How Would You Rate "Little Girl in the Big Ten" (DABF15)

[Wang]

Vote and post your thoughts after the episode airs or even before for some of you lucky people :)

[Cole]

I give it a 5/5. I felt it was the best episode so far this season. I won't say anything else so that I won't give away any spoilers. I'll post my detailed review after the episode airs. :)

[Tomacco]

I'll leave this thread open this week because I know there are a fair amount of people around here who have seen the episode already.

My rating: 5/5

My full review here:
www.thespringfieldshopper.com/reviewdabf15.htm

Guide page link below:
http://www.thespringfieldshopper.com/miniLITTLEGIRLBIGTEN.gif
www.thespringfieldshopper.com/guidedabf15.htm

[Finch 182]

Where do you guys see the episodes so early.. here its not on for 6 more hours???

[Andy]

I've seen enough of Jonah's spoilers to know that this episode looks like possibly the best episode in three years. I haven't seen so many positive reviews on this board ever.

*crossing fingers*

[phil]

You guys are really giving some hype to the episode for me and maybe some others. I don't know if that's a good thing of course.

Hope I won't be let down.

[skittlebrau]

Have you ever downloaded an episode before, Comrade?

[mr. broom]

Folks, no more talk about hype in this thread. There are already two threads about hype. Keep it strictly to reviews. If you haven't seen it, don't post here. These threads get cluttered enough as it is.

[Speed-Bump]

Non-Spoiler: I loved this episode. It had a realistic plot. While not full of jokes it is still very funny because most of the jokes worked. It had jokes that only big fans would know and some anybody would laugh at. It made fun of some good things too.

I'll put up a full one after it airs.

[Cole]

It is a very well done episode. Even though Tomacco's page is already up, I won't give away any more spoilers than have already been given. But I will say that this is the most well-done episode animation wise I have seen since Season 8. The colors seem more appropriate throughout the episode and the animation itself has a certain flow that reminds me of Season 7 and 8, it is not as bland as it has been for the past several seasons. Plus the shadows are used more throughout and seem more appropriate with the lighting. The camera angles are also very different from most of this season, adding more feeling and emotion to the episode. This episode has the best directorial production I have seen in years. The stories are also very well written and tie together in a clever fashion. Grade: A and for reference sake, here is my current top five:

1. Little Girl in the Big Ten
2. Weekend at Burnsies
3. Half-Decent Proposal
4. I Am Furious (Yellow)
5. A Hunka Hunka Burns in Love

[Mafia]

tomacco, does this episode have enough power to get a Season 13 episode on the top 30 list on your site?

[Tomacco]

Unfortunately, no, it doesn't. "Trilogy of Error", "Behind the Laughter", and "HOMR" still rank above this episode in the past 3 seasons. Plus, this episode itself isn't INCREDIBLE! It's just really good because it feels more like an old episode. It would be like an average episode from season 7 or so.

[Robbie]

I can't wait to see this episode!

[Mafia]

wow... a 7 to 1 ratio of 5/5 to 4/5.

i've been very easy on this season so far, so i am gonna go a little tougher on this episode for hype.

[irv]

This episode is easily better written than the whacky as hell "HOMR" and the overrated "Behind the Laughter." As good as Trilogy of Error from a non-gimmicky stand point. Incredibly well written, but wacky.

This is the best "normal" episode since Lisa's Sax in season 9. No gimmick. Just great writing, great characterizations of Homer, the school children, and the family.

Best moment in last few seasons was Willie moment in the third act. Simply hilarious and brilliantly written.

Easy 5/5

The three episodes I've legitimately enjoyed this year:

Little Girl in the Big Ten
Half-Decent Proposal
Weekend at Burnsies (first two acts)

[phil]

What can I say? It's good, it's real good. Believe the hype.

5/5

[HellBender]

Decent episode, I gave it a 4/5 cause it wasn't that hillarious IMHO

[Blinkythe3eyedfish]

Great episode! The Simpsons definitely still have it, that's THREE good eps in a row, plus others!

4/5

Fave quote from ep:

'Look, it's Lisa, and she's winning us back!'

[BlindPsychic]

Good episode

[or_smth]

I agree, but I think it was better than seasons 10-13. I don't know what it was, there wasn't even that much of an ongoing parody, and a few jokes fell flat (ending one wasn't so great -- overused, and Bart's fart), but it was the first one in a while that was "Laugh out Loud" funny.

I don't know why, but my favorite moment is probably Ralph saying nothing then rolling down the hill (self-parody) and Nelson's "What's a Million Times a Million" (great characterisation). Loved Lisa's bubble animation and 2001 music. Yummy.

[Andy]

To all the positive people who watched this episode in advance:
THANK YOU. YOU WERE RIGHT.
Sorry I had to use such big print, but I mean it. I have to go now, so I'll print a more detailed review later.

[NoOneFamous]

Well written plot, very down to earth, nothing annoying or crazy, all in all, a very well done episode! 4/5. I would have given it a 5/5 if it had been funnier.

At first, I didn't like Al Jean's episodes, but now that there has been 3 very good episodes in a row, I have a lot more faith in him. Keep it up, Al, and you'll gain my support.

[RexDart]

Eh. Some pretty good jokes, like Bart as "The Sphere". I laughed enough times to warrant a 4/5. I think Lisa sold out to her principles by caving in, trying to appease the forces of mediocrity. She should have stuck to her guns instead of being immature just to be accepted. At least this episode made me think of things like that, I suppose that's something it has going for it. Best Lisa episode since Lisa the Skeptic (excepting her act of Trilogy.)

[lance]

Great episode! 5/5!

It was tremendously hilarious, I laughed at almost every turn!
One thing bothers me though:
Hans Moleman is only 31. Oh well!

-Lance

[cyben5150]

Wow...by far the best episode in a while. Really dont know what to say...it pretty much adressed every complaint ive had about recent episodes. Bring back professor barney and homer at work and were set. I gave it 5/5 btw...solid episode all around.

[Ned Flanders272]

that was good. 4/5

[KAG]

THAT.... WAS.... AWESOME....

KAG

[Roarke]

5/5

Highlights for me were a Moleman appearence, Nelson running to laugh at Bart again, and 'The Sphere'. Will watch again when it comes up on the west cost.

Not only was it some of the best animation for OFF in a long time, I laughed the use of music in this episode. The recent seasons have been trying to incorperate music with medicore results, but I feel this episode really pulled it off.

Oh, and can anyone get me a Frame Grab of the Mao-ist like painting of Krust in the Krustyco Sweatshop?

[Speed-Bump]

A great episode. My favorite parts were the Kennedy hallucination (er..uh wrote it, er..uh heaven)
Making the krustysaurus's (fast hands means less whippings, Force your daughter to work day)
and all the Homer parts (and that's called parenting, I'm going to Moes). Too many other ones to explain.

[Uncie Moe]

Ok this was definately a nice episode. The animation was lovely and the storyline flowed and was interesting and believable. There wern't alot of laugh out loud jokes and I was expecting Lisa to be accpeted by the college girls again by the end of the episode which didnt happen so I was dissapointed by that. This episode showed no signs of jerkass Homer though which was really good and everybody seemed to be in character. Oh yeah Ralph's lines still suck! He was overused and his last line about Lisa winning them back was stupid.
7/10... 3 in a row I think the Simpsons might have finally found their mark for the Al Jean era, the episodes seem to be extremely consistent lately

[mr. broom]

Not bad. The college jokes were pretty decent; I participate in coffee house poetry readings and such, and I identified with Lisa's excitement and fascination with the atmosphere. The Itchy & Scratchy cartoon was decent too; that's the second this season after a few seasons without any. I kind of wanted them to do a little more with Bart and the bubble, but what they did was pretty funny. Ralph was classic Ralph, and I laughed at the pants-wetting even though it was a little unusual for "Simpsons" humor. Good stuff. 4/5

[Mayor Quimby]

5/5 this episode blew my socks off! I loved it best episode in recent seasons!. The best part of it is where Homer fills Barts bubble with water and throws him down the hallway, and Says "Thats great parenting, I am going to Moe's." Tons of jokes in the episode plus the color seemed really better.

