Rate/Review "Bonfire of the Manatees" (GABF18)

[Rowdy]

I forced myself to laugh a few times, probably because it seemed funnier since other people were watching. Not much of a season premiere to say the least. 2/5

[Izzy315]

Tonight's episode is okay but not really memorable. Probably the ending where the manatee is being washed by Mr Burns and Smithers is the most charming/silly part of the whole show. I think it's becoming either stale or not well written when Marge and Homer have a fight and Marge leaves. This episode seemed a bit rushed and not too many funny moments. :mexican:

[Channel Surfer]

In a way, I am convinced this episode was at least partly meant to be a broad look at every Homer/Marge marriage crisis episode ever done in the series. During Marge's conversation with Homer on the phone, and later with Caleb Thorn at the diner, she almost seemed to spell out the entire marriage crisis formula. Homer repeatedly does something that upsets her, he does some gesture (here flowers and tasted chocolates) that wins her back, promising to be good, then falls back into old habits - in the next episode. When coupled with the fact that Thorn really wasn't interested in her, but literally trying to help her, pointing out the obvious folly of this repeated pattern, that Homer's not going to change, it does make the premise fresher than expected, the ending a little more insightful rather than lazy (even if kind of the same as "Secrets of a Successful Marriage", she stays with Marge for the reasons she loved the manatees, to nurture and "mother" them, though maybe the ending similarities are the point), and generally not feeling like the same old thing. Or rather, because the episode and characters (well Marge) know it's the same old path, it becomes twisted, that even though they know the folly of it, they stay together anyway.

But, though the premise showed more promise than some of Homer and Marge's recent spats, it isn't explored enough, with neither Homer nor Marge written well enough to make the marriage fight cycle concept really exciting. Homer's just kind of doing what he always does in these kinds of episodes, and Marge, well, flies out of the house in a ridiculous rage, calms down, and hangs around with manatees, which isn't really that interesting I don't think. She might be finding herself, but little of that comes out as character exploration, with more time spent with manatee related jokes and random stops Homer and the kids make. Plus, I really don't think the episode was that funny, at all. There were a few laughs scattered about in here, but even when compared to "All's Fair in Oven War" which I felt had a dull, unexciting premise, I could still name a sizeable amount of really funny moments in it. I guess Burns and Smithers washing the manatee, some Lisa comment about eating at fast food chains she's never heard of, the Santa's village stuff, the betting scam thing, and Thorn willing to do anything for a manatee except harm another manatee. I know if I watched it again I could name more, or catch a few things I missed, but that's really not a lot to remember from even just a first viewing, when most new episodes I can usually remember much more (and IMO usually better stuff). And a lot of the other material wasn't exactly gold. Hick cousins that aren't really hicks (but Homer still thinks they're rubes). Lots and lots of manatees doing manatee things like puking and running away after Homer calls for their help. Jet skiers in yet another action climax that respect bravery, barbed wire tattoos, and are scared of notarized court orders. Bart being put in a cage, for some reason. Another extended scene where Homer is pummeled on for repeatedly saying stupid things. So much more misses than hits, and along with the story issues, the episode was generally just dull, with only a few nice moments, twists, and jokes breaking the tedium.

C-/D+

[Bart1CC]

While watching Bonfire of the Manatees, at one point I was reminded of something Crow from MST3K once said: "Not having a plot is nice, because ya see that way, you can just have people saying stuff."

Completely disjointed "story," didn't make me care about Marge and Homer at all, dull and utter trash. Sometimes when I hear James L. Brooks in the select commentaries he is in talking about how attached/mushy he gets about Marge and Homer's more touching/human moments (which IIRC he did during the commentary for The Way We Was, waxing nostalgic about how the episode made him feel so involved with the characters and how proud he was of the writers and staff's ability at the time to make them so funny yet also so real when needed), I gotta wonder, what does he think about an episode like this? Does the show still hire from the Harvard Lampoon? Regardless, it looks like they scooped up more than a few hacks on the last go 'round.

Not a single joke was laugh out loud funny and they were all typical and predictable set up lines which the show now uses as a crutch (ie: Marge calling out Homer "testing" the make-up chocolates and the jet skiers being scared *after* they see the court order is signed, so boring and lame) Hey, having trouble writing a new set up line? I know, lets have relatives we have never seen.

The manatee gag was bland and poorly executed (the part where Alec Baldwin's character is roasting one on a fire is an example, that is something Homer would do if he was in that scene instead, so WHAT is the point of adding something that seems so tacked on?). Homer "confronting" the jet skiers was pathetic, not a single thing he did or said redeemed him or made me glad he was back with Marge. Line-wise, at this point old Homie is about half a step above any given mentally challenged supporting character from a Farrelly brothers movie.

