NHC Weekly Episode Club v3.0

[Lionel Hutz]

A beefed up version of my R*R review

A season 9 highlight and Oakley and Weinstein's last hurrah. There claim that it is the best written episode of the series does seem like a bit of a stretch though.

Amusing if throwaway Frostillicus b-story gives us quite a few laughs, including the Offensive Ballcap(show me your t- Hey!), Apu's Freak-E-Mart (later Nude-E-Mart) , some good Jasper lines(see below), and Apu's novelty pens (Oh no! Her clothes are coming off!).

For me, the Simpson Gene works as a one-off episode idea like HOMR, amd MagicalManFromHappyLand's explanation of Lisa's intelligence drop actually being a confidence drop seems plausible.

There are many great visual sequences including Bart and Homer watching TV, the pan across Lisa's mirror, Homer dancing to Lisa's off-key sax playing, Troy McClure's genetics film, When buildings collapse, Bart's homework grades and Homer talking to his male relatives.

On rewatch, I noticed that they used a lot of Ralph, including Lisa's future fantasy, instead of Milhouse.

Best Quotes:

Ms. Hoover: Very nice, Janie. Good use of pipe cleaners, Becky. DON'T open it Ralph!
I'll just give you a C-.

Grampa: Oh no, no. No! The George Raft look is dead! I wanted Audie Murphy.
(...)
Grampa: Maybe you're just a lousy cook. Ow!
Marge: I'll go get the Bactine.

Apu: Behold, the Can of Mystery! The label vanished many years ago. What strange wonders lie inside? Treasure? Dog food?

Lisa: Oh Kenny, Look at the interplay between light and shadow. It's so luminous and vibrant.
Kenny: Oh, thanks Lisa. I painted that one. The real one's in my garage.
(I don't think this joke gets noticed very much, but I love it)

Man: Sounds like she's hitting a baby with a cat.
Lisa: You have to listen to the notes she's not playing.
Man: I can do that at home.

Jasper: By gum, it worked. I've awakened in the future. Moon Pie. What a time to be alive.
Apu: Return to your state of living death at once, Sir!
Jasper: Is that you Apu? Whoa! Time has ravaged your once youthful looks.

Lisa: I am! I'm strongly opposed to Proposition 305.
Station Manager: You're against discount bus fares for War Widows?
Lisa: Uh, you bet I am.
Station Manager: OK. Make-up!

Lisa: I'm supposed to talk to you about Proposition 305..
Homer: Mooching War Widows.

Homer: Marge, get me your address book, 4 beers, and my Conversation Hat.

[zach]

well i just finished re-watching LISA THE SIMPSON. i must say, it is a great episode with lots of good laughs, but it's not even close to being one of my favourites of the season. it's actually my least favourite of the season. having said that, season 9 to me is a fantastic season. so even my least favourite episodes of the season are fantastic.

B+

...more to come...

[zach]

my favourite still from the episode:

[cymek]

I don't like the conclusion which screws over Bart. This implies no matter what he's gonna be a failure through no fault of his own. I like to think of his poor grades as being mostly due to his underachiever attitude. I mean I do acknowledge with episodes like "Bart Gets an F" that he just naturally isn't smart, but the stupidity seems cranked up a level here.

I must add that his poor grades are not only due to his attitude, but also due to his short attention span. It was previously established that he is capable of learning if motivated enough (be it rivalry with Lisa, being home-schooled by Marge etc.). Besides, it was shown as early as in season 1 that he is actually good with languages. That's another place where Lisa the Simpson messes with continuity and it's another reason that makes "simpson gene" look so ill-conceived.

[zach]

[Dobbie]

The Simpson gene idea definitely would have been better had previous episodes not make it seem 'pointless'.

Overall, a solid episode. I thought they handled Lisa's situation very well; making the viewers feel sorry for her problem which was believable. A little girl losing all hope happens, especially if influenced by a family member (kids tend to look up at their older relatives as voices of reason). You see Homer and Bart's barbaric lifestyle that slowly eats up Lisa's consciousness, which prompts her to do a 'last few moments' with my brain gig, with a speech that I thought was quite fantastic!

Homer did what a father would do and try her to inspire her again, failing at first but somehow saving the day, proving that only the male members of the family suffer from the 'Simpsons gene', which regaied her hope and confidence about herself. I thought adding the 'Woo-hoo' bit was a nice way to end the episode. She's smart but also has her Simpson characteristiques!

The sub-plot did it's job by killing time and delivering it's purpose. Apu exploiting Jasper and then opening a Nude-E-Mart was hilarious! They didn't over did it and kept the attention towards the plot.

The SImpson relatives, Lisa's imaginary future life, Ralph in general, Grampa in general, the 'inspirational' saleswoman and the security guard at the museum were the top jokes. Overall, a well-crafted episode with a good story that kept you interested in it and made you eager to see an happy conclusion for Lisa with some fantastic jokes and a good sub-plot as well. 4.5/5

[CousinMerl]

A lot of people are saying that characterisations are exaggerated here, but it's a staple of Oakley and Weinstein, they always exaggerated characters to prove a point and nothing here feels out of character for anyone.