[Satans Lil' Helper]

man i cant wait until it comes here. still 2 hours :(

[BangBangBart]

5/5 awesome and funny!

[Datoupee]

5 / 5 GREAT !!!

[irv]

For people who didn't find this episode funny:

The Simpsons is not slapstick comedy. There was more than plenty to laugh at and whole-heartedly enjoy in this episode. You just have to know what to laugh at. Unfortunatley, many of you kids don't.

There is no possible way to say this episode is anything less than very good.

[Le Jake]

Hooray!!!

Jon Vitti's back! This was a tremendously great episode, and to be frank, I liked this one so much, I'd give it a 6 outta 5 if I could. Lisa's plight was believable and the jokes were all in good taste. Even Ralph's wetting his shorts was funny in a good way.

Grade: A++, best ep since Summer of 4'2".

---

Jake

[Mayor Quimby]

What did Grandpa get in his Senior meal?

[Wavy Gravy]

Wow! My faith in Al Jean has been restored since last Sunday! This episode ruled. Great storyline, excellent subplot, superb animation, and hilarious jokes. We keep seeing the returns of more minor characters - this time it was Martin, Database, Groundskeeper Willie, Brunella the gym teacher, and a hilarious bit from Agnes Skinner. I loved every part of this episode! 5/5!

P.S. Did anyone notice that Gil is the lawyer in next week's ep?

[Gagnonsux]

I will say that this episode was very good, and that it felt like a below average episode from season 7 or 8. I guess the only thing I didn't like was almost anything to do with the Bart subplot and the uncharactoristic ending envolving Lisa. I really wish this episode had done away with the subplot and just focused on Lisa integrating with the college students. I really think the writers could have made an alltime classic if the subplot had been nixed. (B+/A-)

[SNUH]

It was okay...rated it a "3."

The biggest laughs from my daughters came when Ralph peed in his pants...and when the nerds were hung on the fence by their underwear.

It did have a feel of an "older" Simpsons episode...but not the social bite! Close...but not quite.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Mayor Quimby
What did Grandpa get in his Senior meal?

It was a "Nostalgia Meal" ;) and I believe it was 3 rations, a shell of olio, and a Liberache doll.

I'm glad to see that everyone enjoyed this episode so much, I had a feeling it would get this good of a response, not to bring down everyone's spirits, but did you see the promo for next weeks ad? :(

[mr. broom]

Yeah, I saw the teaser too, and it's certainly not encouraging, but let's not discuss it in this thread. There'll be a thread of speculation about "The Frying Game" soon, so let's stick to this episode, which was indeed a breath of fresh air after several so-so episodes.

[eric]

Top notch stuff, enjoyed both of the episode's plots equally. Great lines from Ralph, and I always seem to enjoy Homer's character *that much* more when he's thrust into a limited role. Can't wait to see the next episode by Vitti.

[lisa_the_greek]

I laughed through the whole thing! What a brilliant episode! Thank you, Jon Vitti!!!

I love Lisa.

[Cole]

You're right Mr. Broom, just wanted to point out that that was a downer after a terrific episode.

The funniest moment of tonight's episode for me was probably one of the cheapest jokes too -- Ralph wetting his pants. I just wasn't expecting it and it really cauught me off guard, but in a good way. Also the plaque predicting Skinner's year of death was another cheap joke that had me laughing out loud.

Also, Tomaccco, I wanted to congragulate you on another great episode guide! And a new record too. I think this was the first one to ever be released before the episode's broadcast debut.

[James]

5/5... definitely best since "Half-Decent Proposal", and maybe the best episode since "Mom and Pop Art". Tons and tons of humor, excellent plot, and tasteful surrealism all contributed.

[cired]

While I was watching this I had a feeling that everyone here would enjoy it. It was pretty decent. Lotsa good stuff. 5/5. 'Nuff said!

[VED]

I really loved the ep. It had a great story and solid plot development. No gimmicks this weekend. I was wondering how long it will take for The Simpsons to do an ep including a college and poking some fun at its different aspects. (Cheering and body painting t a poetry reading - great stuff) I'm not gonna list my favourite parts or jokes because I think most of them have already been mentioned or will be before long. It will go in my top three of this season with Jaws Wired Shut and Weekend at Burnsies.


However, I'm a little confused by some replies on this board. Most of you who are obsessed with mature comedy and great literary aspects (great plot, characterization, etc.) - you know the ones who think the first couple of seasons are master pieces and the past couple of seasons are absolute crap - thought that this episode was great. Well, while this ep had countless great points it had a couple of, what I thought would be fatal flaws for that kind of viewer-ship.

Number 1: Characterization of Lisa. "Lisa has come to win us back." (or something along those lines) Win them back? When did she actually "have" them. Lisa humiliating P.Skinner? A delinquent? Since when does Lisa opt for immaturity to gain popularity. Totally out of character. Then again, maybe Lisa's character is due for a change. I would really appreciate some comments on this.

Number 2: Third act altogether. I looked at my watch when it started and it was 8:23 (east coast). I knew it didn't have enough time to live up to the first two brilliant act. It would be rushed and it was. I was really disappointed that there was nothing dealing with the college or Lisa's college friends. It would have been really great if they returned and in some way remained in contact with Lisa.


In my books it was great ep. I usually don't enjoy Lisa eps as much as Homer or Bart's, but this one was really great and fun to watch.

P.S. Great scene with the college analysis of I&S. BTW, that was the best I&S ep I have ever seen. Great stuff with the 4 stomachs.

[Handsome Pete]

Great episode! I voted 4/5, thought this episode probably is 5/5 material. Nice jokes, decent plot, classic characters with good jokes (who CAN'T laugh at Ralph saying that people always run away from him for some reason, and then wet his pants?)...it DID feel like a classic episode in many ways. No episode is perfect, but this one comes close.
What I liked most is there was a little bit of emotion in this episode! Not much, but it was still nice to have some.

[Smilin'JoeFission]

I loved this episode. I think it ties with "Half-Decent Proposal" for best of the season. Next week's doesn't look as good. Great Lisa episode, much better than "She of Little Faith".

What appealed to me most was the art direction. The way the "camera" worked in several scenes, and a great use of color. The music was well chosen, and I couldn't ask for a better animated episode.

The use of the school kids was superb in this one. Database and Ralph especially were hilarious. Hans Moleman at the end of the second act was Laugh Out Loud. Lisa pretending Homer was a "roommate" was funny, as well as Nelson running around the block to taunt Bart was great. The KrustyCo Sweatshop was also a highlight.

Grade- A+!!!

[wiggum82]

Excellent episode...5/5

I figured something out in why I liked the last two episodes. They tied together with earlier episodes.

Meaning, when was the last time you saw Bart and Lisa at school? When was the last time all of their school friends were featured. It just seemed to me like they are finally figuring out that continuity is the best part of the Simpsons. Sure, lets have a fresh off the wall episode everyonce in awhile, but I really like the ones with familiar characters.

Wiggum82

[Wiggle Puppy]

Excellent!!! 5/5!!! Everything was funny.

Hey Bubble-Boy. Call me.

The writers are on a roll. Hopefully they keep it up.

[Fiddle Boy]

it was great ralf weating his pants clasic
:LOL:

[Tomacco]

I just realized, watching it on TV (which I didnt realize watching on the net) that Nelson laughs at Bart in the bubble the first time, and that's why he has to run around to laugh again. Hehe, I'm so slow, but that's really funny!

[Mafia]

i couldn't give this episode a 5/5. The animation was great, characters were great, some jokes were awesome, but i felt something lacked from making it a 5/5.


Many give it a 5/5 based on the current season. If this were between Seasons 4-8 this may have very well just been a B episode. My letter grade for this episode is an A-. I didn't like how they just forgot the entire gymnastic lessons except for the end when lisa went to get bart out of the tree.


I thought it was kind of childish when Lisa dove into the cake. I mean, i thought it was kind of dumb. It wasn't the funniest episode, but it gets extra points for making homer pre-Season 6 feeling.

