Season 22, Episode 9 - First Impressions

I'm not going to blow the Fit/Fat Tony thing out of proportion. It was stupid, that's it, moving on.

I think this was fair, because I pretty much didn't hate it. I can look over some flaws like that Fat Tony stuff. It kept me fairly entertained and I actually laughed at couple of jokes. Overall though it just felt like they were trying too hard again. They tried to force something funny out of pretty much every line and there was some weird gags thrown in, like the whole Moe "Chimpan-me" bit. Plot was fair enough if you, once again, overlook some things.

Listing every failed gag would have me writing 'til tomorrow, so I'll just say the bits I liked. Homer "getting beaten" gave me a chuckle. It's simple stuff, but it worked. Also seeing Moe prank call was refreshing. When was the last time we saw one of those? I don't remember one in years. Of course it really wasn't a Moe prank call, but the effect was the same. "Only one who ever shot anyone was the baby" and Maggie shooting was a pretty good way to end it.

Season 22, Episode 8 - First Impressions

During the first story there wasn't really any laughs, it was somewhat depressing actually. I remember thinking "Well, this is grim". Santa turning out to be rich in the end was meant to be funny? The only funny joke of the segment was the Polar Express being fueled by cannabis. Once we got to the Lisa's story it got better - Marge in the WWII was great stuff. The Inglorious Bastards reference was good, but it ran a tad too long without really being that inventive. Martha Stewart segment was okay, nothing really special, but it wasn't bad either. I didn't laugh a lot, but neither did I groan. The puppet segment in the end started hilariously but it also got slightly ankward as it went on. It's an uneven episode, but there's some great jokes so overall it's okay. For this season this is decent stuff.

Season 22, Episode 7 - First Impressions

I really didn't care much for the plot, but I just kept smiling for long periods in the episode. There was plenty of okay humor, especially Homer for the most part was funny in this one. That said, there were some jokes that definitely didn't work for me at all, like Chalmers "doing it" with Edna. I just felt bad for Skinner. There was a lot of cliché moments like Bart's early attempt to leave the bird. I kept waiting they'd do something unexpected with that, but it never happened. After all there was zero emotional load in that scene, so you would've expected at least some gag on it. I think they could've just had Bart say "No way I'm getting rid of this bird now" instead of writing useless scene like that. But they just like to waste time a lot nowadays. After the episode turned focus on Santa's Little Helper I really didn't care for it at all anymore. Most of the fourth act was just random. I also think that the bird opening his eyes was the perfect moment to end the episode, instead of actually showing it attack the Simpsons.

I feel that with an okay plot and less filler it could've been a good one. Couch gag had me groaning "oh no, they're making a long one again", but it wasn't too long after all and the concept was interesting.

All in all good humor, useless plot and lot of filler combining to make mediocre episode.

Season 22, Episode 6 - First Impressions

Well, this sucked. I think the idea was fair, but that's not opinion shared by everyman. At least I say that it could've resulted in a decent episode, if executed well. Which it wasn't. It was basically just a shitty gagfest in which almost nothing worked. The best jokes, like the tv executives, shots at the Simpsons Movie and some other joke that I've forgotten now were barely smile-inducing. The plot was a mess and it was really cartoony, in a bad way. I know this is a comedy show, but there used to be a time when I could've taken the events on the screen seriously, instead of just groaning at Mr. Burns bouncing around and then randomly becoming E. T. (though I kind of liked that). Oh yeah, Dick Cheney, that was the third joke I was looking for. But South Park made Cheney way funnier. So all-in-all, bad shit, almost as bad as Elemetary School Musical

Season 22, Episode 5 - First Impressions

I know I shouldn't get excited about the new episodes, but I can't help myself. There really isn't much to wait, but I guess it just tells about how much I love the show that I can't help but to get excited even when I know that it's probably going to be dross. We'll see (I wrote this prior to watching episode)

And the episode was surprisingly good, at least by today's standards. Gagwise it was a mix of good and bad ones, but the plot was fairly solid, a bit aimless at times, but it worked. Lisa was characterized better than usual, but I thought abandoning jazz because of studies was completely unrealistic for her. Bart and Nelson subplot was decent and not overstreched luckily, couple of more of those gags and it would've grown tiresome. Nothing epic or special, but solidly made episode that in a dreamworld would be the minimum-standard for Simpsons episodes. Best of the season so far. It managed to live up to my excitement.

Season Twentytwo, Episode Four - First Impressions

The first segment was mess. Which is a shame, because the concept had some potential. The second segment was the best. There wasn't very good of a plot again, but at least the random radio-joke was good and Homer's cellphone sounds amusing even if seen before. Blatant Marge fanservice here, but that's not a bad thing. Frankly I didn't get the ending because I haven't seen Clockwork Orange yet. I guess I'll pluck that hole very soon. The third segment was just uninspired. I didn't really get why should I laugh at any of the stuff in it. Mediocre overall.

In the context of just watching all the THOH's prior to this it was terrible. But at least first and third segments weren't offensively bad, just among the worst and the second hardly would make it in the average segments.

Happy Halloween

So here it is. Now today's post is very gruesome, so I'd advice to tuck in the small ones. Let's go, here's the order we're going to do these today:
XIX
XX
XVII
XVI
XI
XVIII
XV
XIV
XIII
XII
X
VIII
VI
IV
III
II
I
IX
VII
V

As I've said, that's roughly the order I've ranked the THOH's inverted. I'm probably out of steam by the end of the day, that's why having the best ones last will help me. So let's get it on!

THOH XIX

Opening
I guess I'll have to review these ones as well. There's not much to say about this, it's barely over a minute (good thing I guess). It's semi-funny. The biggest problem is that it's very unhalloweeny. As far as openings go, I'll give this 2/10.

Untitled Robot Parody
Meh. Very uninspired parody of Transformers. There were couple of decent sight gags that gave me something of a smile, but most of this is fairly useless. If they'd been more creative with the whole Transforming concept it could've been better, but as it is, it falls short. The best bit for me was the fussball at the end. 2/10-line continues.

How to Get Ahead in Dead-vertising
Well this was fair enough. Plot was a bit silly but that's not really a big problem in THOH's and there were some decent scene's. The opening was pretty unique, and I loved the Krusty's smiling heads on everything -picture. The Planet of the Apes -reference was decent as well and I didn't even mind Abe Lincoln implied gay. Overall, this one's not bad. 4/10.

It's Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse
This one actually inspired some laughs. It's a pretty straightforward parody of Peanuts and I like it just the way it is. Every reference of it makes me smile. The ending is contrived, but for the sake of funniness, as Tom the Turkey shouting revenge is one of the best moments of this bit. I used to think Marge's random trumpet playing was annoying, but now I don't mind it. Overall this one perhaps didn't fully use it's potential, but the concept was already so sound, that even this execution gets 5/10.

THOH XX

Opening
Well this was decent. A bit longer than in the previous one, but still not too long. Marge as a cat looked weirdly arousing... It wasn't anything special jokewise, but at least there was lot to look at visually. Close one between 3 and 4, I'll give this 3/10.

Dial "M" For Murder or Press '#' to Return to Main Menu
I enjoyed this one, despite the odd line of terrible dialogue there was. It was very pleasing segment for the eye, despite it being all black and white (rather because of it to some extent). It seems that visual staff doing the Simpsons still has some talent, unlike the writers for the most part. I kind of liked Lisa's overconfidence in the opening shot and also Bart's "Criss-Cross" all the time was somewhat amusing. The atmosphere was there as well. Surreal segment, but a good one, 5/10.

Don't Have a Cow, Mankind
This was a bit stale, but decent enough. Direction was solid in this one, plot just kind of bounced a bit, there were two Deus Ex Machinas to save Simpsons in their house for instance. I didn't like the ending at all. Most of jokes missed. Come to think of it, this wasn't that good, the direction and fair concept are it's redeeming factors, but that's it. 2/10.

There's No Business Like Moe Business
This kind of grosses me out - but you gotta give it to it that it's memorable. The vision of Homer being impaled and having his blood squeezed out to drinks will never leave my memories. This one's pretty imaginative and the fact that it's so fucked up is somewhat redeemed as it's set-up as just a very bizarre play, so none of this is really happening - that said, nothing of THOH's really happen in the canon anyway, so, it wasn't really necessary. It's decent and memorable, but nowhere near excellency - 4/10.

THOH XVII

Opening
This won't be so bad - I mean the whole project - if those where rthe two worst episodes there is, this is going to be enjoyable, though I should've known it considering I gave quite high ratings to all of THOH's. As for this opening, it's decent. Again nothing too inspired, but it's slight improvement over the previously reviewed episode so it deserves a 4/10.

Married to the Blob
This was decent, not much going on, and not even that funny, but still fairly entertaining. Dr. Phil's appearance makes this somewhat memorable, that's what stuck out for me when I originally saw this. Again, there were a lot of missed jokes and some gruesome scenes like Homer hitting the cat that is inside his stomach. That's a bit messed up to say the least. It's kind of close, but as this is better than the rest of 2/10's so far, I'll give this 3/10.

You Gotta Know When to Golem
Lesser-known horror films like Golem are perhaps the way the modern Simpsons should be looking to get inspiration for the new THOH's. That said, this one isn't one of the best. It's memorable once again and there's certain creepiness to the Golem, but this one isn't that funny. The plot at least for once has something going on, but Jerkass-Homer rears it's ugly head again. Also sensible murdering of Skinner doesn't exactly improve this segment on my eyes. I guess it's a slight improvement over the first segment, but still 3/10.

The Day the Earth Looked Stupid
We'll they sure looked stupid and for the most part this one's pretty stupid segment as well. I mean they really make the point about Springfieldians being stupid. I heard that the last line was cut out of syndication, you know the Iraq-line, but it was kind of on the mark, wasn't it? That said, it's not like it was hard to predict. Frankly the best thing about the episode was cut out, but my version had it nonetheless. I don't know, there was lot of senseless stuff going on once again, but the animation was nice and I love'd the seepia-tone. Also the early exchanges between Grampa, Carl and Lenny were somewhat amusing. It's barely 3/10, probably the worst of this bunch, but they're all quite close in quality.

THOH XVI

Opening
Decent swipes at the damn World Series that always delay THOH's beyond real Halloween. That said, what do I know, I've never even watched baseball. It didn't need to strech over two minutes though, the point was made a lot sooner. But I don't mind really, 4/10.

B.I.: Bartificial Intelligence
The concept was decent and Lisa's line immediately after Bart fell to what appeared to be his death was just great. It could've been better on the humor department, but I'll take this, it's just a soundly plotted little segment that has somewhat satisfying ending. It's low 4/10.

