NHC Weekly Episode Club (Simpsons Spin-off Showcase)

[Granto]

but Hank Scorpio IS the episode. that's like saying without Homer becoming fat, "King Size Homer" is far below average. without Scorpio there wouldn't be much of a story

[hammster]

I love how the essentially crazy plot is dealt in an almost-but-not-quite subtle way. I loved it on first viewing but I first watched at about 7 when I loved everything. But unlike Pokemon Cards this love has lasted.

[cinco]

In other words, I felt his attitude toward Homer was genuine and not just a facade.

He had an encouraging attitude towards Homer that actually worked.
Kind of like Karl in Simpson and Delilah.

[Richard Nixon]

Next episode, Animal?

[TheForbiddenDonut]

but Hank Scorpio IS the episode. that's like saying without Homer becoming fat, "King Size Homer" is far below average. without Scorpio there wouldn't be much of a story

there'd be plenty of a story without Albert Brooks' portrayal of Hank Scorpio; the basis of the plot is that Globex Corporation of Cypress Creek offers Homer a job, his family moves, and they become dissatisfied and move back. Scorpio is just an ingenious choice for Homer's new boss, who has no bearing on anyone's decision to do anything (i guess making Homer satisfied in contrast to the rest of his family and provides the ridiculously lame 'internal conflict') and isn't even necessarily really; he's just there and he's hilarious and that's why we love the episode. think about, if they removed Scorpio, Homer's happiness could hinge simply on the pleasures of his new job, perhaps another amiable boss who's not necessarily a terrorist, it could be anything and the story would go through all the same motions.

Homer HAS to become fat in King-Size Homer because that's the whole plot. Hank Scorpio is not even close to the whole plot of You Only Move Twice. we only perceive him as essential because he's basically the only really funny part of the episode. Life on the Fast Lane would still function fine if Albert Brooks didn't do an awesome French romancer and it was just Azaria doing something scripted, because the story has enough thrust behind it. taking him away from Life in the Fast Lane would still leave an awesome episode, but doing the same to You Only Move Twice would kill it, because he's really the show-stealing focal point and the actual story is extremely flimsy (plus my arguments from my first paragraph about how formulaic, rushed, watered-down, etc.).

[hughes]

Next episode, Animal?

Marge on the Lam

---

Anyway, "You Only Move Twice," days late!

The first time I watched this episode, I thought it was good but didn't see what the big deal was, and I actually wasn't that huge a fan of Scorpio, to be honest! Of course, each subsequent viewing has shown me how great it is, and it has grown into one of my favorites. The plot is well set up, the Bond parody is brilliant, and the animation is certainly top-notch. Regarding the subplot, the Lisa one is a bit contrived, but Marge and especially Bart struck me as interesting and amusing problems for their respective characters. However, as others have mentioned, the real star of this episode is Albert Brooks as Hank Scorpio. Yeah, I don't know what was wrong with me the first time I saw this episode, but I was completely wrong. Scorpio and Homer play off of each other so well, and it's nice to see Homer in a job he's good at. I do believe that Scorpio genuinely liked Homer, and it's nice to see how Homer thrives when in that type of situation.

Also, this episode contains one of my all-time favorite Simpsons lines: "But, Homer, on your way out, if you wanna kill somebody, it would help a lot."

[The Wiggs]

but Hank Scorpio IS the episode. that's like saying without Homer becoming fat, "King Size Homer" is far below average. without Scorpio there wouldn't be much of a story

Ya I agree. This is one of the only episodes in the series where a one-time character makes or breaks an episode this much. I wouldn't mind seeing Hank in a cameo sometime before the series is done.

[Nauru-1]

Looking forward to Marge on the Lam.

there'd be plenty of a story without Albert Brooks' portrayal of Hank Scorpio; the basis of the plot is that Globex Corporation of Cypress Creek offers Homer a job, his family moves, and they become dissatisfied and move back. Scorpio is just an ingenious choice for Homer's new boss, who has no bearing on anyone's decision to do anything (i guess making Homer satisfied in contrast to the rest of his family and provides the ridiculously lame 'internal conflict') and isn't even necessarily really; he's just there and he's hilarious and that's why we love the episode. think about, if they removed Scorpio, Homer's happiness could hinge simply on the pleasures of his new job, perhaps another amiable boss who's not necessarily a terrorist, it could be anything and the story would go through all the same motions.

