Dog spelled backwards is Mahershalalhashbaz.
Here is our review of The Simpsons season 26 episode 17.
The Simpsonsare getting existential.
This episode just sort of exists, it just happened, but not much really happened in it.
This episode veered very close to the ultimate sin in comedy, being boring.
Bart did something bad and Santas Little Helper is being neglected.
Two comic chestnuts that have been roasted much better in the past.
Lisa is also being neglected but, well ignore that for now.
Even Grandpa refers to the middle Simpson child as little girl.
The best scene in the night was Homer and Lisas back to back grumble fest.
Homers parenting skills arent so bad, considering Barts evil twin hasnt been located by prying eyes of Springfield.
She was able to sense when Bart sold his soul to Millhouse.
She got cold chills when he switched lunch snacks.
The tie between Bart and Marge is so much stronger than the thread she uses to track him.
That string is tight enough to choke him, even if she wont admit shes doing it.
Is it any wonder El Barto gets away with so much?
I did like Homers rationale for giving Flanders giving back the dog.
He doesnt like to see Flanders sad.
He doesnt like to see him happy or contented or miffed either.
He doesnt like to see Flanders and giving the dog back has a certain bitchy nobility.
Old Homer, someone fatter than Santa, learned a new trick.
Santas Little Helper is always the odd dog out.
And he has no real lines to speak of.
Bart grows a conscience?
Nobody wants to see Bart grow a conscience.
The unexamined life may not be worth living, but it is so much more fun to watch.
Or not far enough.
We want Bart to go too far.
We dont care if he winds up on Lepers Island without a paddle.
And to have him learn a lesson?
When it wasnt something he copied off Martin?
Thats going not far enough.
The throwaway gags were alright, but the episode needed more of them.
Maggies Whack-A-Mole defeat was a standalone classic.
This episode also had its subversive humor.
The Flanders children saved from bad thoughts about Maggie Simpson only because they thought she was a cousin.
Mahershalalhashbaz is the name of the prophet Isaiahs first son.
He only gets mentioned once in the Bible, but his name is the longest word in the book.
Flanders teaches the dog to play dead, resurrect and sit at the right hand of Todd.
Eyes mean a lot onThe Simpsons.
Peeping Mom refers to Marge keeping a watchful eye on Bart.
That tiny ink-dot has the power to signal Marges lazy watchful eye on Maggie.
Such is the power of animation.The Simpsonshave become too glossily animated.
I miss the rough edges and the stray lines of the early episodes.
The sharper the image, the less sharp the humor and tonight it came packed in bubble wrap.
At least Bart didnt call off the prank altogether.
That would have been tragic.
Hank Azaria plays Chief Wiggum, Carl Carlson, Moe Szyslak, and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
Harry Shearer is Ned Flanders.
But It All Went By So Fast:King Homer in opening.
In Escrow: Gil Henderson Realty.
Oh Fudge Milk Chocolate.
Rating:
2.5 out of 5
