Rate and Review: “Them, Robot” (PABF10)

[shoz999]

"sigh", I guess you didn't listen carefully. Sorry for not makign it clear, I'm not trying to be offensive, and you'll probably respond the same way as before, but I'm trying to say that half of the fans of both THE PAST AND MODERN have been a downer, I've seen them doing a lot of unneccesary comments that people are just going to hate, again your probably going to use this against me, but anyway, I've seen fans who turned down modern day episode, not even trying it, I've seen them turned away the whole series, even classic, for Family Guy or South Park. I've even seen a few fans detesting against the classic seasons and only saying Season 1 and 2 is the best and everything else is horrible. I don't want to get into an argument, but I think that half of the fans today are losing their taste for the Simpsons, including classic. I've even seen a poll where they don't bother to watch the classics again. I don't know why, but look it up yourself. Again, not trying to be offensive. Your probably thinking that I have no proof of this, that's fine, say that, freedom of speech.

Anyway, as for the review, hear me carefully, read carefully! I was comparing "You only move twice" to "Them, Robots". Think about what I said about seeing more odder but successful plots in The Simpsons compared to "Them, Robots". Think about it, we've seen robots, hi-tech, all the time in The Simpsons. This is the first where they get their own full story, right, where it's about the troubles of unemployment. In "You Only Move Twice", this is the first time you get to see an evil dictator launching a rocket against the government, which I admit was pretty good, in fact I say Hank Scorpio was the best guest star to voice. Than their's the X-Files crossover, a lot of people were worried about this one because it was a crossover. It was mostly an alien plot line, though everyone was relieved to see that the alien was Mr. Burns. If these episodes were modern-day episode and "Them, Robots" was a classic, you would have second thoughts on this. That's why I give it a 4 out of 5, probably still don't understand me but I respect your opinions from my last comment, even the ones who cursed and yelled, but I'm just pointing out that the Simpsons Community can be better than before.

As for the part about them not doing it for the money, I thought most of you already knew. Didn't you hear about Season 23, the pay-cut? Almost everyone of the staff members wanted to cut their own pay just to have the show to live another day? I'm sure you heard this. One person even wanted to cut 70 percent of his pay just to let the show live another day.

Anyway, like I said, this is just my opinion based on polls, sources, and websites. I still believe that their are strong Simpson fans who enjoy a touching moment from a good old fashion plot line. I know my last comment, and probably this one, might offend you, but really, try to disprove me. Prove that their are still some strong Simpson fans. It doesn't have to be someone who has a taste for the Modern Simpsons. It just has to be someone who has a taste that represents the whole series. I still believe that their are lot of you around, still enthusiastic for the next episode around, or just wanting to remember the classics. Also, I know this maybe off, since this forum is about the review, but please, just disprove me, and prove that your still a big Simpson Fan, don't care if you favor classics or modern over each other, I probably don't care if I have this large opinion on it, call me weird if you must, send out obsessive use of cursing if you want. Don't care if your polite, neutral, or offensive, just want to see if their's still that Simpson Feel around this old forum.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

The TMBG's song 'Robot Parade' was the only truly good part of the episode.

[The Angry Animated Comedy Nerd]

Michael Price has always been one of the worst writers of the show and this episode does nothing to change that.

Sorry for the double dip posting... but I concur.

[Comicshow MolemanBob]

Half way through but that Lenny gag with the World's smallest violin really annoyed me, not because it's a bad gag just because...



...and it's done so much better in SpongeBob

[ThankYouComeAgain]

Why isn't this episode getting the score it deserves? Anything less than 4/5 means that you're just a cynical humorless ex-fan who has no business on this forum. Stop rigging the average score, seriously.

U MAD

[ThankYouComeAgain]

Half way through but that Lenny gag with the World's smallest violin really annoyed me, not because it's a bad gag just because...



...and it's done so much better in SpongeBob

OMFG If I was Stephen Hillenburg I'd sue their ass fucking pieces of ripoff shit

[Bartesque]

Half way through but that Lenny gag with the World's smallest violin really annoyed me, not because it's a bad gag just because...

[video=youtube;rAlTOfl9F2w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlTOfl9F2w[/video*]

...and it's done so much better in SpongeBob

First we had The Bob Next Door, and now this!

[cloneasaurus]

One of the most pointless episodes ever. Whilst there were some amusing moments (the small violin [initially], "thank god it's TGIF"), the plot was terrible, with most of the time just focused on Homer doing wacky shit with the robots.