Harsh I know, but IMHO the show's quality has risen in the past few seasons so this one was a big let down. It goes without saying but other past marriage episodes such as Life on the Fast Lane, War of the Simpsons, The Way We Was, and The Last Temptation of Homer, all take a royal dump on this one.

Well, back to enjoying the season 6 set.

In a way, I am convinced this episode was at least partly meant to be a broad look at every Homer/Marge marriage crisis episode ever done in the series. During Marge's conversation with Homer on the phone, and later with Caleb Thorn at the diner, she almost seemed to spell out the entire marriage crisis formula. Homer repeatedly does something that upsets her, he does some gesture (here flowers and tasted chocolates) that wins her back, promising to be good, then falls back into old habits - in the next episode. When coupled with the fact that Thorn really wasn't interested in her, but literally trying to help her, pointing out the obvious folly of this repeated pattern, that Homer's not going to change, it does make the premise fresher than expected

Mmmmm...nah, I'd have to say it isn't even entertaining as a parody.

[TheGunslinger]

I loved the callback to the : I'm gonig to the outhouse

We don't have an outhouse

My music studio!

[Izzy315]

I loved the callback to the : I'm gonig to the outhouse

We don't have an outhouse

My music studio!

I thought it was incredibly hilarious when Bart asks how he's related to those people and the boy comments (while taking out a picutre) that his dog is Santa's Little Helper's Brother.

[Bart1CC]

DotheBartman said: Marge has to be likeable for it to work. Why should we side with her after she abandons her kids completely (let alone Homer also), smashes the car, etc., especcially when Homer himself meant no harm? Her anger was justifiable, but some of her behavior wasn't, and didn't seem in character to me. Homer himself came off as much more likable then Marge in some ways too, which is alarming.

I wouldn't say so much that she was *more* likeable in some ways, but that is a very good point. I was scratching my head myself when she retaliated by leaving the kids with him too. If he is filming a "snuff/porn" film and she just reemed him out for making the house dangerous, so she then ditches the whole family?

Example: When she dumped him and *took the kids* after he bought a gun, now that was funny. As outrageously stupid as Homer was in that episode, at least Marge wasn't so scatter brained and took the kids along, plus the episode still redeemed itself in that it had some really funny and balanced jokes which showed both sides of the gun issue while still poking fun at guns in a clever way. My fave line Moe: "I have attached these guns together in such a way that they now become one gun." ha

Now when there's a topical episode, there's nothing but a set up line. Such as Marge is Against Gays, ect. when Homer asks Lovejoy to name *one* scripture in the Bible which condemns homsexuality and he can't quote a single one??? Instead of Lovejoy saying something clever in response and forcing Homer to be "cleverly" dumb in his response, Homer just laughs and says "Ha! If ya love the Bible so much, then why don't ya marry it?!" Yeesh. Or the pot episode, just a bunch of dumb stoned Homer jokes and an appearance by Phish.

In any case, she was as annoying and uninteresting as she always is when she is out of character or in an overused plot formula.

[vox]

Eh, it was okay. The main problem was just that it did very little to differentiate itself from the standard Homer/Marge conflict, other than spout a few meta-references that acknowledged this fact. There were points where they were coming close to actually taking it in an interesting direction, introducing elements that, had they been explored more, could have added an interesting or original light to this episode, like Marge trying to find herself, or the fact that Marge keeps expecting Homer to change, but then abruptly dropped in favor of strict adherence to the formulaic Homer/Marge fight story we’ve become all too accustomed to. That said, the episode was fairly funny, and I enjoyed most of the stuff with Homer’s cousins (despite being a tangent that could have been saved for another episode), at Santa’s Village, and various other assorted moments (“If anything, I’d be the guy who took it too far”, Fat Tony getting mad at Homer for mentioning Professor Pigskin repeatedly, Lisa’s comments about eating at restaurant chains she’s never heard of) that made me laugh as well. All-in-all, it was okay, but I think this premise definitely deserves a rest for a while if they’re not going to do anything worth watching with it. (C/C+)

[barts friend]

I will give it a B- they could have used the plot diffrently or something.

[bmac]

Very iffy, had to watch it again to nail down how I felt.