Top notch animation, characters staying on character, several great jokes, great itchy and scratchy= 9/10 [A-] [4/5]


BTW: I usually hate Ralph, but he was definetly great in this episode. The return of Database! The Database, Martin, and Milhouse scenes were the great, as was Hans Moleman. It felt like an average older episode, which is nothing special and goes to show you that this season hasn't been that great. I'm actually kinda disappointed becuase i overhyped this episode. Still, great satire made it a quality episode.


--IMHO--

[Rob G]

Did Bart scream SUUUCCCK as he went down the vent or was he just screaming? The suuuucccck would make a good wav file if it is.

[skittlebrau]

Wow! What a great episode. Top notch animation, beautiful directing and a wonderfully written episode puts this into the 5/5 mark. This season is definitely the rebound for the Simpsons. I hope season 14 is just as good. :)

And yes, the promo for "The Frying Game" looked pretty dumb, but never believe what the commercial says. NEVER.

[PinHead_Larry]

To me this truely is the only episode of the season that is as funny as pre season 10 episodes. And, it is the only episode of the season where I laughed out loud more than only a couple of times. It was very good. Al Jean's comedy is finally showing since his return.

[ShadowBun]

This episode was chock full of the goods! Where to start...

Well, the first act, IMO, was the least entertaining. The gymnast thing, while not quite great, was pretty good. Funny parts include their foreign teacher screaming about snakes and how they would fail, Grampa's Nostalgia Meal (great!), the Krusty factory (Hey HEY!!), and of course, the cats ("But I had a dog!" "It's a cat now!"). Ralph's pants-wetting surprised me to see it in The Simpsons, but the expression on his face REALLY made the joke. :LOL:

The second act kicked! The slowest part was the poetry reading, but everything before and after that was great. First and foremost, Homer's "Get Knocked Down" parody was hilarious, especially the "and when I gotta pee, I use the kitchen sink!" EVERYTHING involving Bart's bubble was spectacular (the soup, the bath, the superhero schtick, the "cherish these moments," raccoon and all), I only wish there were more bubble scenes. Was the whole subplot a parody of "Bubble Boy?" I dunno, I actually never saw the movie. Anyway, the act ended great with the Itchy and Scratchy dissection, so to speak (they still talk though...hmm), and the "Birds go tweet" line was CLASSIC! Finally, Moleman kept me laughing through the commercials.

HOWEVER, my favorite act was the third one, with a great scene with Lisa at school. Nelson's "What's a million plus a million" and Ralph's rolling down the hill were great, but the best part was Willie raking up his brokend...rake. Soon after came a classic scene involving Homer getting Bart stuck in a tree (because he was trying to throw him over the house!!), and the entire dialogue and timing involving the pellet gun was spot-on. It was great to see them bring back the gymnast theme from the beginning with Lisa coming to Bart's rescue, THEN a surprising dose of emotion and, yes....SYMBOLISM. Suddenly, we all find out that the bubble is a great metaphor regarding Lisa...extremely well played-out. The final prank reminded me of the good ol' days, especially with the great use of music. Bart's lines at the end were funny too.

On a side note, YES!! The animation was superb! And the music, too, with the whole "Pink Panther" theme in the second act, and of course, Homer's Chumbawumba song. Great episode overall, I'm gonna give it my third 5/5 of the season.

[Sir Blinky Fish]

One of the best this season! 5/5

[TheSageBean]

great ep. I liked the animation. Oh yeah did anyone notice the thing about only watching cartoons (referring to simpsons classes)i just wanted to point that out. Nice storyline, not REALLY funny but funny.

[DotheBartman]

Holy crap! This was one of the best episodes in years! I may have to rewatch in to be sure, but could Trilogy of Error have some competition?

The plot was well done and believeable, the subplot with Bart's bubble was hilarious, and I loved the use of minor characters; Moleman, Wendell, Willie, Martin, Database, Milhouse, Ralph, and Nelson, to name a few, all had me laughing out loud. It was interesting to see the gymnastics teacher from "Children of a Lesser Clod" (was that him?) reappear, and even the guest star was decent. Best animation direction in quite a while (there's still something wrong with the "perfect" look in the drawings, IMO, but the direction itself was fantastic.) and, as someone else put it, the use of music was great as well. And to add to all this, a hilarious Itchy and Scratchy scene, which poked some fun at the college's that offer Simpsons related courses now.

Overall: A Best of season.

[Cosmo Kramer]

Great,Great episode!!!

The only season 13 episode in my top 50,Ill give this a 5/5!

The best lisa episode since Lisa the vegetarian and the best sub plot since Pinchy in Lisa gets an A.

[Andy]

Okay, I'm back.

I am strongly recommending that all writers currently on OFF's staff view, review, and digest tonight's episode. This is how to write an effective episode. Jon Vitti-- it's great to have you back. Lauren Macmullen-- the directing was excellent. This episode definitely lived up to the hype-- the writing was superb, the camera angles were unique. There were many a fantasy (how odd that there are so many)-- Kennedy, the cow, etc. Also, the subject matter was a lot more sophisticated, so the episode's writing was smarter. The gags were very pointed (the Krusty factory, the plaque, the I&S course). So, without further ado...

Things I liked:
--Explaining the college kids' size
--Coach Whathisface's eccentricites (the cats, etc.)
--Homer's reduced jerkassiness
--Grampa's Nostalgia Meal (the Liberace figurine especially)
--Bart's use of his bubble
--The plot convergence in the end, and some Bart-Lisa teamwork too!
--Pinsky scene not wasted-- actually one of the best-directed scenes in the episode

Things I didn't like:
--I agree that Ralph was a tad overused, but some of his lines were ok, some were crap.

The next episode I'm looking forward to is Bart v. Lisa v. 3rd Grade. It'll be a while, but we have a bumpy road ahead.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[Cosmo Kramer]

Originally posted by PsycheEnFuego

--I agree that Ralph was a tad overused, but some of his lines were ok, some were crap.


Yeah that one about lisa winning them back was pretty dumb!!!

[Citizen Kang]

It was a pretty good episode but I didn't laugh out loud that much. Ralph was great, the bubble boy situation didn't turn retarded, and Lisa's plot was good. But I think there have been better episodes this season. 4/5

[Satans Lil' Helper]

wow. that was definetly the best of the season 5/5

[Zjraus]

5/5, one of, if not the best episode of the season. That's three weeks of quality episodes in a row. Ralph had good lines. I expected the subplot with Bart to be unrealistic, but it was good. Nelson's part running down the street was funny. I was glad that they finally had an episode where a lot of the school kids were involved. Lisa was great as well. I don't know what to think of next week's episode though, it depends how they handle it. If Scully was around, I would think automatically that this episode would be terrible. But, I'll give it a chance with Al.

[StrideR]

Well, I actually didn't feel like changing the channel yesterday...well, except during commercials. This ep is definitely the best I've seen this season (I haven't seen "Half Decent proposal" yet). Whatever blunders it found its way into were forgivable. Of course there were some flaws that stood out. For example, Milhouse's behavior struck me as odd. I understand the sneaking after Lisa part, but was it really necessary to burst her bubble like that? I usually refrain from judging the episode act by act, but I have to agree with VED about the third act being weak. They kinda rushed everything to a quick end in that one (you'd think that they'd give us a longer episode, since they truncated the opening credits). A good step in the right direction, but not exactly a classic.

3/5.

PS. Homer was actually OK in this episode. Maybe it's because he was onscreen for less than 3 minutes.

[Wavy Gravy]

Jonah - I just realized, on your guide page, you shoulda done Miss Hoover as episode bio. Other than that, great stuff!

I'm sorry I wasn't as detailed in my first review, my dad was yelling at me to get off the computer and go to bed. Anyway, some of my favorite bits were probably Homer giving Bart a bath in the bubble, Maggie fighting a raccoon, Lisa thinking "They don't have a Blue's Clue! Ooh, wait, I'd better age that up", the use of shading in the coffeehouse scene, Robert Pinsky's story about him "pulling stuff out of his ass" for the president's poem, Agnes Skinner's "How dare you wear white! I hear what you do at night!" and Bart getting sucked down the vent. This was without a doubt, the funniest stuff I've seen since early Season Nine.

