Rate & Review: "Smart and Smarter" (FABF09)

[SLH]

Pretty good episode. Cowell wasn't as annoying as he could have been.

Here are some of the things I didn't like about the episode:
-The opening scene in the washroom was kind of odd.
-Lisa running away.
-Homer acting like a dolphin

Other than those few things, this episode was better than I was expecting. It was not a good as last weeks but it was good.

GRADE: 4/5 (8/10)

[The Governor]

Originally posted by Tomacco
Some thoughts:

- How did the Cowell character determine Maggie's exact IQ on the spot?

I.Q. = Instant Quotient.

[Tomacco]

Originally posted by Jake
I.Q. = Instant Quotient.

Heh, not the last time I checked.

[Roger Myers III]

Originally posted by Tomacco
Some thoughts:

- How did the Cowell character determine Maggie's exact IQ on the spot?
- If Lisa gave Maggie all the answers, then how'd she end up having a higher IQ than Lisa?
- After all this, they still couldn't consider Maggie a genius, despite her using the blocks to answer Lisa, and knowing how to play sax?

Charmy nailed 1 & 2, and 3 sort of misses the point. "They", in this case, would be the 'selective' administration of the 'genius' school, in applying its 'fool-proof' standards to determine who is and who isn't a genius. However, Maggie didn't spell with blocks in the presence of the school folks, or the rest of the family - only Lisa. So, the 'official' standards mean nothing - Maggie remains a genius, un acknowledged. Brilliant.

If by "They", you meant 'the rest of the family' - its perfectly in keeping with all of the other "Maggie, superbaby!" episodes. Maggie's amazing (and very 'cartoony') exploits remain secret to everyone else, except us - the viewers are very much in on it. Also brilliant.

[Actually, it ends on a very sweet note - Lisa is now somewhat in on the secret talents of Maggie, but chooses instead to 'fool herself'/'hide it from the rest of the family', in order to have things remain just as they are. A necessity for the show, true, but a nice realistic-but-sour note too, that Lisa would choose ego over intellegent inquiry.

I believe Homer would be the only other family member to 'witness' a Maggie super-feat, but he was too unconcious to care or remember it. Am I forgetting something?]

[HansMolemans_Son]

Just aired in the UK, here's my thoughts.

Another strong offering,
I loved seeing so much Maggie and Lisa episode normally seem to be quite strong so this was expected. Simon Cowell didn't annoy me as much as I thought he would and I loved the "You Are Lisa Simpson" joke (although I guessed it before it happened).

All in all it felt quite old school just like other episodes this season like
Milhouse, Juvie and The Way We Weren't. Keep em coming.

[Postmaster]

disregard

[George Cauldron]

I found Smart and Smarter to be a very enjoyable episode. For the most part, it was refreshingly funny and showed a little bit of rivalry between Lisa towards Maggie, something which hasn't been seen before. That was handled strongly and I found it quite believable at times. Lots of good lines here and there from a variety of Springfield residents courtesy of the cast's acting talents, while Simon Cowell made for a rather good guest star. He didn't impose on the plot and didn't appear as himself, although the viewer was able to tell who it was.

[M Prower]

WOW.

That was just a brilliant episode, absolutely fantastic. Definetly a 5/5
Simon Cowell was actually really good (Oh look, it's Poppy Non-talking), and I loved his bit over the credits (especially his "More like 'Cart-wrong'" comment when Nancy Cartwright's name came up XD)
As mentioned, Skinner constantly correcting Lisa was a good running joke.
I also loved Homer using the frog toy to talk, the reference to Lisa's Substitute, Homer's poster for Lisa, and the scenes at the museum.
All in all, this was a *very* good episode, Season 15 seems to be really putting things back on track.
5/5

[Dr Zaius]

It was alright. One too many corny gags, though. Especially the Nelson one. That was going well until he screamed "bullies rule!". Lame.
Anyway, not a bad episode overall.

[Colburn]

4/5 It has some great moments, but also has the first three minutes (Homer trying to prank Bart, the jokeless scene with Apu, the pre-school), and there also some more of those god-awful anthologies woven in. The episode had a chance to be a classic, but there were moments that weren't funny or emotional. I did enjoy seeing Homer punch
Simon, though.

[nebula]

This is one the best eps from Season 15. very wacky and very funny. Homer's in top form.

[jennifer]

.

[Simpsons Forever!]

Again, a good episode, but not a great episode. It had lots of good jokes and the plot was well done, but the part with Bart, Homer and Marge stuck in that giant belly was a bit too unrealistic and absurd for me. Simon Cowell played a good part though and I liked the credits.
4/5 B

[D'oheth!]

Not bad, but no great. Act three with the belly was a let down. And Homer vs. Cowell? Let me fasten my belt two more notches and go "you call that a fight?"