Survival of the Fattest
Again merely decent, but since there was a couple of bad segments in the earlier episodes, I'm glad that the quality had gotten a notch up even in the worst of them. There was a some semi-funny stuff as usual. The plot was nothing too special, but the concept was decent. There was also the "resorting to cannibalism" joke which is pretty much beating a dead horse, I mean everyone has already done that. Another low end of 4/10.

I've Grown a Costume To Your Face
I liked this last segment. It was a good concept executed decent, there was a lot of small things that went right. Nelson being a racoon, Flanders as a flower and Lisa as Einstein are just a few of those things. Homer trying to drink a beer with his head off his body takes the cake though. It's a solid 5/10.

THOH IX

Opening
Well I like this - just keeping it short and simple, the normal opening with Halloween theme. I absolutely love the way Marge runs Homer over, just changing a bit the order of the original. This one's good, 6/10.

Hell Toupee
This one's a few seasons earlier than those I've just watched and it shows in quality, there's something that I can't quite grasp that they kept making right in the earlier seasons - and this was season ten, firmly into the Scully era. Hell Toupee is a good segment, fair enough concept executed pretty well. It could've been funnier though, but 5/10.
Terror of Tiny Toon
This one's a classic segment if I ever saw one - way the best so far. There's lot of great meta-humor, and the whole concept is intriquing. Even Homer's song is fun - and Poochie makes an appearance. Not to forget Homer's channel surfing while Bart and Lisa are in the TV... This one really seems to have everything. You gotta love the ending. It's 8/10 for this one.

Starship Poopers
Stupid title aside, this one's Scully's wacky fun at it's finest. We see the big revelation that Maggie is actually Kang's bastard child and then we get off to the Jerry Springer show where this segment really escalates. Third watching means that it has lost a bit of it's power, but originally when Marge said "I'm so f*in embarassed" that cracked me up. All around a very solid segment, can't help but to like this one as well. 7/10.

Oops, I misread my list - well that's what I get for using roman numerals. I was supposed to watch XI at this point, not IX. I've actually rated IX up to top three, but frankly that was a gross overrate in hindsight. I thought the leap in quality seemed a bit odd...

THOH XI

Opening
Again, a solid no frills opening. Visually pleasing even though not really funny. It was kind of fitting that I watched episodes a bit out of order, comparing the worst Scully THOH and his best THOH will be interesting. As for this opening, it gets 5/10.

G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad
Well this was silly. The previous episode was early Scully-era and this the last Scully THOH, and it really shows in the full effect. There's lot of your usual wacky stuff going on, like Homer nearly dying, then dying, Nelson bullying ghost-Homer and finally the way Devil punishes Homer. It was a decent concept, but might as well have not been as St. Peter sends Homer the hell anyway. That said, overall this is not as bad as I make it sound. As I said, concept was good, so the execution doens't have to be perfect for it to entertain. And Lenny's compliment was decent. 4/10.

Scary Tales Can Come True
Well this was pretty good - nice subversions of classic tales. It wasn't the funniest segment obviously, but there was a few decent jokes and it kept giving solid entertainment. Homer strutting around as a fish-headed chicken was random as fuck, but funny as well. Just all around very solid segment, 6/10.

Night of the Dolphin
THOH-stories can - and perhaps are supposed to be - unrealistic. But this was just stupid. The whole concept is rotten. I'd say it's executed fairly well even, there's some good direction and it was merely dull before Dolphin's get off the seas - after that it's pretty much a shitfest. Probably the worst segment there is, brings the whole episode down - 1/10.

THOH XVIII

Opening
Not bad, taking swipes at Fox is always okay. They keep it short as well, makes the point quickly. 4/10.

E.T. Go Home
A so-so segment. There's really nothing that funny going on, but it's not terrible. Bart and Kodos escaping with the bicycle is the best moment seeing how disproportionate Kodos is compared to Bart and his bicycle. Beyond that there's nothing special, but I don't see a reason to criticize it any further. 3/10.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I loved this segment. Great destruction, good background music to set a different atmosphere and satisfying conclusion. It's completely unrealistic and outrageous, but in a good way, unlike the Dolphin piece of shit. The double entendres in the end were a great way to top this episode off. This will never be a favorite of the masses, but I like it, 6/10.

Heck House
Pretty basic concept, pretty basic execution. There's nothing special here, but nothing bad either. It keeps you well entertained with solid use of characters, but never does anything inspired with the concept. It's decent stuff, 4/10

THOH XV

Opening
This is a great opening, I absolutely love the music and even the intentionally corny humor works. Just great way to start an episode, even if a bit unhalloweeny (though Kang and Kodos are part of the Halloween now). 7/10

The Ned Zone
I just saw this episode, and I don't only during last month's marathon, I saw it twice last month as it aired on the TV when I happened to be in front of it! Talk about inflation... Well it still works fairly well. The concept is good and the plot unfolds itself well. Jokes are decentish too. Just solid stuff, I can't give it lower than 5/10.

Four Beheadings and a Funeral
Probably the weakest of the segments, but not bad. There were some decents jokes and I enjoyed Marge's accent. Perhaps there was a bit more potential in the setting, but I don't mind. The ending was a bit crazy and also unsatisfying - deus ex machina to stop Wiggum's escape and then it was all just Ralph's dream within a dream. That said, it's still high 4/10.

In the Belly of the Boss
Solid concept executed decently. The animators had fun with Marge on this one and I really enjoyed it. Though I have to say that Homer inside Burns is an image that never ceases to gross me. It has nothing too inspired, but it's all around decent even if a bit predictable, it's 5/10.

THOH XIV

Opening
Again, a solid quick opening that manages to land a couple of jokes - "I'm still cold" from burning Grampa was a great one. 6/10.

Reaper Madness
Just decent, nothing more, nothing less. Concept is fair and they make the most obvious uses of it - I think it would've been cool if Maggie would've been the Grim Reaper. That said, Homer as it is decent stuff too. Nothing too funny here and then there's the silly chasing gag at the end, but overall it's not bad. A high 3/10.

Frinkenstein
This was a bit worse than the first one, but only barely and I'm going to give it the same rating anyway. Flanders dying was a memorable moment and Lisa pushing violently the buttons of a calculator while proclaiming "it all checks out" is just the kind of random humor I enjoy. Overall, still it wasn't that interesting. There was nothing wrong with the plot, I just didn't really enjoy it that much over all. 3/10.

Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off
Clearly the best segment in this THOH. Intriguing concept, a good execution and some funny jokes as well. Bart and Milhouse messing with Homer was probably the best bit. Pretty much flawless stuff here, 7/10.

THOH XIII

Opening
I didn't really care for this one too much. It's not terrible as it's short, but it's not good either. 3/10

Send in the Clones
This is a classic halloween segment, though I guess it's just one in a line of many. It's good stuff from start to finish and the whole concept is great. There's lot of good humor to be extracted from a swarm of Homers, but the best things in this episode are the shot of the horde with Peter Griffin in it as well as Ullman short-era Homer. It's a clear 8/10.

The Fright to Creep and Scare Harms
I don't know, this is memorable segment for me, but to be honest, it's nothing that special - I remember it because I saw this probably couple of times in my youth. I remember vividly Lou's remarks about his enormous genitals, Quimby's speech and finally those ghouls rising from the grave. But like I said it's nothing too inspired or even that funny - I'm not saying it's uninspired or unfunny, but it's kind of a letdown after Send in the Clones. 4/10.

The Island of Dr. Hibbert
I guess they didn't fully use the potential of this concept, but I don't mind, it was visually enjoyable segment with animal versions of all of the characters. The jokes were nothing special and the plot pretty straightforward and predictable, but it's still pretty good. A high 4/10.

THOH XII

Opening
Well the best part of this was the fact that the Simpsons were dressed up as Flintstones. It was okay, and the best of all, short. 5/10.

Hex and the City
Well this was somewhat disturbing, especially Moe in the jar. There was some decent sight gags and I liked Yoda at the wedding, but hearing Bart is dead was kind of a shocker - and Homer's dismissiveness of it - though I guess that's what to expect by now. 3/10.

House of Whacks
A memorable segment, you can expect only a good performance from Pierce Brosnan. Well utilized quest voice, good premise and decent execution. Homer's unexplained return from the dead could've been done better, but there's not time for too much exposure in these short segments, so I don't mind it too much. It's a solid 6/10 for this one.

Wiz Kids
Another memorable segment. An obvious Harry Potter parody, nothing too inspired again, but solid stuff nonetheless. Lots of disturbing stuff in this one though, too, like Bart's "prince" and I didn't really like the ending. Bart just beats Burns by luck, that's cheap. I mean surely they could've come up with more creative way to end it? 4/10, the ending drops it.

There was also a separate ending, but as that hasn't been in most of the episodes, I'm not going to give it a rating, it was nothing special.

After next episode, every episode I watch will be season ten or earlier, so only classics to go!

THOH X

Opening
Pretty good, and at least it's short again. Lisa rises a good point about aliens and halloween. Solid couch gag with references to previous THOH's. I enjoyed the inanimate audience but hearing the laughter after Kang & Kodos's jokes. 5/10.

I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did
Gotta love this segment, Homer is hilarious in this. He fooling Maude to think Flanders just dies and the speech in the church are funny as hell. Overall it's nothing special when it comes to the plot, and the ending is a bit unsatisying, but it's still a very solid segment. Definitely 7/10 worthy.

Desperately Xeeking Xena
In just personal terms, this is one of my favorites, I'd say this late classic halloween segment. Lucy Lawless is another memorable quest voice and the whole concept is solid. There's plenty of amusement in this one. Bart's streching ability would've warranted perhaps even more good sight gags, but I'm happy for what we got. Good stuff, 8/10.

Life's a Glitch, Then You Die
Well this lives up to it's title. It's the weakest segment of these, but even it is somewhat memorable - how could you forget the image of Bart & Homer's heads expanding after they've ejected into the space and into certain deaths? It's not terrible, but there's not a whole lot of funny stuff in this. 3/10.

THOH VIII

Opening
An unique, but simple and short way to start an episode. 5/10.
Homega Man
Well this is a THOH classic, even if I don't personally care too much of it. It could've done with more humor, but it's good. As I said in my original review, I'm still baffled why the infrastructure of Springfields stays intact while nearly everybody dies. The explanation for Simpsons surviving is quite outrageous, but I guess that's approriate for a THOH as well. Overall I can't still go higher than 6/10 for this one.

