This episode had such a basic--and though well executed, dare I say slightly sitcommy?--premise, I'm surprised it wasn't really explored before (well, at least as the main focus). I kind of miss Ned's older characterization, of a normal but sometimes annoying neighbor, and though he was on the edge of driving _me_ nuts at a couple points, it was a good Flanders episode. In fact, come to think of it, I suppose he hasn't gone completely bonkers if the residents of Humble found him a little too peppermint for their tastes; his short time there was probably the best comedic segment in the episode. I also enjoyed the reversal of roles when Homer dealt with a crude and overbearing neighbor; now that Jerkass Homer is gone, this worked out very well. Also of amusing note were the ways the figurines guided Ned. Not much else to say, but overall, a solid show.
DYN: ...this is the first full opening sequence since EABF14? ...many of the Humble figurines are reminiscent of little Simpson moments? (8F08 with the heels, 7F11 with the shaving, 1F07 with the giant hand [albeit not a child], 7G04 with "room for one more" directed at the dad) ...a black (white/yellow in one overhead shot) Lionel Hutz shaped man in the crowd when Homer confesses to Ned? ...Ned continues to find blasphemy where it doesn't exist ("landlord")?
Previous episode references 1F03: PBS/NPR host surprised to be getting a call EABF17: A supporting-cast babysitter for Maggie 9F08, CABF16, 4F13: More Flanders/Simpson babysitting fun AABF20: Competition for the Leftorium (Leftopolis, Leftmart) 9F08: Homer seems to use Ned's initial offer of "anything" to befriend the new neighbor 8F16, BABF04: The ol' cookie duster has been absent before, but Ned has a problem with it now 9F22, 3F23, 5F06: The Simpsons or Flanderseses move out, at least for a while EABF16: Another large collection of Ned's
Goofs Most of the time, Bart's room does not face the Flanders residence; 1F22 is a notable exception, though. Everyone seemed friendly to Ned before his moustache caused problems at the Humble factory, so what gives?