(S18E12)
Homer: Why would I go to Utah? I love booze, caffeine and monogamy.
This episode really felt like two episodes in one, with both Lisa's story about her made up Native American heritage and Bart becoming involved with an older girl (played by Natalie Portman). Overall, my first reaction --having only seen the episode once-- is that it felt like the quintessential Simpsons episode with plenty of smart dialogue and enough hidden gags I know I probably won't catch until the second or third round in syndication. Of course, that could just be because I'm really slow.
The one thing that struck me about this episode, and some others before it, is how the writers will "cheat" in order to tackle issues that would usually be impossible because of the fact that none of the characters age. If this were a live-action sitcom, Bart would have received a driver's license at some point, but since he's perpetually a ten year old, they had to come up with another way of getting him behind the wheel. In this case, he's awarded with a license when he inadvertently puts out a town fire using stolen fire extinguishers (which caused the fire to spread out of control in the first place).
There's a kind of poetic correlation between Bart's desire to run away to avoid having to run errands for Homer all the time, and his new girlfriend's belief that marrying a ten year old will solve her problem of being a pregnant teen. They're both convinced they can handle things on their own, but neither really knows the first thing about what it means to be an adult.
Here's a few things I caught in this episode:
- Ralph Wiggum, at the school assembly to celebrate family history, is dressed as a puppy.
- Mr. Burns striking a Jack Benny pose when Smithers catches on fire and exclaims, "but sir, I'm flaming!"
- When Lisa is giving her speech, a Native American is wearing a shirt with the same corncob curtain design as Lisa's.
The best exchange in the episode:
Utah minister: How many brides will you be marrying today, Mr. Simpson?
Bart: Just one.
Utah minister: What are you, gay?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-12-2007 @ 8:11PM
ric said...
I've really liked this episode, even if the end felt kinda flat but in overall full of good Simpsons. I really liked the Opening gag with Bart driving and the music resembling the BBC's Top Gear opening and I hope the next episode's keep it up
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2-12-2007 @ 12:16PM
Bill said...
I thought the episode was pretty flat. Homer's at his best when he's lovably stupid, but his antics in this episode were more just kinda... generic zaniness. And the increasing reliance the show seems to have on montages using popular music sorta bothers me.
It was entertaining enough, but not Simpsons quality, really.
http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com
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2-13-2007 @ 1:29AM
Brian said...
Bart did receive a driver's license already. In Bart on the Road Season 7 Episode 3F17. He printed one for himself at the DMV for Bring your child to work day with Aunt Patty and Aunt Selma.
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2-12-2007 @ 4:07PM
Ben said...
I disagree. I thought this was one of the few episodes of the past maybe five years that didn't seem all that removed from the first few seasons. Usually, the entire first act is some completely unrelated story that doesn't pay off until the first commercial break. I was surprised by how quickly they got into the main story of Bart getting a driver's license after only a few minutes. Also, I felt Homer in this show actually acted like the character he's evolved into. He wasn't being mean, he's a genuine idiot and so of course he would have no problem calling Bart all the time. And I thought it was refreshing that they actually showed some good behavior in a drunken Homer calling for a ride home rather than have him just drive wasted as he's done so many times before. I actually enjoy the musical montages when they are done smartly, like the parody of the opening in this episode. Finally, it was great to finally have a guest star who actually contributed to the show and wasn't playing themselves for a 15 second cameo.
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2-12-2007 @ 2:20PM
KMF said...
Did we watch the same episode? I didn't laugh at all. In fact it seemed like it was going nowhere and seemed to stretch on forever. Yet again I was disappointed by another episode of The Simpson.
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2-12-2007 @ 6:48PM
shawn said...
i thought it was a strong unique episode of the simpsons.
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2-13-2007 @ 4:05PM
Tyler said...
Simpsons are cool/gangster.although i missed it because of the grammies , you can't just judge a show by one episode! you should no that and also if u did watch it and not laugh the humor was probably something you didn't get (don't worry it happens to me all the time ) so ya peace out and rmember the first sentence (Simpsons are cool/gangster.) Peace!
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2-13-2007 @ 8:14AM
Scott said...
Best Scene of the episode, and possibly the last three seasons.
HOMER: I don't want to creep you out Bart, but I am calling you from inside the trunk (thump, thump) some really uncool people put me in here.
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2-12-2007 @ 5:19PM
Matthew said...
Your choice for best exchange was perfect. Hands down, that was the best line in the episode. "What are you, gay?" I'm still chuckling over that.
As a loyal fan since '89, I have to say that this episode was nearly - if not completely - on par with the golden age seasons of 3-7. This was a nice switch from a lot of the crap they'd passed off over the last few years.
I'm a little surprised at the negative reactions from previous commentators. This episode had a solid plot, delivered funny lines and managed to throw in some solid social commentary on top of all that. Solid A, maybe A- at worst.
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2-12-2007 @ 11:43PM
Chris said...
Utah: Home of Powerful Weirdos
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2-13-2007 @ 9:50AM
B said...
Homer: Why would I go to Utah? I love booze, caffeine and monogamy.
Homer, Bigamy is legal in whatever state Springfield is in. They call it Mormon Hold-Em.
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2-13-2007 @ 8:44PM
Ivan said...
For me this has been the best episode of the season. I laughed out many times and when I heard the Top Gear theme I was in trance. I don't get the whole Utah thing though, probably because I'm not that familiar with American local stereotypes (at least not beyond "Florida = old people" and "Alabama = inbreeding"). Maybe someone could explain that.
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2-14-2007 @ 12:02AM
GhaleonQ said...
It have more winning lines than any other episode this season, but the construction was awful.
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3-13-2007 @ 4:07PM
Finn said...
Anyone now what the song is called that is played when bart skates on mountains in Utha?
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