Fly vs. Fly
Solid plot executed well, I guess there's not much more to hope for. Well a little more humor would've been fine, but that's okay. I merely liked this segment, as it's pretty much even in quality with Homega Man. Therefore a 6/10 for the rating.

Easy-Bake Coven
I loved the animation on this one. Marge is great as a witch. I enjoyed this, but as the other of this episode's segments, it was lower on laughs than what you would expect. The ending wasn't anything special in this one either. Still, it deserves another 6/10.

Mere seven episodes to go. I'm already late though of the time I said I'd be posting this, it's 30th already. I don't mind though, all the closer to Halloween.

THOH VI

Opening
As short as they get, but also effective. Both images of headless rider and all Simpson being hang are great. 6/10.

Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores
I don't really care for this segment, the plot is gimmicky to say the least, but it has it's charm - the great subversion of your usual devil on the shoulder-joke as Bart tells the devil to destroy the goal being a prime example. Not a great opener, but fair enough, 4/10.

Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace
No doubt a great spoof of great horror movie - this is absolutely top stuff and one of the best segments of all-time. I will be saying that a lot towards the end of these though... Anyway, animation is great, Santa's Little Helper speaking is hilarious, most of the jokes hit the target and it's in a sense scary as well - at the very least it's thrilling and suspenseful. It has almost everything, 9/10.

Homer³
Well this is again one of my personal favorites, though I have to admit that it doesn't take repeated views very well. The plot is just an excuse to get that 3D-material, which has it's charm certainly. There's couple of decent jokes as well and I love the ending, even if it is somewhat unconclusive. 6/10.

THOH IV

Opening
We have finally delved far enough into the past to see a tombstone opening again. These classic openings work always, they're short but usually mildly funny. Pretty clever stuff here. However, that's not all that is in this one - There's also the painting thing that works as a framework for the episode. I'll review as a whole for this opening - and it is great. Perfect framework for the episode, Marge gets to say her usual warnings and the paintings are fun to look at. 9/10 or 10 depending whether we see a better open later, I don't remember.

The Devil and Homer Simpson
Another THOH classic, Flanders is great as the devil, the jury is fun stuff (especially Philadelphia Flyers), the ironic punishment with Homer just eating unlimited amount of donuts is also hilarious. Plot is fine as well, a very good segment, 8/10.

Terror at 5½ Feet
Not my favorite segment, but it's decent. Some mildly funny jokes and it has suspense as well. I enjoyed Flanders' decapitated head in the end, but overall I think concept involving gremlins could've been executed a lot better. High 4/10 though.

Bart Simpson's Dracula
I loved Burns' design as a vampire, but even more I loved Homer's comment about his hairdo. It's another classic, but I doubt this will make it top then when I've finished this. There's good jokes in this and I loved the animation with weird angles making characters look odd. There were some missed jokes, but overall it's very good, 7/10.

Fifteen segments left, but it's the fifteen of the best - well maybe not all of them, but most of them anyway. Next three will be the earliest ones, III-I.

THOH III

Opening
A good, solid opening with great A. Hitchcock opener, standard warning speech and some tombstones, though they weren't the the best ones. Also there's the Halloween party frame for the stories which has some good visuals on everyone's costume. I loved Lisa's deranged look just before the first segment started. 8/10

Clown Without Pity
A solid segment. Some funny stuff, like Grampa's evil rant and the discussion in the shop. Plot was decent again, nothing special, but it worked. Really not much to say about this one, as classic-era THOH's go, this one is a middle-of-the road segment, 7/10.

King Homer
Well, classic parody of King Kong. You really can't go much wrong with that concept. Some nice subversions of the source material and nice animation, but for me it's nothing special, just another good segment. I give this one 7/10 too.

Dial 'Z' For Zombies
Nearly 20 years earlier zombie segment than "Don't Have a Cow, Mankind", and this one's a lot better. Plotwise it doesn't beat that segment that much, but in the humor it wins clearly, even if it isn't that funny by it's times standards. Still, there were funny moments to remember. My favorite happens to be Lisa turning into a snail, but Homer killing Flanders and his carelessness when Bart and Lisa tell about the undead are pretty good stuff. Most of the zombie gags aren't that funny, but at least they're approriate. These three segment's were honestly quite close in quality, so this one's another 7/10.

THOH II

Opening
Standard Marge opener with a good frame for the episode with the "three bad nightmares" concept. Very good, 8/10.

The Monkey's Paw
This is one of those defining THOH-segments. It has certain creepiness, good plot, and great jokes. Everything that is needed, in other words. I wonder why Flanders' wishes didn't backfire though. Great meta-humor with everyone being sick of the Simpsons. That said it's not one of my favorite segments, just all-around solid one. 8/10.

The Bart Zone
Whereas the previous segment were just well-executed segment following the basic THOH-conventions, this is one of the best segments ever. Great, concept, utterly hilarious and well-plotted piece, very much a contender for the best segment ever. There's the best Moe-prank call here, it's so over the top you can't help but to love it. But there's so much good stuff here, like "it's great that you did that awful thing" etc. and Bart & Homer's bonding while Homer is a jack-in-the-box. Bart screaming for the happy ending was also a great subversion of usual conventions. Great stuff, 9/10 with the reservation to change it up if I end up thinking it's the best.

If I Only Had a Brain
Some classic horror-references again, but this is clearly the weakest segment in this years edition by far. Most of the Burns-stuff just wasn't that funny. Plot was fine and I enjoyed the ending, but that's pretty much it. A low 5/10 for this one.

THOH I

Opening
Ah, the original THOH. Marge makes his first warnings that would became the staple in the opening for early season THOH's and they frame the segments by having kids telling stories. There's of course the tombstones as well, Disco made me smile. 7/10.

Bad Dream House
Could it be that the first ever segment was the best ever? I don't know, but it seems like it - it is again very foundational bit, genuinely creepy while being absolutely hilarious. And it manages to include plenty of plot into the seven minutes it runs. I absolutely loved this segment, music is great creating a creepy atmosphere, lot of horror-references going around, everybody's deranged faces when they plan to kill each other... just great stuff. Lisa has some good line's in the end. What can you say, it's an alltime classic, 9/10 for now, but if I fail to find better, it's going to be 10/10.

Hungry are the Damned
Kang and Kodos' first appearance is another good segment. I never liked those two too much, but this one is probably the best segment concerning primarily those two. I loved the shot of Lisa where she was greenish against normally colored background. The third alien's voice was also great. Everytime I watch this I can't help but to feel that they were really going to eat the Simpsons, it's so strongly implied, even if the conclusion says the complete opposite. It's still funny stuff and a classic segment, 8/10.

The Raven
Another clear classic, the first THOH was top stuff. Not that funny, but it had great direction, voice acting and animation. You can't really go wrong with The Raven and it is powerful experience at least. I loved it, 9/10.

Only six segments left, can anyone beat Bad Dream House?

THOH VII

Opening
After watching many openings, that was simply hilarious. So simple and quickly over with. I love it. I mean, the first segment starts with only 27 seconds on the clock. No wonder this is one of the best THOH's ever, the fact that they needed every single second for the segments strongly hints at quality. 7/10.

The Thing and I
Simply classic, one of the best segments ever. Creepy, good story, fun stuff and nice twist ending. Animation was great as well. Simply a segment everyone should see, but sadly I know that not everyone has. Would have hoped to see even more Hugo in the later segments, like Maggie being an alien it's part of "Halloween-canon", if there is such. 9/10.

Genesis Tub
Well these are all classics, I can scratch saying that by this point. Love this one too, even if it isn't best. The concept is great, they deliver some brilliant jokes ("I've created life... waffles!") and the little universe Lisa creates is truly intriguing. The only problem is that it never really ends, or I guess Lisa staying there forever is the ending, but that's little unsatisfying even if she is a god there. Could've used a sequel in later seasons, but that never happened. Still, 9/10.

Citizen Kang
I squirmed a bit because I remembered this being worse than it really was when I started watching it. Like I said, I don't care that much for Kang and Kodos. But it was actually quite good. Some funny political satire here ("either way, your planet is doomed"), even though the plot had some holes and wasn't that interesting. Also it's one of those bad endings which are unsatisfying. But still, solid 6/10 for this one.

Okay, last episode. We're already on 31th so I actually am late two days from my original intention, but it's Halloween today so it's only approriate. It's also only approriate that there's Shinning left for this episode, it would've been my favorite pre-watching, but we'll see if I like it as much as Bad Dream House.

THOH V

Opening
Well this is quite the contrary from the previous opening - this one's quite long for an early season opener, but it has some messed up stuff and it sets the mood well. Also it's the last tombstone opener. Nice one, but not the best, I say 8/10. Meaning IV's rating is gonna turn to 10. It's the best opener with some distance after all.

The Shinning
I don't know... I mean it's great, but is it as great as the Bad Dream House? Is it fair that something borrowing from such a strong source material would be best? Well it's not like BDH is all original stuff, and this just have some brilliance in pretty much every scene. I guess I can't help it, it's 10/10. Every classic scene is recreated, music sets suspenseful tone and it's creepy while it's funny. Everything falls on the place so beautifully that you couldn't have executed it much better. I guess it's only approriate this gets the perfect rating. Homer looks fuckin' mad when he looks at those cracks in the doors - lovely that they did that three times with different expressions. Animation is just great. "Feelin' fine." Gotta love it.

Time and Punishment
Great segment as well. The first half of it was just top-notch stuff, if they'd kept it up The Shinning would've gotten a run for it's money. The opening toaster scene was hilarious, and they kept delivering good jokes after that as well, like wieners for quick energy-line and the perfect world with donuts raining which Homer misses because he think there isn't any, "what the hell are you smiling at?" and Homer accidentally killing a whole lot of dinosaurs. It's 9/10 for this one too.

Nightmare Cafeteria
Another great segment, I really hit the spot with my order, the best was left for last (even though there were three THOH's with same rating originally, this one's clearly the best). It's funny again, and had it kept it up it would've been another candidate for the best, but the end is not as good as rest of it. Besides the whole inside out thing is messed up on so many levels, that it almost turns good. My favorite moment was Skinner with his puns about Üter, but there's plenty of good stuff besides that as well. Besides, I love the school as a setting, for both normal episodes and THOH-segments, the more they'd keep it there the better. Another 9/10.

That ends our Halloween marathon - Here's the final list of best segments.

