Rate & Review: "'Tis The Fifteenth Season" (FABF02)

[Mindy Simmons]

One of the better Christmas episodes.
I was very surprised when I caught this one for the first time a few months ago. Good storyline, good characterizations, and several LOL moments. This is the most extensive use of TV parodies I've seen in a single episode of The Simpsons. The only joke I didn't like was Homer giving chloroform to Apu's kid during the Grinch parody. But even that was halfway redeemed by the fact that he did the same to the teddy bear.
I liked the reversal of the Homer's -jealous-of-Flanders dynamic. And what do you know A rare decent ending!

4+/5

[cyrus64]

best ep of the season

[Beast]

Second best of Season 15. A-

[Ryan]

Watched this as a Christmas treat today. I mean, damn it's good. I've written a thread about it before, but I want to encourage everyone to seek it out online or if you have the DVD it's on (Simpsons Christmas 2), watch it...

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Season 15 continues with a Christmas episode that doesn't dissapoint. In a nutshell, Homer acts selfishly by buying himself an expensive gift at the cost of a Christmas Tree. After watching several humorous spins on A Christmas Carol Homer sees the error of his ways and begins acting nicer than anyone in town. This upsets Ned Flanders who, as Nelson puts it, has had his position usurped. Ned tries to one up Homer several times which leads Homer to misinterpret advice from Lisa and steal the whole town's presents on Christmas Eve. In the end, Homer and Ned share the true meaning of the season and return the gifts.

Although I summarized this episode much quicker than several others this season, this is clearly the best of the season so far. Aside from obviously strong characterizations all around we have several funny to hilarious jokes, parodies, and in-character moments. These include the California Prunes, Star Trek Christmas Carol, and a puppet Jimmy Stewart. Homer making Mr. Burns give more at church led to a great Burns line in, "Yes, I'm old!." Marge tearing up over being given the last porkchop was unexpected but very funny. Ned acknowledging a picture of Jesus in his house and later Rod or Todd yelling at fraternities to stay out of their medicine cabinet were also pretty great moments.

Kudos to the staff for remembering Lisa's Buddhist turn and giving Homer a pretty good imaginary Buddha moment. The best part of the episode is likely Homer's Grinch parody which I wish would've been longer. Moleman being "saved" by wolves and Moe's annual suicide attempt round out a very funny episode. In terms of Christmas episodes I'd probably rank this 3rd, just behind Simpsons Roasting and Marge Be Not Proud. Still a great episode which deserves Season 15's first 5/5.

[LittleMissLisaSimpson]

I seen this episode from my Christmas 2 dvd. I always watch this episode every christmas since I've got the dvd. I loved this episode. Homer's version of the Grinch song was hilarious and I loved the Happy ending 4/5

[Mr.]

Not the best episode but a Ok one.

BTW -> This episode remind me of a friend who -- as I found out never read "Christmas Carol" or seen any of the adaptations and hadn't the smallest clue what is about. I'm still curious what her reaction would be If she saw/read it for the first time but it was funny to see Homer's reactions...

[Nothing127]

3/5....good episode.

[The Wiggs]

Great episode from a great season. One of the best Christmas episodes of the series. 5/5

[alex_on_ice]

A pretty good episode. The beginning of the episode is a little bit slow but it gets a lot better once Homer decides to become a better person. The competition between Flanders and Homer is obviously very enjoyable. There are two very very funny bits at the end of the episode that are great: Hans Moleman trapped in the mountains and thinking that the wolves that are surrounding him are going to save him and Moe who ends up deciding not to commit suicide but falling off the building anyway.
I also like the start off of the episode with Krusty the clown explaining why Kent Brockman isn't with Channel 6's crew.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Well, you guys are all voted 5/5 on this and the average for Miracle on Evergreen Terrace is 3/5. Damn. Still a good episode though. But overrated. 4/5.

[Blobulle]

This is my least favorite episode of the 15th season.
2.5/5

[zach]

damn this is overrated.

[Lionheart]

Best episode of the 15th season, one of the best of the classic era, and in my top 100 overall. 5/5 A

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Just read the Me Blog Write review. Damn, he really puts things in perspective. Changed to 3/5.

[The Duke of Insomnia]

The second best X-mas episode in my opinon
4/5
Everything in this episode is pretty funny and I like how Homer isntt actually a jerk here, hes actually really trying to be good.
For the most part all the jokes actually worked, but there were a couple of bad jokes.
For some reason I cant anayize this episode very good

[Les_Wynan]

I agree that this episode is a bit overrated (although I love Wiggum calling Moe a drama queen over another suicide attempt)
Although I tend to disagree with the majority of fans on the Xmas episodes (I love She of Little Faith which isn't rated that highly)

Flanders being jealous and trying to out-Santa Homer also seems out of character
3/5