Ethan you should know better...it's no longer PC to call something a retard. You should say that that episode was "otherly advantaged"...or even the out-moded "developmentally delayed".
Anyway old chum, you sound like a bit of a retard yourself. If you don't care for the show, go watch something else. Maybe Dharma and Greg is more your speed. Better yet, why not just curl up with a good book...turn the TV off so it doesn't offend you.
In my opinion the "end of an era" came after the NBC Pilot season. The show has been rebuilding since then. I thoiught that this year's season-opener was a riot.