1. The Shinning (V) 10/10
2. Bad Dream House (I) 9/10
3. The Bart Zone (II) 9/10
4. Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace (VI) 9/10
5. Nightmare Cafeteria (V) 9/10
6. Time and Punishment (V) 9/10
7. The Thing and I (VI) 9/10
8. Genesis Tub (VI) 9/10
9. The Raven (I) 9/10
10. Desperately Xeeking Xena (X) 8/10
---
The Devil and Homer Simpson (IV) 8/10
Hungry are the Damned (I) 8/10
Send in the Clones (XIII) 8/10
Monkey's Paw (II) 8/10
Terror of Tiny Toon (IX) 8/10
Bart Simpson's Dracula (IV) 7/10
Dial 'Z' For Zombies (III) 7/10
King Homer (III) 7/10
Starship Poopers (IX) 7/10
I Know What You Diddily-Iddily-Did (X) 7/10
Stop the World, I Want to Goof Off (XIV) 7/10
Clown Without Pity (III) 7/10
Homer³ (VI) 6/10
Homega Man (VIII) 6/10
House of Whacks (XII) 6/10
Scary Tales Can Come True (XI) 6/10
Fly vs. Fly (VIII) 6/10
Citizen Kang (VI) 6/10
Easy-Bake Coven (VIII) 6/10
Mr. and Mrs. Simpson (XVIII) 6/10
The Ned Zone (XV) 5//10
It's Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse (XIX) 5/10
I've Grown a Costume To Your Face (XVI) 5/10
Dial "M" For Murder or Press '#' to Return to Main Menu (XX) 5/10
Hell Toupee (IX) 5/10
In the Belly of the Boss (XV) 5/10
If I Only Had a Brain (II) 5/10
The Island of Dr. Hibbert (XIII) 5/10
Terror at 5½ Feet (IV) 4/10
Four Beheadings and a Funeral (XV) 4/10
Wiz Kids (XII) 4/10
The Fright to Creep and Scare Harms (XIII) 4/10
Heck House (XVIII) 4/10
G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad (XI) 4/10
How to Get Ahead in Dead-vertising (XIX) 4/10
There's No Business Like Moe Business (XX) 4/10
Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores (VI) 4/10
B.I.: Bartificial Intelligence (XVI) 4/10
Survival of the Fattest (XVI) 4/10
Reaper Madness (XIV) 3/10
You Gotta Know When to Golem (XVII) 3/10
Married to the Blob (XVII) 3/10
Frinkenstein (XIV) 3/10
Hex and the City (XII) 3/10
E.T. Go Home (XVIII) 3/10
Life's a Glitch, Then You Die (X) 3/10
The Day the Earth Looked Stupid (XVII) 3/10
Don't Have a Cow, Mankind (XX) 2/10
Untitled Robot Parody (XIX) 2/10
Night of the Dolphin (XI) 1/10

And the list of best openings:
IV 10/10
V 8/10
II 8/10
III 8/10
I 7/10
XV 7/10
VII 7/10
VI 6/10
IX 6/10
XIV 6/10
X 5/10
VIII 5/10
XI 5/10
XII 5/10
XVII 4/10
XVI 4/10
XVIII 4/10
XIII 3/10
XX 3/10
XIX 2/10

That's Simpsons for you. You won't be hearing from me much regarding Simpsons for a while, I'll probably do similar project on Futurama next, but that won't be very soon. Except for new episodes, I'll give my first thoughts pretty soon as usual. I am not sick of Simpsons amazingly enough, I just want to avoid similar inflation that I had with South Park - I watched the best episodes in a short time frame way too many times. I want to enjoy the best of Simpsons years from now, so I'll leave them to rest for a while, at least a few months.

The Simpson Junkie Halloween Special

Yeah, Reviewhouse of Horrors. Wow, I'm starting so as bad as current Simpsons writers. Anyway, I'll do all THOH's on 29th October. I would save it to the last day of the month, but I have other things to do on 30th and 31st.

I'll be watching them in the order of worst to best and instead of reviewing them as whole episodes, I'll review each individual segment on pretty much the same scale.

Season 22, Episode 3 - First Impressions

I completely forgot to post this.

I thought the episode was bland, basicly a remake of My Sister, My Sitter, but worse, much worse. However, it still beats the two episodes before it. Frankly this has been the worst start of a season so far and I'm losing faith that this could be bearable. It might be that episodes like this are in the end the best ones. There were couple of amusing gags so overall it was at least watchable.

Season 22, Episode 2 - First Impressions

I don't know. I am aware that there has been sort of shift in my mentality and I'm looking for flaws semi-subconsciously. It's really like shooting fish in a barrel with these modern episodes as they're full of flaws.

It felt disjointed. Homer's subplot was predictable and somewhat unnecessary. Lisa's plot on the other hand... I don't know what was the point. Also the implications in the end between Lisa and Nelson felt ankward and odd. I wonder, whatever happened to Colin? I guess the movie happened in an alternate reality.

Overall, it's better than the abomination of last week, but not that much. Season's start has been the worst ever.

Top Episode Lists

So, here are the overall results for the tops and worsts. They are just listed by the rating, the order within those that are rated the same will be decided some other day.

Best Episodes Ever
10/10:
Lisa's Substitute (Season Two)

9/10:
Moe Baby Blues (Season Fourteen)
Who Shot Mr. Burns, Part One (Season Six)
The Way We Was (Season Two)
Girls Just Wanna Have Sums (Season Seventeen)
Bart the Lover (Season Three)
Lisa's Wedding (Season Six)

8/10
44 episodes - too many to list

Just with a quick look I guess I overrated "Girls Just wanna Have Sums", but I'll let it be there. I'll revise these ratings many times and we all know that there's no such thing as final list unless I stop watching the episodes.

Worst Episodes Ever
1/10:
The Simpsons Safari (Season Twelve)
Tennis the Menace (Season Twelve)
Scenes from Class Struggle in Springfield (Season Seven)
Old Yeller-Belly (Season Fourteen)
Bart-Mangled Banner (Season Fifteen)
Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass (Season Sixteen)
The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed (Season Twentytwo)
No Loan Again, Naturally (Season Twenty)
Papa Don't Leech (Season Nineteen)
Trash of the Titans (Season Nine)

2/10:
30 episodes - too many to list

Season 22, Episode 1 - First Impressions

Well, that was.. I don't know, after first act I would've said "fuckin' terrible", but it built up to something. Still, fun jokes where non-existant and the plot had some pretty contrived twists. Fake-Nobel for Krusty just to get him to Europe on some petty crimes? Just too far out. I hated all of the songs from Lisa's plot. I don't think they should do songs anymore if they can't do better. Overall I disliked it and I'm now worried about what the quality of the season will be.

That's it! All the episodes and the movie with 8 minutes to spare in a month!

Season Twentyone - Episodes 1-23

Time for one last run.

Episode 1: Homer the Whopper
This had strong Radioactive Man vibes. In fact, pretty much everything there is in this episode has already been done. Seems to be really common problem with these newer episodes. I loved CBG's characterization, he was actually somewhat likeable in this episode. Humor wasn't top notch, but decent enough and there was lot of good details. It was decently made episode but as there's nothing new, I can't go higher than 4/10 for this one.

Episode 2: Bart Gets A Z
For once we see something that hasn't been done before. Well kind of.. Bart getting Skinner's job back is a bit similar story and he has also helped Krabappel through many crisis. Still, it was original enough and it had a plot that kept me interested all the way through. It managed to deliver a few good jokes in the way along with a few bad ones. Characterizations were pretty good, but the ending was a bit of a cop-out. Still, it gets a 5/10.

Alright, new massive 40 episodes a day record. Day changes at this point, but I'm going to keep writing to this post.

Episode 3: The Great Wife Hope
The premise was so good that it automatically captured my interest for the whole duration. Marge fighting was something to look forward and they executed it fairly well giving us somewhat satisfactory ending. There could've been more good humor, but as it is it was decent. It's nothing too special but entertaining nonetheless, I rate this 5/10. Oh and I loved Lisa beating Bart in the end.

Episode 4: Treehouse of Horror XX
These really have gotten worse over the years. There was one worthwhile segment once again, the first one, but even that seemed to be in a hurry and could've done with minute or two more runtime. The second one was okay and the third was at least different, but to be honest I didn't care for it too much. 5/10 for this one.

Episode 5: The Devil Wears Nada
Oh, great. Another marriage on the rocks episode... Wait a minute, this one's actually good! This was actually top notch stuff from start to finish. There was good solid plot, perfect characterizations and some great humor - I especially loved those sex dice. There was plenty of great Marge fanservice and everything felt natural. The part with the Flanders... We knew that nothing was ever going out of it, and I'm glad it is that way. Those scene's weren't useless despite the fact that there never was going to happen anything as it explored both characters inner world a bit. Also I have to mention that animation was gorgeous. Top, top episode, I rate it 8/10.

Episode 6: Pranks and Greens
Overall there's something offputting for me in this episode, but when I look at it completely objetively I'd say it's a decent episode. I absolutely love Lisa calling Bart and Andy losers and then finally calling tv-writers losers. The subplot with Marge in search of healthy food was boring to me. There wasn't funny stuff and other people acted like jerks towards Marge who was as usual doing her best. Overall it's a pretty good episode, I rate it 4/10.

Episode 7: Rednecks and Broomsticks
I don't know what is wrong with this one - It's basicly well written piece and the premise is somewhat interesting, yet the episode is still somewhat dissapointing. Again it's not bad, it's in fact decent and very watchable, but it's low on laughs and never really catches my imagination. There was some contrived and outright weird lines as well. I'll go for 3/10 for this one

Episode 8: O Brother, Where Bart Thou?
Why do all of these episodes feel so bland? I'm beginning to think that there's something wrong with me. I mean I am a little jaded, I've watched over 100 episodes in 4 days, after all. This was genuinely good episode, but even it had some that certain dullness episodes for some reason have. There was good emotional potential, but I just didn't feel it. That said it had plenty of funny gags, South Park bit not being the least of those. Charlie was an okay character and speaking of characterizations, they were good. I guess I can go as high as 6/10. Nothing feels anything at this point, but I still recognize a good episode when I see one.

Episode 9: Thursdays with Abie
It's another one of those "meh" episodes. Plots aren't really that involving, but they're not completely terrible. At least they keep them relatively sane, then again Scully-esque wackiness is much more memorable than these kinds of bland plots. I kind of would've wanted some closure for the stuffed animal-subplot. I mean Larry was ripped to pieces, so Nelson ought to have gone mad? That would've been interesting, but someone decided that we don't need to see that. Mainplot was okay. Fair stuff, but nothing memorable, 3/10.

