Quote Originally Posted by Oh, that's raspberry! View Post
1.) I noticed Leprechaun thinks this episode has good characterization for Homer and Bart, but from memory I seem to recall thinking it made them too dumb to emphasize the Simpson gene. How do you feel on this subject?
2.) What do you think of the Simpson gene as a plot device? Does Uncle Herb blatantly contradict it?
3.) More of a topic than a question but I happened to catch "Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life" in syndication yesterday and couldn't help but see similarities between the two episodes. Do you agree? Feel free to compare the two although I'd prefer something more than "Lisa the Simpson is good, Life was crap.
Oakley and Weinstein often stretched characterizations just for one episode to prove the episode's point. It's not done with any subtly especially compared with some foils done in early season episodes (particularly seasons 2-4). I still find though that Lisa's struggle is at least realistic for her character and it is done so well. It's the last great Lisa episode and the last A grade episode I give out. Other than the stretched characters the Simpson gene is the only other fault of the episode. It's a pretty simplistic plot device and makes the resolution almost cringe worthy. Stuff with Herb is so little and obviously continuity doesn't really mean anything in the Simpsons world (and it really shouldn't)