NHC Weekly Episode Club v3.0

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

raspberry, how exactly did Homer kill Red?; Red was the champ at the contest so he did like he usually did and ate the whole steak and I'm very sure that he was used to being taunted (maybe, do you mean that Homer taunting him was the reason he was indirectly killed by Homer?).

(Oh, and another thing I like about the episode is how Homer's new cap still has the price tag attached).

Yep, and the episode admits to it when Homer says that line about being his friend and killer, or something like that. Typical Scully Jerkass humor/behavior right there...

[CousinMerl]

Well, yes, but even though Homer sees it as he was the one who killed Red indirectly, it's a bit of a stretch to say that he was responsible for the guy's death (in my opinion, Homer would be a lot more responsible for someones death, if say, the family was in the Himalayas and Homer's loud talking would cause and avalanche that killed their guide by buring him in tons of snow).

[leprechaun_dan]

It's alright. I wouldn't rave but it's not downright terrible as most people assume

7/10 or 3.5/5

B

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Well, yes, but even though Homer sees it as he was the one who killed Red indirectly, it's a bit of a stretch to say that he was responsible for the guy's death (in my opinion, Homer would be a lot more responsible for someones death, if say, the family was in the Himalayas and Homer's loud talking would cause and avalanche that killed their guide by buring him in tons of snow).

I'd be more sympathetic to your opinion if he weren't such an obvious jerkass during this era of the series and certainly this episode.

[Dobbie]

The annoying quote of the episode is when Homer says to the trucker about Red: 'The last time I saw him he was in a bag' (or along those lines) without remorse. Shocking, but expected behavior from the jerkass oaf.

As for the episode, after watching I remember how I didn't mind the main plot. Although there were instances that made me cringe (Homer jumping over the trucks...why?, Homer taking sleeping pills, erm...) and it lacked in the humor department. Not a lot of quality jokes in there for me sadly and it was a bit boring despite the OK plot device.

The sub-plot was awful and it was simply there to kill the time. Marge trying to get someone ring the doorbell was amusing but otherwise it's a complete waste of time.

I'll give it 1.5/5 for effort. Homer's plot was a solid idea but it lacked zest. No noteworthy jokes and a rubbish B-plot and you get Maximum Homerdrive.

[kidpresentable]

a solid episode, but forgettable. The episode has some decent jokes, but the plot overall is just meh. The fact that the plot is lacking is where the episode loses a lot of points.

Bottom line, a few decent jokes and a lacking plot gives you a standard season 10 episode. C-

[CousinMerl]

I'd be more sympathetic to your opinion if he weren't such an obvious jerkass during this era of the series and certainly this episode.

Point taken; he definitely was in his jerkass mode and it's one of my least favorite things about the episode.

[parklife]

how in god's name can any of you watch episodes from season thirteen onward and enjoy them more than this?

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Easily.

[parklife]

this episode sure isn't 'last exit to springfield', but it probably has more jokes than the last three seasons of the show combined

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I prefer many episodes from the past 3 seasons to this. If they had say 60 episodes I feel pretty confident I prefer at least 30.

[parklife]

can someone please name five episodes from the past three seasons that are funnier than this

[Lionel Hutz]

I find it ironic that people think the first act is the best part of the episode, considering that this is where all the "jerkassy" moments are. For the rest of the episode he is as wacky as the plot demands him to be, but is actually quite sedate and sweet at times (he and Bart seem to get along quite well together).

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

can someone please name five episodes from the past three seasons that are funnier than this

Five episodes I enjoyed more? Homer the Father, Homer Scissorhands, Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou?, Holidays of Future Passed, The Book Job. I am certain you and others, maybe all, will disagree, but then that's kinda the point isn't it?

Also, Homer is definitely a jerkass in Act 1, but it still has the best jokes from side characters and he has yet to try and run down a little boy, old woman, or kill himself and his boy...so yeah, it is the best act.

[Lionel Hutz]

Also, Homer is definitely a jerkass in Act 1, but it still has the best jokes from side characters and he has yet to try and run down a little boy, old woman, or kill himself and his boy...so yeah, it is the best act.

I think we have different opinions on what counts as jerkass behaviour and what doesn't. The only reason he tries to run down the woman is because he knows the Autotron will take over.
Homer wasn't trying to kill himself or Bart either (IMO). I classify this as wacky rather than jerkassy. There is no malice or intent to his actions here.

and when you say "run down little boy", do you mean the kid in the car? If so, I think that's a bit of a stretch.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Even Scully points out in the commentary that that was Homer's first test of the autopilot on the old woman, and his obnoxious behavior is what leads to him almost killing himself and his son, and he still has the angry, mean-spirited, "I'll get you" tone towards the little boy, and I neglected to mention his casual suggestion of leaving Marge to live in a diner...though you are right in that there isn't really a clearly defined "jerkass" Homer. I mean it really depends on the episode and even specific moments in the episode and your own interpretations. But I'll again suggest you watch how Homer behaves in "We're on the Road to D'ohwhere" compared to this and see how different even that is...at least to me.

[Lionel Hutz]

Even Scully points out in the commentary that that was Homer's first test of the autopilot on the old woman, and his obnoxious behavior is what leads to him almost killing himself and his son, and he still has the angry, mean-spirited, "I'll get you" tone towards the little boy, and I neglected to mention his casual suggestion of leaving Marge to live in a diner...though you are right in that there isn't really a clearly defined "jerkass" Homer. I mean it really depends on the episode and even specific moments in the episode and your own interpretations. But I'll again suggest you watch how Homer behaves in "We're on the Road to D'ohwhere" compared to this and see how different even that is...at least to me.