Episode 10: Once Upon a Time in Springfield
I can't believe that last line of text "Best is yet to come". What were they thinking? It just makes me cringe. Thanks for 20 years would have sufficed, no reason to make promises that are impossible to keep. The episode itself was entertaining, there was lot of things that induced a smile but nothing else. Plot was fairly good as well. It's another 4/10 for me, an episode that tries hard and is entertaining, but fails to really be memorable in any way and that last line just takes at least a point away, it's just baffling how such a big number of what should be intelligent people that is the Simpsons writing & producing staff would let something like that through the cracks.

Episode 11: Million Dollar Maybe
Well Homer finally becomes millionaire after being suckered out of it so many times during the series. Though he don't actually have million dollars at any point but $600k is a rich bitch anyway. I hated the whole tomato-potato song, but the episode itself was mostly okay. Bart's characterization went a bit too far in the end though. B-plot was a waste since nothing really happened. Lisa tried to help, it didn't work and that was it. Who writes anything like that? Lisa should've tried harder but then it might've been a mainplot in it's own episode. That's why I kind of prefer one plot shows to anything else. Overall it was okay once again, but there was flaws that drop it to 4/10.

Episode 12: Boy Meets Curl
An episode about curling is rather dull premise and for that this episode isn't that bad. It was an entertaining watch at any case. Lisa's subplot worked also quite surprisingly, but it wasn't nothing too special either. I was surprised to see Agnes accept Skinner and for that I can't complain, surprising but nice moment. Overall I could've cared more about the plot, but whatever, it worked well enough for me to rate it 3/10.

Episode 13: The Color Yellow
Well, compared to the episodes around it this was pretty good, but it's not anything amazing. Just a solid plot, fair characterizations some decent jokes and fine pacing. Still compared to classic eras basic solid episodes this one was a bit on the duller side. Overall it's good enough to be somewhere around average, I rate it 5/10.

Episode 14: Postcards from the Wedge
Kind of a mixed bag again. It had some good twists and turns, but Bart's characterization bothered me at times. Still, in terms of plot structure this is one of the better episodes so far. It's lot more interesting than episodes this season has been so far. That said there's some contrivity in the plot, like the whole idea of Bart and Milhouse just stumbling to abandoned subway system. For this season standards it was a good quality episode, butI'm going to give only the rating of 4/10.

Episode 15: Stealing First Base
This wasn't that bad. There was a sense of familiarity again since this type of plots had been made many times, but the main plot was okay. The subplot with Lisa on the other hand was not only done many times, it had such a stupid ending. There was plenty of good jokes, especially Nelson's interactions with that blind kid were a goldmine of good stuff. For this season, this was a good episode. Small improvement over the last episode, but still the same rating 5/10.

Episode 16: The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed
Quite a bad episode, even for a travel episode. Very little funny stuff and some really ankward spots. That guide was annoying and unfunny as hell. I always try to not concentrate on negatives, but there is nothing but negatives on that character. I absolutely hated the sequence where Bart fights his daughter. It was useless, unfunny and made me cringe. Plotwise this episode is unspectacular and bores me most of the time. Just too much bad to give this anything other than 1/10. Worst of the season and one of worst ever.

Episode 17: American History X-cellent
This was decent stuff. Premise was decent and the execution solid. Smithers' character development was especially interesting, though it could've done with a bit more depth. The Burns' part of the plot got a bit too much time and it caused some slower moments. Bart-Lisa subplot had some bizarre moments, but it was entertaining and cute in a way. Overall it continues the line of average episodes, 5/10.

Episode 18: Chief of Hearts
This was actually very solid. Funny jokes, well-built plot and mostly correct characterizations. Premise was interesting for a change and they pulled it off well. Bart's subplot didn't have much going on, but it had it's share of good jokes so it did it's part. There was moments towards the end where Wiggum's characterization was a little annoying, but it didn't matter too much. It is improvement from last episode, but I couldn't give it higher score as the episode still pales in comparison with pretty much any other episode I rated 6/10. It feels good with the episode around it, but it's at most just solid. 5/10.

Episode 19: The Squirt and The Whale
This was decent I guess, though the wind-plot was so long that I was kind of expecting that it would get some closure. All the sudden it just shifted to Whale-plot. It was okay, it had some sweet moments. I loved the dream-scene and those pictures at the end were kind of sweet. But once again the climax itself had to include life-threatening situation despite the plot not in general needing any. Besides, the real climax was already in the third act when Bluella died - anything after that felt just padding. There was some great lines and a couple of good jokes and overall it's an okay episode. 5/10.

Episode 20: To Surveil with Love
Let's start with the couch gag. Or lack it... I hated the beginning. I really want to like it, but I can't help it, it's horrible. The animation is great and there's good visual gags, but that is just wrong. As for the episode itself, it was surprisingly good but it's inevitably underrated due to the opening. Both plots were pretty good and something that hasn't already been made and it was peppered with actually funny jokes. Good solid stuff and it finally breaks the barrier to 6/10 rating.

Episode 21: Moe Letter Blues
This was a great episode - the effect is even stronger since we have had such a void of really good episods. There was a good premise that established suspense early that held to the end and the plot was well-constructed (that said, some people commented that Moe wasn't obviously running off with anyone - true enough, but it still was interesting to see how the end would turn even without Moe running out with anyone). Every flashback was tied to each other and characterizations were good. Besides, they managed to deliver good jokes meanwhile. It ended in a sweet montage of pictures of Springfield's mothers. Moe-episodes just seem to work, this was among the best of the season, 7/10.

Episode 22: Bob Next Door
Overall this was decent, plot was well-built for the most part and there was funny jokes again. But I didn't care for the ending. I guess there's always some degree of Deus Ex Machinae in the Sideshow Bob-episodes' endings and I just think that the explanation after the police popped up from nowhere was a bit unsatisfactory. It's a minor hitch, but hitch nonetheless. Overall decent, but nothing special. 4/10.

Episode 23: Judge Me Tender
Quite mediocre. I don't care for American Idol and I don't really care for this episode. Some obviously recycled jokes, that weren't that great to begin with were there also. Premise wasn't interesting and OFF was pushed aside to a boring b-plot. It wasn't all bad, just once again very very mediocre. 2/10

We're done, except for the new episode. There's still 40 minutes left in the month so I'll finish it with 465 episodes and the movie watched. I'll post short first impressions in a while.

Season Twentyone was pretty bad overall. It was consistent enough to be an improvement over Season Twenty and had a couple of great episodes to bring the average up. Still it's among the worst seasons ever. Kind of ironic for the season that had the line "Best is yet to come."

Final lists before the new season:
Averages:
Season Three 6.21
Season Four 6.18
Season Six 6.12
Season Seven 5.88
Season Fifteen 5.82
Season Five 5.73
Season Two 5.59
Season Seventeen 5.59
Season Eight 5.40
Season Thirteen 5.36
Season Nineteen 5.15
Season Sixteen 4.90
Season Nine 4.88
Season One 4.69
Season Fourteen 4.55
Season Eighteen 4.50
Season Twentyone 4.48
Season Twelve 4.29
Season Eleven 4.14
Season Ten 4.00
Season Twenty 3.95

Great episodes:
Season Seven 13 (52 %)
Season Six 12 (48 %)
Season Three 11 (46 %)
Season Four 10 (45 %)
Season Fifteen 9 (41 %)
Season Eight 9 (36 %)
Season Five 8 (36 %)
Season Two 7 (32 %)
Season Thirteen 6 (27 %)
Season Seventeen 6 (27 %)
Season Nine 6 (24 %)
Season Sixteen 5 (24 %)
Season One 3 (23 %)
Season Nineteen 4 (20 %)
Season Eighteen 3 (14 %)
Season Twelve 2 (10 %)
Season Fourteen 2 (9 %)
Season Eleven 2 (9 %)
Season Twentyone 2 (9 %)
Season Twenty 1 (5 %)
Season Ten 1 (4 %)

Season Twenty - Episodes 1-21

Episode 1: Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes
Fairly decent episode. There's good Homer & Flanders dynamic here and interesting premise, but I can't help but to think that they didn't use all of it's potential. Marge's subplot was weird and kind of useless. It provided us at most with couple of tasteless jokes. But due to good main plot, this is a watchable episode. I'm gonna rate it 4/10.

Episode 2: Lost Verizon
Solid episode. It kept me interested for the whole 20 minutes, even if it had a little slow start. It wasn't the greatest episode in joke department, but decent nonetheless and the plot was pretty good, even though I think it's a little ridiculous that Marge and Homer would follow unrealistically fast moving Bart to Macchu Picchu. Though Maggie as some sort of god there was a cool sight. Overall wacky, but entertaining and definitely not bad. 5/10.

Episode 3: Double, Double, Boy in Trouble
Interesting though cliché premise turned intoa somewhat cliché episode. Bart was badly characterized in the beginning, he is a hellraiser but I think that went too far and past the point where I find it more irritating than anything else. The plot picked up a little once the switch was made. It was very predictable though. There was some humor and good moments, but overall it left a little bland impression. I'm split between 3 and four, but let's say that Lisa attacking fake-Bart pushes it over to 4/10.

Episode 4: Treehouse of Horror XIX
This was probably the worst THOH up to date. The first two segments were really bad, among the worst of THOH segments. Dull premises, not much happened and there weren't even that much humor. However, third segment's Peanuts parody was excellent. Only one segment's worth of quality really here, but at least everything was right in that segment. The whole episode gets only 4/10 though.

Episode 5: Dangerous Curves
This was somewhat mediocre flashback-episode. It's the old marriage on the rocks-plot, but with that three timelines gimmick. There's obvious comparisons made to "That 90's Show" which for me is the way superior episode. This was watchable, but as it was the same old plot with low amount of humor it really dragged on at times. It didn't even have much of an emotional impact. It only got me wondering how many near-cheating incidents they're going to add into the Simpsons history. It actually got me a bit bothered about continuity, only because it was so mediocre that I had time to think about it. Still, it was decently made episode and if there wouldn't be any episodes of this same plot, it would be a fair episode. "We've seen this before so many times", 3/10.

Episode 6: Homer and Lisa Exchange Crosswords
These Homer & Lisa bonding episodes just for some reason keep working season after season. There was heartfelt emotion in this one like in pretty much all other and I'd say this is a late classic. When Lisa breaks and becomes indifferent towards Homer she is really well characterized and voice acting is great. This episode could've done with more laughs, but at the very least it's extremely solid episode with good plot, pacing and characterizations. 6/10.

Episode 7: Mypods and Boomsticks
Well there was a bit Jerkass-Homer, but not outrageous extent and the subplot with Lisa failed spectacularly to hit it's potential. Overall it was a bit odd episode, Bashir's reaction to stranger just emerging from the bushes was odd to say the least. Still it had funny stuff in it, namely Bart's putting in a voiceover during Mobs' speech. Also Homer's interactions with imaginary Lenny were smile-inducing. That said it's nothing memorable, and I think that with this premise it should be, so only 4/10 for this one.

