Episode 18 - Brush With Greatness
5 July 2010
Synopsis: Homer gets stuck in a water slide leading to a new diet. As he slowly makes progress Marge rediscovers her dormant gift for painting. She wins a local award and Mr Burns commissions her to paint him. But despite her gift for finding inner beauty in her subjects, she can find none in Mr Burns.
The Good: Again the writers manage to draw amazing sentiment and positivity out of their story. Marge's decision to pain Burns in the nude turns out to be touching and daring and pleases even the old tyrant himself. It's a surprising turn of events because Marge's previous history with Burns (204) makes you wonder if she is going to stick it to him with her portrait. Instead she stays true to her gift of finding inner beauty.
Not only is the surprise ending strong but the episode is very nicely written throughout. Each plot point leads logically and pleasingly to the next. The trip to the water park so humiliates Homer that he finally has the needed motivation to stick to a diet. His search for exercise equipment unearths Marge's paintings of Ringo. She begins painting and is spotted by Burns. He then insults Homer but Ringo's letter arrives just in time to keep Marge from giving up. It all fits together delightfully and allows for fun little moments like the doughnut supplier at the power plant cursing Homer's diet "Oh my God and I just bought a boat!" And indeed the simplicity of the gags surrounding Ringo Starr's determination to answer thirty year old fan mail.
We also get a thorough examination of the dysfunctional Burns-Smithers dynamic. Smithers begins to display the homosexual affection we will see more fully later on as he dotes on the cruel old miser. While Burns' complete disassociation from humanity extends all the way to Smithers who he describes as "like a doctor." There is of course good fun to be had with the ancient Burns who dimly remembers The Beatles' "off key caterwauling on the old Sulivan show. What was Ed thinking?" I also enjoyed him addressing the assembled art lovers for the unveiling with "Friends, art lovers, security personnel..."
The real comedy star though is Marge's new art teacher the flamboyant Professor Lombardo (Jon Lovitz). Despite appearing like a fussy art teacher he turns out to be rather easy to please. "Marvellous!" he cries at a janitor applying a new coat of paint to a stair well (see Best Joke for more).
The Bad: The lifeguard shouldn't have sent more than one child down the water slide at once. That was just asking for trouble!
Best Joke: Marge is thrilled to be chosen for the Springfield Art Exhibition. She heaps praise on Professor Lombardo for being so supportive. "Marge please, I don't take praise very well!" he rebukes. Then exits passing the same janitor now painting a simple sign advertising the exhibition. He stops in amazement and proclaims "Oh! Another triumph!"
The Bottom Line: Another terrific little story. So simple and focussed and enjoyable.
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