Blunders Years was good

I have just seen "The Blunder Years" and I�m pleasantly surprised. It was a really good episode for modern relations. Coherent plot, good jokes, some character moments, good movie references and most important an imaginative and interesting idea and story.

There�s maybe one big problem - the episode tries to have too much story in too little time and many important elements are shown too short and superficial and a needful depth is sometimes too thin or missing. I really think they should have made two parts from the story. There are also lots of errors in continuity and logic and parts seem too constructed - but what the heck - I liked it. I really liked it.

The story with Marge and the paper towels is funny and even needful for the later story (a clear and good break with the standard beginnings of season 11/12) and Homers psychological problem gives him a little bit depth. He�s no jerkass (but Marge is, "Spill it") and not too dumb, we can even see a trace of humanity. Many important things are a little spoiled by the too fast and compressed story but there are nice elements like Monty Burns (the real Monty, not the senile caricature of S11/12) who takes care of Smithers ("So, you�re a baby, eh?") or Moe who isn�t shown as bizarre and flat pervert - as in so many new episodes - but as lonely character. Moe sadly in front of the window and the ending with Homer und Marge who listen to Moe just to make him happy are very nice and even a little touching - a word I haven�t used for years concerning the show.

Coherent plot, a little depth, not overly wacky or cruel, a working ending - is the golden age coming back? There were still too many problems (too fast, continuity errors) but that�s the right way. I had expected a big load of meaningless crap at the end of the Scully era - well, we had the crap in "Homer the Moe" and partly in "Parent Rap" - but "Blunder Years" is almost really good.

Maybe it is a turning point (as the Rack said) or maybe it�s just an exception. Maybe Al Jean will continue in this style or make it better. I think I have new hope but I also hope "She of Little Faith" won�t destroy my new hope.

Chris

This episode was still produced by Mike Scully, and is, in fact, the last episode produced by him. (Fitting that it's titled "The Blunder Years".) Next week episode is the first one to be exec produced by Al Jean.

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TheAbman,
HOM++ LIS+++ BAR++++ BOB++++ 7G12, 7F10,
8F15, 9F22, 1F04, 2F10, 3F13, 4F14, 5F02, AABF03,
BABF05, CABF14
"Is there no place for the man with the 105 IQ?!?!"
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TheAbman wrote:

I think this "Mike Scully" was a media fabrication. The idea that someone like that could all but destroy The Simpson's under my very nose is laughable.

<ACK><CRRGH><COUGH><SPLUTTER>

Well, you all know what laughter sounds like.

i was pleased with every episode this season except the blunder years. I hope it becomes a lost episode

Sorry, I have to disagree there - that whole bit at the start with her dragging Lisa home from school and the obsession with the paper towels was completely out of character and didn't seem right for the show at all - it made me embarassed to be watching.

I really hope Al Jean can improve the simpsons, because Season 13 so far (except the Halloween episode) has been really poor IMO.

Yep, she certainly was out of character but when was she not out of character in the last seasons? As I said - every new character has become a flat caricature of their old selfs but in more serious "Blunder Years" it wasn�t as bad as in some other "ultrafunny" slapstick episodes of these days.

It was more of a jerkass Homer line than a Marge line "Spill it (cause if you don�t") but I think the good plot is at least partly an excuse for strange stuff like that.

I think I almost like Blunder Years because the writers toned down the slapstick and made a more character-related episode which even has its darker sides. The used jokes when it was appropriate but the episode also had more silent moments. It�s still far away from the quality of season 2,3 or 7 but I still think it�s a step in the right direction.

I wasn�t embarassed to watch it, there were IMO much worse things in seasons 11 and 12 (I just say jockey elves or panda rape.)

Many people hope that. Let�s wait.

Chris