Homer HAS to become fat in King-Size Homer because that's the whole plot. Hank Scorpio is not even close to the whole plot of You Only Move Twice. we only perceive him as essential because he's basically the only really funny part of the episode. Life on the Fast Lane would still function fine if Albert Brooks didn't do an awesome French romancer and it was just Azaria doing something scripted, because the story has enough thrust behind it. taking him away from Life in the Fast Lane would still leave an awesome episode, but doing the same to You Only Move Twice would kill it, because he's really the show-stealing focal point and the actual story is extremely flimsy (plus my arguments from my first paragraph about how formulaic, rushed, watered-down, etc.).

I agree that the story at its basic level does not depend on the existence of Scorpio. That being said, I don't think it's fair to say an episode is weaker simply because its biggest quality is extraneous from the skeletal premise. The fact is that Scorpio is there and prevalent at that, and thus it can easily be used an intrinsic part of the episode as soon as it's included.

There is the rest of the story though, which people find somewhat weak. I wouldn't go that far. I found act one and the subplots to be pretty entertaining as well. Obviously they're a bit stunted by the more famous moments of the episode and rightfully so, but seldom did I ever feel the classic era dropped below solid for any extended period of time, and the episode beyond Scorpio is no exception from what I can see. I'm sure what has come in recent years helps any classic episode's cause, but generally the only problems I ever have with episodes are minor and stated simply because I can't give all praise.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

i'm not basing my judgment of the episode on hypotheses, but based on the fact that parts of the episode that do not involve Scorpio are extremely weak. i like the episode, but about as much as i like movie that only serves as a star vehicle for one of my favorite actors, all of the other filmic elements subpar at best.

[Ryan]

and not only that, but the other elements seem to be stunted or shortened seemingly only to lengthen and increase more segments including scorpio. there could have been greater conflict for homer internally, or a steadier build-up on the family's side, but instead there's a gigantic (in fact, greater-than-usual) emphasis on honing down the idea that homer's life personally has improved greatly with a better boss and a job in which he is competent and appreciated for, which is important to the dramatic question, but leaves little room for much else. the unsteady balance has consequently decreased the greater drama possible, and it's all for a series of very funny scenes.

humor or not, I simply can not call this episode terrific just because it's hysterical. the elements, like how they are in "bart sells his soul" need to be in perfect balance for that kind of incredibly high approval to be acquired from me.

[Nauru-1]

and not only that, but the other elements seem to be stunted or shortened seemingly only to lengthen and increase more segments including scorpio. there could have been greater conflict for homer internally, or a steadier build-up on the family's side, but instead there's a gigantic (in fact, greater-than-usual) emphasis on honing down the idea that homer's life personally has improved greatly with a better boss and a job in which he is competent and appreciated for, which is important to the dramatic question, but leaves little room for much else. the unsteady balance has consequently decreased the greater drama possible, and it's all for a series of very funny scenes.

humor or not, I simply can not call this episode terrific just because it's hysterical. the elements, like there all in "bart sells his soul" need to be in perfect balance for that kind of incredibly high approval to be acquired from me.

Certainly nothing wrong with that assessment. There is usually at least one aspect in every episode I enjoy I probably want examined further, and the situations and interactions of the family would most definitely that aspect in You Only Move Twice. The length of the subplots didn't particularly bother me, but I also probably would have enjoyed a more fully realized emotional core. I do find touching episodes that extend well beyond the humour resonate with me more on repeated viewings. At the same time, an episode that is mostly about the comedy (provided it doesn't fail in a number of other elements) and doesn't try to be too much more is also okay in my books.

With the subplots, especially Bart's, I did think they were at least effective if underemphasized. I mentioned that Lisa's story was a little unusual in expressing it as reason for her to be unhappy with the new life, but there also wasn't anything I particularly objected to in it either.

[CousinMerl]

'Marge On The Lam' is a great choice for the next featured episode; i'm looking forward to it.

