Episode 21 - Coming to Homerica
27 March 2012
Synopsis: Krusty debuts his new burger made from barley in order to take advantage of these new health and environmentally conscious times. But some tainted barley makes everyone sick. The barley growing town of Ogdenville goes out of business leading a massive influx of ancestrally-Norwegian immigrants into Springfield. They do all the menial jobs which native residents won’t do but soon they fill the bars, hospitals and playgrounds. Springfield rises up against them but when border patrols fail, they decide to build a wall. They need the help of Ogdenvillians to build it and soon all become friends.
The Good: The immigration storyline is ok. It’s everything you would expect, the rising anger turns to a foolish decision but everyone makes nice in the end.
The casting of Ogdenville residents as Norwegian is a typically bizarre choice. It took the sting out of any possible offence that might have been taken by real life immigrants. Despite taking on the menial jobs of native residents it would be difficult to see the Ogdenvillians in anyway as a metaphor for Hispanics. Equally it was hardly mocking Mid-western people because the immigrants didn’t speak English or use dollars: “It’s all about the King Harold’s!” as Moe says. I doubt any Norwegians were particularly offended either.
Several jokes are worth a chuckle too. The idea to build the wall comes because Homer runs into an advertising board while chasing Bart. The ignored board reads “Report Child Abuse.” Selma hooks up with an Ogdenvillian to which Homer comments “talk about taking jobs Springfield men don’t want!” And as the new arrivals head into town, a sign proudly declares “Welcome To Springfield: Two Drink Minimum.”
I also enjoyed Skinner trying to say something soothing to the ill Superintendent Chalmers – “third grade maths scores are holding steady.”
The Bad: Although the immigrant jokes offended no one, they also missed out on making more jokes out of a big story. Instead we get Bart doing literally impossible tricks on a skate board and Chief Wiggum being insufferably dumb. There has to be a balance of plausibility when a character is being stupid. Having someone crawl through the Chiefs legs and him not notice is too stupid and therefore not funny. The Chief even claims that Springfield only has three cops. That isn’t true for a start (623) but worse it’s an attempt to make a joke about the Simpsons universe which the characters themselves should take seriously.
Maggie speaks her first words in front of anyone and they are “Ya ya.” We have spent twenty years waiting for them to come out and the writers just throw them out now?
Best Joke: Homer is talking to a group of Springfielders who are patrolling the border:
H: “Our group needs a name which reflects the proud history of citizens rising up to defend our way of life.”
Kletus: “The Klan?”
H: “Well there are no bad ideas but let’s keep trying.”
K: “The Nazis?”
H: “Ok you stop trying.”
The Bottom Line: A fun episode with some strange elements to it. The show has tackled immigration before with more success (723) but this has enough jokes to keep a smile on your face.
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