Mr. Burns causes an ocular rift in the Simpson family.

The Simpsons: Season 28 Episode 2

ThisThe Simpsonsreview contains spoilers.

The Simpsons become Friends and Family with Montgomery Burns in this episode but its really virtual.

Whats it all coming to when you cant buy euthanasia for a friend?

Its no wonder Mr. Burns has anger issues.

Except of course Abe Simpson, though he is really an acquaintance at best.

But Burns, being Burns, would trade it all in for just a little more.

He missed his chance to have a family.

But a rich man like Burns doesnt have to miss out on anything.

Springfield holds another audition for a family for Mr. Burns.

You would think hed know enough about them to pass.

Hes had this family as a family before.

All those ugly people the psychiatrist keeps in a cheap plastic cube gives Burns a great idea.

He should encase more people in plastic, that way he can always see the fear on their faces.

So sad and yet so poignant.

Too bad it went under the familys heads.

Homer finds such pleasure in his empty nest.

I havent seen him this happy since he found god in churchless Sunday mornings.

And its cheaper, though not cheap in any sexy way.

But whats worse than any of this is that no one writes any jokes for Marge.

All of the Simpson voice talent are masters at imbuing mundane lines with dripping wit.

Im no prude, but I do believe Marge showed a little too much ankle.

Bart gets a good zinger during Mr. Burns birthday song with and maybe more.

While Lisa devils her ham with passive aggressive belligerence in her line reads and improvisations.

Homers best line was why are you mad at those eggs, they didnt do anything?

Burns is a scream, flailing about in his reverie, with all his trophies, including Big Bird.

(That trophy wall is a subtle homage to co-creator and animal savior Sam Simon.)

And again when he is fencing and heiling Hitler in the nuclear hallways.

I didnt know Harry Shearer could move like that.

Homers ingenious way of eating out of the microwave is a worthy sight gag.

When he drops his Frisbee for the right pretzels, we know everythings going to work out.

The close out was very romantic.

I dont use this word lightly, but this episode was excellent.

Like a Supreme Court full of Scalias.

Hank Azaria plays Professor Frink and Moe.

Harry Shearer is Mr. C. Montgomery Burns and Waylon Smithers.

Guest star Allison Janney as Julia.

Chalkboard:I will stop losing 50% of my NFL lead-in.

But It All Went By So Fast:Dr. Nick Rivera: Tell me what and Ill cut.

Old Mens Health: Outdoor Bathtubs new leading cause of pneumonia.

Very Old Mens Health: Medical Breakthroughs Youll Just Miss.

Mr. Burns is left-handed.

Absolut Vodka + you = excellent chemistry.

Virtual Reality Casting Call: Families wanted.

The Hounds, and the hounds house is bigger than Smithers.

Burns eyes blink in the portrait behind Marge.

Rating:

4 out of 5