Episode 14 - Dial 'N' for Nerder
4 January 2009
Review
Synopsis: Marge makes Homer start a new diet. When she thinks he is cheating on his diet, she calls a reality show called Sneakers to help her catch him. Bart and Lisa accidentally knock Martin Prince off a cliff and think they have killed him. Their guilt grows as Nelson (as Columbo) investigates.
The Good: This show is based around detective work. To that end, the two mysteries unfold in sort of intriguing fashion. You do wonder if maybe Martin is dead, as unlikely as it seems. Similarly, Homer’s attempts to cover up his eating are almost funny.
As disturbing as it is to watch (more on that later), the scene where Homer eats a kebab in a motel room is cleverly drawn. They picked an appropriate food for the simulation of sex.
It is interesting to see Lisa play the desperate deceitful one, while Bart finds a more constructive way to deal with his guilt.
The Bad: How many times have we seen Homer on a diet now? How many times have we seen him tell Marge he loves her and she forgives him instantly despite clearly not deserving it? Surely the writers must be as bored as we are by now?
Two episodes ago we saw characters simulating drug abuse with chocolate. Now we get Homer in various acts of sex with a lamb kebab. As gross as it is to watch, it also makes you question the writers. It is an attempt at shock laughs. But again, a show with a huge children’s audience shouldn’t really be presenting such graphic stuff for little reward.
Bart and Lisa’s guilt is passable viewing. But when Martin does return it becomes just another recycled story. We have already seen Skinner (304) and Krusty (715) return from the dead and Flanders falsely accused of murder (601).
Most of the humour comes from taking shots at reality TV shows. Which are about the easiest target possible.
Best Joke: Chief Wiggum picks up the torn shirt of presumed dead Martin Prince and asks Lou if it would fit his son Ralph.
Lou: “Chief that’s evidence.”
Chief: “I know. But after its evidence it’s a shirt again. Isn’t it?”
The Bottom Line: Another episode which feels all too familiar. I feel I am becoming a broken record pointing out that after nineteen seasons maybe there is no way to make The Simpsons fresh again.
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