Plot was, to be frank, pretty bad. As Homer himself says in the episode, "we've been down this road before", and much much better, even in recent years. Aside from feeling repetitious and recycled, it had a lot of pretty lame elements, like the whole thing with "rubes" attacking Homer toward the end, and some cringeworthy dialogue ("you're the real endangered species", etc). Plus, once again I had problems with the way Marge was characterized. So many of these episodes basically side with Marge, having Homer do something terrible to make her angry (before ultimately redeeming himself), and while this isn't an inherit problem outside of all the repetition, Marge has to be likeable for it to work. Why should we side with her after she abandons her kids completely (let alone Homer also), smashes the car, etc., especcially when Homer himself meant no harm? Her anger was justifiable, but some of her behavior wasn't, and didn't seem in character to me. Homer himself came off as much more likable then Marge in some ways too, which is alarming.

As for the humor....I gues it was alright, but kind of a mixed bag. Biggest problem is that there just weren't many laughs, mostly just chuckles and smiles, with some really awful moments here and there (including some things that just kind of left me thinking "that's barely even a joke"). But aside from the few really bad moments it was actually consistent enough, particularly in the first half or so of the episode. Closer to the end it seemed to bail a lot more, with more of the duds coming, and some gags feeling blatantly recycled (anyone else catch the "we don't have an outhouse" gag from "Who Shot Mr. Burns"? And of course Thorne talking to the manatee at the end, which seemed recycled from the ending with the loch ness monster, among others).

So, I dunno....basically consistent though not great humor, coupled with a lousy plot. I'm thinking a C/C+ at the moment, with the prediction that it will probably play worse on repeat viewings. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, and fully expect most episodes to be better then this, but not a great start.



I didn't quite think that, but come to think of it, you're right. Baldwin was alright, but he didn't seem to play comedy as well as others have. The voice actor Maurice LaMarche's impression of Baldwin is much funnier and more charismatic then the real guy actually.

well, i certainly wasn't planning on writing a review, but now i can pretend i was and say "wow dude, my thoughts exactly. now i don't have to write my review!". so, thanks.

also

wow dude, my thoughts exactly. now i don't have to write my review!

[Dr. Wily]

One thing I just thought of, Jimbo made a thread about how Bart has lost his edge, and this episode kind of shows why. The scene when Homer tells Marge and the kids that they are going to Santa's Village, Bart wants to ask Santa when he was got such a crappy gift. This is the opposite of what he said in Simpsons Roasting.

Yeah I noticed that too. Why did he not beleive in Santa 16 seasons ago but he does now? And what 10 year old beleives in Santa in the first place? Sure it might be a minor detail but it takes all the bad-assedness out of his character.

Oh well at least he redeemed himself by hiding Frosty's hat behind a bush. All sarcasm aside, bring back the Bart that would sling-shot stink bombs inside the guys waering Itchy suits!

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

here's my review, in the form of a live aim commentary with vox nerduli. the episode took a while to download, so i included the pre-episode chat i had with vox about today's animation. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did and forced vox to

Nick Marchetti2 (8:28:24 PM): nah, new episode animation is generally fine to spectacular
Nick Marchetti2 (8:28:28 PM): but
Nick Marchetti2 (8:28:39 PM): some of it is very unspectacular
Nick Marchetti2 (8:28:55 PM): the general movement of the characters isn't very fluid
Nick Marchetti2 (8:29:09 PM): and the angles are still too conventional
Nick Marchetti2 (8:29:25 PM): and that's my 2 cents
Nick Marchetti2 (8:29:56 PM): the expressions are also fairly limited
Nick Marchetti2 (8:30:01 PM): compared to the classic era
Nick Marchetti2 (8:30:08 PM): now it's 3 cents

royzourboy123 (8:30:57 PM): have you ever noticed how sometimes bart, or some other character, but usually bart, will be smiling at nothing in recent episodes
Nick Marchetti2 (8:31:06 PM): yes
Nick Marchetti2 (8:31:35 PM): and i... well not hate it, but it's... well, not annoying but it... well, they could've done something... else
Nick Marchetti2 (8:31:37 PM): yes
Nick Marchetti2 (8:31:40 PM): i've noticed
Nick Marchetti2 (8:31:42 PM): why?
royzourboy123 (8:32:04 PM): i just wondered if i was the only one noticing this
Nick Marchetti2 (8:32:17 PM): grampa in particular is always smiling
Nick Marchetti2 (8:32:27 PM): and he's one of the crankiest characters on the show
royzourboy123 (8:32:37 PM): yeah
Nick Marchetti2 (8:32:44 PM): they animate him talking with a smile
Nick Marchetti2 (8:32:51 PM): same with mrs krabappel, i think
Nick Marchetti2 (8:32:55 PM): and so on
Nick Marchetti2 (8:33:40 PM): i think they just put coins in a machine that animates scenes and it's a buck extra to change the default "smiling" expression to something actually appropriate
royzourboy123 (8:33:53 PM): haha

