Rate & Review: Alone Again Natura-Diddly

[Rhodan]

I would say B+, it was still one of the best of season 11, which maybe isn´t saying much but it was really one of the few of them that mede me laugh (ironically). And for me personally I was amused by the very presence of the first bahá´í joke in Simpsons. Otherwise, I still completely agree that killing of Maude felt stupid and the way how it was done was disaster.

[Turambar]

I voted C-

I'm with Henrik P, Maude was a great character

[Charlie]

That huge name joke with Ian Maxtone-Graham was actually a lot more groanworthy than I ever imagined (I thought it would have just been the standard Simpsons font, fading in an out...just...bigger). Homer was actually fairly tolerable until he said that whole thing about how he parked in the ambulance zone. The funeral scene seemed incredibly disrespectful (so she's a cartoon character...but really, come on). As soon as the funeral and the wake was over the writers basically focussed on Ned trying to find someone new rather than the Simpsons helping him to come to terms with his loss and to try and stop his grief...it would have worked a hell of a lot better that way.

D-

[Jeff Vader]

F
Probably my most hated episode.

[kid_presentable]

Possibly the most underrated episode in the history of the series. The first act is kind of crappy, but the rest is an interesting voyage for Ned's character.

B

[theo22]

wtf? why does everyone hate this episode? I thought it was really good. Homers compassion for Flanders after Maude died was handled at a classic era level quality IMHO. I don't see anything wrong with killing off Maude, especially if she would have carried on with the horrible imitation of Maude that she had for this episode. It opened up a new window for Ned's characterization (which Jean later screwed up, but i wont go into that). Ned's dealing with the tragedy was sincere, and I loved the Simpsons chipping in and trying to cheer him up. i give it an A.

[SpringShield]

I like this episode, I don't understand why so many people hate it. Homer is annoying at the beginning and there are some stupid jokes but after the death the episode starts picking up. Homer becomes his bumbling but well-meaning classic era self and there are some good jokes as well as some sweet moments.

B

[Philip Cheesesteak]

Pure crap. Absolute garbage. Almost enragingly awful, the episode begins with a completely unneccesary premise and deals with it in the worst way possible. It attempts to be funny and emotional, but not only is it unsuccessful, it crashes and burns. In fact, it almost seems that the episode was formatted specifically to make us not care for Flanders' loss. In addition, such jokes as the parrot squaking "show us your boobs" not only bugged the hell outta me, but it also serves as a prime example of the blatant lack of sophistication the combination of Mike Scully and Ian Maxtone-Graham brought to The Simpsons. An unforgivable disaster, and more than enough proof that The Simpsons had lost so much depth at this point it ran aground.

F - 5th worst the show's produced.

[tom cody]

C-, I think they could handled Maude's death better.

[Swartzweldian]

I thought it was moronic.

Look..It was the 11th season. They didnt know if the show was going to be on longer. They needed a reason to get families back in the living room. Having an entire episode revolve around the death of one character was the show's response.

Was not executed or handled well. Moderately funny jokes..but just wasnt necessary and drawn out.

[Kiyosuki]

Alright here's my opinion on this controversial ep. I think the idea behind it was daring as hell, and I will always think that. After Hurricane Neddy, the idea of taking Ned down a direction where he's gotta learn to be a little "more human" as Homer pointed out in that ep is an interesting one. After 11 seasons, you gotta try a couple of things. Things can't stay -exactly- the same forever. And the idea of having Ned deal with his wife dying, you know...having Ned do the unthinkable and actually question his own faith, is a story that could have been a really really human episode.

But the problem with this, is that while I may be going out on a limb here by saying this...I think you can just feel that the writers wanted to disrespectfully kill off Maude because of the thing with her voice actress. I mean, I know the show is funny and silly often, but I truly believe in order for it to mean something it has to have that human element to it, and once in a blue moon the show cannot be afraid to take itself seriously. Thats what makes things relatable, no matter how silly or cartoony it can get. And thats the problem, this thing is handled in such a lighthearted way that it just completely ruins that relatability.

This is one of those episodes that should have been willing to take itself seriously. This season's Mother Simpson, or And Maggie Makes Three, or One Fish Two Fish Blow Fish. One of those episodes thats a little more human and earthy than the others. I mean come on! The guy's wife died. Maybe it could be funny in a sick way in another show but not this one.