Episode 8: The Burns and The Bees
I'm quite indifferent towards this one. I really didn't laugh pretty much at all, I didn't hate anything in it, but I didn't particularly like anything either. It was solidly written and properly paced and I kept watching intently. So it did the job and got me entertained. But overall it was very forgettable episode. I guess it did well for the premise and like I said, I didn't hate it at all. Not even Lisa's bee-beard or Mr. Burns' miserable attempts of having fun. But yeah, let's give this 3/10 and be done with it.

Episode 9: Lisa the Drama Queen
I don't know.. It was quite a solid episode, even if I didn't care for that Juliet character. There was also times when the episode dragged, but overall it was a solid episode of Lisa's friendship with characterization's pretty much as they should've been. That said, I have problems with the way they ended the relationship. I don't think Lisa would have called her dear friend crazy, especially after she had just said something insightful ("The real world is for people who can't imagine anything better"). She was off-character at that moment, no other problems. Overall it drops as low as 3/10. It's an unique episode, I'll give it that.

Episode 10: Take My Life, Please
I was expecting the wrost when the overly long couch gag hit, but in the end this wasn't that bad. High Definition looks good after 400+ episodes of standard stuff. The storyline isn't too special and they used the stupid sauce plot device, but that is only small flaw. There isn't much great in this episode though. It's few good jokes and just about entertaining enough storyline. I rate it 4/10.

Episode 11: How the Test Was Won
A better episode than most of the dross we've seen so far. Neither of the plots promised that much, but both were well executed and therefore had plenty of laughs. I don't know though.. It's kind of weird when it's dumb kids making faces that is one of the episodes better jokes. Still, it was reasonable. Marge kissing Neagle was fucked up, but arousing nonetheless *Homer-drool*. I'll go for as high as 5/10 - it had it's problems, but it's memorable and certainly at least average.

Episode 12: No Loan Again, Naturally
This is an abysmal episode. Homer is at his worst self, somewhere beyond Jerkass and the family just let's him totally screw Flanders over. It wouldn't be that big of a problem, IF IT WEREN'T THE FUCKIN DRIVING FORCE OF THE PLOT! I groaned aloud a couple of times, especially when Crazy Cat Lady measured the window with cat's tongue. What the fuck is this shit? Only redeeming factor was that the moment when Flanders decided to buy the Simpsons house is kind of sweet, but it doesn't save this from getting a 1/10.

Episode 13: Gone Maggie Gone
Well, this is one of those episodes with different concepts that I was hoping for. The plot was... I don't know, out of this world. But I kind of liked it. There was some decent jokes as well, but I don't really like the idea of Maggie being the Chosen One or something. I mean she was already pretty bad-ass, she didn't need this. Story was intriguing and kept you in it's grip till the end. Kind of a hard episode to rate, but I'll go as high as 6/10 for this one.

Episode 14: In the Name of the Grandfather
This was mediocre. It was travelling episode with a bland storyline. I think it could've been interesting, had they executed the bar plot a bit better, but as it is it was just very dull and predictable. It wasn't groan-inducingly bad and there was some decent gags, but overall it just didn't get me fired up. Frankly the hot tub part of it was better than the rest of it. I rate it 2/10.

Episode 15: Wedding for Disaster
So Homer and Marge get married.. Again? I can't help but to think that they're slightly bereft of ideas. That said, the torturing twist made this episode unique and memorable, though it needed somewhat questionable characterization of Patty & Selma. Other than the torture, it was kind of bland again. Season Twenty has been collapse in quality. Mediocrity after mediocrity. The emotion just isn't there when you've seen Marge and Homer in similar endings dozens and dozens of times. Still, this wasn't bad, I rate this 4/10.

Episode 16: Eeny Teeny Maya Moe
One of the top episodes of, say last 50 episodes that has been made. It was sweet heartfelt plot for the character who was made for that kind of plot - Moe. Subplot has also some great emotion with it's fine conclusion. Maya was a great character, but I think she broke up with Moe too lightly. It would've been charming to have her as a recurring character, but then again Moe wouldn't be the same if he would be the sad lonely guy that he is. Humor was a tad lower than average on this one, but it doesn't matter as it's top class stuff. 7/10.

I'm now even with my record with four hours to go. I'm going crush my old record. I should as I've practically been watching Simpsons the whole 20 hours.

Episode 17: The Good, The Sad and The Drugly
Hell, this was actually very good! It's not the most original plot, it's practically "Bart's Friend Gets a Girlfriend" inverted, but it has an unique feel in it and it manages to surprise me at couple of spots. Lisa's plot was pretty much just a filler but it did induce at least couple of smiles. The main plot was down-to-earth and good character-driven action. It was well-made and pretty much flawless, but since it's nothing new it gets only 6/10.

That's the new record, 34 episodes. I'll grind a few episodes more though to leave some room to manuever for tomorrow.

Episode 18: Father Knows Worst
Again the same lesson Marge and Homer has gotten at least twice. It was executed averagely, and the humor wasn't very good. There was very little confict, for example when Homer pressured Lisa to seek popularity, you knew that it would end soon the way it ended. Only funny thing in the episode was Homer telling repeatedly that he wouldn't embarrass Bart at the same time he was doing it. In a good episode even that would've been just an average joke. Overall very mediocre outing which would not be bad, but after 400+ episodes of similar stuff, it just bores. 2/10.

Episode 19: Waverly Hills 9-0-2-1-D'oh
I didn't like this episode. It's hard to explain, it's not that bad once again. There's just something about the feel of the episode that puts me off. There's not a lot of fun jokes, premise isn't very interesting and there's some characterization trouble as well. Episode's best moment was Milhouse in the dumpster. It was just dull once again - not terrible, but just not really interesting. How many times have I said that same thing... There seems to be lot of these episodes. Anyway, 3/10.

Episode 20: Four Great Women and a Manicure
Why settle for three segments, when you can make four? I didn't like the feminist undertones, but I was glad to see something different once in a while. The Snow White segment was so blatant copying that you couldn't help but to smile. I loved how dwarves were going get high after work. The first segment was very forgettable, Macbeth segment had it's moments. Overall, it's nothing special, but it wouldn't be wrong to call this bad. I rate it 4/10.

Episode 21: Coming to Homerica
Again this didn't exactly capture my interest. It wasn't bad once again, but nothing that great either. There was some decent jokes, like Lisa liking milk and hugs but I don't know, I can't explain what was wrong with it for me. It jus was average I guess. Best jokes were smile-inducing, plot was acceptable but not brilliant, characterizations were proper but not inspiring and the ending was pretty bad. Overall, it's watchable, but nothing special. 3/10.

Overall Season Twenty was the worst season so far, being the first season so far to drop under average rating of four - it only got 3,95. While it's worst weren't for the most part as bad as in Scully era, but it had only one great episode, and even that had rating of 7. Scully era had much higher percentage of great episodes. Just solidly grinding mediocre episodes just doesn't do it.

If I remember correctly it just going to get worse in the next season. I'm still kind of surprised that the collapse was so distinct and sudden.

That's 38 episodes and I have still enough time to watch 2 more. I'm going to break the magic limit of 40!

Averages:
Season Three 6.21
Season Four 6.18
Season Six 6.12
Season Seven 5.88
Season Fifteen 5.82
Season Five 5.73
Season Two 5.59
Season Seventeen 5.59
Season Eight 5.40
Season Thirteen 5.36
Season Nineteen 5.15
Season Sixteen 4.90
Season Nine 4.88
Season One 4.69
Season Fourteen 4.55
Season Eighteen 4.50
Season Twelve 4.29
Season Eleven 4.14
Season Ten 4.00
Season Twenty 3.95

Great episodes:
Season Seven 13 (52 %)
Season Six 12 (48 %)
Season Three 11 (46 %)
Season Four 10 (45 %)
Season Fifteen 9 (41 %)
Season Eight 9 (36 %)
Season Five 8 (36 %)
Season Two 7 (32 %)
Season Thirteen 6 (27 %)
Season Seventeen 6 (27 %)
Season Nine 6 (24 %)
Season Sixteen 5 (24 %)
Season One 3 (23 %)
Season Nineteen 4 (20 %)
Season Eighteen 3 (14 %)
Season Twelve 2 (10 %)
Season Fourteen 2 (9 %)
Season Eleven 2 (9 %)
Season Twenty 1 (5 %)
Season Ten 1 (4 %)

Season Nineteen - Episodes 4-20

Episode 4: I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Pretty good, not great, but very watchable. The Dog Day Afternoon references were great and I think that Itchy & Scratchy was one of the best of those ever made. I just couldn't help but to laugh that muscled mess of a Scratchy. Characterizations were pretty good, though I was a bit frustrated why Marge didn't just visit the guy. I mean it seemed the easier way out, but at least her fears were understandable. Decent episode but not quite good enough for 6/10, this gets the 5/10 rating.

Episode 5: Treehouse of Horror XVIII
Pretty good Halloween special. First one was a decent segment, but I absolutely loved the second segment, if for nothing else than the sheer destruction and the double entendres in the end. Third one was decent too. Sure, the second segment divides opinions - it has no real plot, and it's not really halloweeny, but it's well made brainless action. There was decent gags in all of the segments. Still, this ranks among the worst THOH's, but it's still good which is testament to high quality of THOH's on average. 6/10.

Episode 6: Little Orphan Millie
Oh man.. I have love-hate relationship with this episode's Milhouse. The ratio for love-hate was in first viewing 30-70 but now it's more like 80-20 - I mean those lines he delivers... You just gotta love him. That said, what frustrates me is that I was a sad loner back in school (well, still am) and I was never popular. That said, I never said anything that cool. The episode itself was good, not excellent, just good. There was solid amount of humor and two good plots. That said, I had a little trouble with Bart's characterization at times. Also the episode really had potential to be a classic. Now it's merely very good. I rate it 6/10.

Episode 7: Husbands and Knives
Kind of a mixed bag again. There was some great jokes and plot was mostly okay, but it would've been nice if it wouldn't have gotten out of hand and that they would not have to had resorted to using the old "it was all a dream" -trick. Also, what's up with CBG-plot? What happened to him? It was like "Fuck him" after first act. Then there was the ridiculous ending. I actually loved Marge getting rich and Homer being worried about getting dumped, but it was just so weird how it all turned out. It's decent, I'll say that - 4/10 for the rating.

