Season Nine - Episodes 9-16

Episode 9: Realty Bites
I've said it before that Marge-episodes tend to be on the boring side, but I think this was a fair outing. It could've been better on every area, but it wasn't really bad in any sense. A-plot with Marge is unspectacular while B-plot with Homer's and Snake is spectacular but also a bit silly. Plots literally collide nicely in the end. Jokes are decent and you keep entertained the whole time, but like I said it's nothing amazing. Just solid 4/10 for this one.

Episode 10: All Singing, All Dancing
I hated this the first time around, namely for not including Lisa's Jazzman, now I noticed that also the other Lisa song from the strike episode which title escapes me at the moment should've been included. It's a clipshow and some had said it's the worst of them. There's little own material and by the end your sick of all the songs. That said, I don't completely hate the concept and the little new material there was was pretty good, especially the painting the wagon bit. That's enough to lift it to 3/10.

Episode 11: Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
People didn't like this episode and it's very understandable. It is a very grim episode but it also feels very real. Who hasn't wrecked something as kid and then tried to desperately cover it up? I at least could relate to Bart very well. That said it really could've used more good jokes to lighten up the mood and Simpsons shouldn't have needed to sink so deep with Bart. Less misfortune and more jokes would've equalled a bit better episode, but the ending was still kind of sweet. Dark episode, but still decent, a 4/10 from me.

Episode 12: Bart Carny
There was some amusing gags, but it's not an episode that makes you want to see it over and over again. There wasn't enough good jokes to make up for somewhat contrived plot. I guess it justifies the fact tha police doesn't help the Simpsons, but it still does feel a little silly. The ending was pretty bad too. Overall hard to enjoy, but not all bad either, 2/10.

Episode 13: Joy of the Sect
One of the better episodes of Season Nine. Plot is very interesting and there's plenty of good jokes. Lenny with Special K is so random that you can't help but to find it funny. Otherwise the Burns part was somewhat unnecessary. But the fact that that is the biggest problem of the episode tells that it's actually very strong episode. It's very solid effort overall and I give it 7/10.

Episode 14: Das Bus
There's something I don't quite like this episode. The plot, while interesting, isn't very original and they really could've done a lot more with it. Also I think that in a survival situation like that Lisa would eat meat with others, but I'm not sure about that. The subplot was somewhat ankward as well, but it did have couple of good jokes. The ending only works if you find it funny and frankly I didn't. It just seemed what it is - lazy writing. It is intentional, but that doesn't change what it is. That said, this isn't terrible episode and while it subverts very little from the original source material it's an entertaining watch. On a lighter note as a Finn I have no idea about that "finnish" dance Martin does at the UN thingy. The costume also look weird. Entertaining but mightily flawed and not using it's potential, 4/10.

Episode 15: The Last Temptation of Krusty
This is a solid episode, enough funny stuff, the Canyonero bit in the end, decent quest appearances and well-working plot. It's one of those episodes that you're really hard pressed to write any more because that's it. It's not bad, but it's not brilliant either. If I gotta mention something else that would be Bart's Marge-impression. Marge-impressions overall seem to always work for me throughout the series. 5/10, worth another rewatch.

Episode 16: Dumbbell Indemnity
It's another decent but not really great episode. There was enough laughs and interesting plot and as Moe is one of my favorite characters it was nice to see him on a closer look. Renee was good one-off character and it was solid quest appearance, even if we didn't get that deep look into her character. It's a middle of the road episode, 5/10.

That concludes this day. Fifteen episodes today, nowhere near record nor even fast enough to make it this month, but fair amount anyway. I have still enough time to make up for the deficit.