artie Ziff, Skinner's relationship with Edna, the 3 short-story format, Marge and Homer's relationship, good characterization, attempts at satire, parodies, all fell flat or are problematic more often this season.

Out of all 18 episode this season, 6 have scored above a C+:
My Mother the Carjacker
The President Wore Pearls
Today I Am a Clown
Tis the Fifteenth Season
Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
The Wandering Juvie

[Channel Surfer]

Great review Mike Scully, as always.

Originally posted by Icedragon
Then please explain what characterization is. Cause I felt this ep had Marge very out of character, as was Lisa. Could Tibor, RMIII, or anybody explain it to me. I must be confused.

Speaking strictly in regards to the No Homers Club, most people mean it as a measurement to how consistent a character's behavior is with past episodes (so as to say if someone is in or out of character). More generally, it is the results of how a character behaves, the total of the distinct traits that define a character.

[Stackhouse]

season 15 > season 14 > season 13

truth

[Solo44]

Isn't the "triple-x throwdown" a joke because it's out of character? It's not something Marge would normally say, so that's why it's funny. I know some people may not find it funny, but don't accuse the writers of ignoring Marge's character. That was the whole point of the joke. (Compare it to Marge "bringing her A game to the bedroom", which if I remember correctly most people didn't like, but it's the same kind of joke)

[Maddog53]

Originally posted by Mike Scully
To me, season 15 might end up being the blandest, most forgettable season of the show.

Really? Season 14 holds that positon for me. So many 3/5 episodes last season made it hard to distinguish one episode from another. The ones that stand out to me remain: Brake My Wife, Please (I found it humorous), Moe Baby Blues, and Pray Anything (just for its sheer horribleness). This season has brought so many good/memorable episodes. Regina Monologues, My Mother the Carjacker, Catch 'Em if You Can, The Ziff Who Came to Dinner, The President Wore Pearls, Today I am a Klown, The Wandering Juvie, etc. Now I'm not saying that these are all GREAT episodes, but they are memeorable. This is something that 14 always floundered in, because most (for me) were such meh episodes.

Maddog.

[Malachy]

I give it a 3/5. I know it's kindof late for a review but I've been busy...

The plot seemed a little forced together but it smoothed out somewhere along the lines. And at least they made the opening segment related to the overall episode instead of that stupid wedding stuny from The Wandering Juvie. Not the best of the season...but also not the worst.

[Sloppy Jimbo IV]

Just looking through this thread, man, some of you can bitch about some really inane things. Maggie not being included doesn't even register as a complaint in my books. How many episodes are there where Maggie hasn't been used at all? I don't know, but I'm sure there's at least a few. And anyway, how would her presense have made this episode any more enjoyable? If anything, it would've been a hinderance. She wasn't important to the plot, so the writers decided not to include her, it makes sense. I wasn't bothered by Marge and Homer's attitude towards the kids either. I guess it's comparable to Homer's behaviour in "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" where he admitted to disliking his family. In that episode though, the writing was routine, blatantly plot-driving and completely humorless, here it had an original spark, it was honest and funny and empathetic to both sides of the argument. Enough so for me go along with the admittedly over-the-top premise, which was also written with a lot of creativity and style, as I instructed Maxtone-Graham to do so. And the Grampa and Ruaoul "subplot" was far too short for anyone to validly complain about not being "tied-up", let alone call a subplot. What, you want to see the exciting conclusion to Grampa telling some old fag a story that doesn't go anywhere... wait a minute, maybe that was the point of the segment, hmmm. Anyway, I thought this episode was very refreshing and not like any other vacation episode of the series as the focus was on the characters, rather than the setting. I found it to be highly original, very funny and with excellently brisk pacing. Bart and Lisa were actual children (I loved their regretful exchange towards the end) and Homer and were a real married couple dealing with a real married problem. This was one of the first shows in a long while where I didn’t find myself checking the time to see how much longer it would drag. Even a cliche bit like Marge and Homer laughing at an enthusiastic young couple's excitement about having children was funny. Dan and Julie did a really good job with that bit, they made something potentially cringeworthy very funny and charming. There were problems though, very minor ones, like a couple of jokes falling flat or the bit with Grampa and Rauoul feeling kind of empty. But overall, I very much enjoyed this one. Possibly best of the season, top 3 for sure.

Grade: B+

[Tibor]

it was also very sloppy jimbo-esque

[Sloppy Jimbo IV]

That explains why I enjoyed it so much, and why I felt the need to write an overprotective mini-essay. Everyone start liking it now!

[Homeboy]

Good clean fun, but I agree with most of you (you know who you are) that the Grandpa subplot was left unresolved wrongly. That minor nit aside, I'll give this ep a B+/4.5/5 (Hey, I'm feeling exceptionally generous today, what more can I say?).:)

[H Thompson]

.