Episode 8: Funeral for a Friend
One of the weakest Sideshow-Bob episodes. The way in which Lisa or Bart deduce Bob's plot is usually somewhat unplausible, but this time it was such to an extent that it bothered me. Besides, for a Bob-episode the plot was quite weak - I though that the episode was going to be about commercials when that TiVo bit went on for so long. It's customary for Simpsons to start on a one plot and end on something completely different, but that was messed up. That said, it had some good jokes and it was watchable, so let's give it a rating of 3/10.

Episode 9: Eternal Moonshine of Simpson Mind
This is one of the lastest classics that has been made. To be honest, plot has pretty much far-fetched stuff, but when the concept is intriguing and jokes great, you'll accept almost anything. They really should do more episodes with these kind of unique concept, these take bad writing so much better than bad concepts. That's not to say that this had bad writing, but had it had it would've probably still been at least decent episode. But yeah, great concept, one good plotline that starts off right at the beginning and we have probably the best episode of the last three seasons in our hands. Joke bombardment was just continuos - my favorites we're Jasper muttering "my first beard" while using that memory machine, Homer's first kiss with Apu, Duffman saying "I'm doing your wife... She's going to be sore tomorrow" and Moe's faces in the video. It's rare to see so many jokes that are actually funny, not just smileworthy. Homer's life flashing before his eyes was done really well and it made one last second emotional impact for the episode. I'm tempted to give this a 9, but I've dished so few of those out that on the face of unplausibility of plot overall I'll drop it to 8/10. Still, amazing episode.

Episode 10: E. Pluribus Wiggum
Mmm, that's good satire! Well not really, but it was at least funny if not that subtle. Plot wandered a bit in the beginning, but when we got to Ralph it was pretty good stuff from there on. That's pretty much it, the I guess I have nothing much to say beyond that. The ending might've been incomplete, but I didn't mind, there really didn't have to be anything more. Seeing Ralph lose the election would've just been dissapointing and him winning would've been ridiculous, so leave it undecided, solid compromise. I rate this 6/10.

Episode 11: That 90's Show
Another great classic, makes me doubt the statements I just a moments ago wrote about the Moonshine-episode. This might've just edged it. This episode had everything: genuine emotion, great jokes (especially visual), amazingly well written plot and unique feel in the whole episode. Marge's design was lovely and her younger characterization was great, as was Homers. Of course continuity got pissed on hard, but they poked some jokes out of it ("90's? Never heard of it") and besides, there's never been that much continuity. I had some conflicting emotions, but overall the feeling "this is a great episode" overwhelmed all others. But yeah, people hate it. I think it's mostly continuity issues, they just can't let go of what is already established - but no matter how much I dissect it, I'd say every time it's at least good. So I'm going to disagree heavily with the mainstream, it's 8/10.

Episode 12: Love, Springfieldian Style
Another episode that people overall hated but I find kind of charming. First segment is probably the weakest, but it's good enough to keep me entertained. Second one is plotwise pretty bad, but I don't give damn because I'm admiring the animation for the whole duration of it. I don't know what is it with the third segment but I like it too. But c'mon, how many times Simpsons will parody that spaghetti-scene from Lady and the Tramp? Wraparound was mostly okay too, but overall it never soars higher than average. Still it's episode that I'd certainly feel like watching again for some reason. I won't go higher than 4/10 for rating, even I can see it's flaws even if I find all of it entertaining.

Episode 13: The Debarted
This was is more widely respected episode. Bart was characterized spot on and that Donny kid seemed like a good character. Plot was good and it had it's share of good jokes. There was a minor plot hole in terms of Willie's reaction to Bart's thank you, but I guess that can be shrugged off with Rule of Funny. That chase scene with the music goes on a tad too long for me, otherwise there wasn't much flaws. Overall it's a fun little episode, I give it 7/10.

Episode 14: Dial 'N' For Nerder
Gee, is Season Nineteen really this good? Another pretty damn good episode. Solid storyline, fun jokes and great characterization - I especially loved Lisa's evil side. The animation on that scene when she turns to dark side is great. The b-plot was decent as well. It contained one of the most messed-up (positively) scenes in whole series, Homer practically having sex with that piece of lamb meat. Hilarious stuff. Nelson was in an unorthodox but nonetheless great role as an investigator and they managed to trick a couple of jokes out of that "Well, enough burning ants." It's just terrific episode, 8/10.

Episode 15: Smoke on the Daughter
There's lot of good in this episode. Premise is not one of those things. I absolutely hate the idea of Lisa succumbing to peer pressure, and even more the idea of Lisa smoking. Combine those to and you have something that made me so dissapointed. Still, I guess that's better than indifference. Besides they did try to justify it with that old dream/hallucination scene that they always use. But even with bad premise it delivered a ton of great jokes. The start with Angelica Button-stuff with CBG getting owned by Lisa, CSI Miami bit (that screech always sets me off laughing), Homer moaning about how easy it is to get cigarettes and Bart rising from the laundry in an Apocalypse Now reference are just a few of the funniest scenes in this. So despite failure of a plot they really extracted maximum out of the setting. I also kind of liked the ballet instructor. 5/10 for this one.

Episode 16: Papa Don't Leech
This episode was ruined right after the first scene. I'm not going to even go into detail about Homer murdering Abe. It's not like it's the only problem of the episode. Homer was total jerk for the whole episode and Marge's characterization is also a bit off. Lurleen sounds like shit and his father, while despicable as intended, is very poorly written. Only redeeming factor for this episode is "Daddy's Special Pair". 1/10.

Episode 17: Apocalypse Cow
This was a nice episode, pretty much literally. It's fairly inoffensive without being bland. It's not very joke-heavy, but it's decent anyway. There's some emotion and a decent plot. Not really that much to say about this one, it's an enjoyable watch. The best joke was probably the manure turning into Pirates of the Caribbean III. 4/10 for rating.

Episode 18: Any Given Sundance
Pretty solid episode. Premise was interesting, though it has already been made by the Simpsons. That said it's not as used as say, marriage on the rocks plots. Besides, it's a rich vein, there's plenty of ideas to be taken. Chalmskin Productions got me laughing and Nelson's film was decent. There was also some great shots of Simpsons family life througout the episode. I especially loved the grim scene that ends with "Happy birthday, mom!". It was entertaining episode, but in the end it was just a recycled plot with decent jokes and somewhat weak conflict. Yet it somehow makes it to the rating 5/10.

Episode 19: Mona Leaves-a
And that's the end of that beautiful saga. Mona wasn't that prominent character ever, but she gave us some emotional moments throughout the series and her death was handled pretty well. They didn't have classless jokes like in her funeral in the previous Mona-episode. It's a simple plot that works well, but doesn't have that much laughs. That said this kind of episode probably wouldn't do with them anyway. The last act gets a bit out of hand. That said the ending montage with Mona-related memories does moisten your eye, and that's pretty cool. A little uneven episode, 5/10.

Episode 20: All About Lisa
This is a weird episode. Even if Lisa as a clown is as off-putting and out-of-character as there is, there's something that attracts me in this episode. Besides Lisa really does look cute as a clown. I guess it just was excellently made episode. Well-paced, enough jokes and engaging plot. Seeing Lisa as entertainer of the year put me off, but at the same time it got me interested how it was possible. B-plot had a boring premise, but they pulled it off. The best moment was Homer shouting "objection" in the auction. I'll have to rate this one 6/10. It's good, but it would've been great if there'd been any real reason for Lisa to overtake Krusty. As far as I know, Lisa isn't a comedian.

That concludes and excellent Season Nineteen, which was a big improvement from Season Eighteen. You have think that the movie's production caused some quality drop for the last season, at least you could claim that. Season Nineteen averaged 5,15 - not quite classic era quality, but still better than Season Nine. There were four great episodes, but that isn't too bad considering it was a shorter season than usual.

That's already 17 episodes today and it's not even noon yet. Record looking very possible (well, the fact is that I have to do record at least on other of the days).

Averages:
Season Three 6.21
Season Four 6.18
Season Six 6.12
Season Seven 5.88
Season Fifteen 5.82
Season Five 5.73
Season Two 5.59
Season Seventeen 5.59
Season Eight 5.40
Season Thirteen 5.36
Season Nineteen 5.15
Season Sixteen 4.90
Season Nine 4.88
Season One 4.69
Season Fourteen 4.55
Season Eighteen 4.50
Season Twelve 4.29
Season Eleven 4.14
Season Ten 4.00

Great episodes:
Season Seven 13 (52 %)
Season Six 12 (48 %)
Season Three 11 (46 %)
Season Four 10 (45 %)
Season Fifteen 9 (41 %)
Season Eight 9 (36 %)
Season Five 8 (36 %)
Season Two 7 (32 %)
Season Thirteen 6 (27 %)
Season Seventeen 6 (27 %)
Season Nine 6 (24 %)
Season Sixteen 5 (24 %)
Season One 3 (23 %)
Season Nineteen 4 (20 %)
Season Eighteen 3 (14 %)
Season Twelve 2 (10 %)
Season Fourteen 2 (9 %)
Season Eleven 2 (9 %)
Season Ten 1 (4 %)

Season Nineteen - Episodes 1-3

Time to put in a few more episodes for today. Today I felt pretty overhelmed by the task I'm facing, but now it all starts to seem very manageable.

Episode 1: He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs
Well there goes my theory that rest of the episode pre-date the events of the movie - at least according to opening sequence which is filled with movie preferences. This felt very very flat, but I guess after movie anything would feel. It wasn't really bad, I can see that - plot was fairly solid and there was good plots, but it had nothing to really make you think it's good. When opening credits is the highlight of the show, episode can't be very good. 3/10 for this one.

Episode 2: Homer of Seville
A bit of a same category as previous episode. Fair plot, decent humor, but really not that interesting. Still, it was a bit better episode. Humor was better and pacing solid and fast, which kept my interest despite the premise didn't really excite me. That said, I think that the stalker was a bit mediocre plot device. The ending's Homer painting at the ceiling was ridiculous. 4/10.

Episode 3: Midnight Towboy
Final episode for tonight, I'll catch some soccer for a change. This was decent episode. There was solid plotline, lots of good Maggie, and some funny stuff. Marge on the internet was brilliant in a realistic way and I loved those Maggie-western scenes. Not to forget "Mr. T Is Lion King", another great joke. Despite pretty good jokes the plot didn't have that much power and it dragged at times so much that I can't go higher than 5/10 for this.

That leaves 62 episodes for the last two days. Kind of close considering I have other things to do as well, but I'll go for it. Tomorrow is record time again.

