Season 2 Episode 1: Bart Gets An F
Rating: 4/5
very fun episode that tells a story unlike those told in the first season. While most season 1 episodes are stories that feel a bit larger than life (with the exception of some sadder marriage crisis episodes), this episode touches on a note we all can relate to.
Fear of failure is something we all grapple with at points of our lives, and seeing Bart try his hardest to succeed in school (and doing so, if only just) is a compelling show that adds much needed depth to his character.
Editor’s note:
I originally neglected to mention this, but a spotlight on Martin was unexpected, yet exciting. Go Martin!
The Simpsons - S2 • E1 - Bart Gets an 'F'
The Simpsons - S2 • E2 - Simpson and Delilah
Season 2 episode 2: simpson and delilah
Rating: 3.75/5
Karl is a phenomenal character to introduce as an assistant for Homer in his new position. I hope he comes back as I understand the show needs to keep its status quo, but it was very nice to see homer succeeding at work and at home.
Unfortunately, regarding his hair and thus his success given the cruel shackles society and the show places on bald men, with Karl gone Homer was hoisted by his own raged-fueled petard.
If he had simply grabbed the spilling bottle of hair loss treatment, he would have had plenty of his haircare treatment left.
Alas, Smithers wins this round and I shall nor forgive him for it. At least Marge truly loved her husband in the end.
Editor’s note: the gag where smithers throws the rag down in frustration in the executive bathroom and a random dude comes on screen to quickly grab it before running back on screen was great.
Second editor’s note: The final moment with their singing bumped this episode from a 3.5 to a 3.75. Truly adorable.
The Simpsons - S2 • E2 - Simpson and Delilah
The Simpsons - S2 • E3 - Treehouse of Horror
Season 2 Episode 3: Treehouse of Horror
Rating: 3/5
Very fun details, gags, and references. I’m not a big fan of it being multiple short stories but each story was entertaining so I can’t be too upset.
I very much appreciate the continuity of Lisa loving shrimp in this episode, harkening back to multiple season 1 moments.
Additionally, the 2nd short story had some clever camera work at multiple points that help strengthen the double twist.
Rip Lenore
The Simpsons - S2 • E3 - Treehouse of Horror
The Simpsons - S2 • E4 - Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
Season 2 Episode 4: Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
Rating: 3.75/5
I can’t tell if politics have always been this bad or this is the beginning of the Simpsons becoming prophetic. Likely the former.
Mr Burns as a politician felt like something they would explore eventually, and eventually came immediately. Down with those damn bureaucrats need to lower those damn taxes.
Editor’s note: The joke with the fish bite killing his campaign before hitting the ground was fun but I didn’t like that they felt the need to explain it.
The Simpsons - S2 • E4 - Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
The Simpsons - S2 • E5 - Dancin' Homer
Season 2 Episode 5: Dancin’ Homer
Rating: 4/5
Fantastic episode that doesn’t seem to stick the landing. It had it all, and much like Dancin’ Homer himself, it languishes for some unknown reason. Act 3 just falls flat. The framing device of Homer telling the story at the bar doesn’t do it any favors in my opinion, but it is difficult to pinpoint why it feels off.
My assumption is that we don’t really learn anything and that the Capitol City folks just dislike him for no real reason. “This act might cut it in the sticks but this is Capitol City” feels insufficient but does sum up some people’s attitudes towards the simpler things in life I suppose.
All in all, one of my favorite episodes to date. While I prefer the story of Bart Gets An F over Dancin’ Homer, the humor and relatability won me over.
Editor’s note: At one point, Mr. Burns forgets The Simpsons last name and instead calls them The Simps. I truly understand how The Simpsons predicted this state of mind has come about. They simply have so many at bats that coincidences have clouded our minds with shades of clairvoyance.
The Simpsons - S2 • E5 - Dancin' Homer
The Simpsons - S2 • E6 - Dead Putting Society
The Simpsons Review
Season 2 Episode 6: Dead Putting Society
Rating: 3.5/5
The visual gags and jokes (honorable mention to bark putting a cue ball into a hole at a pool table) in this episode really help distract me from the fact that they do an amazing job of showing me what a real piece of work homer is. Just because he is the main character does not mean he is our protagonist. And yet? I feel compelled to employ the ages old adage, “everybody sucks”
That being said, who among us has not coveted thy neighbor like Homer?
Equally, who has not fallen victim to hubris and frustration in the face of their fellow man like Flanders?
Who has not tried their hardest for a father who is desperate to see their child succeed like Bart?
Who has not pushed their child to succeed for selfish motives?
While my loins have not bore any fruit, I have been all of these men.
Homer is piece of work, but aren’t we all? Are any of us truly perfect? Truly above what this episode depicts?
Pomp and circumstance aside, while this episode is relatable, it does not spark the same joy and passion in me that several other episodes have up to this point. This is a classic example of a good not great early Simpsons episode. Yes it is good TV, better than much of what is put out in the later seasons, but would I feel compelled to watch it again? I don’t believe I would.
