Rating Episodes Daily

[Tamaki Suoh]

This was a mediocre episode with a few good jokes and a unique, dark tone but with extremely awkward and strange pacing, a boring B-storyline, and a fairly entertaining but not brilliant A-storyline. B

[PreciousBodilyFluids]

I don't hold this episode in any higher regard because of it's first episode status. It's barely rewatchable.
D

[Inamon]

Ignore, double post

[Inamon]

Season 2 is up. That means it's time to review;
BART GETS AN F


I just loved this episode. It's not the funniest episode ever, but the characterisations were strong and the emotion was spectacular. A

[Drumstick]

I think this is Bart's best episode characterization wise and an emotional episode with it's storyline interesting and great to watch. One of the best episodes of all time. A

[Chou]

"Prayer... the last refuge of a scoundrel."

This episode is a favorite of mine. It's not the funniest episode, that is true, though it does have some great scenes, like the Book Report scenes in the beginning. I could really relate to Bart and his plight in this episode. I’ve always struggled in math so I know what it’s like to venture into the realms of failure and struggle. I also know what it’s like to make sacrifices in order to get work done.

In the S2 appreciation thread, there was a discussion about whether Bart was in or out of character here. I think he was totally in character. He shows moments of general apathy in the beginning, but as the situation begins to get rough, Bart's tough foundation begins to break. And when he decided to stay in and study instead of giving a snow day, I think that was a moment of great character. The episode made him feel very human and 3-dimensional. This episode has you rooting for him And I admit, I did shed a tear when he got an F on his test. ^^;

I also like how the episode presents an interesting look at the relationships in his life and his position in his family. I felt kind of sad for him when Homer covered his drawing with another one of Lisa’s papers. It’s like, despite his attitude, that in his heart he really wants to do well and prove himself. Also, his interactions with Ms. Krabappel and Martin were great too. I like how they weren’t purely in antagonistic or protagonistic roles, their reactions were very varied and realistic.

Yeah, so anyway, I found this episode to be an emotional gem. A

[Moe Nopoly]

a good episode imo
with an interesting characterization of Bart.
The story is good and quite believable.
Lacks a little bit the humor, but still entertaining.

B

[sung]

The first episode of what I call a 'Classic Era'. It is NOT funny episode, but for some reason, I never got bored watching this episode with a little matter that counts real big for Bart. It also showed a little bit of symphathetic side of Mrs. Krabappel when she lets Bart go up to the next level. I didn't really cry though

A

[Tamaki Suoh]

This is my favorite Bart-centric episode and one of my favorite episodes ever. It's nearly flawless in every way, featuring one of the most three-dimensional characterizations of Bart ever accomplished, actually giving a bit of spotlight to the underappreciated character of Martin (whom I always love seeing) and having him have interesting interaction with Bart, featuring Mrs. Krabappel (another of my favorite, underrated characters) in a small but good role, even had Dr. Pryor in a brief role (who I also like seeing), had a well-developed plot with interesting twists, and even though the ending was predictable, it worked well. A+

[catbox_9]

This is a great episode. It's funny, emotional, has good characterization, etc. What more could you want?

A+

[PreciousBodilyFluids]

One of the few episodes where I feel true sympathy for Bart.
A

[catbox_9]

Simpson and Delilah

Another good episode. Homer gets hair, etc. The guest star does a great job and, unlike those of today, does not play or promote himself.

A-

[Moe Nopoly]

i think this has episode has a good and interesting story.
The characterization of Homer, Mr. Burns etc. is quite believable imo.
Something that doesn't happen so much in the newer episodes for many reasons.
But i miss in this episode again the humor a little bit.
That's also a reason why this is not one of my favorite Homer episodes.

B-

[tom cody]

I enjoyed this episode. It showed a good characterization of Homer.

A-

[Tamaki Suoh]

It's simply a classic, brilliant episode that I personally never tire of. It seems like the type that might get lost in the shuffle when there are many "bigger" and "bolder" plots, but it always stands out in my mind. To me, it actually seems different than any other episode in the series.

Firstly, the overall tone was more muted and dreary, which fit the plot and whole episode perfectly. Secondly, like someone already mentioned in the R&R thread, this was probably the only episode that had Smithers in the larger antagonistic role than Burns, and it was great to see him in a main role that showed he could be conniving in his own right, although personally I don't think what he did was so villainous.

The episode was a great satire about the flawed traits people respect, but I didn't feel sympathy for Homer because he never was a competent worker and merely got what he deserved anyway. Another notable thing about this episode was the animation. I think it was the beginning of some impressive angles and more audacious shots. Oh, and I can't forget to say that Karl was an excellent, well-developed, and interesting character who thankfully did not offer frivolous gay stereotypes.