[motaba]

I gave this episode a 4/5. It was the 3rd best of the season for me just behind A Furious Yellow and further behind Half Decent Proposal. I know Ralph's appearance was overused but when he said, "Why do people always run from me" and then he wet himself, I couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes. I loved the appearance of Agnes, Willie, Moleman, Nelson, Kearney and crew, Database, and Wendell. I didn't, however, didn't like the cheapshot at Kennedy, he didn't deserve that, I mean he pretty much singlehandedly got America out of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I also didn't like the ending because I thought that Lisa would be more attuned to winning back the college kids then her classmates, the latter of whom she has already come to terms with her alienation. But I digress, the jokes and animation were top-notch. Robert Pinsky's appearance was funny and not overdone and Homer singing Tubthumpin was half annoying and half classic, either way, I was still laughing, especially at the reactions of Lisa and the college girls. All in all, aside from the minor but glaring qualms I had with the episode, it still warrants a 4/5 from me; I can't help from being disappointed, especially with the excess hype. But this was the first episode in a while that was as good as King of the Hill(great season finale, delving into the real character of Cotton and his relationship/s with his son/s).

[Helper Monkey]

Originally posted by stride_83
Milhouse's behavior struck me as odd. I understand the sneaking after Lisa part, but was it really necessary to burst her bubble like that?

I thought Milhouse was right on. He is a petty little wretch. He is starved for attention, and would say anything, no matter how destructive, to get it. Was it necessary? Hell, no. Was it Milhouse? Hell yes.

I'm sure we all wish Lisa could have remained in college and nourished her brain, but does anyone really want the formula of the show to change, especially when it is doing so much better? Something good to take from this is that your outrage at Lisa's isolation is a sign that the show is touching you on an EMPATHETIC level, to refer to an earlier post by Jake.

HM

[Sideshow Phil]

4/5

A good, solid episode. There wasn't some big wacky scene that seemed out of place, the story moved along well, and the "a" and "b" plots converged. The I&S class was good, and Bart's "b" plot was good - especially when he's rolling down the street, and Nelson catches up with him.

Lisa's "a" plot was done well, with a believeable storyline and nothing awkwardly done. Homer ignoring Maggie fighting the racoon and "Cherish the memories" was a change from wacky Homer and a good step towards solidifying a better Homer for the future. Sure, he ignored Maggie's plight, but Homer ignoring Maggie is part of the show.

Well done. Bravo.

[lance]

I just wanted to say that this is the first time I've seen the poll at the top have mostly 5/5s, then slowly decrease as you go down. This is phenomenal when coming to recent Simpsons.

Good job, Mr. Jean.
-Lance

[Voodoo Monkey]

5/5

9.2439/10

Great episode. Best of the season.

Highlights:

-Ralph tumbling down the hill
-Hans Moleman in college
-the Pink Panther music
-"I Can't Believe its' Not Scratchy!"
-Nostalgia Meals
-Bart's bubble
-Pellet gun in the tree
-Ralph wetting himself

One problem. How could Skinner have been born in 1953 if he was 40 years old in 'Skinner's Sense of Snow"?

[Kalbelgarion]

Wow.

That was the *best* episode of "The Simpsons" since "Trilogy of Error", or perhaps the best since "They Saved Lisa's Brain".

The "camera" work was excellent, but what struck me as really well done with the music scoring. The "Pink Panther Theme" during Lisa's identity switch and the "2001: A Space Oddessey" song at the end both seemed perfectly timed.

I'm a sucker for good Lisa episodes, and this one hit dead-on. The commentary on our public schools' gym classes, gymnastics, colleges and college students, the poetry reading (Which, in fact, had me ROTFL because I just read the "April is the Cruelest Month" poem recently), and the jab at colleges who offer classes on OFF were all hilarious and accurate. Homer's parenting was funny, and reminded me of the Homer from Seasons 3-7. The ending *was* a tad out of character for Lisa, but it can be forgiven as it left me feeling satisfied.

5/5, and the best episode of seasons 11, 12, and 13. Way to go, Al Jean. My faith in you is restored, and here we have our first great episode since "Tales From the Public Domain". Let's hope for more showings like this in the future.

My signature now conveys my feelings. :)

[StrideR]

Originally posted by Helper Monkey


I thought Milhouse was right on. He is a petty little wretch. He is starved for attention, and would say anything, no matter how destructive, to get it. Was it necessary? Hell, no. Was it Milhouse? Hell yes.

I'm sure we all wish Lisa could have remained in college and nourished her brain, but does anyone really want the formula of the show to change, especially when it is doing so much better? Something good to take from this is that your outrage at Lisa's isolation is a sign that the show is touching you on an EMPATHETIC level, to refer to an earlier post by Jake.

HM

I don't think that's how his character was intended to develop. The Milhouse I remember is a weakling who has a crush on Lisa. Ruining Lisa's fun is something Bart would do ("Summer of 4ft2") when starved of attention.

I've seen enough episodes to know that, no matter how an episode changes, it goes back to the way it was in the beginning (with the exception of a few regrettable ones). I didn't the episode to end with Lisa continuing her double life, but the way it ended wasn't so great.

[Mafia]

if you put little girl in the big ten in season 6, it would be an average episode in my opinion. just because the quality of show isn't as good anymore doesn't mean that it is a classic. it was a great episode, but i wouldn't put it in my top 20. probably top 60.


great episode. probably best of one of the top 3 of the season. I just don't see it comparing to the best episodes ever.

[StrideR]

Originally posted by Simplor
if you put little girl in the big ten in season 6, it would be an average episode in my opinion. just because the quality of show isn't as good anymore doesn't mean that it is a classic. it was a great episode, but i wouldn't put it in my top 20. probably top 60.


great episode. probably best of one of the top 3 of the season. I just don't see it comparing to the best episodes ever.

Maybe slightly lesser than average.

[rocio]

5/5

Great episode! One of the best ones of this season by far, but "Weekend at Burnsies" still has it beat for me.

I cracked up when the coach threw Lisa up in the air and she was perfectly balanced. And I felt bad for Ralph when he said, "Why does everyone run from me?" and continued to wet his pants. :(

Overall, great everything I'd say! Suuuuuuuuuuuuck. The little panda on Bart's mosquito bite was cute. Anyway... yeah, 5/5.

-R

[Robbie]

Best episode of the season so far! (for me, anyway)

5/5 :D

[PrinceBejeeta]

One of the best eps from the last few seasons. 5/5.
We need more eps like this one.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Kalbelgarion
That was the *best* episode of "The Simpsons" since "Trilogy of Error", or perhaps the best since "They Saved Lisa's Brain".


I thought it wasn't quite equal to "Trilogy of Error" but better than "They Saved Lisa's Brain."

[Jessica Lovejoy]

For the most part, "Little Girl in the Big Ten" was a very soild episode. Nothing seemed too out of place, the jokes were pretty good, and everybody was pretty much in character. The only part about the episode that kind of bugged me is the way Lisa's college friends found out about her true identity. I mean, I was surprised to see that they didn't come back for the third act, it was as if they and the entire college bit was just dropped from the episode after Milhouse blew Lisa's cover. Meh, whatever. Overall it's a 4.5/5 for me.

[Andy]

Trilogy of Error was a brilliant episode that was ruined by that damn monkey telling us the episode made no sense (even though it did for once, you stupid little primate). The only thing that I didn't care for in this episode is that Scratchy *had* to have a speaking line, which was totally unnecessary. (Again, my other pet peeve-- the fact that I&S have to talk now in every ep.)

[irv]

Trilogy of Error was a gimmick episode. Very well written, but still wacky. Just hidden under brilliant writing.

This episode was better, because it was a normal episode with brilliant writing and animation.

[chillmandan]

5/5 this is on my top 20 list

[NoOneFamous]

Second Viewing.

After watching it again, I've decided to drop it down to 3/5, at least when comparing it to the true classics. Compared to the rest of this season, its a 5/5.

[kupomog]

Awesome episode. One of the best I've seen yet. I usually don't care for Lisa episodes very much, but this episode was pretty good. The college scenes were interesting and I thought it was kind of cute when Lisa "re-decorated" her bike to sneak off to the university. I gave it a 4/5.