Quite simply, it was a gagfest, season 5-ish plot that could have only worked if it was funny. Predictably, it wasn't, and consequently the whole thing collapsed in on itself. D because it started out ok.

low 2/5

[ThankYouComeAgain]

One of the most pointless episodes ever. Whilst there were some amusing moments (the small violin [initially], "thank god it's TGIF"), the plot was terrible, with most of the time just focused on Homer doing wacky shit with the robots.

Quite simply, it was a gagfest, season 5-ish plot that could have only worked if it was funny. Predictably, it wasn't, and consequently the whole thing collapsed in on itself. D/D+ because it started out ok.

low 2/5

That part wasnt amusing.That part was a Spongebob Ripoff therefore NOT Amusing

[The Governor]

Shozzz999, get it through your head people give bad reviews to episodes they think are poor. There isn't some mass conspiracy out to undermine your enjeoyment of the Simpsons modern episodes. Being "wacky" is irrelevant to your argument since all modern episodes are wacky. Wackiness existed in the classic era, but it wad funny. Wackiness today is usually not funny and is cheap filler to kill time, like Homer yelling at the robot for almost a minute.

However, since you think more realistic episodes are more universally praised, go read the reviews of The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed.

[D DEBBS]

First 1/2 was good-liked the scenes with Burns and Smithers.

Second 1/2...M-E-H.

[Tomacco]

I'm surprised by these poll ratings. I thought it was pretty strong, at least for this season. Enjoyed Brent Spiner a lot.

[Bert Stanton]

This was so, so close to being a good episode.

ONCE MORE evidence that the writers need to spend more time on episodes. I find myself saying this week after week after week.

4/10 (2/5 on the poll)

[shoz999]

That wasn't was I trying to say.. sigh.. I guess I'll just stop for now...

[Gladys the Groovy Mule]

so much for me thinking the show was improving again

[The Governor]

That wasn't was I trying to say.. sigh.. I guess I'll just stop for now...

Then what? We must be hyper critical, joyless people who are blind to the greatness of Modern Simpsons episodes? ESPECIALLY, "Them, Robot"!

[irvine_11]

Did Mike Scully write this or has Mike Scully become the show runner again?

No, if Mike Scully showran this episode, it would have been much better.

[Matty]

I had to rewatch the end, because I was sure I missed something
Why did the angry townspeople rescue them when they are angry at them? How did they know to be there at all? Why didn't the robots defend themselves with the mighty buzzsaws, did they magically dissappear as conveniently as they appeared earlier? Why does Mr Burns even care about saving Homer?

I realised I had not missed an important plot point, I just - for a moment - missed the fact that it's as poorly written as the rest of the Simpsons episodes these days

2/5

[Tubbb!]

Then what? We must be hyper critical, joyless people who are blind to the greatness of Modern Simpsons episodes? ESPECIALLY, "Them, Robot"!

While I don't agree with the "who are blind to the greatness of Modern Simpsons episodes? ESPECIALLY, Them, Robot" part, I fully agree with the rest of your statement.

[The Governor]

While I don't agree with the "who are blind to the greatness of Modern Simpsons episodes? ESPECIALLY, Them, Robot" part, I fully agree with the rest of your statement.

Not surprising, given the fact you gave this plotless episode a "great" grade it shows how easily you're manipulated and disorientated.

BTW, it's a cartoon! <--- (Now I've made my point(s) critic-proof!)

[Homer I Am]

It's a sitcom!

[Homer I Am]

No, if Mike Scully showran this episode, it would have been much better.

Oh yeah, I forgot .

[Zombies Rise from the Sea]

"sigh", I guess you didn't listen carefully. Sorry for not makign it clear, I'm not trying to be offensive, and you'll probably respond the same way as before, but I'm trying to say that half of the fans of both THE PAST AND MODERN have been a downer, I've seen them doing a lot of unneccesary comments that people are just going to hate, again your probably going to use this against me, but anyway, I've seen fans who turned down modern day episode, not even trying it, I've seen them turned away the whole series, even classic, for Family Guy or South Park. I've even seen a few fans detesting against the classic seasons and only saying Season 1 and 2 is the best and everything else is horrible. I don't want to get into an argument, but I think that half of the fans today are losing their taste for the Simpsons, including classic. I've even seen a poll where they don't bother to watch the classics again. I don't know why, but look it up yourself.

There are fans that have different tastes; fans turned off from the series because of a couple of bad episodes, fans who only watch the classic era, fans who watch one or two seasons from the classic era. Those fans may give the impression that the people who don't exactly like modern era episodes are because they're stubborn or born-again Family Guy fans; ever come to think that those fans give a false impression, compared to the fans who do watch the show. You can't take the fans behavior as a universal judgement of how they feel about the modern Simpsons, they could have reasons for doing the things that they do or they could be more impressed by Family Guy and South Park which is supposedly funnier in their eyes; fans (and people in general) are hard to understand, you shouldn't take what they're doing as a universal judgement. Also how am I supposed to look up this stuff? there is more to this then just search terms which Google can use to provide you with a wider variety then what you've claimed.