[M Prower]

A pretty damn good episode, with a lot of great jokes (particularly enjoyed the fact the video store was called "Lackluster Videos", that was very clever, also Homer having Ned's credit card and Bart having Rod's) I must say I didn't like the sound of the premise, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that Homer and Marge weren't as cruel as I first thought they would be. It worked for me.
But where the heck was Maggie? ;P
4/5

[H Thompson]

A pretty damn good episode, with a lot of great jokes (particularly enjoyed the fact the video store was called "Lackluster Videos", that was very clever, also Homer having Ned's credit card and Bart having Rod's) I must say I didn't like the sound of the premise, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that Homer and Marge weren't as cruel as I first thought they would be. It worked for me.
But where the heck was Maggie? ;P
4/5

She was in the beginning of the episode, obviously Bart,Lisa and grandpa decided not to take her because they knew it would be difficult to keep an eye on her when they were in Miami, so maybe they left her at Patty and Selma's, Its not important really is it.

[BonelessChicken]

Yeah I said the same to my sister because she noticed someone was missing. I thought this episode was brilliant. I've given it a firm 5/5 (A+) Top Five of my Season Fifteen Episodes that have aired in the UK... I particually like the scene, really is a parody of "Catch Me If You Can", the beginning sequence of the film...

[Drunk Barney]

A good episode.

All in good character. A bit too whacky though to get a very high rating.

B/B+

[Fallin2hell]

I was looking forward to this episode and I thought it was really good. The only bad thing was my brother saying it was awful and annoying me during the episode.

[Starbucks Exec]

Very good episode. Some very funny moments mixed in with good pacing. I liked how Bart and Lisa were originally resentful at being tricked, but then later decided to let Homer and Marge have a break. Good characterisation. A-

[Homer Jay]

I don't think that this episode is anything special. It is incredibly average for the season. C+

[Simpsons Forever!]

I liked this episode, because it was fun to watch, with Homer and Marge being chased everywhere by Bart and Lisa. I also really enjoyed the Catch Me If You Can parody. That part was very well done. 5/5 A

[nebula]

One of the best eps from the season! very entertaining and all around fun.

In contrast most S15 eps are way to bland and 'run of the mill' for my tastes.

[Miss Springfield]

I didn't mind it too much but I don't think its the best one...

[Dr Zaius]

So sorry I missed this. I only got to catch the last ten minutes and it looked great :(
Kinda ironic I guess considering the title.

[Rory Mitch]

Good episode. But what bugged me is that Maggie never featured and that Grandpa's subplot never reached a conclusion.

4.5/5

[George Cauldron]

I was prematurely negative about this episode, fearing it to be a wacky vacation with little to no plot, but was positively surprised. There was a plot, it was silly, it was fun, it was funny, and I was genuinely entertained. Marge and Homer had a reason to go off and leave the children for their own amusement and pleasure, perfectly understandable. Bart and Lisa following hot on their heels made the conflict even more interesting, keeping up with the chase and the action. Lots of good lines, but the highlight of the episode has to be the parody of the opening credits to the movie Catch Me If You Can. May not be understood by those who haven’t seen the film, but this was a stand-out moment that should rightly be viewed as a classic in years to come when we look back on the episode. It did verge on absurd silliness towards the end, with the bouncy castle sailing off Niagara Falls but fortunately the wackiness never truly went overboard, it was nicely controlled, making for a superb episode.

[Patriot]

Thought this episode was absolutely hilarious. Thoguht it was the best episode of Season 15. An A+ in my book. 5/5,10/10,A+

[DaRick]

I actually liked Catch 'em if You Can quite a bit. Everybody appeared to be in-character and the plot was just about worth my time. Marge and Homer trick Bart and Lisa, so the two go after Homer and Marge. I especially like the end (POSSIBLE SPOILER), when Ned and Rod Flanders get charged a stupid amount because of the Simpson family's escapades. The pacing was rapid too, with few really dull moments. However, there were some glaring flaws with the episode: 1) Where is Maggie? 2) Why did they not develop the subplot with Grampa? These flaws reduce what could have been a classic into a good episode. (UPDATE: 20/7/2006) I think it should get a B+

[Rest your giant head]

I saw this one only once - but I loved it! The parody of "Catch me if you can" was excellent! Grampa was funny,too. I would like to see it again soon.

5/5

[kylekool150]

great episode funny stuff man!

[TheForbiddenDonut]

This episode was pure crap in my opinion. Marge was out of character no matter what anyone says. The open disdain she held for Bart and Lisa was so disturbing; the scene where she is laughing at the parents exited over having a baby completely betrays just about everything about her character (she was rude, showed disdain for her children, and made an embarassing spectacle of herself). She was so overly sex-crazed as well, that I couldn't take it. Bart and Lisa chasing them from city to city was way over the top. There was almost nothing in this episode that was funny. I haven't seen Catch Me If You Can, so the parody was completely meaningless to me; note that I might have enjoyed it despite, if it didn't go on for so long. 'D' or a 2/5, only because of its few good moments.