[Cartoonnetwork]

Pretty bad. Some nice scenes with Lisa at the museum and that´s all. Visually it has some interesting and nice scenes but it has one of the worst Lisa´s characterization I have never seen. It was an interesting idea, a conflict between Lisa and Maggie but it had an awful development. Lisa could be a little jealous of Maggie, but she became TOO angry and nasty.

[Galalimit]

One of the best episodes of season 15. 5/5

[Patriot]

Thought this was one of the best episodes in t5his sewason 5/5

[Bella Drape 'er]

Comparing it to his Idol appearance in "Judge Me Tender", I would say they're just as bad appearances as each other.

Although Lisa's jealousy was sweet as well as Maggie just aspiring to be like her sister. All the emotional scenes were almost ended when Bart, Homer and Marge were swallowed up by that body.

3/5 from me.


Note: Last review of this in September 2005? Wow.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Season 15 continues with Maggie as a genius! After a humorous battle between Homer and Bart that results in Homer taking the family out for pancakes the Simpsons end up going to a place where a suspiciously Simon Cowell like man gives Maggie an IQ test. As it turns out she is in fact a genius and actually smarter than Lisa. Bart welcomes his horrified sister to "the others."

Like Flanders earlier this year, Lisa's position has been usurped. At school she tries to make a new image for herself but none of them really work. Skinner shoots her down several times throughout the episode, each pretty funny. On her way home Lisa is encouraged by Bart who is then forced to roll around on the floor by Nelson. This whole Nelson scene is pretty hilarious and ends with him jumping off the bus. At home, Homer has received a phonics frog for Maggie. Every joke with that frog is pretty great. I only wish Homer had it longer. Eventually Lisa leaves home after trying to sabotage Maggie's brilliance.

Lisa ends up staying at a museum while Homer and Marge go to the Springfield police to look for her. Wiggum, Eddie, and Lou have several funny bits in this episode, all centering around brain teasers. Eventually the family arrive at the museum but are put in peril. Only Maggie can save them, but only after Lisa helps her out. The episode ends with it being revealed that Maggie is no genius afterall. Lisa had subconsciously helped her during the IQ test. Lisa, grateful to have her place back, takes her saxophone away from Maggie who proves she may just be gifted afterall.

This is a pretty strong episode both in regards to humor and story. The writers rarely miss with Maggie stories, and Lisa is used rather well here too. Homer with that frog, as mentioned, is probably the best running gag of the episode. Several secondary characters were used pretty well here too. Simon was also used much better here than in Season 21 and wasn't playing himself. So does that mean there are two people in the Simpsons universe who look and speak exactly like him? Pretty great episode overall. 4.5/5 rounded down to a 4 on the poll.

[alex_on_ice]

A rather enjoyable episode! I've always liked it, especially the ending with that massive human model (Great idea!). The beginning is a little bit too slow to my liking and I find the writers took a little bit too long to show that Maggie was in fact smarter than Lisa. Homer's talking frog is epic (The scenes with that toy frog make me laugh each time I watch this episode: HO-M-R). I find that Chief Wiggum isn't as good as he normally is in this episode (He mostly appears at the end of this episode with a couple lines that weren't of much use and not particularly funny). 3.75/5

[Financial Panther]

I don't like that talking frog. It's unrealistic. It says "Homer" like a talking toy would; simply saying the sound of each letter. But when it says something else, e.g. "disappointment," it can make the "oi" sound. How is that possible with a toy that can only make the sounds of individual letters? And it automatically knows when to use a long vowel or short vowel, etc. depending on the word. It really annoys me.

[Old painty-can Ned]

I don't like that talking frog. It's unrealistic. It says "Homer" like a talking toy would; simply saying the sound of each letter. But when it says something else, e.g. "disappointment," it can make the "oi" sound. How is that possible with a toy that can only make the sounds of individual letters? And it automatically knows when to use a long vowel or short vowel, etc. depending on the word. It really annoys me.

wow I never thought of it that way. This episode now gets a F from me.

[Financial Panther]

What did you give it before?

EDIT: Oh, I see. Sarcasm.

[SUPERFOX5]

5/5

I was just laughing at the "Mr. Spell/whatever it's called" that Homer uses to communication at times.

The Chief Wiggum parts were pretty funny as well.

Other than that, it's a Maggie Simpson episode, so I love it.

The ending with Lisa and Maggie was awesome. (NO SPOILERS?)

[Chalmskinn]

4/5 a brilliant episode. I like how Skinner terrors Lisa in this one when she is speaking her thoughts out "2 cents, I'm sure some started with less".... "nope, never under a dollar.

[Homer I Am]

Great episode, apart from Simon Cowell. 4/5