[irv]

Originally posted by NoOneFamous
Second Viewing.

After watching it again, I've decided to drop it down to 3/5, at least when comparing it to the true classics. Compared to the rest of this season, its a 5/5.

You need immediate face death. POST FUCKING HASTE.

[beer barron]

very excellent episode 5/5 easily

[NoOneFamous]

Originally posted by jesus plays his hits


You need immediate face death. POST FUCKING HASTE.

You need to accept others opinions. I already said it was a 5/5 for THIS season, isn't that enough??

[Rowdy]

This was the first episode of the season that forced me to give it a half grade. I haven't voted in the poll because I gave this one a 2.5 and it isn't bad enough to get a 2 or decent enough to get a three. A great deal of the jokes in this episode fell flat, but Homer's scenes (Doogie Howser, giving Bart a bath, saying goodnight to the kids) and the Itchy and Scratchy cartoon were enough to give it a 2.5 instead of a 2. Other highlights were the joke about Skinner's death and the college strength tylenol.

[skittlebrau]

What?WHAT?

[Rowdy]

Before I get murdered by fans of this episode (and there's a LOT of them), let me say that there were many things not to like about this episode. First of all, there was no real reason for Milhouse and company to track down Lisa. From what I've seen on this series, they just wouldn't care. Also, the students not liking Lisa after they found out that she went to college was just as pointless. Once again, kids don't really care about these things. Also, the whole thing about Lisa trying to win people back didn't make sense, considering that she's been shown to not have any friends in MANY episodes and never seemed to care about it then. Finally, the episode's humor rarely worked. The gymnastics teacher was totally predictable and all of his jokes were incredibly forced. I also didn't find anything funny in Ralph's wetting the pants scenes, the Robert Pinsky poetry reading, or the scenes involving the slave labor camp. Plus, most of the jokes involving Bart's bubble were some of the season's worst. I don't understand why people who have been complaining about sick jokes (the fart joke with Bart) or crazy Homer (the oh-so-bad gun sequence) decided to give this one a 5.

[Le Jake]

Originally posted by VED
However, I'm a little confused by some replies on this board. Most of you who are obsessed with mature comedy and great literary aspects (great plot, characterization, etc.) - you know the ones who think the first couple of seasons are master pieces and the past couple of seasons are absolute crap - thought that this episode was great. Well, while this ep had countless great points it had a couple of, what I thought would be fatal flaws for that kind of viewer-ship.


They could make an episode with zero satire and nothing but fart jokes that sustained a weak plot, but if the characters were truly likeable, everyone here would probably rank it a 5 outta 5.

[Helper Monkey]

Originally posted by stride_83


I don't think that's how his character was intended to develop. The Milhouse I remember is a weakling who has a crush on Lisa. Ruining Lisa's fun is something Bart would do ("Summer of 4ft2") when starved of attention.

I've seen enough episodes to know that, no matter how an episode changes, it goes back to the way it was in the beginning (with the exception of a few regrettable ones). I didn't the episode to end with Lisa continuing her double life, but the way it ended wasn't so great.

You think Milhouse wasn't intended to develop in a way that would keep Lisa with him? ...I don't even know what to say.

Milhouse blurted out something in order to keep Lisa in his domain rather than the college realm. Does that make sense to you or should I use smaller words?

Once again, I actually agree with you on the ending: it wasn't great. Lisa is unlikely to use a prank on Skinner to make an impact on students she has previously cared nothing for. For people who agree so much, I'm surprised we have a discussion going at all.

HM

[irv]

Rowdy, give me your address, so I can send you season 11 tapes. You obviously aren't a fan of good episodes, so you might as well be up to your ears in shit.

Nobody is entitled to give this episode less than a 4 out of 5. Nobody.

[Voodoo Monkey]

Even Worst Episode Ever?

[Le Jake]

Originally posted by Helper Monkey


Once again, I actually agree with you on the ending: it wasn't great. Lisa is unlikely to use a prank on Skinner to make an impact on students she has previously cared nothing for. For people who agree so much, I'm surprised we have a discussion going at all.

HM


"Win Back" was a relative term. The prank was to get the students to stop hasseling her about being a 'college girl'. Otherwise, Lisa was happy about the other kids not saying a thing about her, or her nerdy status, on the schoolyard.

Ralph's line: "She winning us back!" was actually more ironic than truthful.

Jake

[Le Jake]

Originally posted by Sideshow Phil
4/5
Sure, he ignored Maggie's plight, but Homer ignoring Maggie is part of the show.


I think the scene where Homer says "Goodnight." to the kids was a parody of the scene in Lisa's Sub. where Homer also said: "Goodnight".

Jake

[Antwon]

eh, it was okay

[Mike Scully]

Originally posted by Rowdy
Before I get murdered by fans of this episode (and there's a LOT of them), let me say that there were many things not to like about this episode. First of all, there was no real reason for Milhouse and company to track down Lisa. From what I've seen on this series, they just wouldn't care. Also, the students not liking Lisa after they found out that she went to college was just as pointless. Once again, kids don't really care about these things.

I don't know where YOU went to elementary school, but schoolkids care a lot when a classmate acts like she's smart and too good for them. Remember Bart the Genius, when Bart's friends shunned him for going to a gifted school? It gave the episode a good conflict. Nelson asking Lisa "So what?" after asking her the math question is exactly the kind of thing you'd hear in a schoolyard.


Also, the whole thing about Lisa trying to win people back didn't make sense, considering that she's been shown to not have any friends in MANY episodes and never seemed to care about it then.

Did you ever see Summer of 4'2'' or Lard of the Dance or, for that matter, any Lisa episode? Lisa cares very much about being accepted by her peers. The whole reason she's been unhappy throughout the series is because of her loneliness.


Finally, the episode's humor rarely worked. The gymnastics teacher was totally predictable and all of his jokes were incredibly forced. I also didn't find anything funny in Ralph's wetting the pants scenes, the Robert Pinsky poetry reading, or the scenes involving the slave labor camp. Plus, most of the jokes involving Bart's bubble were some of the season's worst. I don't understand why people who have been complaining about sick jokes (the fart joke with Bart) or crazy Homer (the oh-so-bad gun sequence) decided to give this one a 5.

Because most of us realize now that every single episode in the last 3 seasons has had one obligatory tasteless joke in it, like the pellet gun scene in this episode. It was hardly enough to make me hate an episode that had so much good going for it.

[Mike Scully]

Originally posted by stride_83


Maybe slightly lesser than average.

I have a feeling that if Lisa's Substitute or Last Exit to Springfield aired today, you'd consider it "OK, but sucked compared to the older episodes".

[Mike Scully]

The ending of this episode has gotten some heat, that it's "out-of-character" for Lisa to pull a prank like that. IMO, you guys need to stamp out of your head the belief that Lisa's a total goody-goody and anything childish is completely beneath her.

That was one of the best endings I've ever seen on this show. It was uplifting, twisted, well-animated, and made great use of parody. On top of that, it was quite touching, just seeing Lisa giving a sign of thanks to Bart while enjoying the support of her peers for once.

As a whole, the episode gets an A-. Great episode, and not just by this season's standards.

[Mafia]

Originally posted by The Jolly Bengali
The ending of this episode has gotten some heat, that it's "out-of-character" for Lisa to pull a prank like that. IMO, you guys need to stamp out of your head the belief that Lisa's a total goody-goody and anything childish is completely beneath her.

That was one of the best endings I've ever seen on this show. It was uplifting, twisted, well-animated, and made great use of parody. On top of that, it was quite touching, just seeing Lisa giving a sign of thanks to Bart while enjoying the support of her peers for once.

As a whole, the episode gets an A-. Great episode, and not just by this season's standards.


although i do not agree that this episode is 5/5 (4/5 for me because it was quality and a step towards the old show) i thought the ending was good because lisa HAD to do that to get things back to normal. lisa realized that she wanted the grade school kids to like her more than college kids.

