R&R Itchy & Scratchy & Marge

[qwertyuio]

I don't know about animation but I also think that Dancin' Homer didn't use the shades very well. Although it had some well executed scenes (the arrival to Capital City is pure magic), there was a dark tone that didn't really fit the majority of the episode. For example, the scenes at the Springfield's baseball field or Homer's dancing had to be funny and uninhibited, and they were kinda depressing.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

I'm surprised that a dark scene inherently comes packaged with depression. Just because it's dark, and it should be as it is nighttime doesn't instantly render a scene depressing.

[qwertyuio]

I'm surprised that a dark scene inherently comes packaged with depression. Just because it's dark, and it should be as it is nighttime doesn't instantly render a scene depressing.

I didn't say that at all. What bothered me here was the specific use of dull colours for the scenes with Homer dancing. I know it was nighttime, but the animation still felt completely devoid of life. And don't misinterpret me, I don't have anything against that use of colours in required situations, but this one made the scene feel non-enthusiastic at all.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

Ok, but I'm still failing to understand how the colors used to reflect the nighttime setting in the mascot scenes was any different than in the Capital City scenes; I don't believe there was any difference. And additionally, that same shade of skin coloring, I believe, was used in every nighttime scene in season two. I can understand the complaint that the animation lacked vitality, but I don't see why that should translate into something depressing.

[qwertyuio]

Ok, but I'm still failing to understand how the colors used to reflect the nighttime setting in the mascot scenes was any different than in the Capital City scenes; I don't believe there was any difference. And additionally, that same shade of skin coloring, I believe, was used in every nighttime scene in season two. I can understand the complaint that the animation lacked vitality, but I don't see why that should translate into something depressing.

Because of the situation. The scenes at the Capital City tried to transmit a charming, kinda mysterious setting, which was being discovered, bit by bit, by the Simpsons family.

However, the choreographies were actually damaged by this animation. It had to be an epitome of happiness and energy, but the dull colouring made the final result very different IMO. Why? Honestly, I don't know how to describe it with the correct words, but I felt indeed that the scene couldn't transmit visually what the story was telling.

[Green Man]

One of the best episodes ever A+

[hughes]

I agree with everything Morris Syslak said

(I know, I always offer such a valuable insight )

[Duffless]

I just watched this episode last night, it was pretty ok for a Marge episode....4/5 (This is my 56th post)

[Mt. Doom]

One of my favorites from season 2. Alex Rocco does an amazing performance of the first appearance of Roger Meyers Jr. and personally I think hand drawn animation is more beautiful than any HD episodes or what not.

5/5

[The Robot Devil]

HD???

[Mt. Doom]

^There was an argument on here earlier where someone was saying the animation on season 2 was crappy and that they preferred the new episodes due to the smoother animation

[TheForbiddenDonut]

The animation is still hand-drawn; it's just been Taylorized, so to speak, so that it is lifeless and mechanical.

[lovedartsandsimpsons]

Possibly the best episode of the season.

5/5

[Quazie89]

I love this episode! Its one of my top favorites from season two. I'll have to give it a 5/5.

[Comicshow MolemanBob]

Itchy & Scratchy & Marge: B-, 3.5/5, 7/10, Good

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Very good. Shows a strong message about what 1 person can do, despite the small odds. Also very funny at times, especially the redone Itchy and Scratchy. Not to mention Homer/Maggie Psycho spoof! 5/5 or 9/10

[Shave Those Sideburns!]

A personal favorite. One of if not the best of season 2.

4/5

[Blobulle]

Good episode. 3.5/5
I love the Psychose scene.

[Old painty-can Ned]

A perfect example of the Simpsons at their height. Here's an old I review I did of the episode.

This episode is one of about 15 episodes in the shows history that I consider perfect. It is Swartzwelder's tightest script and it still surprises me that episodes in a TV show's second season are able to be so extremely complex and inquisitive. There is no real answer of the conflict but rather lets the viewer decide for themselves. The satire while in the forefront is subtle in the way it's shown.