Nick Marchetti2 (8:34:13 PM): the characters nowadays generally only have two expressions
Nick Marchetti2 (8:34:15 PM): smiling
Nick Marchetti2 (8:34:20 PM): and scowling
Nick Marchetti2 (8:34:47 PM): with maybe a look of apprehension if it's an episode by mark kirkland, or another experienced director
Nick Marchetti2 (8:35:10 PM): cos he can actually afford to change the smile
Nick Marchetti2 (8:35:21 PM): heck, he can pay someone to insert the coin for him

Nick Marchetti2 (9:16:11 PM): yay, it's done
Nick Marchetti2 (9:16:29 PM): i'm gonna watch it now
royzourboy123 (9:16:41 PM): i'll be awake for the next 22 minutes
Nick Marchetti2 (9:17:06 PM): ok
Nick Marchetti2 (9:21:35 PM): the chalk board gag was... okay
royzourboy123 (9:21:37 PM): did you like the couch gag?
Nick Marchetti2 (9:21:48 PM): don't know yet
Nick Marchetti2 (9:21:52 PM): oh man
Nick Marchetti2 (9:21:59 PM): plutonium was in homer's shirt!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:22:06 PM): i never noticed that!
royzourboy123 (9:22:30 PM): what?
Nick Marchetti2 (9:22:35 PM): heh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:22:37 PM): joke
Nick Marchetti2 (9:22:43 PM): and the couch gag got a "heheheh"
royzourboy123 (9:22:58 PM): yeah
royzourboy123 (9:23:05 PM): pretty long though
Nick Marchetti2 (9:23:09 PM): yup
Nick Marchetti2 (9:24:06 PM): okay, that bear vs millionaire thing was stupid
Nick Marchetti2 (9:24:22 PM): nice angle of homer watching tv though
Nick Marchetti2 (9:24:34 PM): they framed him with lisa and the tv and the couch
Nick Marchetti2 (9:24:37 PM): impressive
royzourboy123 (9:25:00 PM): yeah
Nick Marchetti2 (9:25:43 PM): eh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:26:08 PM): this lisa is smart, homer is dumb scene is kind of um...
Nick Marchetti2 (9:26:09 PM): uh...
Nick Marchetti2 (9:26:10 PM): shh!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:26:16 PM): i'm trying to watch the show!
royzourboy123 (9:26:59 PM): haha

Nick Marchetti2 (9:27:25 PM): "if he mentions that pig again, use two hammers" "but the pig! ow! ow!"
Nick Marchetti2 (9:27:34 PM): that made me laugh
royzourboy123 (9:27:27 PM): i like the reveal of fat tony, if you've gotten there yet
royzourboy123 (9:27:35 PM): haha
royzourboy123 (9:27:38 PM): yeah

Nick Marchetti2 (9:27:53 PM): hahaha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:27:59 PM): "lemmity licket"
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:04 PM): that made me triple "ha"
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:10 PM): plus the tagline
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:14 PM): but i'm lowbrow
royzourboy123 (9:28:19 PM): heh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:25 PM): it's funny cos the guy saying it seemingly has class
royzourboy123 (9:28:39 PM): johnny tightlips?
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:44 PM): yeah, that's him

Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:52 PM): "mow your lawn every week for two weeks"
Nick Marchetti2 (9:28:56 PM): that's a clever line
Nick Marchetti2 (9:29:14 PM): maybe i should stop pausing this
Nick Marchetti2 (9:29:24 PM): he just got hit with a hammer
royzourboy123 (9:29:26 PM): heh, you could
Nick Marchetti2 (9:30:03 PM): moe's voice is so gruff now
Nick Marchetti2 (9:30:18 PM): they should've stuck with chris collins
royzourboy123 (9:30:22 PM): heh

Nick Marchetti2 (9:30:36 PM): oh no
Nick Marchetti2 (9:30:42 PM): marge is in this one
royzourboy123 (9:31:05 PM): she is waaay off in some scenes too
Nick Marchetti2 (9:31:12 PM): judging from that line, bart seems to be 5 in this episode
royzourboy123 (9:31:37 PM): which, the playstation one?
Nick Marchetti2 (9:31:42 PM): yeah
Nick Marchetti2 (9:32:02 PM): homer's excuse for a broken hand was kind of... well not sweet, but it worked
Nick Marchetti2 (9:32:10 PM): uh oh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:32:15 PM): my pause button broke
royzourboy123 (9:32:42 PM): haha