[Dennis]

The episode was 4/5 for me. The only things that I don't understand are that Lisa was going to college and earning credits but she hadn't even applyed or anything. Also, I don't think the college girls were developed enough. Anyway, I noticed a "goof", Sherri and Terri were in the 2nd grade gym class. Also, Miss Hoover's voice didn't seem as bad to me as it did to most people. I think it was a lot more like Maggie Roswell than Maude. When she does Maude, it seems like her voice is lower and deeper than Maggie Roswell's.

[Kalbelgarion]

Originally posted by Dennis3264
Also, Miss Hoover's voice didn't seem as bad to me as it did to most people. I think it was a lot more like Maggie Roswell than Maude. When she does Maude, it seems like her voice is lower and deeper than Maggie Roswell's.

Yeah, I hardly noticed the difference. Whoever is now doing Ms. Hoover's voice did a pretty good job.

[Dennis]

Originally posted by Kalbelgarion


Yeah, I hardly noticed the difference. Whoever is now doing Ms. Hoover's voice did a pretty good job.


I think it might be Marcia Mitzman-Gaven but I'm not sure. They might have gotten someone else. Marcia M.G. might have been just the new voice of Maude.

[Cole]

Originally posted by Simplor
lisa realized that she wanted the grade school kids to like her more than college kids.

Exactly, some people here had said they wanted Lisa to be reunited with her college "friends." But those were not true friends, they dismissed her as soon as they found out she was only eight.


Originally posted by Dennis3264
The only things that I don't understand are that Lisa was going to college and earning credits but she hadn't even applyed or anything. Also, I don't think the college girls were developed enough.
That was my biggest problem with this episode. They should have had Lisa just attend the college classes (sort of like sneaking in) instead of magically being accepted without a high school (or elementary) diploma and on such short notice. Other than that gripe, it was an excellent episode.

[Andy]

I think Mitzman-Gaven is doing Hoover now, but she just doesn't do it with the dryness and sarcasm that Roswell did it with. I just hope Maggie's coming back for good, as she has maybe considered doing (she is coming back to do Maude's ghost, of course).

[NoOneFamous]

Originally posted by Rowdy
Before I get murdered by fans of this episode (and there's a LOT of them), let me say that there were many things not to like about this episode. First of all, there was no real reason for Milhouse and company to track down Lisa. From what I've seen on this series, they just wouldn't care. Also, the students not liking Lisa after they found out that she went to college was just as pointless. Once again, kids don't really care about these things. Also, the whole thing about Lisa trying to win people back didn't make sense, considering that she's been shown to not have any friends in MANY episodes and never seemed to care about it then. Finally, the episode's humor rarely worked. The gymnastics teacher was totally predictable and all of his jokes were incredibly forced. I also didn't find anything funny in Ralph's wetting the pants scenes, the Robert Pinsky poetry reading, or the scenes involving the slave labor camp. Plus, most of the jokes involving Bart's bubble were some of the season's worst. I don't understand why people who have been complaining about sick jokes (the fart joke with Bart) or crazy Homer (the oh-so-bad gun sequence) decided to give this one a 5.

I agree with you. The more I watch/think about this episode, the less I like it. Sure, it was one of the best of this season, but thats not really saying much, IMO. I still give it a 4/5, but the episode did not seem well thought out if you think about it.

~ Nobody would ever think an 8 year old was a college student!
~ Rowdy was right, the students wouldn't care that Lisa was pretending to be a college student.
~ Rowdy was also right, in that though Lisa wants to be popular, the ending make sense. She never technically "had" the kids, so why would she have to gain them back?
~ Lisa already failed gym and had to do something about it. (Lisa on Ice)
~ The dialog, jokes, plot, ect seemed like it was out of a Simpsons comic.. as in, empty, lame dialogue (Bart: Contagous? Outragous!" -How lame is that??), simple storyline with lots of comic-book type things, no satire, ect..
~ A lot of things in the episode were left hanging - Lisa's college friends, Lisa's gymnastics, Bart's disease which was never really explained.. nothing was wrong with him other than a misquito bite that looked like a panda. Then, he leaves the bubble at the end without us knowing if he still needs it.

These are just simple complaints of an otherwise good episode... but I don't think this is anywhere near "classic" status.

[StrideR]

Originally posted by The Jolly Bengali


I have a feeling that if Lisa's Substitute or Last Exit to Springfield aired today, you'd consider it "OK, but sucked compared to the older episodes".

Er... no. Don't think I've lost my sense of fair judgement. Unlike many fans here, I started watching the show in early 1998, so all the episodes are more or less new to me.

There are so many subtle attributes the older episodes had that few or none of the newer ones do, simply because they've been taken for granted. Hence, no matter how ambitious the episode is, it still falls short of the "oldies." You'll find these subtle changes in the different aspects of the show; animation, voices, the lines, timing, etc.

In the past, the animators put painstaking effort into the pacing of the episode. The animation did more than just reflect the script, it added to it. Nowadays, save for a select few scenes, I have the feeling that I would have enjoyed reading the script as opposed to watching it.

As much as I hate to pick on them, it seems that the regular voice actors seem to do less, now that they're getting paid more (although, I still don't think they're getting enough). I don't know how, but they sounded better then than they do now- they don't sound as authentic(?) as they used to.

But then again, maybe the lines they get don't give them as much freedom as before. I'm not even going to go into that aspect right now...

[Friz]

On first veiwing, I ahd read a lot of spoilers (my own fault) which kinda destoryed the whole veiwing. (Same with Half-Decent Proposal.) At first, I thought of just giving it a three out of five, only due to the beautiful direction of Lauren McMullan. However, during the next day, I found myself humming Chumbawumba, and even laughing at things which had happened which I had almost forgot about. On a second veiwing, I pondered on giving it a four, but then went straight to the top. Full marks.


I will never read spoilers again. That's what I'll be doing on next week's episode, anyway.

(Somebody shoves the promo card in Friz's face)

[Paranoid Android]

I didn't like this episode. I might of chortled a little, but that's it. The story was a little weak, and it was sort of a rip off of Summer of 4'2. But it was 'kinda' good. I'll give it 2.5.

[Rob G]

>>Bart's disease which was never really explained.. nothing was wrong with him other than a misquito bite that looked like a panda. Then, he leaves the bubble at the end without us knowing if he still needs it.<<

Hibbert said he only needed it for a week. I think the timeframe of the episode could stretch easily over a week. Bart was most likely done with it anyway when Lisa went to use it.

[Carnage]

I liked the idea of Bart's disease and the Krusty workshop in China.
"Today:Force your daughter to work day." :LOL:

But Lisa passing as a college student? Pretty lame.

Although...

"This is worse than that 80 yr old who tried to pass as a Freshman."
-Student

"I just wanted a place to sit down."
-Hans Moleman

:LOL:

[Tirefire]

Well it took what seemed like an eternity, but I finally got ahold of the ep, since I missed it Sunday. The animation was quite impressive; I didn't distinctly notice it until about halfway through the ep. Anyways, I give this a 4/5, leaning almost to a 5. It will be in my Top 3 of the season.

[tim_duncan2000]

This episode had a lot of good jokes, and we got a good Bart and Lisa episode too. I liked many of the jokes in this episode (Nelson laughing at Bart and then running and laughing again, the stuff with Martin and Database, Bart in the bubble, Homer singing, the scene at the factory in China, the stuff with Skinner and how he said security when his mom was bothering him). I agree about the animation. It had good "camerawork" and good use of shadows, and it was a nice departure from the normal animation used these days. Also, the plot was good and not too random and it had a good flow. It actually felt like it was one cohesive episode and not 2-4 episodes like some have been. I gave it a 5/5 and this is one of the best episodes over the last few seasons.

[volcom]

Definitly one of the best episodes this season. rewatched it yesterday and wasnt as funny as the first airing but still great. 4/5

[Pmc325]

Hilarity at its finest! :LOL:

The one thing I didn't like about the episode is how abruptly it ended with everyone finding out about Lisa. It all seemed to quick to me. Lugash though! I'm glad he came back! Funny as hell.

[Cosmo Kramer]

Originally posted by NoOneFamous

~ Lisa already failed gym and had to do something about it. (Lisa on Ice)


Yeah i know but this time it was alot better!!!!!
With the whole lugash thing.





