Episode 18: Burns' Heir
There's plenty of hilarity in this one, but the plot doesn't carry through the episode - it slows down a bit towards the end. I think Bart was slightly out-of-character as well. Still, it's a fun outing with an interesting premise. Especially the Moleman bit was laugh-inducing. Homer eating flowers was also.. interesting. No emotional impact really, but at least Burns got to taste his own medicine in the end so it was satisfactory ending. Though I don't really get how Burns can cancel the contract afterwards, I mean it didn't have anything on that demanded Bart to live with him, not to mention as his son? It's just good enough to make it to 5/10 rating.
Episode 19: Sweet Seymour Skinner's Badass Song
This is the 100th episode that aired, and we got a decent episode for the milestone. After a bunch of average episodes it feels even better. It has plenty of good jokes and a good plot. Bart as a Skinner's friend is surprising, but it feels acceptable. The best moment of the episode probably were Apu's ramble about Jurassic Park. Well made bit. There was something else I meant to mention, but whatever, it's a fun episode, 6/10.
Episode 20: The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Another pretty good outing. There was plenty of good jokes, solid albeit a little basic plot, but still with a surprise in the end. I was satisfied, but once again it lacks something extra to be really a great episode. The highlight of the episode was when Skinner was chasing Bart and just walked into the water - that got me laughing. Well, actually I laughed twice (and I rarely laugh, mostly just smile) - the second time was when Homer said that "I know you can read my thoughts" and the we were treated to meows. That was so random shit that I couldn't help but to laugh. Kind of hard to rate this one, but I'll go with 7/10. One of the better episodes of the season.
Episode 21: Lady Bouvier's Lover
This was a lot better episode than I remembered it. But I have to admit I really don't care too much about Grampa-episodes, and when you're not caring about the characters that lessens the impact episode can have. It's still full of laughs and plotline is decent, even if the characters chosen for it fail to excite. The most memorable part of it for me was Homer's imagination about what his kids would look like. They look great! But yeah, good jokes, proper characterization and a solid plot mean this is a top episode, 7/10.
Episode 22: Secrets of a Successful Marriage
I really only have one gripe with this episode - Homer is very annoying. At first his stupidity is fun and well used in jokes, but it goes on too long and he is way too stupid. Rest of them are well characterized, Homer is just too much of a buffoon. That said, it was done in the name of the story and overall things worked well. It's funny and it was still at the time these marriage -episodes weren't redundant (partly since they were better). Despite Homer it's a good episode, 7/10.
So that's the end of Season Five. It was a weird season - It didn't have any episodes that I rated 8, even if it had a few episodes that are considered classics. It was more of a wacky season with not much very serious plots, which are important to have great episodes, even for a comedy show. It averaged 5,73 by being consistent, meaning it was worse than last two, but better than second season, meaning it could well be deemed part of the classic era. Still, has the Simpsons peaked already? Well, next season has some real classics and the only real contender for Lisa's Substitute in the battle of the best episode - Lisa's Wedding. Also there's Maggie Makes Three which might be the best flashback episode - at any case they come back to the more serious tone next season, which should make for better episodes and be a real contender for Season Three.
Seasonal rankings:
Season Three 6.21
Season Four 6.18
Season Five 5.73
Season Two 5.55
Season One 4.69
Näytetään tekstit, joissa on tunniste season five. Näytä kaikki tekstit
Näytetään tekstit, joissa on tunniste season five. Näytä kaikki tekstit
torstai 9. syyskuuta 2010
keskiviikko 8. syyskuuta 2010
Season Five: Episodes 14-17
Episode 14: Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy
I don't know what is it, but Lisa-episodes tend to be above average. This has decent amount of laughs and it has solid plot momentum that carries it through. It isn't the best Lisa-episode there is, but it's still a very good showing. Characterizations are pretty good, especially Lisa is in top form. Grampa's subplot was somewhat useless, but it did provide us with couple of laughs, so it justifies it's existance. Funniest thing in episode for me was Bart craving for attention - it was realistic behaviour for an overactive kid as well. 6/10 is well deserved for this one.