Anyway, as for the review, hear me carefully, read carefully! I was comparing "You only move twice" to "Them, Robots". Think about what I said about seeing more odder but successful plots in The Simpsons compared to "Them, Robots". Think about it, we've seen robots, hi-tech, all the time in The Simpsons. This is the first where they get their own full story, right, where it's about the troubles of unemployment. In "You Only Move Twice", this is the first time you get to see an evil dictator launching a rocket against the government, which I admit was pretty good, in fact I say Hank Scorpio was the best guest star to voice. Than their's the X-Files crossover, a lot of people were worried about this one because it was a crossover. It was mostly an alien plot line, though everyone was relieved to see that the alien was Mr. Burns. If these episodes were modern-day episode and "Them, Robots" was a classic, you would have second thoughts on this. That's why I give it a 4 out of 5, probably still don't understand me but I respect your opinions from my last comment, even the ones who cursed and yelled, but I'm just pointing out that the Simpsons Community can be better than before.

My memory does not compute what you were saying; I don't remember any robots from any previous episodes, just various forms of technology.

The differences between "You Only Move Twice" and "Them, Robot" is vastly different. For one, "You Only Move Twice" may have had an evil genius and world domination but it never felt weird, it had a consistent plot, it had a consistent running gag and it had a focus on the family; something which was done well and never distracted from the direction of the plot. "Them, Robot" may be less weird in terms of subject matter but it's weird in terms of plot progression, the stuff that happens on screen and the behavior of the family. If you compared how the plot progressed in YOMT to TR then you'll notice an unavoidable difference in quality. You may think that we're criticizing this because it's weird but robot plots like this one has been done in sitcoms since the dawn of time and because of that, it's not weird in the least bit for The Simpsons to be doing this; hell, there wasn't even any worries that the episode would suck because the plot is weird. We're criticizing this because it sucks, it doesn't use it's potential effectively, it has some creative ideas but overall it's a waste of stories that aren't coherent and ultimately Homer who's goofing off with Robots could of been done better.

People worrying about the X-Files were reasonable since it involved Aliens but this was during a time when the episodes were good and there was some fear they'd go overboard with the aliens; compared to now where they do a plot about an alien and people wouldn't worry about that one bit, well except for it sucking... Note the year they complained during; everything was different, alt.tv.simpsons was alive; compared to now where the only active source of discussion seems to be nohomers.

As for the part about them not doing it for the money, I thought most of you already knew. Didn't you hear about Season 23, the pay-cut? Almost everyone of the staff members wanted to cut their own pay just to have the show to live another day? I'm sure you heard this. One person even wanted to cut 70 percent of his pay just to let the show live another day.

I heard; I even made a joke about this which I'm sure you missed because you skimmed through my post. They're doing this because it's their job; and it's just my opinion but the people on the show don't know how to do anything but The Simpsons, and they've been doing it for so long that they're treating it as a job rather then something special. Think about it, if it was truly special then they would be truly screwing the audience, they would be doing stuff that would make Fox uneasy, they would be creating plots and jokes that are memorable, they would be truer to the characters and before someone pulls out the "the show has lost it's impact" argument; let me just say that even though The Simpsons wouldn't be nearly the same as the classic era, it would still be enjoyable, quality entertainment. Granted not comparable to the classic era but entertainable nonetheless; instead of the shit we have right now.

Anyway, like I said, this is just my opinion based on polls, sources, and websites. I still believe that their are strong Simpson fans who enjoy a touching moment from a good old fashion plot line. I know my last comment, and probably this one, might offend you, but really, try to disprove me. Prove that their are still some strong Simpson fans. It doesn't have to be someone who has a taste for the Modern Simpsons. It just has to be someone who has a taste that represents the whole series. I still believe that their are lot of you around, still enthusiastic for the next episode around, or just wanting to remember the classics.

There are a ton of people like that; for one "Oh! That's Raspberry", who's love for the Simpsons both modern and classic cannot be denied. This forum is not all people hating the modern era of The Simpsons and reminiscing about good times.

Also, I know this maybe off, since this forum is about the review, but please, just disprove me, and prove that your still a big Simpson Fan, don't care if you favor classics or modern over each other, I probably don't care if I have this large opinion on it, call me weird if you must, send out obsessive use of cursing if you want. Don't care if your polite, neutral, or offensive, just want to see if their's still that Simpson Feel around this old forum.

