NHC Weekly Episode Club v3.0

[Malaise Forever]

Hurricane Neddy:
When I started watching The Simpsons, I always felt that Hurricane Neddy was one of those episodes that felt a bit odd, like it wasn’t appropriate for a show like this. I was kinda right about it being an odd episode but at the same time this is the kind of the story that The Simpsons should “tackle”. This is a prime example of what to do with a character like Ned, having him carry human traits. Nowadays, he’s just behaving a little bit like Marge, being angry only when Homer does something outrageous, and it becomes a little bit hard to sympathize with him (so I guess episodes now and then that focuses on Ned still have a little glimpse of hope).
I think this episode for me hit home around 2 years ago when I was watching season 8 on DVD for the first time. I think it’s a darker episode that Homer’s Enemy, because Ned is such a good kinder spirit that having to go through a psychosis like stage that could have changed his character, but no, it’s a part of him. It’s also one of the only episodes that plunges us into the psychology of the characters. It’s also a very funny episode, satirizing the hurricane scares and mental institutions. It doesn’t go too deep (in the satire) but it keeps us entertained with many crazy scenes.
All and all, it’s another strong season 8 episode that shows how fresh the Simpsons could stay around that time and that I still have pleasure watching.

B+/A-

Funny jokes that I never noticed until now:

The sexism in the naming of Hurricane Barbara.. ending with "That’s true but he shouldn’t say it".

-"Some of those books have not been discredited yet!"

I had to look up who was Art Linkletter. Not necessarily a good joke but a nice addition to Reverend Lovejoy's lexic (?).

Now this is one of the episodes I remember that has jokes that I thought never worked or were never funny in the first place. There are few others episodes this season which have that kind of jokes, which is a reason maybe why I wouldn't put it as high as season 7.

The assistant of Ned's psychiatrist who takes credit for the ideas, etc...

Ned wanting to be kicking and screaming while he's taken to his room.

My favourite joke: " He fell for it! Way to go Marge!" tied with "We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas!"

@zartok-35 : I'm surprised Raymond Persi was an animator for the show as early as season 8. He didn't direct an episode until season 17 I believe. Anyway one of my favorite new directors from when he was working.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Coincidentally enough Persi happened to direct my favorite episodes from Season 17. All 3 of them...

[zartok-35]

@zartok-35 : I'm surprised Raymond Persi was an animator for the show as early as season 8. He didn't direct an episode until season 17 I believe. Anyway one of my favorite new directors from when he was working.

Ray had been animating since 'Bart the fink', and his first directorial efforts were in season 16. He got saddled with lots of poorly-written episodes, but he really made them look nice!

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Ray had been animating since 'Bart the fink', and his first directorial efforts were in season 16. He got saddled with lots of poorly-written episodes, but he really made them look nice!

Mobile Homer is not poorly written

[zartok-35]

I don't entirley agree with you, but I guess I shouldn't say anything mean about your season 16 episodes. I think 'Little Big Girl' is much better, though.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I don't entirley agree with you, but I guess I shouldn't say anything mean about your season 16 episodes. I think 'Little Big Girl' is much better, though.

I disagree, but don't censor yourself on my account.

[zartok-35]

I got nothin'

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Alright then time to announce my choice. It is an unconventional pick for Season 14 but I find Homer a hilarious joy to watch throughout and the other cast ain't half bad either. That's right, it's:



Brake My Wife, Please

Discussion begins Saturday!!!

[Dobbie]

My god that's cruel

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Well hopefully our differing opinions will provide for some lively discussion.

[Dobbie]

I just realised that I need to wait until Christmas before I can pick my episode.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I'm not sure that's true for several reasons...

[Dobbie]

Yeah this thread isn't open during the season?

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

That and people have vacated their spots in the past...

[zartok-35]

Brake My Wife, Please

As far as Tim Long written shows go, this one is actually good....Unlike 'Mobile Homer'

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Well I disagree with your Mobile Homer bashing policy, but I support your Brake My Wife, Please supporting policy....

[Financial Panther]

That joke is only funny once.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

You need a thumbs down...

[CousinMerl]

Interesting choice, raspberry; looking forward to this.

[Lionel Hutz]

Alright then time to announce my choice. It is an unconventional pick for Season 14 but I find Homer a hilarious joy to watch throughout and the other cast ain't half bad either. That's right, it's:



Brake My Wife, Please

Discussion begins Saturday!!!

Haven't seen that one in an awful long time. Didn't like it much at the time, but maybe I'll think more of it now. We'll see...

[HMS pinafore]

This is going to be a fun episode to tear apart

[CousinMerl]

This is going to be a fun episode to tear apart

You mean 'tear apart' as in "this is a bad episode" or "this is a good/ok episode"?

[leprechaun_dan]

Such a different choice... And a great one too. I needed to catch up on this episode but from what I remember, I thought it was pretty good and one of the best from Season 14

[HMS pinafore]

You mean 'tear apart' as in "this is a bad episode" or "this is a good/ok episode"?

You'll see

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I can hardly wait!

[zach]

i remember hating this when it aired. re-watching now.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

I love the musical number.

[Dobbie]

Yeah I remember liking it myself!

But I haven't seen this episode in a while, which I find quite bizarre considering they air 1 or 2 episodes a day, and it follows an order, so it's weird that I always seem to miss it.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

The musical number is great. I was planning on watching this tonight and giving a big fancy love-fest review but honestly I'm rather tired and while I could still do it tonight my review wouldn't do the episode justice so I'm gonna try and hold off until later on tomorrow.

With that said though y'all are welcome to give your thoughts because Brake My Wife, Please is now officially up for discussion!!!

[CousinMerl]

Boy, you sure seem to love this episode, raspberry.

I've only seen it once in it's entirety (last year when I got the set) so it will be interesting to give it another watch; will try and see if I can do that today or tomorrow.