Fair enough. I still don't think he was THAT bad in this episode, but I sometimes think people oversimplify Homer's characterization, especially during the Scully era. Just because Homer acts irresponsible or negligent or angry doesn't mean he is being a jerkass EVERY time he does something wacky, or mean spirited, even.. That's all I'm trying to say.

[Dobbie]

this episode sure isn't 'last exit to springfield', but it probably has more jokes than the last three seasons of the show combined

Al Jean might bore everyone but his episodes can have decency and good jokes once in a while, contrary to Scully's over the top wackyness.

[zach]

so you're saying the scully era didn't have good jokes once in a while?

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Fair enough. I still don't think he was THAT bad in this episode, but I sometimes think people oversimplify Homer's characterization, especially during the Scully era. Just because Homer acts irresponsible or negligent or angry doesn't mean he is being a jerkass EVERY time he does something wacky, or mean spirited, even.. That's all I'm trying to say.

Yes, but at the same time it is much easier to not let Homer's antics slide when he is so frequently characterized as a jerkass in the era. Some of these things I'd be more inclined to enjoy if he weren't so obnoxious throughout entire episodes...I mean for example I can recall people claiming Homer goes too far when he forces a lactose intolerant kid to have ice cream in "Ice Cream of Margie," but because the entire episode wasn't him being that obnoxious I overlooked/actually enjoyed the scene.

I can remember arguing last summer over whether the term "jerkass" applied to Homer in "Viva Ned Flanders." I felt it did, but the other user did not so it is certainly a flexible term.

[Malaise Forever]

Damn…I forgot about Lisa The Simpson. I wrote my review on the computer and I forgot to post it because I was too busy… But I’ll just do a quick review that agrees with most of what people said in that it’s a great underrated episode. Clever, funny and with heart. A season 9 gem… A-

Now with Maximum Homerdrive…

Watching this one the day it originally aired I thought this is when The Simpsons became a little odd, threading on the things it used to avoid. First of all, I never really was on the “jerkass Homer” wagon but thinking about it this is one of the first episode I can think of him that way. Mostly in the beginning though because he never sunk as low as in some later episodes. Something about him complaining about a 72 ounces steak or throwing food off the table…anyway…

The other big thing that bothers me is the obvious third-act wacky surreal tangent. It is not so much surreal, but this is a thing that has (unfortunately) become a trademark in South Park, the conspiracy technique. It does have a good 2001 Space Oddyssey reference but it’s a thing that I don’t want to see in The Simpsons.

Now, this episode is more of an adventure trip and it does contain a bunch of good laughs. Some of my favorites:

“…but I owe it to old Red as both his friend and his killer.”
“It ate everybody..stupid!”
“Stop looking at that squirrel!”
And: “Dad think of something! (he buckles his belt) something better!”

A joke that I never noticed before:
“I’m not delivering a train full of napalm to Springfield!”

And the addition of Senor Ding Dong is the kind of good wackiness there should have been more of.

Maximum Homerdrive; C+/B-

[Lionel Hutz]

Yes, but at the same time it is much easier to not let Homer's antics slide when he is so frequently characterized as a jerkass in the era. Some of these things I'd be more inclined to enjoy if he weren't so obnoxious throughout entire episodes...

I just think it's unfair to label a whole era of the show based on a generalization. Not every Jean era episode is boring or bland. Not every O*W episode is a tour de force. I prefer to base it on an episode-to-episode basis.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I just think it's unfair to label a whole era of the show based on a generalization. Not every Jean era episode is boring or bland. Not every O*W episode is a tour de force. I prefer to base it on an episode-to-episode basis.

Oh I agree and I'm not trying to generalize I mean don't get me wrong I enjoy plenty of Scully's Homer outings. I liked "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" pretty much for example. On my recent re-watch of Season 10 I wasn't expecting to be bothered by Homer as often as I was honestly, but he still had several good episodes.

[Dobbie]

so you're saying the scully era didn't have good jokes once in a while?

It depends on someone's sense of humor, but for me - no, not really. Maybe there's an exception somewhere that I forget, but from the top of my head the answer is no.

[zach]

It depends on someone's sense of humor, but for me - no, not really. Maybe there's an exception somewhere that I forget, but from the top of my head the answer is no.

wow...that a...that is puzzling. i mean yeah, we all have different sense of humour, but to not find one joke in 4 years that you liked is mind-boggling.

[Lionel Hutz]

Oh I agree and I'm not trying to generalize I mean don't get me wrong I enjoy plenty of Scully's Homer outings. I liked "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" pretty much for example. On my recent re-watch of Season 10 I wasn't expecting to be bothered by Homer as often as I was honestly, but he still had several good episodes.

Just saw your post edit above. I guess it is open to interpretation. I'm with you on Viva Ned Flanders. Maybe it's just because Ned is such a sensitive character in comparison, but he is a bit of a prick in that one.

[Dobbie]

That's the quality of Mike Scully's showrunning.

Al Jean episodes might be occasionally boring and abysmal (and cringeworthy like the Scully era) but it's still better than the Scully years, simply because he brought back SOME decency into the characters and added a FEW good jokes and stories (for today's standards). Scully is like that man that took an adult show and turned it into a poor man's Family Guy!

EDIT: But like I said, there probably were a few instances that made me laugh, but I tend to forget the Scully episodes as I generally find them annoying.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Just saw your post edit above. I guess it is open to interpretation. I'm with you on Viva Ned Flanders. Maybe it's just because Ned is such a sensitive character in comparison, but he is a bit of a prick in that one.

Killing Lance Murdoch jumps out at me as awful jerkass Homer. And yes, Murdoch lived but you get what I mean.

[Lionel Hutz]

Finally! We got some debate in this thread.

[zach]

'The last time I saw him he was in a bag' (or along those lines) without remorse.

but that sounded like Red, all right.