Has there been any episode that conveys as
many things through its animation, as
El Viaje Misterioso Du Nuestro Jomer did? I don't think so!
I love the way the desert sequence is built in particular. It is a way of playing with Homer's loneliness and later with his personal search. I love the way the desert symbolizes how lost he is, that low moment that is represented through this long, arid landscape; details that foreshadow that questioning of whether Marge is his “soul mate” or not, or his personal revelation of how perhaps he and she are not as common as he thought they were. Big fan of how Homer's psychedelic acid trip is executed—with a big part of it being basically Homer talking to himself, he's so alone. The entire episode makes great use of animation to create an atmosphere that emphasizes Homer's journey of reflection.
People might say that the third one is weak, but I don't agree with that. The montage alone is a great piece that emphasizes this revelation for Homer, with him wandering all over the city and his loneliness at a peak (accompanied by the song in the background). I mean, this two shorts alone are wonderful to represent that:
And I don't have to say about the ending. Except I love the way it combines everything - the rain in the background, the sea and waves as the landscape, the lighthouse as an abandoned and lonely place that brings together all of Homer's fears and insecurities. Just
chef's kiss
Btw I also love how the action is located at night. The O&W era in particular was very fond of this. And I have to say that it absolutely fits the bill here: I love how it highlights that side of Homer's struggle and how his moment of revelation is seen once he ends up in complete darkness (big fan of how Homer's perspective is represented through Marge as a dark shadow that emerges from nowhere).
How many times did I say "I love it" in this rant about my love for this episode? Oh well! I love this episode.