We're not trying to disprove you; you're leaving statement and opinions that tempt people to respond. Some people may not feel the same way as me but I feel that there is stuff here that's worth responding too, stuff that's oddly reminiscent of presidential debates.

[Tubbb!]

Not surprising, given the fact you gave this plotless episode a "great" grade it shows how easily you're manipulated and disorientated.

BTW, it's a cartoon! <--- (Now I've made my point(s) critic-proof!)

Why, that witty retort wasn't hyper cynical or joyless in the least bit.

Jake, why do you even watch the show anymore? You obviously derive no joy whatsoever from it.

[The Governor]

Why, that witty retort wasn't hyper cynical or joyless in the least bit.

Jake, why do you even watch the show anymore? You obviously derive no joy whatsoever from it.

It's more of a "joy" to have seen every episode in order since 1987. And it's also a "joy" reading and responding to some guy who has 8 posts and started watching the show last year proclaim the show is as good as ever and how "everyone just doesn't "get it" because (insert marginalized reason here)."

Granted, about half of the new episodes are so terrible, it's like watching one of those "world's greatest train wrecks in slow motion" reality shows.

[Friz]

Some final notes.

• Homer sleeping at his console and causing a power outage. Done a lot better, and funnier, in Homer Goes to College.
• I do enjoy Smithers' expression conducting Burns' orchestra
• "Some casual Friday this is", pretty funny. "Get out of here, druggo" was unnecessary.
• Gil's domino set-up and then getting crushed; done a lot better in Family Guy.
• This is the second "that was a haiku!" joke in two years. We get it, writers. You know what haikus are. Now write some jokes.
• Impressed they're showing someone huffing an aerosol can, a legitimate way to get high dangerously. It's not like kids watching will go around licking frogs or drinking snake poison.
• I like how the robots working for the plant in the future of Lisa's Wedding are just robotic arms and droids. Now we're past 2010, of course the robots are a lot more advanced. Sigh.
• Homer parking so close to Mr Burns in the empty car park does seem like what Season 5/6 Homer would do. Shame it's ruined by the whole "working or hardly working" schtick, and him getting electrocuted. This whole skit takes 40 seconds.
• Smallest violin joke is good, but it's ruined by stretching out the whole "losing the bow" joke. Why can't the writers learn that doing a good joke doesn't have to be ruined by stretching it out and making less funny jokes.
• Oh good, there's a "human interaction" button. Most robots come with this button. I know my toaster does, for sure.
• Why is all of Springfield unemployed? Has everyone been replaced with robots? If so, why aren't we seeing this?
• Hey, the red button that made the robot destruct earlier is the same button that changes the robot's internal clock. That's... interesting.
• Okay, this is where it gets weird. When the robots leave the plant, this is where it turns into Treehouse of Horror territory. And we've seven minutes left, so if the whole "robots have taken over the plant" could be done in less than 30 seconds, this would make a pretty good THOH short.
• I did like "axles to axles, rust to rust".
• "You're not the heartless automatons I'm looking for". Why not say 'droids'? Surely that's a joke? Oh well.
• Burns is over 1,000. Okay then.
• And, of course, the bizarre bit where the whole town knows that they're in danger and saves them because the script says so. Again - WHY is the whole town unemployed? The robots only took over the plant.
• Okay, I do like the robot fishing with Homer, and the way he got on was by painting a yellow line on the water.
• And we close with They Might Be Giants' Robot Parade.

5.8/10.

[The Governor]

Maybe they were implying 99 percent of employable in town work at the plant.

Perhaps Al shouldn't have fired the guy who went back and proofread the scripts to make sure all the plot details made a lick of sense.

[lagozzino]

I can honestly say I had already completely forgotten the plot of this episode until I came here and read a couple summaries. There were a few gags that actually made me laugh and stuck with me so I don't take too much issue with the episode in the humor department (though that "working hard or hardly working" gag was just stretched out for so damn long!), but the actual plot (yknow, that thing that's supposed to be the main focus and hold everything together) just held so little weight that it flew out of my mind.

[Mozy]

3/5, 'nuff said.

[Shaunbadia]

It was silly and enjoyable but felt to cartoon-ish (Homer's head getting sliced and fixed with gum), I don't get how the whole town suddenly became unemployed seeing as how the robots were only working at the plant (I know they have a big staff and less jobs = less money to spend which = decline in other businesses, but it just felt very sudden). Also the Barney gag was horrible and...didn't Gil die already? Is he just gonna be the new Moleman or something?

My point is, this could have been trimmed down and given a darker ending and made into a THOH short (And a crummy one at that).

I'm somewhere between 2.5 and 3 out of 5 for this one.

EDIT, bumping it up to a 3 for Homer's bomb-like D'oh!