Episode 15: Deep Space Homer
One of the all-time classics. Memorable episode with good jokes and great plot, hard to argue with views on this one. There are the classic 2001: Space Odyssey -references, Barney is in his top form and of course the inanimate carbon rod is legendary. It might be a bit overrated as it drags on a bit midway - James Taylor sings a tad too long and also the Homer eating chips scene goes on maybe a few seconds too long - slightly kills the momentum, but not badly. 7/10 for a true classic episode.
Episodu 16: Homer Loves Flanders
This episode is so good in so many levels, it never ceases to amaze me. It's not very appreciated in the Simpsons fandom, but I think people just don't get it's brilliance. There's great role-reversal in Homer-Flanders relationship and everything gets turned upside down. Besides, there's the meta-references Lisa makes that make it even more memorable. Also, who doesn't love Terminator-Homer? Hallucinations are always funny and there are some of those when Marge drinks water. There's plenty of other jokes and gags that I could list, but that would be pointless, as I just say it's a great episode. Homer's characterization might be bit off, but it doesn't annoy one bit as it works to make episode even funnier. 8/10 is my rating for this, one of the best of the season.
Episode 17: Bart Gets an Elephant
Everything before the elephant was pretty good. After that.. Well there still was occasional hilarity, like the other pets trying to get attention and the joke about republicans and democrats. That said, this was wacky episode and like it's already established I don't rate wackiness that much. I respect good plot and emotion more. This wasn't really bad, they got plenty of jokes out of the weird premise, but it's just too unrealistic to really enjoy. Also Stampy wasn't likeable, he just mostly was there or put people in his mouth. If your going to have an animal in the center stage at least give him some (preferably likeable) character. I'll give it as high as 4/10 though.
I don't know what is it, but Lisa-episodes tend to be above average. This has decent amount of laughs and it has solid plot momentum that carries it through. It isn't the best Lisa-episode there is, but it's still a very good showing. Characterizations are pretty good, especially Lisa is in top form. Grampa's subplot was somewhat useless, but it did provide us with couple of laughs, so it justifies it's existance. Funniest thing in episode for me was Bart craving for attention - it was realistic behaviour for an overactive kid as well. 6/10 is well deserved for this one.
Episode 15: Deep Space Homer
One of the all-time classics. Memorable episode with good jokes and great plot, hard to argue with views on this one. There are the classic 2001: Space Odyssey -references, Barney is in his top form and of course the inanimate carbon rod is legendary. It might be a bit overrated as it drags on a bit midway - James Taylor sings a tad too long and also the Homer eating chips scene goes on maybe a few seconds too long - slightly kills the momentum, but not badly. 7/10 for a true classic episode.
Episodu 16: Homer Loves Flanders
This episode is so good in so many levels, it never ceases to amaze me. It's not very appreciated in the Simpsons fandom, but I think people just don't get it's brilliance. There's great role-reversal in Homer-Flanders relationship and everything gets turned upside down. Besides, there's the meta-references Lisa makes that make it even more memorable. Also, who doesn't love Terminator-Homer? Hallucinations are always funny and there are some of those when Marge drinks water. There's plenty of other jokes and gags that I could list, but that would be pointless, as I just say it's a great episode. Homer's characterization might be bit off, but it doesn't annoy one bit as it works to make episode even funnier. 8/10 is my rating for this, one of the best of the season.
Episode 17: Bart Gets an Elephant
Everything before the elephant was pretty good. After that.. Well there still was occasional hilarity, like the other pets trying to get attention and the joke about republicans and democrats. That said, this was wacky episode and like it's already established I don't rate wackiness that much. I respect good plot and emotion more. This wasn't really bad, they got plenty of jokes out of the weird premise, but it's just too unrealistic to really enjoy. Also Stampy wasn't likeable, he just mostly was there or put people in his mouth. If your going to have an animal in the center stage at least give him some (preferably likeable) character. I'll give it as high as 4/10 though.