And that possibly episode defining moment I mentioned above? Where Ned questions his faith? Lasts like...5 seconds. Because of course we can't possibly have Ned Flanders deviate from his own stereotype can we? No drama aloud.

So yeah, its an episode that was supposed to take itself a little more seriously than usual, but it couldn't for some reason. Its an episode aiming for a worthy target but it missed it by 15 miles.

C-, and I'm being very very nice only because there are far worse.

[moonwalker69]

Surprisingly on snpp.com there are no F's, a lot of A's...and an average grade of B (3.09) from 32 reviews. It's been a while since I've seen this episode but from what I can remember it wasn't as bad as it's claimed to be.

[homer2121]

I just saw this episode again while watching the Scully episodes in order, and was surprised at how well-characterized Homer was and how much depth Ned's conflict had. I still haven't changed my mind on the horrible first act, though...Scully apparently thought animals acting like humans was funny, and this is the worst example of that. Oh well, the first act is mostly unrelated to the rest of the story...I'm fine with skipping ahead to the second act

B-

Ditto

[Jessfrogger88]

F HORRIBLE. KILLING MAUDE WAS UNESSARY AND IM NOT A FAN OF THE WHOLE IDEA. HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WELL. JUST THE BEHAVIOR OF EVERYONE INVOLVED WAS DISGUSTING. I'M SORRY I KNOW THIS ISN'T TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL BUT JEEZ THE LACK OF RESPECT AND EMOTION SHOWN TOWARDS THE FLANDERS FLOCK WAS HORRENDOUS. NOT ONLY BY THE OTHER CHARACTERS BUT BY THE SHOW ITSELF. THIS EPISODE COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY TOUCHING BUT THEY LET PRIDE GET IN THE WAY.

[Jessfrogger88]

P.S. It wasn't funny either.

[Semaj]

Possibly the weakest Simpsons episode. Killing off Maude in a blatantly cruel way was terribly unnecessary, as was "I'm Going to Praiseland"'s tease on it.

It barely stays above water with a few funny bits.

2.0/5

[Moe Nopoly]

D+

i don't like the fact that they killed Maude. I liked Ned Flanders a lot more with his wife. And this episode wasn't good at all for me.

[Mindy Simmons]

But the problem with this, is that while I may be going out on a limb here by saying this...I think you can just feel that the writers wanted to disrespectfully kill off Maude because of the thing with her voice actress.

Killing off a TV character as the result of a contract dispute has happened several times, but I can only think of one other case in an animated show: Chef from South Park. Ugh! Talk about bad taste. I was done with SP after that.

I haven't seen this Simpsons episode in a long time, so I can't properly grade it. Maude's death was dumb, but what bugged me is that Homer basically killed her. Usually when something really bad happens to a regular, they introduce a new, one time "villain" to do the crime (eg Apu getting shot, MArge getting mugged, Gil getting...killed?) I don't like the idea that Homer however indirectly, caused Maude's death, and that he didn't seem too remorseful. Its times like that when you almost wish he'd get some type of ultimate Karmic comeuppance...

[Starman]

My least favourite episode of all time. I've said why too many times to count, so I'm not going to say why at the moment. If I have strength later, I might add why.

2/10.

[Universal Polymath]

Interesting results - As of now, there are exactly thirteen F's and thirteen A+'s.

Just watched this one again, for the first time in years. I hate to go with such an unpopular opinion, but I really liked it then and I still really like it now! The way Maude died probably wasn't the best, I'll admit - But the manner in which she died really wasn't the most important aspect of the episode. It's supposed to be about how Ned handles Maude's death, and the manner in which she dies leading up to this is ultimately inconsequential.

Just curious, though, since Maude's death seems to be a major criticism throughout this thread - How would all of you have killed Maude?