~ Rowdy was also right, in that though Lisa wants to be popular, the ending make sense. She never technically "had" the kids, so why would she have to gain them back

As another poster has already said It was just like in bart the genius in which barts friends shunned him because they thought he was too smart for them and stuff.

Besides even if lisa never did have thewm she would still hang out with some kids(rolling down the hill and stuff).

[KANG]

I love this episode, on of the best new episodes every! Lisa át her best! :cool:

[Friz]

Oh-- Jonah:

the quote is "You won't eat our meat, but you glue with out feet", not meat

[Tomacco]

I know Friz, I changed it awhile ago. Try refreshing.

[Mike Scully]

Originally posted by NoOneFamous

~ Nobody would ever think an 8 year old was a college student!


What's so bad about that? I think it's great when the show can take an impossible idea and write it well enough to make it seem believeable. Same with Lisa dating Nelson.



~ Rowdy was right, the students wouldn't care that Lisa was pretending to be a college student.


When you were a kid, did you go to a private school with a $6000 non-negotioable fee where the kids clap and sing the digits of pi and 75% of the graduates go on to first grade? I envy you.



~ Lisa already failed gym and had to do something about it. (Lisa on Ice)


:shocked: Wow, some actual continuity between episodes! But I guess you don't like that.




These are just simple complaints of an otherwise good episode... but I don't think this is anywhere near "classic" status.

You could take ANY episode from the classic seasons and make all kinds of nitpicky criticisms. I don't see how any of these points could take away from your enjoyment of the episode, but whatever.

[Cletus Del Roy]

These past few weeks I have really enjoyed the episodes. Little Girl In The Big Ten was definitely one of my favorites from this season.

[Andy]

This episode didn't really have one of those glaring problems other episodes have had, so it's markedly better than other eps this season.

[Mr. Plow]

I haven't seen the episode since last week when it aired but I do remember lauging myself to death. I knew it was going to be a good episode, but definitly not this good. 5/5

[Capt Hammer]

Rewatched it Today Fantastic!

[Fox Executive]

Agreed. 5/5

[Moe Nopoly]

seems i'm one of the view who don't really like this episode.
The idea of Lisa acting as a college student is little bit strange, especially because the story seems to try to be serious about it. Besides that it is a story with good moments,
but in overall only average for me. I guess, the fact Lisa is not really one of my favorite characters doesn't help here either to keep me interested.

I like the supblot with Bart in a plastic bubble more. Funny moments, for example when Homer says it's time for bath. Also the end is really funny.

3/5

[sung]

This episode is my biggest favorite of Jean era... well one thing that I can say is that I've consistently liked it a lot since my first viewing of the episode.
First, the humor. I actually felt that the humor was pretty good enough for the episode to be memorable. It's not like 'Homer vs. 18th Amendment' gagfest, but it's good enough for few laughs, chuckles, and some 'aha!''s. "Beachball made out of bones", 'suck or blow', few Ralph moments, Communist Krusty image, "He defected into East Germany"... imo, it was funny. The episode also features 'I Get Knocked Down' by Chumbawomba, I'll give it that.
Plot is another thing that I think, stands out in this episode. Lisa actually sees the delight by seeing the level that she feels that she thinks where she belongs, rather than 2nd grade, which, she feels that is not really stimulating enough for her intellectual challenge... same thing can be seen in "The Secret War of Lisa Simpson." Clearly, after enjoying the 'double-life' and being torpedoed out of it and getting back to the normal life AND facing the humility from her friends is a big challenge on her character, which is where the subplot and plot converge, I like that; it lead to feature a good Bart-Lisa interaction and an ending that features a happy ending with Lisa winning back the popularity. Sure, one hitch is that she did not think of the consequences of Skinner at all, but I tend not to think too much about it because Lisa got what mattered for her at that point. Well, we do get an ending that leaves us to think consequences for Lisa from that point anyways. I do respect opinions of people who think otherwise, but I tend to think differently... they do have point actually; I just think it's just the matter of thinking.
Overall, I think it's great one, good enough to be my biggest favorite of Jean era. A

[D'ohmer]

Very overrated. It's a decent at best episode with some problems. It has some funny gags and the subplot was funny, for the good. Now the bad:

-I find it unbelieveable that even Lisa could pass as a college student.
-Why would the 3rd act involve Milhouse and the other kids being mad at Lisa? shouldn't it be the other way around?
-Worst of all is the cake resolution. I just think that Bart helping Lisa pull a prank on Skinner made the third act feel different than the rest of the episode. Like I mentioned before, why would Lisa need to win back the respect of the students if they got her into the mess?

Overall: 3/5 (Sorry)

[sung]

-I find it unbelieveable that even Lisa could pass as a college student.


Stranger things have happened in the Simpsons universe.
- Bart being confirmed by tattoo maker that he's over 21 in "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
- Bart not being objected in any serious way of having a driving license in "Bart on the Road"
- Darcy having no doubt and being deceived by Bart that he is over the driving age in "Little Big Girl"

I credit the angry member named Joon for pointing these out on several question points posed like this in the R&R thread of "Little Big Girl", which happens to be my top 5 Jean episode btw



-Why would the 3rd act involve Milhouse and the other kids being mad at Lisa? shouldn't it be the other way around?


The way I see it - which makes sense to me - is that the kids have the inferior complex. yes, they are used to being beat by Lisa on school grades, but the society is like... if you are out of the conventional line, you're an outcast. It's okay if your classmate gets perfect scores all the time (Lisa does get taunted as "brain queen" at times), but if he or she gets a premium treatment or goes up to the level that would be virtually, like, unnerving and jealous and makes you feel that he's just out of the nature of 'standards' . It's sort of like a satire and based on my personal experience that I've had, it is actually something that exists - even between the 8 or 10 year old children. I guess it depends on how you think, but it was pretty believable to me.

Here's a quote from Mike Scully (the member) years ago regarding this subject:
I don't know where YOU went to elementary school, but schoolkids care a lot when a classmate acts like she's smart and too good for them. Remember Bart the Genius, when Bart's friends shunned him for going to a gifted school? It gave the episode a good conflict. Nelson asking Lisa "So what?" after asking her the math question is exactly the kind of thing you'd hear in a schoolyard.




-Worst of all is the cake resolution. I just think that Bart helping Lisa pull a prank on Skinner made the third act feel different than the rest of the episode. Like I mentioned before, why would Lisa need to win back the respect of the students if they got her into the mess?

Here's what I've said regarding this in the argument of this subject few months ago:

"My guess is that ending did a huge blow on the episode quality to you and given on your explanation--I don't blame you; but in my opinion disrespect on Skinner and the ending does not really turn my head on the episode itself. I mean... for me, it felt like a typical child-does-something-awful-to-an-adult-to-live-an-ephemeral-fame. I mean, what should we expect her doing something not-rebellious and win at least some appreciation back? I think the point is that the target are the little kiddies, not the adults who understand everything and forgive Lisa for it.

Here's a quote from member Mike Scully back in 2002 that nailed a coffin on ending of this episode argument
The ending of this episode has gotten some heat, that it's "out-of-character" for Lisa to pull a prank like that. IMO, you guys need to stamp out of your head the belief that Lisa's a total goody-goody and anything childish is completely beneath her.

That was one of the best endings I've ever seen on this show. It was uplifting, twisted, well-animated, and made great use of parody. On top of that, it was quite touching, just seeing Lisa giving a sign of thanks to Bart while enjoying the support of her peers for once.

I do think that he could've given more specific explanation, but I guess we could ask him about more of it... :gatorshrug:

I don't really agree on Lisa being isolated not make a difference-piece though. I know there are some continuity issues (in 'Flaming Moe', it was shown that she had pack of friends) but she was even dissed by Janey AND Milhouse (perhaps her biggest admirer) and I'd think that it would depress Lisa also and it's also something that I understand from my personal experience. How about 'Lard of the Dance' also? She does care about being accepted by her peers."




Overall: 3/5 (Sorry)

No need to be sorry, you're certanily entitled to your own opinion and so is everyone... I feel sorry for that Kit Starter guy after I freaked out over his disdain over "Trilogy of Error", which is something I regret

[D'ohmer]

Oh, ok. I'm interested in hearing other people's opinion on the episode. Thanks for explaining.

