Lisa stops Homer from shooting the sharks and pushes his aim away from them but he ends up shooting a passing seagull and it just explodes. Gotta admit I died of laughter there. 
The Simpsons: The Squirt and the Whale
- Thread starter Gil T.Azell
- Start date
I've been watching the current season sporadically, and it does seem that they're really trying to rediscover the "heart" that the Simpsons' earliest seasons had. And a couple of times it has even worked somewhat. But then again they've done some real stinkers too.
But at least the show actually feels like it has signs of life. Hopefully it continues to improve.
But at least the show actually feels like it has signs of life. Hopefully it continues to improve.
I agree. The stories are more character-oriented and the characters more humanized than they've been in years. And Homer's become less of a jerk and an idiot, a better father, a more sympathetic and well-rounded character. It's like the lessons he learned in the movie are actually being followed through on in the series, which is pleasantly unexpected.
Also they're bringing back other elements that have been missing from the series for a while. It seems like there was a stretch of several years where we hardly saw Mr. Burns and Smithers, and where Homer's job at the nuclear plant was only occasionally referenced in passing. But this season we're getting Burns/Smithers stories and plant stories again.
A
Amaris
Guest
Agreed. I thought this episode was solid, and laughed at the seagull scene as well. 
And another instance of Homer telling Bart he was unwanted. Heh.
8/10 best episode I've seen of the show in a while. 
I liked the silly gag with Homer buckling the tool belt under his waistline and then just kind of shuffling around.
I liked the silly gag with Homer buckling the tool belt under his waistline and then just kind of shuffling around.
How many "different-every-week" things have they added to the new titles along with the classic chalkboard, saxophone riff, and couch gag? They have a different person or thing drifting across the title screen, there's a different billboard gag each time just before the chalkboard, and I think Ralph at least occasionally says different things when the statue's head falls onto his. That's all I can think of.
(And really, maybe they should've updated the chalkboard to a dry-erase board, which seems to be the new standard in classrooms. But I guess there are some traditions you don't mess with.)
(And really, maybe they should've updated the chalkboard to a dry-erase board, which seems to be the new standard in classrooms. But I guess there are some traditions you don't mess with.)
Its been a mixed bag for me. We have Lisa spending her time in the barrel with the Olympics' pins (There Is No Dress!) and Bart using Homer's cut-up face on the ID to win back her stuff harkens back to the Japanese symbol we see now in the HD intro. On the other hand, Lisa-so-cool/Bart-Not storylines kind of irk me, I guess because it reminds me of the later seasons of Dexter's Lab and Dee-Dee's IQ upgrade seemingly powered by removing any joy from Dexter's life. And I know its a classic in some respects, but the 'released into the wild ant gets immediately eaten' thing was beyond predictable. Still, they do seem to be reaching back to their best. Let's hope it somehow leads to the pilot light coming back on.
^Better, it wasn't only funny, it was sad. It evoked some real emotions.
On the other hand, I know Springfield's geographical location is indeterminate, but since when has it been on the ocean?
On the other hand, I know Springfield's geographical location is indeterminate, but since when has it been on the ocean?
well the episode where Homer & Lisa go to a new age store, and Homers isolation tank, ends up in the ocean, where Wiggam is playing with his son.
Ok, did I end up on the Mirror TrekBBS, where folks actually liked watching the Simpsons?
*checks*
Hey, where'd this goatee come from?
*checks*
Hey, where'd this goatee come from?
A long time. The earliest reference I can think of off the top of my head was "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer" in 1997, when Homer wrecks an automated lighthouse and a freighter full of hot pants runs aground. But there is probably something earlier than that.
--Justin
Oh yeah, now that I think about it, I can remember a number of episodes that have given Springfield an oceanfront, such as the one about the law to deport illegal immigrants.
I just watched this one on Hulu! It really harks back to the classic Lisa episodes like Lisa'a Pony. I'm just glad this one isn't out on DVD. I have the feeling my girls would watch this one to death much like Lisa's Pony. 
"Look, Daddy, a whale egg!"- Ralph Wiggam.
And the one where Homer joins the Navy. I know he took a bus to get to the submarine port, but they sure made it seem like it was close by.
Similar threads