There is one thing I really enjoy about season 2 episodes and it's the showcase of Homer and Marge's relationship. It seems so simple Homer is the bread winner while Marge simply runs the house and works much harder than Homer. But underneath this there is a really unexposed relationship. It's so realistic with Homer wanting to be the man of the house by building something as easy as a spice rack but he is unable to despite spending a vast ammount of money of manuals to build things. Homer is quintessentially the modern man. He is helpless when it comes to doing other simple things such as cooking which is apparent in the scene with the TV dinners. But I think a main aspect of this episode that is overlooked is Marge's life. It seems like she is just like any other crusading mother but I think it is much more than that. It is shown in earlier episodes(Fast Lane/Way We was) that she craves something other than the sub servant mother role. she is extremely intelligent and I think it is brilliantly showcased in this episode(again in the TV dinner scene). With SNUH she finally gets to escape the chains of the house and change the world like she wanted to(The Way We Was). The whole dynamic between Homer and Marge in this episode is what makes the show so great and blows my mind upon every viewing.

The satirical elements in this episode are so well done it seems almost unreal. It's probably the best work of satire(except maybe Badman) that the show had ever seen. You can see the clear difference in the way they handle satire in the second season compared to season 1 or even the rest of the seasons. It's done in such a thought provoking way. There is no clear good/bad way of thinking as both sides of the arguments have their faults which are brought out in the debates on Smartline. Of course on the side of free speech you have Roger Myers/Monroe and Brockman. But two of them of course are going to have blatant biases working in the television industry. Of course they seem to be the "winners" of the debates but the debates themselves are set up for them to seem victorious. The satire really stick nowadays because of shit like O'Reily factor and what not. Myers even uses seemingly unrelated lines to convince Brockman that he is right(as the moderator of the debate Brockman's view should be open it of course isn't). Comparing the crusades as a argument that there will always violence is laughable but so easy to fall for. But while Marge would seem to be the crusader for good she is not. She is completely hypocritical in that she says violence isn't free speech yet a statue because it was built by a master of art should be praised and respected(even though it contains nudity) because she likes it. Of course her motives weren't that to make sure no one could make anything offensive but you can't have your cake and eat it too. But again she is set up on Smartline to look stupid and simply says a line that makes the viewer really think with" I guess one person can make a difference but most of the time they shouldn't." It's brilliant because it gives no concrete answer to the conflict. Is cartoon violence senseless or free expression? Is David a masterpiece of filth or of art? No answer is given but rather lets you decide where you stand on the issue. Of course the most biting satire of the whole episode resides in the way the children act about the cartoons. They are obviously influenced by the works of Itchy and Scratchy which is apparent in the brilliant Psycho parody and the way Maggie acts the remainder of the episode. But what is great is the way Bart and Lisa react to Marge's thoughts about the cartoons. The robot line is a great scene and really shows how Lisa is such a complex character because we all know she is extremely intelligent yet she answers the question with such innocent way that Marge seems unable to answer it. I&S being Lisa's favourite TV show is another layer to her character that would be discussed in later episodes as well. Then of course there is the way the kids act when Itchy and Scratchy lose their edge porch pals etc. The kids seems to create a better world for themselves but we all know this is so unrealistic it is what makes that scene so memorable(along with the cool animation job). It is the ideal world for the parents because the kids are no longer any trouble and they act like adults say they used to as kids. It is of course just going to fail because this world is to complex for such an easy solution. Lastly the final really says a great deal. Everyone has reverted back to the tv and the violence(Maggie shooting Homer's picture)but here's where I think the episode has a real Simpsonan feel in that everyone has abandoned everything for TV yet will soon be forced to be indulged by a great work of art(David) It's fucking brilliant.

But while this episode is heavy on the satirical elements it doesn't sacrifice anything that makes a Simpsons episode so perfect. The characters even the guest stars are relatable. Marge in her quest to help her kids/Bart and Lisa's innocence/Homer and his love of I&S/Myers and his freedom of speech. Everyone has a different view yet it's easy to understand them and in turn is infinitely relatable. The story is tightly woven and leaves nothing left unfulfilled and it only had 1 PLOT. They didn't need to mess up the story by adding a maze of unconnected plots. Lastly the humor is never lost. It has many great I&S cartoons, Homer watching I&S, porch pals and even the smart line debates are hilarious

Grade: A+

[cloneasaurus]

Fantastic episode, but, from a months old memory, the ending sorta felt off. IIRC Marge just sorta gave up, when I thought there were reasons to justify her stance. Then they're at the museum and the episode finishes. I don't know - this is from memory - but it felt somewhat anti-climatic and a let down considering how good the episode was until that point. Because it was like A+ until the ending bit kicked in. Hence it gets an A from me, one of the best of season 2.