I think I have to mostly agree about this; another example is 'Homer's Enemy' where Homer was portrayed with his stupidity cranked up and while some hate that, I think it worked and it's done in such a good manner without destroying the characters, like in this episode. As for the Simpson gene, I can admit it's a bit silly, but it works as a plot device in this episode and makes things kind of interesting and I can't see it as that pointless because of previous episodes.

About the last scene with Bart being told he's practically destined to become a failure, I don't mind it so much (besides, Matt Groening himself once said that "you know that Bart will become like Homer when he gets older" so it kinda makes sense and also, in the future episodes he doesn't seem too successful). Still, I don't think during watching other episodes that "Bart is destined to be a failure so it doesn't matter what he does" since he might very well surprise others and end up successful, like Herb.

[HMS pinafore]

Of course Bart ends up becoming chief justice of the supreme court so I guess he is a sucess.

[CousinMerl]

Now I'm looking forward to zartok's animation rundown of the episode; always a highlight.

Also, how many of you prefer the 'crayon up the brain' thing over the Simpson gene as an explanation to Homer's stupidity?

[cymek]

how many of you prefer the 'crayon up the brain' thing over the Simpson gene as an explanation to Homer's stupidity?

I prefer crayon up Homer's brain because of three reasons: 1) it doesn't mess with continuity; 2) it doesn't affect anybody but Homer - it doesn't drag Herb, Bart, Abe, or anyone else along the way; 3) it doesn't imply that all Simpsons men are inherently flawed.

Besides, watching unusually smart Homer in HOMR is more fun and interesting than observing overly dumb Homer in Lisa the Simpson.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Agreed cymek. Plus as I said the jokes are generally more enjoyable in HOMR. I love the anime and Davey and Goliath stuff. It hits pretty good and reminds me of The Critic in a strange way.

[Financial Panther]

HOMR is my favorite post-classic episode. It's by far superior to this, for the reasons cymek gave.

[MagicalManFromHappyLand]

I prefer crayon up Homer's brain because of three reasons: 1) it doesn't mess with continuity; 2) it doesn't affect anybody but Homer - it doesn't drag Herb, Bart, Abe, or anyone else along the way; 3) it doesn't imply that all Simpsons men are inherently flawed.

Besides, watching unusually smart Homer in HOMR is more fun and interesting than observing overly dumb Homer in Lisa the Simpson.

I fully agree with your post, and I think the crayon in the brain is a funnier premise too.
I like Lisa the Simpson a lot more than HOMR though, HOMR's got really bad pacing problems. It's got a load of unrelated stuff (Animation Convention, Homer buying stocks, medical testing) before we actually get to Homer having the crayon up his nose, whereas in Lisa the Simpson within the first minute it gets to the plot. Also there's a lot more potential for emotion in Lisa dumbening than there is in a smarter Homer.

[Comicshow MolemanBob]

Although the plot device of the crayon is by far better than the Simpson gene I can not see how HOMR is the better episode. I mean yes, it's good, one of the best from season 12, but it is just nowhere near as good as this episode. The plot is well thought out and extreamly believable and is defiantly where HOMR fails. Maybe if they spent longer on Homer and his increased intelligent behaviour and new found bound with Lisa (Instead of that damn "Animotion" stuff) then it would be better...

[CousinMerl]

I actually have to agree that the crayon plot device is funnier (but also sillier), but I don't know if HOMR is a better episode than Lisa The Simpson. This one felt more rich with content, at least to me, was more dramatic and more well-paced (like Comicshow said above) and I have no real problem with the Simpson gene which many of you seem to have a beef with, but I won't deny that HOMR is one of the better S12 outings (I hope we'll see that one down the line in the episode club).

[zartok-35]

Interesting point. I always find myself enjoying both HOMR and Lisa the Simpson, despite the fact that they blatant contradict each other. HOMR has nice funny unfocused satire, typical of Mike Scully, with the great parodies, but I'd say Lisa The Simpson is a bit funnier, with the charging pot scenes being a personal favorite of mine. I never liked the crayon as much either; I'd like to think Homer's stupidity is a bit more deeper than that.

I have a nice tasty animation write-up saved up at home, and I'll be sure to put it up first chance I get. The forum was down last night, so I couldn't post it. Lots of animation by Jim O'brien and Jim Pudrum on this episode.

[CousinMerl]

Nice too have you back, zartok; so what do you think of the Simpson gene plot device?

[zartok-35]

It's more intelligent than the crayon, so I think it's better. If not for Herb Powell being a glaring exception, I think it was a rewarding addition to the show.

[CousinMerl]

If not for Herb Powell being a glaring exception, I think it was a rewarding addition to the show.

I suppose you didn't read my thoughts on the Herb issue on the last page:

About the complaints about Herb and how he's apparently not being affected by the gene, it's not completely true; how he actually trusted Homer completely and let him design a car just like that shows, at least to me, that he's not completely unaffected by the gene as it was a dumb and somewhat thoughtless move. A normal man, no matter if he just met his long lost half-brother, would probably get to know that man better before entrusting him with something big like that, but Herb went ahead, quickly made up his mind and decided it without giving it more thought. Seems to me like something a Simpson man would do; he's still more intelligent than the rest so I guess he's something of an anomaly.