[Üter]

First time watching this episode and was surprised at the poll here. Though it wasn't bad, it certainly wasn't anything above average. 3/5

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Season 13 continues when Lisa goes to college.....kinda! Lisa is failing gym so she gets a personal trainer, the same Lugash from Children of a Lesser Clod. I have never cared for this character but from what I remember he is better used here than in that episode and doesn't appear again after this anyway. He is also training some other girls who Lisa feels are the kind of people she belongs with. Unfortunately they are in fact college students so Lisa decides to pretend to be one as well so she can still hang out with them. Meanwhile Bart contracts a virus from China and is forced to stay in a plastic bubble. The episode runs along until Lisa is eventually found out and heartbroken. Bart cheers her up by helping her become popular with the kids from her own school by using the bubble to play a prank on Skinner as we end the episode.

This is one of those rare episodes from Season 10 up that I actually think is sorta overrated, not by much, but still overrated. I like this episode, I really do. The Lisa plot feels somewhat lacking to me for some reason though as I just can't really pay attention to it very easily or perhaps I should say it kinda bores me. That isn't to say it is poorly written or anything it just isn't really for me I guess. The best joke of the episode and really only one I consistently laugh out loud from is Homer's lyrics to that one song about peeing in the kitchen sink, and part of the reason I enjoyed that so much is it hits close to home. The only other Lisa scene until the end with Bart that I even like is the Itchy & Scratchy class but that isn't anything too great(though the cartoon itself is good).

Instead I find myself enjoying the B plot much more here and just about any other scene without Lisa like the dinner scene. That deleted scene of Homer playing peekaboo with Maggie was also wonderful. Bart puts his bubble to good use in defending his classmates from the bullies and his assist to his sister at the end is definitely sweet and funny. Nelson's double haw haw was also pretty good. Skinner has some funny lines that border on fourth wall territory near the end and his predicted death got a smile from me. Now that I think of it Willie's comment to Lisa and breaking of the rake did also make me laugh out loud, credit should be given to Dan Castellaneta there I think.

So alright maybe the Lisa plot isn't as boring as I might be letting on but I definitely preferred the B plot and as a Lisa story this one still remains far less memorable to me than say Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words, Lisa Simpson This Isn't Your Life, The Great Simpsina, or The Squirt and the Whale, all episodes from far more recent years. Of course those episodes seem fresher to me as I've seen them far fewer times than this, but I don't think that is why I prefer them to this one. The big thing I always remember about this one is that it was beloved when it first aired which kinda surprised me. I mean to that high of a level of adoration though, not that the episode is bad or anything. Still, other people's opinions of an episode being my most prominent memory regarding said episode is never a good sign, nor something that really can be said with me regarding many other episodes, except perhaps some of the ultra-stinkers in the later Scully years. Still this is my opinion on the episode and I'm honestly torn whether I should give this a 4/5, certainly nothing higher which automatically puts it behind at least 5 or 6 episodes this season, or lower. I dunno the animation is impressive and like I said it has several good moments so yeah I'll keep it at 4/5, but still somewhat overrated.

As an aside I can't help but feel that this review doesn't properly/completely get my feelings across regarding this one but I guess it is close enough.

[Blobulle]

That deleted scene of Homer playing peekaboo with Maggie was also wonderful.
I agree, my favorite deleted scene of the show.

[joe miller]

I watched this last week for the first time in a while (planned on watching multiple s13 episodes, as a way of getting ready for s14... then i realized i still had till december to do this), and it was pretty good.

This is what, the second time Lisa's been in danger of failing gym (After Lisa on Ice?). Well, it obviously had a lot of new things in it to save it. I kinda liked the introduction to Lugash. He's kind of a dumb character, but he's slightly humorous. Obviously not one of their better characters, even by post-classic standards, but I mean... he's not that bad.

Lisa fitting in with the college girls was nice. Lisa does not seem to fit in well with kids her age. In Summer of Four Ft 2, she hung out with those kids at the beach, and they were obviously older than her too. It's kind of interesting, to me, how well she fits in with older people. And it worked well. Her in the college class, her being embarrassed about what homer was doing when they were outside the Simpson home, etc. It was pretty entertaining to see her fit in with college students. I kinda didn't like that at the end of the episode, she never apologized to them or anything; they were never heard of after the second act where one of the girls said Lisa pretending to be in college was worse then the '80 year old who pretended to be a freshmen' (i always liked this act break). I would have liked to see Lisa apologize for tricking them, and them being friends again (even though if this happened, the odds of those two girls appearing later on in the series isn't exactly high). But, oh well. Instead we are treated to Bart helping Lisa gain the respect of the students at Springfield Elementary. I always liked Bart helping his sister, especially in this moment.

Speaking of Bart, his plot in this episode was pretty good and funny. Lenny and Carl walking by, and Lenny saying "Call me", Bart using the bubble to beat up Dolph, Jimbo and Kearney, the first scene of the plot with him and Grampa at Krusty Burger (Finally, something I want to do!), him being stuck in a tree because Homer threw him in it, etc. Bart being isolated is a weird plot, and I liked that they used this plot to not make him some isolated, lonely boy, but instead upped his popularity for the citizens of Springfield.

Pretty good season 13 episode. So like, the whole point of Lisa going to gymnastics was so she could pass gym, right (or something to that extent)? But, after she meets the two college girls, she befriends them for an act, and then she tries to get the respect of the students at the school. So like, does she still go to gymnastics? Or are we supposed to not care, as that was basically a way to get to the main plot? At the beginning, she was failing gym, but at the end, nobody cared; all they cared about was Lisa in the bubble jumping in the cake. I'm assuming her failing gym was just a way for her to get to the gymnastics place, meet the college girls, and thus advance the plot?

Stuck between 4/5 and a 5/5, so I'll just give it a 4.5/5.

[zartok-35]

"I take a chocolate drink, I take a whiskey drink,
and when I have to pee, I use the kitchen sink!
I sing the songs that remind me of a urinating guy!"

This episode has the greatest/funniest second act in Simpson history. Lauren MacMullan and Jon Vitti are a force to be reckoned with.
A+ episode, on my List of 15.

[bhartman36]

I give it a 2/5, and that's only because of Homer singing the Chumbawamba (sp?) song. The rest of the episode was unimpressive. But then again, it was a Lisa-centric episode, and I always hate those.

[Blobulle]

This episode is arguably my favorite of the season 13.
The story of Lisa is very good, I like the part with the music of the Pink Panther, the ambiance, the shadows throughout this episode.
5/5

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

2/5

[SpeedwaySquad]

Very good episode for its season and narrowly behind "Half Decent Proposal" for the top spot. Lisa was superbly characterised and the two plots merged really well. It was actually interesting to see Lisa in a college environment, and I really felt it explored her character. Bart's subplot was also an amusing contrast to the main plot. Not to mention that animation wise, this was stunning. Not only a good use of shadows but also excellent fantasy sequences, direction, and fluidity of movement.

I also think this is a good example of the story making up for the humour. Whilst the jokes here weren't bad at all, I would hardly call it strong jokes-wise. Yet I was still consistently entertained thanks to the strong and well written plot, and in that sense it reminded me of a classic episode in terms of style.

Now I know I sound like I adore this episode, but really it's just a pleasant surprise because the last time I saw this I thought it was overrated. I don't think it's good enough to breach the A (5/5) grades for reasons that escape me for the moment, but it's still a solid episode. B/B+

[Safety Inspector]

F---
I don't want talk about this crap. I only say- THIS IS THE WORST EPISODE EVER :mad::mad::mad:

[zartok-35]

Whilst the jokes here weren't bad at all, I would hardly call it strong jokes-wise.
Not even the second act? How can you say that?! The second act is bombards you with gags, and every one of them is perfect!

[SpeedwaySquad]

Not even the second act? How can you say that?! The second act is bombards you with gags, and every one of them is perfect!

Well humour is completely subjective, and personally I didn't find this episode exactly funny, even if there were funny moments. I just thought it had a really interesting plot. So I don't really see the point in that complaint...

[zartok-35]

Well okay then, but I disagree.