[qwertyuio]

What an amazing review, Darren.

More than two years after I watched this episode for the last time and a lot of time since my interest on the series started to lower, it still grows and grows in my mind. I would probably consider putting it at my top list. It is simply flawless. I can't recall any joke that fell flat right now. And the way it deals with its satirical content is probably unequalled in more than twenty years of Simpsons history. Every point is discussed, every point is given its fair share of dignity, and every point is dissected to show its weaknesses. I like how, with Marge being clearly the subject we have to relate to, the episode spares no effort at showing her hipocrisy. And I like it even more since this hipocrisy is not deliberate, she actually believes on her view of the conflict and is not aware of the contradictions that her attitude implies. One of the most subtle and fascinating scenes of the whole series comes when that situation is fully shown to her, wonderfully culminated by her already quoted phrase: "I guess one person can make a difference but most of the time they shouldn't".

[Old painty-can Ned]

Fantastic episode, but, from a months old memory, the ending sorta felt off. IIRC Marge just sorta gave up, when I thought there were reasons to justify her stance. Then they're at the museum and the episode finishes. I don't know - this is from memory - but it felt somewhat anti-climatic and a let down considering how good the episode was until that point. Because it was like A+ until the ending bit kicked in. Hence it gets an A from me, one of the best of season 2.

Marge felt defeated and despite all her trying she was still getting flack from both sides of her campaign. I assume she may have felt overwhelmed because of the rest of SNUH turning on her(accusing her of being hypocritical) and the media of Smartline still putting her in with SNUH(and its dislike of David and the hypocrisy attached to it). Sure she had reasons still to back herself but it's easy for her to just give up. It makes the line she says on Smartline all the more important to the episodes message and society in general.

[Cam23]

One of my all-time absolute favourites.Maggie bashing Homer on the head with the mallet,Roger Myers,Jr reading his mail,"Don't Do That!"-it has a funny consistency all the way through.
"Gentlemen...the screwballs have spoken".
"Keep her away fom me,Marge-she's got that crazy look in her eyes again!"

[Alcatraaz]

"Marge" is definitely a great and interestingly formatted episode.

Act 1 begins with Homer making a spice rack. I (along with others) didn't think this scene was well played, even though it got a mention in "Thunder". Then we finally get to see I&S, with Maggie emulating the humor. This part was definitely the best part for me, as it showed suspense and comedy and satire at the same time.

In Act 2, the episode really starts to get better. When Marge disapproves of the humor, she starts asking Roger Meyers III, founder of I&S International, to get rid of the humor (with several attempts). They put in alot of great shorts here, especially the Marge squirrel-caricature one. Smartline was also interesting, particularly a tiny use of 3D (the two flipping squares show Kent and Marvin.)

Act 3 is quite interesting. Marge has finally succeeded in an attempt-she made the show so cute that no kid would bother to watch it-and because of this, they finally all go out and play to a classical music piece.

The episode would've ended here, but they decided to add one little extra part to Act 3 to make it a little longer. An artistic statue of a naked man has impressed the viewing audience, but Marge doesn't exactly apply to this. And from then on, it's deja vu. The episode ends with a classic bit, the kids not going out to see the sculpture but instead watch I&S. Don't worry, they're gonna see it on a school trip someday!

And that's it! I thought this was a great episode, full of interesting humor. I give this episode an A. Or, an 9.5 out of 10. Any way you want it!

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Alcatraaz

You didn't enjoy the Psycho parody?

[Alcatraaz]

No, I did. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

[db105]

Another very strong effort. Marge episodes are more difficult to do well than Homer or Bart episodes, since the Simpson men are funnier, but this one is excellent. It's an example of how smart the writing of the series was, mixing good jokes with believable character work and a really good story. It manages to portray the different point of views about violence in TV in a fair and balanced way, without dumbing the message down. It's no small feat for a 22-minute cartoon episode. Marge, although her position as a crusader against violence in a beloved TV-program could make her unsympathetic, acts in a reasonable and respectful manner, without pretending to have all the answers. Great stuff!

Rating: A