Nick Marchetti2 (9:33:04 PM): alright!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:33:09 PM): lenny's in this episode!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:33:15 PM): A+! A+!
royzourboy123 (9:33:27 PM): yeah, just briefly though
Nick Marchetti2 (9:33:34 PM): heheh, "fareignheight 9 on 1"
Nick Marchetti2 (9:33:51 PM): this episode's great
Nick Marchetti2 (9:34:00 PM): assuming marge doesn't return
royzourboy123 (9:34:46 PM): hah
royzourboy123 (9:34:55 PM): she does, silverlimit

Nick Marchetti2 (9:34:51 PM): bart just kicked a hat
Nick Marchetti2 (9:34:57 PM): he's a rascal that bart
royzourboy123 (9:35:01 PM): heh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:01 PM): one might say
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:05 PM): a rapscallian
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:15 PM): seriously, that's bad
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:20 PM): dennis the menace bad
royzourboy123 (9:35:29 PM): look at how they tried to give him a bad look in the next scene
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:39 PM): hahaha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:35:47 PM): "tried" being the operative word
royzourboy123 (9:35:52 PM): yes
Nick Marchetti2 (9:36:01 PM): marge is tired
Nick Marchetti2 (9:36:23 PM): you can tell because she has bags under her eyes and julie kavner's voice acting is exactly the same
royzourboy123 (9:36:46 PM): haha

Nick Marchetti2 (9:37:14 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:37:25 PM): carl's foghorn apprehension is pretty funny
royzourboy123 (9:37:37 PM): haha
royzourboy123 (9:37:55 PM): i thought it was funny that he had a chicken tattoo
Nick Marchetti2 (9:37:59 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:38:06 PM): it works on many levels
Nick Marchetti2 (9:38:07 PM): well
Nick Marchetti2 (9:38:08 PM): 2
royzourboy123 (9:38:13 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:38:42 PM): hey!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:38:51 PM): they copied the scene we did!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:39:17 PM): but the dialogue isn't as funny
royzourboy123 (9:39:24 PM): which?
Nick Marchetti2 (9:39:31 PM): the voice acting on marge is identical though
royzourboy123 (9:39:35 PM): haha
royzourboy123 (9:39:36 PM): oh
royzourboy123 (9:39:38 PM): that
Nick Marchetti2 (9:39:39 PM): yeah
Nick Marchetti2 (9:39:41 PM): that
Nick Marchetti2 (9:40:11 PM): jesus christ
Nick Marchetti2 (9:40:18 PM): marge just rammed homer's car
Nick Marchetti2 (9:40:23 PM): his purple car!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:40:35 PM): good episode
royzourboy123 (9:40:39 PM): heh

Nick Marchetti2 (9:42:10 PM): that conversation with moe wasn't very good but at least it didn't go on for 3 minutes like i was expecting
Nick Marchetti2 (9:42:32 PM): it will though, on the s17 deleted scenes reel
royzourboy123 (9:42:34 PM): heh
royzourboy123 (9:42:42 PM): he calls back
Nick Marchetti2 (9:42:48 PM): oh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:43:05 PM): so my half joke was really a horrifying prediction of the future
royzourboy123 (9:43:15 PM): yes
Nick Marchetti2 (9:43:24 PM): marge just got electrocuted
Nick Marchetti2 (9:43:48 PM): she's okay
royzourboy123 (9:44:12 PM): she did it on purpose
Nick Marchetti2 (9:44:18 PM): heh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:44:21 PM): testing bites
Nick Marchetti2 (9:44:36 PM): and uh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:44:39 PM): then he was
Nick Marchetti2 (9:44:42 PM): eating them

Nick Marchetti2 (9:45:19 PM): oh my god it's curtis the jackass!
royzourboy123 (9:45:26 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:45:35 PM): oh
Nick Marchetti2 (9:45:39 PM): it's a manatee
Nick Marchetti2 (9:45:50 PM): but he's eating kelp like curtis
royzourboy123 (9:46:42 PM): i think of curtis as more of a beached whale
Nick Marchetti2 (9:46:48 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:47:14 PM): i think they based the design of caleb thorn on mr shefield from the nanny
Nick Marchetti2 (9:47:31 PM): but they used alec baldwin for the manatees
royzourboy123 (9:47:37 PM): haha
Nick Marchetti2 (9:47:40 PM): cos he's fat!
Nick Marchetti2 (9:48:11 PM): homer doesn't know how to write a check

royzourboy123 (9:49:16 PM): dan greaney must not have know