Ned's reaction to losing Maude felt very real to me. He tries to jump back into the dating scene far too quickly after his wife's death, with Homer's coercion, not because he was really ready to "replace" Maude - but merely because he was lonely and wanted some sort of companionship. Another great point came when he questions his faith. Others have criticized the episode for containing Ned's spiritual dilemma to a mere two minutes or so of the episode, with too quick a turn immediately thereafter ("Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!"), but I'll forgive this being as there was a lot to cram into this twenty-two minutes. The church scene that follows, including the performance by "Covenant" was really nice. And the ending was sweet - They didn't quickly give Ned a new girlfriend in Rachel, but they leave us with hope for Ned's future.

I also liked Homer in this episode (except for one terrible line of dialogue: "I'm the one who parked in the ambulance zone, preventing any possible resuscitation." Awful idea, but still not enough to ruin the show). He genuinely tries to help Ned move on, albeit with a typical, misguided "easy answer". Homer's always at his best when he is well-meaning and truly trying his best to do good for someone else.

As for the humor, there were some big hits (like Homer's dating video), and some misses (quite a bit from the first act, and "Send me to Maude!"). Overall though, I enjoyed much of it throughout - no worse than the standard season eleven material. I'd say it was one of the better ones this year.

But since I reserve the 'A+' for only the mightiest of Simpsons episodes, I'd place this one in the admirable B+/A- range (on the poll, I believe I voted A-).

[Sideshow Jay]

I've heard terrible things about this episode, so when I saw it, I was like "That wasn't so bad." I don't know why they killed Maude and maybe they could've put more emotion into it. There were some funny parts though, so... C+. It was decent, but nothing special.

[Simpsonsfan1981]

I thought eliminating Maude's character was uneccessary. I liked her character and I actually think that Ned, Rod and Todd's characters were much more well-balanced and multi-dimensional when she was alive (although this may have been due to the writers at the time more than her presence -who's to say?). Nevertheless, even if they were having problems with Maggie Roswell and her contract, they could have kept her on in a silent role.

The first act of this episode was awful -Homer was in full jerkass mode and I think the writers could have done much better than to use jerkass Homer as a pretext for Maude's death. Actually Homer's characterization throughout this episode did not sit well with me -his character portrayal seemed to be uneven and he seemed to lack the sensitivity that he has shown in some of the earlier seasons when dealing with Ned after his wife's death

The way they handled Maude's funeral and the immediate aftermath was actually quite well-done, although there were some cringe-worthy moments (Moe and his creepy behavior did not belong in this storyline). I think they should probably have saved Ned's efforts at dating again until another episode -it just seemed that they tried to do too much in this episode.

I actually think that Ned's not wanting to go to Church was quite realistically portrayed. Following the loss of a life partner -even if you have children -I can imagine that you may lose a significant amount of your motivation for activities that you once cherished and that you may also begin to question your faith and beliefs. Ned's subsequent remorse at his reluctance to go to Church and his subsequent efforts to make amends is very much in character for him. I thought it was quite touching that the episode ended on a ray of hope for Ned

C for me

[josh]

F is too generous. I'm giving this a Z-. This was the worst episode I've ever seen. It was painfully unfunny, incredibly unemotional, and Homer admitting he parked in the Ambulance Park was incredibly wrong.

[Quaiowe]

D+

We didn't need to see Ned in the shower. Let alone, the immediate frequent dating Ned does after his wife's death, the death itself (how it was portrayed), Moe's beating, Maggie's birth on tape, and his confession not to go to church were poorly done. His decision to go back to church was even more poorly done.

[Beast]

The most tedious excuse for an episode in the show's history. F

[emanuellburnell]

I did not like this episode at all it was not that funny and maude's death was needless plus having homer showing no remores and acting like a jerkass was poorly done i'm glad al jean tone down his personatly,and there was no humor or emotion in this episode. i give this episode an F

[Fox Executive]

3rd worst episode ever (they're all in s11), that means D-. It sucked, that says everything.

[Van]

This really was terrible. So many awful 'gags', Homer in full jerkass mode, I'm getting angry just thinking about this episode. D+

[Whip-Smart]

It’s just bad. Although I found a few parts amusing it's not very good. The way in which Maud dies and tone of Maud’s death, just leaves no real emotional impact. This episode had potential of being more a real emotional story like “Mother Simpson”. But is just the usual season 11 over the top craziness that does not work against this sort of stroy. D

[ThatAsianGuy]

C, decided to be a bit generous.