The Simpsons Movie Review

So, I've finally watched it. It was great, but obviously I was going to love it as a Simpsons Junkie. It was such an overdose that I'm still high. Anyway, I'm going try to use as much objectivity as possible for this review. It would've been a top-notch episode if it would be rated as an episode. That said it had 85 minutes time to have it's impact so it should have stricter rating system.

Let's start dissecting the movie with the writing; those hundred rewrites showed, it was really well-written. It's nothing genious, but they've really put in the work for every detail. Animation was amazing, but with a budget of 75 million dollars that's the least you could expect.

I loved how it was clearly different from any episode. There's more action and OFF is taken a long way from Springfield. It wasn't a Simpsons episode, it was a whole different entity, and for that I'm glad. It still stayed very true for the series, having characters well characterized and giving some meta-jokes for us hardcore fans. There was probably a bunch of those I didn't even notice.

Jokes, yeah, about those... They were decent. There has been funnier episodes than this whole movie was, but it was still decent. Jokes were well written and there was a few worth having a laugh and bunch of smileworthy.

I'm fine with most of the plot. The final solution was perhaps a bit ridiculous, but it's Simpsons, that kind of stuff happens. What's most important is that it didn't feel like a cop-out. It was something established earlier in the movie and it worked. Bart - Flanders relation struck me as bit odd, but it was pulled off well and it didn't bother me, like it could've. Lisa's characterization in her romance was charming, but I hoped some kind closure for that plot - I mean we've never seen Colin since the movie so I was sure they'd break up. Then again, this might be after any of the episodes if it were on some kind of timeline. Alright, time to stop nerding about that.

The mainplot was great stuff and it peaked with a good, emotional moment when Homer watched the video. It was very near the best emotional moments of the series.

Music was okay. It didn't really stand out anywhere, it was just a solid score. It compliments the action well. The Simpsons isn't really even kind of movie where you'd hope music takes any bigger role.

Oh yeah, and voice acting - that was great.

Finally I loved that they gave you something to watch over the credits as well.

Overall, I'd say that it was a good movie. Pretty much flawless, but it could've used more time and explored a little more on the subplots. It also had some disjointedness due to the multiple perspectives, but it still remained easy to watch. Especially since the animation was gorgeous. Before I become repetitive, it gets the four stars out of five. It leaves room for improvement, but doesn't have much to complain about.

That's it, folks. Now time to move onto the Season Nineteen. I feel pumped because of that movie, which is nice.

Season Eighteen Episodes 8-22

Episode 8: The Haw-Hawed Couple
A great episode. It was funny yet it had some genuine emotion too. Funniest moment of the episode was the alternate ending Homer came up for the novel. Also Lisa going Haw-haw in the bus was nice subversion. Nelson & Bart plot was solid, it had some laughs and it kept unpredictable in the end. Nothing too special, but not bad. Characterizations were near-perfection for the whole family and episode had time for every family member without feeling that it was all over the place. Overall it was top-notch stuff and deserves easily 8/10.

Episode 9: Kill Gil (Volumes 1 & 2)
Bit of a dissapointment for a holiday episode, but this wasn't still completely out of laugs. Premise was fair, just not executed very well and Gil, who is a great background character, proved that he don't really have the depth or charisma to be in a central role in any episode. "What the hell is this thing?" from Homer in the bar after killing the grinch was hilarious though. That alone is enough to lift it no near decency, 3/10.

Episode 10: The Wife Aquatic
Quite a miserable episode. Plot was more or less of a mess and it never had the emotional impact it was intended to have. They concentrated on wrong things like the that music motif instead of building solid plot with interesting characters. That said, I'm not saying that the plot was terrible, but it wasn't anything special. Besides, Yum yum fish? I gotta say that I'd feel pretty stupid for coming up with something like that. It doesn't even have camp-value. It's not completely atrouchious, but very forgettable. 2/10.

Episode 11: Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Three Times
I amazingly didn't remember practically anything about this episode. Usually at some point I've gotten "oh this is that episode", but now only parts that got something ringing in my was the ending of first segment. I'm amazed because it wasn't that bad episode of this type. Certainly the segments weren't that forgettable even. The first and third were plotwise pretty straightforward knock-offs of the original stories and the second segment was fairly forgettable. Humorwise first and second were a bit weak, but the third one was excellent, especially on sight gags. You gotta love Poison Lenny. Even if lacking in humor the first segment was pretty equal of the third, for what it lost in humor it got back in good ominous atmosphere and it got me into the mood of revenge as well. Overall.. Hell I don't know, I've got so mixed feelings of these. I can't believe I didn't remember these from the first viewing. 5/10.

Episode 12: Little Big Girl
Meh. Lisa's plot was fairly useless. Everybody knew how it was going to end and the story-telling in it was hardly inspiring. Bart getting married was pretty far-fetched overall, but I don't mind that kind of stuff too much. It was okay, but nothing special. It had great line in the end when Bart complimented that Homer will be a good dad someday too. This wasn't really bad, but it wasn't too good either. Still I'm going to be generous and give it 4/10.

Episode 13: Springfield Up
Different kind of episode and pretty good as such. The whole concept was interesting and it worked out very well. There could've been a bit more emphasis on the other character than the Simpsons as we already knew their history quite well. There was lot of good stuff - young Lenny at the start, Cat Lady's origin and Disco Stu just to mention the most important ones. It dragged a bit at times and ending was badly paced, but it didn't ruin the episode. It definitely goes to the great-category, so 7/10 it is.

Episode 14: Yokel Chords
Again kind of a mixed bag. There was some great animation and stuff in the Dark Stanley-bits and overall I'd say Bart's subplot is lot more interesting than Lisa & hillbillies -plot. There's some decent songs in that but to be honest I didn't care about it that much. It wasn't bad again, it just wasn't that interesting. Good b-plot brings this up to 4/10.

Episode 15: Rome-old and Juli-eh
Same kind of deal as with the last episode - great side plot, but the main plot leaves much room for improvement. Abe & Selma is very far-fetched to begin with and it never elevates really to anything nor it comedic potential gets used. Bart & Lisa subplot with the boxes on the other hand was simple but brilliant. I happen to have rewatched the whole LOTR trilogy just this month (yeah I've watched a lot of stuff this month come to think of it) so the battle scene was even more effective. Still on a whole it doesn't deserve anything higher than 4/10.

Episode 16: Homerazzi
I guess there was nothing wrong with this episode. There's some clever lines, good jokes and a solid plot with an okay characterizations. Nearly everything worked out and flaws were kept to a minimum. Still it lacks that certain something to really be a great episode. I liked how they kept the whole episode focused on just the main plot, I'd wish more episodes (and more series) would do that. Overall it was very good execution of good premise, 6/10.

Episode 17: Marge Gamer
I didn't care for this episode too much. Both plots seemed a little too unplausible as a gamer and as a football fanatic. I just didn't find that many jokes funny and I think Lisa wouldn't have been so stupid to get angry at Homer for just following the rules. Mainplot was okay, nothing special especially since the theme has already been explore. There was some funny lines in the subplot too, but to be honest I just don't find most soccer jokes that funny. That said, this is very watchable episode and I'll give it 4/10.

Episode 18: The Boys of Bummer
Another quite mediocre episode. Mainplot with Bart wasn't that entertaining for me. It isn't badly made, characterizations are pretty much okay, but the whole premise just doesn't exactly attract greatness. Watching Bart fail so spectacularly isn't that funny really. The mattress subplot was okay, I guess. There was some good jokes like that homeless guy squeezing Homer's fat and stuff. I rate this 3/10.

Episode 19: Crook and Ladder
Plot was a bit of a mess. It was very late in the episode when Homer became a fireman, or even that element was introduced. Makes kind of hard to pinpoint what the episode was actually about. That said it worked surprisingly well and there was some funny jokes. Maggie was great going on her rampage at the beginning. Overall, it's not bad, but it's not that great either. 4/10.

Episode 20: Stop or My Dog Will Shoot
Ugh. That was pretty bad. I was bored out of my mind. There was some jokes that were funny in the first viewing but didn't work anymore - for example that paperclip joke was absolutely great but had lost it's power. Though if I remember correctly that joke was recycled later anyway, so it's little wonder. Homer acting like a dog was probably the funniest bit and it wasn't that funny. I didn't really care for the main plot and it was a problem. There was some jokes that would've worked better if there was an interesting plot, that can turn mediocre jokes into acceptable ones. As it is, it's an episode that comes close to being decent, but just can't cut it in the end. 2/10.

Episode 21: 24 Minutes
A great episode, definitely a classic already. Animation is brilliant, direction excellent, there's a thrilling plot and great characterizations, especially Bart's. Besides it's damn funny! I don't think there's anything else really that needs to be said about this. I loved every part of the plot - Homer and Mihouse going around in a dumpster, Bart being a tough guy, yet showing some of his own antics like pranking Jack Bauer and Marge kicking Helen's ass. All of the plots intertwined in the end - it was great stuff. There was something that I didn't like, but I forgot what it was. 8/10.

Episode 22: You Kent Always Say What You Want
Meh. It's not bad again, but it's nothing special. There was some funny moments like the swear word Kent said, Flanders watching videos and the end's Fox stuff, but they just make get this up to average. While ending was funny it was also abrupt. I rate this 4/10. Kind of a dissapointment for 400th episode though.

That was overall a little mediocre season. Lots of bad and only average episodes. I didn't sunk as low as Scully era, but it's low point of Jean era so far. Average was 4,50 with only three episodes that can be considered great. It's fourth worst season so far.

Averages:
Season Three 6.21
Season Four 6.18
Season Six 6.12
Season Seven 5.88
Season Fifteen 5.82
Season Five 5.73
Season Two 5.59
Season Seventeen 5.59
Season Eight 5.40
Season Thirteen 5.36
Season Sixteen 4.90
Season Nine 4.88
Season One 4.69
Season Fourteen 4.55
Season Eighteen 4.50
Season Twelve 4.29
Season Eleven 4.14
Season Ten 4.00

Great episodes:
Season Seven 13 (52 %)
Season Six 12 (48 %)
Season Three 11 (46 %)
Season Four 10 (45 %)
Season Fifteen 9 (41 %)
Season Eight 9 (36 %)
Season Five 8 (36 %)
Season Two 7 (32 %)
Season Thirteen 6 (27 %)
Season Seventeen 6 (27 %)
Season Nine 6 (24 %)
Season Sixteen 5 (24 %)
Season One 3 (23 %)
Season Eighteen 3 (14 %)
Season Twelve 2 (10 %)
Season Fourteen 2 (9 %)
Season Eleven 2 (9 %)
Season Ten 1 (4 %)

That's 14 episodes today so far - 65 episodes + movie to go! 56 hours left in the month. Kind of close..