[Otis P Jivefunk]

I absolutely loved this whole episode, it was so funny and extremely entertaining all the way through. It mainly focussed on The Simpsons family and it worked beautifully. Bart and Lisa acting like children and Homer and Marge wanting an escape, Grandpa along for the ride was fun too. One of the best pre-Season 9 episodes without doubt!

[Turambar]

4/5 Found this to be a really great episode. Loved the parody of Catch Me If You Can. Saw it again yesterday and I'd forgotten how good this episode was. One of the best Jean-Era episodes to date. Loved the Flanders' finding out their credit card bills at the end.

[Jens. E]

not so good episode. but it was pretty fun too . A Family Episode is always fun too watch. But it wasnt´ that fun in this episode

[Tamaki Suoh]

This episode was very strange, to say the least. Lisa and Marge in particular were terribly out of character, the plot was not anything particularly interesting, and it didn't make much sense as to why any of the characters would acting the way they did. To be honest, a lot of the dialogue and scenes reminded me of Family Guy. Some of it was entertaining, but it really didn't do much for me. 2/5

[Moe Nopoly]

i think it works better as parody from Catch me if you can and so good as regular Simpsons episode. But not a bad episode this way.

[Sideshow Jay]

I found this episode rather enjoyable for a post-classic era one. I'll give it a 4/5.

[Mindy Simmons]

I'm still catching up on the past five seasons, and I've finally seen this one today. What a fun little episode. It was fast paced, breezy, and silly without being too wacky. (Even the Niagara Falls bit kinda works because of the overall tone of the rest of episode.) It almost reminded my of a Warner Brothers cartoon in terms of pacing and direction. Loved the "Catch Me If You Can" sequence (though the ending w/Homer in the bathroom was awkward.) Lots of hilarious little moments. I really enjoyed the Bart/Lisa and Homer/Marge interaction. Now that I think of it, where was Maggie during all of this?

A-/B+

[MargeinCharge98]

I think this is practically the worst Simpsons episode ever. Marge has the wrong characterization, Marge and Homer are nasty, and ever worse Marge has the 'kids ruined my life' attitude. I just hate the way Marge is portrayed. She and Homer are nasty, and plus Marge says, "stupid kids...."
Never, not by a long shot Marge has ever had this attitude, I know that someone said she does want her "Marge time", but in "Homer Alone", the Rancho Relaxo episode, she isn't that mean, plus she doesn't diss Homer and the kids, not like this episode were she disses the kids.

P.S. by diss, I mean ignore.

[Trab Pu Kcip]

There's much to be said about the worst episode ever (IMO). First off, I think the characterizations were horrific. For example, Marge and Homer have basically the same characterization. Bart and Lisa are also annoying. The plot was also terrible. Before the fight on the bus, it was decent. Unfortunately, that was over in seconds. Then, we get a horrible build up to Homer and Marge ditching the kids. Once they leave the kids, it only gets worse. My least favorite moment of the show is when Homer and Marge laugh at that couple for saying that they want to have kids. Once the kids find out and Grampa takes them to Homer and Marge, they get ditched again. Then we get this chase scene that looks cool, but the fact is that Homer and Marge don't care that the kids are chasing them all over the place, they just want time to themselves. After all this, the kids feel guilty. I mean, WTF? Despite all that has happened, the kids think that Homer and Marge deserve some time to themselves. If this episode had an ending with something like Homer and Marge realizing that what they did was wrong, I wouldn't hate it as much. Sure, I would have to endure the episode, but I'll know that the ending was coming. However, that's not the case. Homer and Marge get what they wanted. The kids are somehow satisfied. It's like the writers thought we would be rooting for Homer and Marge for the duration of the episode. There's not much more to say besides 1/5!

PS: The subplot was okay, but it wasn't resolved.

[Sprocketeer]

I really dislike this episode. Not only am I not a fan of the source material, but it translates into the series poorly, featuring some really awful characterizations of Marge, off-the-wall scenarios, and a really disturbing B-plot featuring Abe. Of course, there's also the fact that no part of the episode is really funny. Ian-Maxtone Graham has actually been pretty good since, but this episode should have never left the ideas room.
1.5/5

[Morris Szyslak]

I don't know if it's a guilty pleasure, but I love this episode. Some of you say that characterizations are wrong as if this was a characterization episode. And it isn't. Actually, the idea is to make a crazy pursuit, not to go into one character in depth. I assess the episode according to its characteristics, and the fact is that it is essentially humor. I liked its jokes and I understand people that disliked them, but not that tendency to fail this episode hiding behind some characteristics that the episode, by definition, doesn't care about.

9/10 for me. I really have fun with this episode.

[mail.the.simpsonslover]

5/5, a funny episode

[Homer Alone]

4/5 Very underated episode, this is a very funny one! And c'mom, Homer and Marge were tired, they needed a break from the kids.