Season Five - Episode 8-13
Episode 8: Boy-Scoutz N the Hood
Well if that wasn't Jerkass-Homer then nothing is. Homer really annoys the shit out of me in this one. Also I don't really care for Borgnine's quest appearance, but it's not bad really. Overall the episode is still pretty enjoyable. Bart & Milhouse on sugar-high is fun to watch, especially Apu laughing is funny in some absurd way. Then there's Homer's visions while listening to music. Bart's subplot in the boy-scouts is interesting before it all peters when they float to sea. It's slows the episodes pace down - I mean how much can there be going on with the characters just floating off-shore? Jerkass-Homer and slow points in the plot drop this all the way to 4/10.
Episode 9: Last Temptation of Homer
Homer sure has his way with women. An episode filled with good jokes, great lines and rock-solid characterization. Plot was good and direction excellent - not to mention the animation. It isn't amazing on any respect, but it's just a basic episode done really, really well. Subplot wasn't that interesting, but they got some jokes out of it so I'm fine with it. Like I said, not amazing, but still very good, 6/10.
Episode 10: $pringfield (Or, How I Learnt To Stop Worrying And Love Legalized Gambling)
Another decent, but not great episode. There was a bit of Jerkass-Homer on the show in the end, but that can be overlooked. Other than that there's not much flaws, but it's just slow at times. There's some good jokes, but nothing too special. One of those hard-to-review episodes as it has little flaws but not much anything great to point out either. I'm fine with 4/10 rating though.
Episode 11: Homer the Vigilante
I don't know, I was kind of bored at times. I'm not saying this was bad episode, but it's not up to the high standard set up in the earlier seasons. Some good jokes, but not a bombing like it used to be, decent plot and good characterizations, that sums up the episode. The "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" -ending was nice, though it was pretty much copied from the movie. Glad they managed to add some own twist into it in the end. Another decent but not that great one, 4/10.
Episode 12: Bart Gets Famous
I've seen this at least five times now. This used to be on constantly for some reason when I watched Simpsons on tv. It's a great self-referential episode, but doesn't take repeated viewings too well. You remember pretty much whole episode on two viewings, so it will be a long time before I watch this again. It's not up to the standard of the greats, but it's not average either, it's somewhere in between, perfect candidate for the 5/10 rating. Best bit was probably the catchphrase-gag in the end. The "I didn't do it" -song is also memorable.
Episode 13: Homer and Apu
Decent episode, I don't really care for musical numbers but it was tolerable and memorable. Also there's the classic joke when Homer asks "Are you really the head of Kwik-E-Mart? Really? You?" James Woods' quest appearance was quite well executed as weel. There were a few slower moments and you could tell that the episode ran short due to couple of gags that really only used time. It's another 5/10 - not quite there with classics, but not average either.
Well if that wasn't Jerkass-Homer then nothing is. Homer really annoys the shit out of me in this one. Also I don't really care for Borgnine's quest appearance, but it's not bad really. Overall the episode is still pretty enjoyable. Bart & Milhouse on sugar-high is fun to watch, especially Apu laughing is funny in some absurd way. Then there's Homer's visions while listening to music. Bart's subplot in the boy-scouts is interesting before it all peters when they float to sea. It's slows the episodes pace down - I mean how much can there be going on with the characters just floating off-shore? Jerkass-Homer and slow points in the plot drop this all the way to 4/10.
Episode 9: Last Temptation of Homer
Homer sure has his way with women. An episode filled with good jokes, great lines and rock-solid characterization. Plot was good and direction excellent - not to mention the animation. It isn't amazing on any respect, but it's just a basic episode done really, really well. Subplot wasn't that interesting, but they got some jokes out of it so I'm fine with it. Like I said, not amazing, but still very good, 6/10.
Episode 10: $pringfield (Or, How I Learnt To Stop Worrying And Love Legalized Gambling)
Another decent, but not great episode. There was a bit of Jerkass-Homer on the show in the end, but that can be overlooked. Other than that there's not much flaws, but it's just slow at times. There's some good jokes, but nothing too special. One of those hard-to-review episodes as it has little flaws but not much anything great to point out either. I'm fine with 4/10 rating though.