A

[Drumstick]

Simpson and delilah was good but it lacked humour. Homer was great in this episode and i'm usure about Burns as him being evil is a characteristic that I like but it's always nice to see him be nice on occasions and he wasn't too nice so it worked. Homer's assistant was a nice character and somewhat reminisant of Scorpio in his niceness is the reason why you like them. But i'm not sure about the flow of the story. B

[Inamon]

ZOMG HE'S GAY

Seriously, good episode. Gets boring at times, though manages to be entertaining.

[Chou]

Season 2 has a recurring theme of sacrifice, and this theme works very well here. For Simpson and Delilah, the moral of the story is simply, "Looks don't make the man". And the ending reinforces the fact that hair or not, your loved ones are always beautiful to you. It's a pretty nice ending for an episode with a kind of downbeat tone.

A-

[sung]

Brilliant episode, and for some reason, it's always left out when it comes to the discussion of best Season 2 episode. Karl was a great character and the great thing is that the writers didn't bother to gay stereotypical jokes right they are doing nowadays in this episode. The story worked real well and I think it was the first and last time I've seen Smithers playing an evil role in the history of the Simpsons, so that was quite interesting.

A

[Tamaki Suoh]

But really, was Smithers really being evil? I don't think so. Yes, the pleasure he got from causing Homer to suffer was certainly antagonistic, but his actions were justified and Homer pretty much deserved what he got.

[Chou]

I don't think Smithers's actions were all that justified. He acted more out of jealousy than trying to put Homer to justice; it was more out of personal benefit because he didn't like Homer taking up Burns's attention. I don't think Smithers was being "EVIL!!" but Smithers was playing the antagonist in a way, because while Homer was not really "in the right", I don't think he was entirely unsympathetic.

[Tamaki Suoh]

Well, the reasons behind Smithers' actions weren't all that noble, as he was primarily acting out of jealously, but after all, Homer not only partook in insurance fraud but also, all his newfound success was due to Karl and Homer did nothing to earn the position and influence he was tendered. Remember, this is the same Homer who does nothing but sleep and eat all day at work. Smithers was right to send him back to where he belonged.

[jonnymack]

Hey. Homer just wanted to prevent his brain from freezing. Smithers felt the need to prevent this for some reason.

[Chou]

It's true that Homer didn't do much to earn an executive spot, and he did get a lot of help from Karl, which was to Homer's benefit as he learned that it was possible to succeed, even without his hair (though it didn't out the way it was planned). And personally, I felt it was nice to see Homer get a lucky break, because while he tends to be incompetent and lazy, his hair did benefit Homer's family and brought them happiness.
So perhaps, Smithers was right to send him back where he belonged, because it actually helped Homer a little in the end. Though I still don't think Smither's actions were totally justified, and he was indeed the antagonist, if not an "all out" one. But hey, since you're a fan of his character, I would think having him portray the antagonist would be a good thing, since it shows that he's a round character.

[Tamaki Suoh]

Yeah, I'm definitely not opposed to seeing Smithers play the antagonist; I think it's refreshing and interesting. I just don't get why people say he that he was being evil or villainous in this episode because he was actually doing the right thing, which I think makes it all the more interesting that Smithers can be an antagonist of sorts and yet, in my opinion, can still be perfectly justified.

Also, I usually don't feel a lot of sympathy for Homer in this episode, seeing as he truly didn't do anything to deserve what he got. If he had been a hard worker all along, just waiting for his lucky break, then I would see what people mean more, but as it is, Homer wasn't all that sympathetic to me in this one.

[Chicken]

One of my favourites from season 2 a good episode story and character wise but what really makes it stand out is the animation direction and Karl’s performance.

A

[sacrelicious]

All in all, a very good episode, but it doesn't stand out as one of the bests of season 2 (Lisa's Substitute, Blood Feud, et al.) - B+

[catbox_9]

Treehouse of Horror

The first of the annual Treehouse of Horror episodes. There was a time when these were actually pretty cool and aired BEFORE Halloween (this one was 10/25/1990 if you're keeping track).

BAD DREAM HOUSE: An interesting story. Probably my least favorite of the three segments.

HUNGRY ARE THE DAMNED: I like this segment a lot. The joke with the book title keeps me laughing 17 years later.

THE RAVEN: Possibly my favorite Halloween segment ever. James Earl Jones' voice is always a pleasure and this is perhaps my favorite poem ever (although that is probably because it was on The Simpsons).

Overall: Without looking them up, this might be the best Halloween episode ever. Maybe not, it's better than any that have aired in the last 5 years though - I'm sure of that.

A

[Moe Nopoly]

i never really liked these Halloween episodes so much in general.
I guess one reason is, that it's not always the case, that all three stories are good.
But these three from season 1 are pretty good and i like them all, more or less.
My favorite is "HUNGRY ARE THE DAMNED"

B-

[tom cody]

The first Treehouse of Horror episode. Not bad but not overly good either, I'd rate the segments the following way:

1) Hungry are the Damned
2) The Raven
3) Bad Dream House

Overall Rating for the Show: B-