[REVIEW] The Cartridge Family [5F01]

[Dale G. Abersold]

[Long version]

I'm sure we've all seen the predictable "______ gets a gun" plot in various
lame traditional sitcoms. The plot traditionally is: house/apartment gets
broken into, father gets a gun against mother's objections, father almost
kills spouse/child/friend accidentally, gets rid of the gun, learns something
about Life and Himself, fade out. Of course, once it was revealed that
The Simpsons would do a "gun" episode, most of us knew (or hoped?) that
it would turn out differently.

In any case, this episode goes to show a certain poster (vociferous on this
newsgroup of late...) that the writers are not producing exclusively left-
wing propaganda. In fact, in this "message" episode, the only message
seems to be: anyone with the names "Homer" and "Simpson" should not be
trusted with a gun.

The episode did seem to suffer from John Swartzwelder Syndrome (a plot
contrivance which is totally unrelated to the rest of the episode and which
takes up most if not all of the first act), with the visit to the soccer
match, although I did like the contrast between Kent Brockman and the
Latin American commentaries, as well as the riot itself.

Also, the very ending, Marge with the gun, seemed like one plot twist too
many for this episode. However, the remainder of the episode, mocking both
sides of the gun control debate (the right side more so than the left),
pleased me greatly. I did laugh out loud many times. While Homer was
portrayed as less intelligent, I saw him here as more as a doofus than as
a moron (nice shades of stupidity, eh?) However, your mileage may vary.

A-.

[Short version]

Once again, satire the Simpsons way: both sides of the debate get mocked.
Overall, a very funny episode, although both the very ending and the first
few minutes of the episode both could have been improved. While Homer was
fairly dumb, somehow it didn't bother me so much here. Grade: A-.

_____________________________________________________________
| Dale G. Abersold-...@cc.usu.edu |
| S1.2 LIS+++! MIL++@ CBG* f++ n++ $+++ 7F19 M28 |
| Dale's New and Constantly Incomplete Home Page |
| http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/7309 |
-------------------------------------------------------------

[Dan]

Ease up. The fact of the matter is that The Simpsons is, and has been, the
best show on television since 1989. (1987, if anyone else remembers).

Like old people will tell you, they're just happy to wake up in the
morning - Well I'm just happy that I can still count on about 20 new
Simpsons episodes every year.

Honestly, all you critics out there would fucking choke if this show ever
got cancelled.
So please appreciate it for what it is.

[Johnny Lamar Rhyne]

In <RcxnRC...@cc.usu.edu> sl...@cc.usu.edu (Dale G. Abersold)
writes:
>
>[Long version]In fact, in this "message" episode, the only message

>seems to be: anyone with the names "Homer" and "Simpson" should not be

>trusted with a gun.

Wasn't there a thread going a while ago where it was stated that
there a lot of Homer Simpsons in the United Stated and Canada?

I think that this Homer Simpson should not be trusted with a gun.
--

Mr. H.R. Bradshaw(Deceased)
Head Minister, Ministry of Silly Walks
*Is your life in a rut? Then head down
to your local silly walks recruiter today.*

Join now and we will send you a free Shrubbery.

[Royce Campbell]

Dan wrote in message <63m87b$kb0$1...@pcnet4.pcnet.com>...

Yeah! You tell 'em. They'll all be whining when its all over, I guarantee!

(guarantee void in Tennesee)