R&R/ The Computer Wore Menace Shoes

[Snack Related Mishap]

don't you like how I mesed with you on the poll?

Now, normally I would right out one of my annoying and long reviews, but today I am too lazy, so I am just gonna sum it up really quickly:

This is one of the few episodes of the series that I am surprised I like. I don't usually like episodes that are wacky basically throughout every second of it(because usually they aren't funny), but I like this one. I don't know exactly why, but it probably has to do with the fact that my parents are huge Prisoner fans, and I hate it. Although the episode is lightly poking fun at it, it works for me. I think if it just had homer being wisked away to an island, and not going into a huge Prisoner parody, I probably wouldn't like it, but the Mr. X stuff is pretty funny none the less. I thought I was the only one who likes this, but after seeing the posts by HT and Veryjammy, I decided to come out of the closet about liking this episode(I know, terrible joke).

Anyways, I give this episode a 8.5/10

[barts friend]

3/5

[IAMHOMER]

I didn't realise the whole Homer being whisked to a remote island was a Prisoner parody, because purely on its own terms it makes absolutely no sense. 4/10 based on first and second viewings, maybe rising to a 5/10 if I can suspend my belief next time I watch it (if I can be bothered).

But that are plenty of episodes prior to this based largely on movies and/or TV shows that are much more realistic, have better characterization, and basically make a lot more sense (Cape Feare and Bart of Darkness to name but a few).

[grissom]

It's underrated anyway, but still not one of my favorites. 3/5

[Greased Scotsman]

Great right up until the Island came into it. Then it became too wacky even for Scully.

[Adam R]

I am just gonna sum it up really quickly:

Me too: shit. OK maybe not but the island idea is easily the worst in Simpsons history, bottom 10, maybe 5, or even 3. OK first half but I still said 1/5

[Keller]

2/5
It was just "okay" until the end, which was really bad.

[Veryjammy]

I'll pop up to defend it yet again. By all means it should be an episode I truly hate, but I honestly think they pulled it off pretty well, even though it doesn't make much sense. I do cut it slack by not taking the third act seriously when I view it because otherwise it kills it, what with the Homer doubles and gas spraying everywhere. So I just take it as a full length THOH, and when I do I honestly appreciate the sinister atmosphere the episode builds.

The first two acts are pretty good, although not without problems, such as Bart's speech about feeling angry all the time or the rather formulaic way in which Homer uncovers information to put on his website. However Homer is pretty decently characterised and there are enough laughs to keep the episode ticking over. I can understand why people hate the third act but I just suspend my disbelief and laugh along. And the ending? Eh, I like it. I don't know why people are always obsessed with things wrapping up neatly at the end in terms of continuity. Everyone knows continuity between shows fell to pieces years ago. Would you really like the episode more if OFF didn't get taken back to the island right at the very end?

So I like it, but it isn't without some Scullyish flaws, and the 1st 2 actsare enjoyable but hardly the stuff classics are made of. B

[Drunk Barney]

it maybe b range enjoyment but the fact is it ISN'T THOH. Which means its grade is lowered. I mean if you think of it is at that, why not make episode like Trash of the Titans THOH, I know its different, but do you see my point?

It has a good start, but only "good". The third act is quite enjoyable, though increadibly whacky. C+

[Cartoonnetwork]

Would you really like the episode more if OFF didn't get taken back to the island right at the very end?

Probably yes. For some reason I just don't see this kind of ending adequate for the Simpsons.

I think third act had some funny moments, though, what I most dislike is that, like always, there isn't too much of a connection between the first part and the second part. It really came up-as always-very late. It is totally cop out, like "oh, we have run out of ideas so let's change the plot". I mean, the episode title is The Computer Wore Menaces Shoes, not Homer In The Island (I know titles in The Simpsons don't mean much, but you get my point).

I would rather had two different episodes, the first one, who could have been very good, giving a credible resolution to the actual plot, and another one, which had introduced the island thing sooner, which wouldn't have been great by any means, but it could have been an entertaining wacky episode.