Maybe it's not watertight, but that's about how I would look at it.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I still disagree with your Herb interpretation Merl. But then I guess we'll agree to disagree....

[CousinMerl]

I still disagree with your Herb interpretation Merl. But then I guess we'll agree to disagree....

Indeed; it's one of those theoretic interpretations that might work for some who want to try and find an explanation, but doesn't work for others, especially for those who doesn't like the concept to begin with.

[zartok-35]

Directed by Susie Dietter, assistant director Lando Baeza. Animated by James Purdum, James O’brien, Rob Oliver, Istvan Majoros, Dexter Reed, Ethan Spaulding, Teresa Potter-Heimark, and Grant Lee.

James Purdum is probably the most distinct animator on this episode, with his eye gaps and detailed eyebrow expressions. James animates the scene with Bart and Homer eating the melty chocolate bars just before dinner.


James also draws the scenes where Lisa is discussing with the news manager.



There is also Jim O`brien, who draws Homer with a curvy shaped bologna-loaf head, which turns up in a few different scenes. Jim O`Brien animates the first sequence at the Kwik-E-Mart, where Homer gets a dessert burrito, and Jasper clears out his freezer. He is very good at drawing squinty eyes.


Jim also does the scene with Homer`s conversation hat.



Another style that looks allot like James Purdum shows up a few times as well. The scene where Lisa visits Doctor Hibbert to watch Troy McClure’s science film is, I think, by Rob Oliver. He draws separated eyes, but his scenes aren`t as expressive James Purdum.


There is another artist who draws scenes of Bart and Homer with pretty eyebrows, similar to Paul Wee and Mike Anderson. I can`t say for sure, but I think this is Ethan Spaulding. These include Bart complainng about shoddy 45 cent lunches, and Homer and Bart bitterly eating their soup.



Yeah, this is a pretty nice episode. The last episode from Oakley and Wienstein; you can tell by the focus given to Apu and Jasper. There`s lots to enjoy in this episode.
Atmospheric lighting:

Irony:

And pot-heads.

Yes, this is a good one. It always felt like an odd one out in season 9.
A

[The Thompsons]

Lisa The Simpson

This is arguably the best episode of season 9 and a very good swan-song for Oakley and Weinstein. I find the "Simpson gene" plot device to be a perfect example of the "rubberband reality" that Matt Groening uses to describe the Simpsons universe. It is a discretly ridicuolous premise that is utilized really well (unlike the crayon) to enhance Lisa's self-doubt. So it disregards Herb (who only appeared in two episodes) this isn't Seinfeld where continuity enhances the story. Herb being affected by the gene would add nothing to the story and would only please the "hard-cores". At the begining though I would rather not have Ralph involved at all with solving the puzzle, I know it was used for hyperbole but Nelson would have sufficed. It was a nice touch with having Bart just steal the note pad to look at the answer, a nice semi-callback to Bart the Genius.

The subplot was quite humorous with the Freak-E-Mart and Jasper thinking he was in the future. As others have said it served its purpose as a contrast to the main plot.

Other highlights:

"It says show me your ties!"
The entire Troy McClure film
Lisa's future with Ralph
Homer introducing his relatives

Overall a standout from season 9 and once again a fine example of making a silly premise work to tell a good story and explore what makes a character tick.

8/10

[Dobbie]

I still disagree with your Herb interpretation Merl. But then I guess we'll agree to disagree....

So do I.

Trusting someone doesn't exactly make them dumb, and I believe that they simply forgot about Herb when making this episode.

[zach]

[The Thompsons]

I still don't get the obsession with Herb not being in the episode, he doesn't fit with the rest of Homer's male relatives and again would only add nostalgia to the episode. I think they just said "Homer and the rest of the males of the Simpson clan lack intelligence and seeing those relatives would be funny and be a interesting twist in the story." I don't think they factored in two episodes about a long lost brother into the equation that would actually be a detriment to the story.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I wouldn't say I'm obsessed. I just like that he exists to contradict this, imo, poor plot device. Of course I do love his episodes though...

[The Thompsons]

I didn't say you were, but most seem to focus on what's not there rather than what fits the story. Again Oakley/Weinstein and Ned Goldreyer effectively screw with the Simpsons universe to add some depth to, in this case, Lisa's character by having her lose some confidence in herself and eventually staying true to herself to find a solution to her dilemma.

On paper it is a poor plot device, but it is subtle enough and was executed well as to not be too over the top like the crayon in HOMR.

In the end I think Herb is a throw away contradiction and doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the episode.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Fair enough I suppose. Agree to disagree and all that.

[The Thompsons]

BTW, I also enjoy both Herb episodes and are most defintely not throw away episodes. I think we forget sometimes that the Simpsons has a long history of bending (and somteimes breaking) the rules.