Episode 11: Homer the Vigilante
I don't know, I was kind of bored at times. I'm not saying this was bad episode, but it's not up to the high standard set up in the earlier seasons. Some good jokes, but not a bombing like it used to be, decent plot and good characterizations, that sums up the episode. The "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" -ending was nice, though it was pretty much copied from the movie. Glad they managed to add some own twist into it in the end. Another decent but not that great one, 4/10.
Episode 12: Bart Gets Famous
I've seen this at least five times now. This used to be on constantly for some reason when I watched Simpsons on tv. It's a great self-referential episode, but doesn't take repeated viewings too well. You remember pretty much whole episode on two viewings, so it will be a long time before I watch this again. It's not up to the standard of the greats, but it's not average either, it's somewhere in between, perfect candidate for the 5/10 rating. Best bit was probably the catchphrase-gag in the end. The "I didn't do it" -song is also memorable.
Episode 13: Homer and Apu
Decent episode, I don't really care for musical numbers but it was tolerable and memorable. Also there's the classic joke when Homer asks "Are you really the head of Kwik-E-Mart? Really? You?" James Woods' quest appearance was quite well executed as weel. There were a few slower moments and you could tell that the episode ran short due to couple of gags that really only used time. It's another 5/10 - not quite there with classics, but not average either.
tiistai 7. syyskuuta 2010
Season Five - Episodes 4-7
Episode 4: Rosebud
Well, this was pretty memorable, albeit a little frustrating episode. Frustrating in a sense that Simpsons lose out on a chance to make a fortune. The plot was decent, there were plenty of good jokes and enjoyable quest appearance from Ramones. That Smithers thing has probably it's most disturbing moment when Smithers imagine's Burns coming out of a cake.. Pretty universally liked episode, not an absolute great, but hard to find flaws of this one. 7/10.
Episode 5: Treehouse of Horror IV
Ugh, I wrote already this and the next two reviews, but they were destroyed as my sis logged out from my account. I thought this site autosaves constantly? Well, I liked this, it didn't have any stand-out segments, but it was pretty good. Not the best THOH though, but not the worst. The first segment was the best and the second weakest. 7/10 like the other THOH's so far, that said I can put them in order if I want to. That said, this is the not the time nor place. Hey, this review is actually better than the original clusterfuck of a review I wrote.
Episode 6: Marge on the Lam
Pretty good an enjoyable episode, one that's pretty memorable, has a solid plot and plenty of fun jokes. It isn't flawless, it drags on a bit on the second act, but that's only a minor thing overall. It prevents it from being one of the greats, but this is good enough to merit a 6/10.
Episode 7: Bart's Inner Child
Well this is a bizarre episode. The Marge nagging clips made me think it's a clipshow. Then I spend next five minutes expecting another cue for bunch of clips while admiring that for a clipshow it has delightfully much new material. And I remember this happened in the first viewing too! Not very memorable episode, but it's not bad. Plot was kind of a mess though and it didn't have that much good jokes. For a clipshow it would've been quite good, but for normal episode, it's only 4/10. The trampoline bit was good, though.
Well, this was pretty memorable, albeit a little frustrating episode. Frustrating in a sense that Simpsons lose out on a chance to make a fortune. The plot was decent, there were plenty of good jokes and enjoyable quest appearance from Ramones. That Smithers thing has probably it's most disturbing moment when Smithers imagine's Burns coming out of a cake.. Pretty universally liked episode, not an absolute great, but hard to find flaws of this one. 7/10.
Episode 5: Treehouse of Horror IV
Ugh, I wrote already this and the next two reviews, but they were destroyed as my sis logged out from my account. I thought this site autosaves constantly? Well, I liked this, it didn't have any stand-out segments, but it was pretty good. Not the best THOH though, but not the worst. The first segment was the best and the second weakest. 7/10 like the other THOH's so far, that said I can put them in order if I want to. That said, this is the not the time nor place. Hey, this review is actually better than the original clusterfuck of a review I wrote.
Episode 6: Marge on the Lam
Pretty good an enjoyable episode, one that's pretty memorable, has a solid plot and plenty of fun jokes. It isn't flawless, it drags on a bit on the second act, but that's only a minor thing overall. It prevents it from being one of the greats, but this is good enough to merit a 6/10.