That's probably the reason why I like (well, let's not say "like", but I enjoy it a little) Missionary Impossible more than other Scully episodes. It is really silly, characterisations are worst and ending is also arguably worst, but there are some jokes that worked and the pacing of the story seemed to work better. At least it seems like they know what they were doing, a silly adventure type episode without a conclusion. Another example can be The Tale Of Two Springfields which is one I also enjoy, though I find a lot of flaws in it. I'm not really sure if I consider those episodes better but I can say I watch them without being confused by strange twists.

The way it is I also don't thing it is the worst Scully have done but I would still give it a C/C-.

[Garp]

Didn't like this one. The Prisoner parody would have been better in a THOH, though I wouldn't have liked it if it were shown as it was here, basically because I found it boring. In fact, the whole episode was quite boring.

2/5, D/D+

[Handsome Peter]

The best episode of Season 12, with the best writing. The Mr. X thing was a riot, and the Island/Prisoner thing was wacky but very funny. Overall, a great watch IMO, and one of the modern classics. 5/5.

[Green_Peaness]

I think the reason the Island thing feels "good wacky" to me is that it's not nearly as cheap or obvious as most other Scully third acts. It's just weird, and there happens to be some good jokes with it. The first two acts are also pretty good. Homer getting involved with computers is almost always a good thing (other than "Das Bus")

Not sure about the grade...uh, B sounds good.

[Veryjammy]

it maybe b range enjoyment but the fact is it ISN'T THOH. Which means its grade is lowered. I mean if you think of it is at that, why not make episode like Trash of the Titans THOH, I know its different, but do you see my point?

I know I'm cutting the episode slack by not taking it seriously, but it's a completely different situation to if I didnt take Trash Of The Titans seriously. Too many people get a huge enjoyment block when watching this episode because OMFG they get taken to an island and it's all weird!1!!!1 They actually stop watching the episode and get preoccupied with how it's unrealistic. If you can accept the unrealism, and let's be honest this isn't the most unrealistic thing ever shown on OFF, and accept the episode for what it is, then I believe it to be perfectly enjoyable.

That doesn't work for Trash Of The Titans because it isn't well-written to begin with, it has some lame jokes and a terrible Homer characterisation. It has nothing to do with its realism or not, it just has a mostly lousy script. Whereas I think The Computer Wore Menace Shoes has good script hidden under the veil of its wackiness (although wackiness with more point and purpose than most Scully episodes.)

[rutuger2]

As a Prisoner fan I loved all of it, though I can see how it could confuse those who are less TV-literate. It was a gutsy call to have the majority of an episode be a spoof, but I loved it. 5/5

[Ryan_]

5/5. Love this one, despite the wackiness.

[Jayrayman]

Like above i think this episode is brilliant and certainly great comic entertainment for 25 minutes. One of my favourites from season 12. 5/5

[IAMHOMER]

Stop bumping old threads rutuger2, I don't want to keep seeing topics from two or so months ago.

Why do so many newbies do this? :angry:

[simplysimpsons]

If they never had the island part, and instead focused on Homer ruining the town with his webpage rumours this may have been a classic. All of the stuff before Homer was captured was very funny, with excellent references to poorly designed new websites filled with animations and sounds (which I used to make!) and good humour as Homer was getting used to the computer and the town's reaction to his rumours. I don't know why they suddenly used that massive plot twist for the unneeded 'Prisoner' parody, though. The entire 3rd act took a nosedive in quality and dragged on with the parody. The ending was also terrible. The first two acts were A/B - grade material and the third was F, which evens out into a C overall.

[Nightshade]

I really liked this episode up until the 3rd act where it became way too wacky. B-

[Reservoir Dog]

A true gem of the 12th season although i didnt get what the island was making fun of, which im pretty sure it was making fun of something.

[Rest your giant head]

5/5
My favorite from season 12. Unlike other people,I absolutely love the island part,it's really cool.

[Reservoir Dog]

Really, I thought Trilogy Of Error was the best of season 12, or at least HOMR, in fact now that i think of it, this is probably Scully's best season, actually its probably one of the best seasons of the simpsons ever.

[Charlie]

I thought this was a great episode. The island bit, while disjointed from the rest of the plot and overall wacky, was still rather damn enjoyable. Best part of the episode for me was actually the German Homer.
Homer's Mr. X escapes were fairly enjoyable as well...I don't really know what else to say apart from that.

B-