Why does everyone hate "Strong Arm" ending?

It amazes me that so many people hate (or don't get) the ending of this episode. I guess they are talking about the bar brawl at Moe's and it seems odd to them that Marge would fight everyone. I think the point was that the steroids were making her more violent. Homer mentioned, "Bull hormones". She mentioned while making her drink in the blender of adding something to repress her estrogen. She increasingly became more violent during the episode. I seem to recall a study of steroids some time back mentioning something about them causing more aggressiveness. The bar fight at the end was kind of "the last straw". She knew she had gone to far. She had to stop. I think this was all part of the satire. Someone being threatened and lives in fear finally decides to be more assertive about it so they pump up in order to defend themselves but ultimately, over does it and becomes the one who does the threatening.

I thought for sure that this would be the most universally praised episode on alt.tv.simpsons in years. I guess you can’t make everyone happy. I think this episode was one of the funniest in a long time. Also, this season seems to be the best in at least three years.

Thank you, Al Jean, wherever you are!

R13

If my opinion counts for anything, I liked the whole episode, including the ending. I only come into this group once in awhile, and it seems almost all the comments on the newest episodes are negative.

["Eric Perlin"; Mon, 03 Feb 2003 07:41:54 GMT]

Tell me about it. Many people here are hyper-picky or just never satisfied. No wonder the makers of the show have such a low opinion of us.

And I liked the whole episode too.

"Roythe13th" wrote in message news:[email]...

Hmm I just thought it ended too early .. a more real ending would have been Marge getting arrested and going to jail. Don't ya think?

I actually thought her beating up the mugger was too much. Hitting him yes, but that level of violence seemed beyond her. And then she fights in the bar, which seemed less "violent" (perhaps because bar fights are a comedy staple of various movies, and everyone tends to get up almost immediately, unlike the mugger). Somehow Marge being arrested would fit the scenario.

Actually, I thought the mugging was out of character for Marge. The one where she becomes a cop, she wasn't wilting like in last night's episode. I can't think of other examples at the moment, but just from all the episodes her reaction last night did not seem to fit the strong character that Marge is.

Michael

whilst beating up the mugger was perhaps to far it was still an amusing parody for all godfather fans

["Michael Black"; Mon, 03 Feb 2003 19:24:37 GMT]

That was the point. She was on the Ragin' 'Roids, remember? And that was what was making her whack out like she was.

So it's being "in character" doesn't matter, because she was supposed to be OUT of character.

But she wasn't on the gas yet when she assaulted the mugger. Just exercise (and Hollandaise sauce (and cowbell)).

The Marge Simpson that they've spent the last 12 years establishing, the nervous but caring mother figure, would not have started on steroids to begin with.

Her convictions SHOULD have had more depth to them than just anti-drug stickers on the back of her stationwagon.

-Poot

["Poot Rootbeer"; Wed, 05 Feb 2003 02:16:14 GMT]

Mmm. That's a good point. But I'd posit that she was just high on power. Like she said (IIRC), she was feeling stronger than ever before. And who better to test out her body on than her mugger?

Again, perhaps she changed some through the exercise. But you make good points.

Would she get started on gambling? Have to think twice choosing between her husband and her bowling instructor? Well, that second one seems like a bad example, but Marge isn't entirely predictable. Have you people ever done a "Things Marge wouldn't do, but did anyway" thread?

<Would she get started on gambling?>

Because it's funnier, and doesn't lend itself to as much exaggeration?

I NEED MORE COWBELL!

oh, wrong ng, sorry.

I gadda fevah! And de only cure for de fever is MOHR COWBELL!

now THAT'S comedy!

now THAT'S comedy!

but it's actually, "i got a FEVA, and the only PRESCRIPTION is MORE COWBELL!"

You gave a good analysis of the episode. The problem was that the way the epside was executed was over-exaggerated and awkward.