Episode 7: Bart's Inner Child
Well this is a bizarre episode. The Marge nagging clips made me think it's a clipshow. Then I spend next five minutes expecting another cue for bunch of clips while admiring that for a clipshow it has delightfully much new material. And I remember this happened in the first viewing too! Not very memorable episode, but it's not bad. Plot was kind of a mess though and it didn't have that much good jokes. For a clipshow it would've been quite good, but for normal episode, it's only 4/10. The trampoline bit was good, though.
Season Five - Episodes 1-3
Episode 1: Homer's Barbershop Quartet
I don't get why this episode gets so much praise.. Or wait a minute - I get it, but I don't share the view. Namely because I can't stand that style of singing. That said, "Baby on Board" was a tolerable song. There's plenty of fun stuff in this episode, certainly enough to call it a good episode. Lots of references too, half of which I didn't get on the first viewing. Not my personal favorite, but solid episode anyway. 6/10.
Episode 2: Cape Feare
This is a legendary episode. The rake scene has lost some of it's impact obviously, but I remember how funny it was in it's simplicity the first time I saw it. Besides, there's plenty of jokes that are still funny. There was lot of simple humor that works well, like Homer inviting Ned into their house and instantly telling him to get away. Then there's of course the abuse Sideshow Bob gets. It gets a little overboard, but I'm fine with it. It's not my favorite type of episode, but it still deserves 7/10. It's the best Sideshow Bob episode so far and at least in the upper echelon of Simpsons episodes overall. It's even favorite to many people - but it doesn't take multiple viewings as well as those that I view the best ones.
Episode 3: Homer Goes To College
Everything just doesn't click with this episode for me. It's funny enough, but the plot isn't up the standard and there's something wrong with the animation, characters seem really odd at times. People are saying also that this was the first instance of Jerkass-Homer, which might have a bit of truth in it - but it got much worse later on. That said, the nerds were great and the Itchy & Scratchy seemed like an amazing episode - you're really with Bart & Lisa when you can't see the ending - though it might be the part that makes it so great. I've always liked Scratchy more anyway. Itchy is a jerk. But yeah, this episode falls a bit short, 4/10.
It's funny to contrast Nohomers.nets reviews and those written at the time at snpp.com. Half of the old reviews are calling every other episode worst ever or that show sucks now, whereas those nowadays, reviews are mostly 100 % 5/5.
I don't get why this episode gets so much praise.. Or wait a minute - I get it, but I don't share the view. Namely because I can't stand that style of singing. That said, "Baby on Board" was a tolerable song. There's plenty of fun stuff in this episode, certainly enough to call it a good episode. Lots of references too, half of which I didn't get on the first viewing. Not my personal favorite, but solid episode anyway. 6/10.
Episode 2: Cape Feare
This is a legendary episode. The rake scene has lost some of it's impact obviously, but I remember how funny it was in it's simplicity the first time I saw it. Besides, there's plenty of jokes that are still funny. There was lot of simple humor that works well, like Homer inviting Ned into their house and instantly telling him to get away. Then there's of course the abuse Sideshow Bob gets. It gets a little overboard, but I'm fine with it. It's not my favorite type of episode, but it still deserves 7/10. It's the best Sideshow Bob episode so far and at least in the upper echelon of Simpsons episodes overall. It's even favorite to many people - but it doesn't take multiple viewings as well as those that I view the best ones.
Episode 3: Homer Goes To College
Everything just doesn't click with this episode for me. It's funny enough, but the plot isn't up the standard and there's something wrong with the animation, characters seem really odd at times. People are saying also that this was the first instance of Jerkass-Homer, which might have a bit of truth in it - but it got much worse later on. That said, the nerds were great and the Itchy & Scratchy seemed like an amazing episode - you're really with Bart & Lisa when you can't see the ending - though it might be the part that makes it so great. I've always liked Scratchy more anyway. Itchy is a jerk. But yeah, this episode falls a bit short, 4/10.
It's funny to contrast Nohomers.nets reviews and those written at the time at snpp.com. Half of the old reviews are calling every other episode worst ever or that show sucks now, whereas those nowadays, reviews are mostly 100 % 5/5.
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