Updated list:

hammster - Bart Sells His Soul
ahhgoobras - You Only Move Twice
Animal - Marge On The Lam
arii
B*O*R*T
Burnin'
CaclculatedChaos
cinco
Colonel Hap Hapablab
D'ohmer
EthanRunt
Fear of Flying
Green Man
Guy Haines
ironmanGLC
Jims
Joe Miller
Leo Pard
Mr. Trampopoline
Naru-1
NumberZone
qwertyuio
Richard Nixon's Head
Squeaky Voiced Teen
the chilliman
TheForbiddenDonut
the real melvin
The Sovereign
The Wiggs
You Only Move Twice
zartok-35

[Ryan]

I'll be very busy this weekend, so I'm going to have to opt out this time around. have fun with your thelma and louise comparisons.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

oh yeah i recently saw the film this should be fun

[qwertyuio]

Fuck, I totally forgot this thread... and haven't even rewatched this episode yet.

When I joined the Simpsons boards and saw how it had a nearly constant place in the top lists of the users... I admit it, that shocked me a bit. Maybe because I never found the thing that made it so special for the people. Don't get this wrong, I think this episode is very VERY enjoyable and is an outstanding offering from season 8, yet I can't say it's among my favorites.

One of the reasons is the fact that I find it so hard to remember anything about it aside from some unlinked bits I found particularly hilarious, but the whole context remains vague in my memory. Yes, it's been a while since I watched it for the last time, but still I have a feeling this episode was too forgettable for its own good. Hilarious and with no doubt awesome in its satiric way, but not something that stays in my mind for some reason.

And... this is hard to confess so please be patient... OK here it goes: I don't think Hank Scorpio is such an awesome character as it has been unanimously professed. He had his moments and I laughed at him, but in the end he was... too wacky? I don't know if that is even a valid complaint, but the fact is that there is a bunch of episodics in the Oakley & Weinstein era (Hollis Hurlbut, Mona Simpson, Rex Banner or Frank Grimes, for example) who had a lot more interest as characters than the Globex supervillain. I wasn't really touched by his charisma either. For me, he was a good addition to the episode, but not really one of its highlights. Maybe I am missing the brilliant performance of Albert Brooks that helps to make this character the inspiring genius of absurd you all see in him (I watch the show dubbed), but honestly, I'm not really sure about it.

I'm going to watch this episode soon and hopefully will enlighten these points a bit more. Don't misinterpret my complaints because I loved it, but not in the level of a timeless classic as it's been stated.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

yeah it's all the Brooks performance. do your DVDs come with subtitles?

[hughes]

Maybe I am missing the brilliant performance of Albert Brooks that helps to make this character the inspiring genius of absurd you all see in him (I watch the show dubbed), but honestly, I'm not really sure about it.

Brooks' performance is a huge part of the character (a lot of his lines were ad-libbed), so this could definitely be a contributing factor, a lot of his lines have a sort of natural spontaneity in his lines that would be hard for a dubbed actor to catch

[TheForbiddenDonut]

i'd say the same is true about most of the voice-actors on the show, but Brooks especially.

[qwertyuio]

yeah it's all the Brooks performance. do your DVDs come with subtitles?

I don't have The Simpsons DVDs.

I'll try to rewatch it in English though, to see the Brooks' performance and judge it (although I know lots of people who have never heared Hank in Brooks' voice and still love him with the same passion you show in this thread). But the main reason why I'm not sure this is going to change anything is because the dubbed version wasn't too bad. It came in an age where they cared for giving quality in those terms (I can't say the same about season 18 where every secondary has the same damn voice), and the fact is that Hank's voice was a good addition. It gave some personality to the character. But still it wasn't enough to make him really fascinating.

[TheForbiddenDonut]

but the point is is that even if it's a good actor, he's just parroting the lines he's given from the English version, which is for the most part improvised by Brooks and Castellaneta.

[Sycophantic German]

Looking forward to Marge on the Lam.

Same here, since it's one of my favorite episodes. I'll try and contribute for it.

("Bart Sells His Soul" is another favorite of mine, but I kinda missed that boat.)

[TheForbiddenDonut]

ok i guess i'll kick things off.

first of all i haven't watched a Mirkin episode in forever and it's sort of breathtaking how briskly he and the writers tell this story. the scene where Marge and Ruth go up to the glowing Springfield let