[4F21] "Secret War of Lisa Simpson" Review
Alex O'Neill
In article <338639...@pixel-fusion.com>,
Ryan <ry...@pixel-fusion.com> wrote:
>Michael K. Neylon wrote:
>> Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
>> show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
>> lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
>> seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
>> Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
>> developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
>> from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
>> is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
>> that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
>> people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
>> They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
>> again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
>> for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
>> MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
>> works out better.
>
>After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
>out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
>in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
>everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
>Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
>there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
NO NO NO!!! (me jumping out the window a la "the PTA has disbanded!") That
stuff is what makes the simpsons better than the rest of the mediocre stuff
the networks throw at us. What's so wrong with lisa firing a machine gun?
After all, they did block out the sun, after all. You're forgetting that
reality is usually pretty boring. I mean come on, if you want family drama,
you're not up the creek, whereas if you want good, intelligent (usually)
satire which rises above most common "must see tv"-esque shows, you're a
little less fortunate. Who needs realism? To hell with it. That's the great
thing about cartoons, they can do whatever they want. And the writers should
just be left to do what they want, even if it does get a little out-there, and
some people might not understand some of the references. Even so, that's
really the beauty of the simpsons, if you're 10 you can laugh at Homer getting
his hand stuck in two vending machines at once, and if you're 40 you can laugh
at George Bush trying to overcome the "wimp factor". Realism, after all,
isn't all it's cracked up to be, that's why we watch tv.
Michael K. Neylon
SPOILER SPACE (works on all normal newsreaders)
Well, this was a disappointment, as least for a season finale. Of
course, the premise from the start was very poor, and the plot...
oy, don't get me started on that (Well, I'll get into it later, just let
me work up to it).
However, there *were* good scenes, and the characteration of Bart and
Lisa were good, but they couldn't help this episode much.
Overall: D+, maybe a C-. Depends on when you ask me.
What was my biggest beef with this episode? The plot itself seemed to
lack direction. Sure, one can say "Bart and Lisa go to military
school", but look at how the plot developed (or spiraled out of control
over the course of the show). First, Bart's being his usual devilish
self, then he's suddenly refusing to go to military school, then
suddenly, he seems to be accepted in, as well as his accepting military
school, then suddenly, he's like everyone best friend, then he's
suddenly on Lisa's side. There was NO transistion between theses
stages, specifically the one between him refusing the idea of going to
military school, and him suddenly accepting and dealing with his fate.
There needed to be more developed here at this point.
Similarly, Lisa is bored with school (reasonable), then suddenly, after
seeing one class, she wants to go to military school, then she's
suddenly homesick, and then suddenly trying to prove herself (to whom?).
VERY little transistion in her attitudes in this episode, and there
needed to be more development of WHY these changes happened to work
effectively.
Overall, this episode felt like is was trying to fit 45 mintues of plot
into 30 minutes. They should have either focused on Bart or Lisa in the
school, foregoing the little brother-sister scenes in this show, in
order to tighten the plot. This would have allowed the development of
their respective concerns with more time. (Preferable, the Lisa plot
would have been better than Bart's.)
But, the plot problems didn't start there. This episode, overall, felt
like it was changing directions 6 or 7 times over the 30 minutes, which
is WAY too much. As soon as I figured out that they were about to go
one way, they switched to another direction, losing me for a bit, as
well as other viewers I think. Either, too many people writing this
plot, too many cuts on the floor, or too many last minute decisions on
the plot.
There's also another potential explaination, pointed out to me by
Matthew Kurth - compare this episode with "Summer of 4'2", last years
seaons finale. There's similar ideas - Bart and Lisa discovering
themselves in the presence of older kids. Richard Appel, the writer
for this episode, *may have* simiply tried to follow this formula,
realizing it worked well, but had very little success in doing so.
Trying to rewrite a working developement with a different premise is
just too hard.
Summerizing my points here: 4F21 had too much happening with very little
to explain why they happened. With half the material, with more
exploration, this would have been better.
Now, I did think this one was funny, once you got past the horrible
plot. The sonic boom, ala 'Back to the Future', the classroom movies,
and some of the hazing techniques were cute scenes, reminisent of the
old Simpsons. Certainly, I cannot say I didn't laugh at this episode.
Furthermore, characterization for Bart and Lisa was perfect. Ignoring
how the plot put them into their places, Bart and Lisa behaved as
expected, and it was expecially nice to see Lisa not being PC (see
comment later). Also, the end of Act 2 was beautively done, with
Marge singing to Lisa (Too bad it was already done on the show where
Lisa and Bart are taken as foster children by the Flanders).
Now, one point I'm EXTREMELY glad to see is that they avoided making
this plot too much like the real life Citadel incident(s). The only
time that they *specifically* pointed out that Lisa was a girl was early
in the second act, and the clearing of the bunk was reason enough for
the rest of the troops to dislike Lisa. (Sure, I'm sure one could say
that they hated Lisa for the rest of the episode for being a girl,
however, they never said it, nor made a specific reference to her being
of the fairer sex.) I must say that this was a relief on my part that
Lisa wasn't going to have to be PC, nor a political statement was going
to be made because of this show.
However, even thou I did laught, and did appriciate the characters, I
was extremely put aside by the plot that went nowhere and ended up
nowhere. This one should have been sent once more around the editing
table before it was accepted... it would have smoothed out the wrinkles
in this otherwise decent show. If I could ignore the plot, this would
maybe have a A-, but the lack of plot brings this down to a C- or a
D+, depending on my mood.
Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
works out better.
--
Michael K. Neylon, UM ChE Grad | "..Besides, as an engineer, I've
mne...@engin.umich.edu | never actually spoken to [a woman]
A!, PatB, F!, MST, ST, DW | and the very thought gives me the
http://pinky.wtower.com/mneylon | screaming willy-wallies!" Brain - A!#24
Ryan
Michael K. Neylon wrote:
> Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
> show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
> lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
> seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
> Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
> developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
> from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
> is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
> that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
> people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
> They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
> again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
> for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
> MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
> works out better.
After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pixel Fusion Inc. http://pixel-fusion.com/
The Simpsons Archive http://www.snpp.com/
webm...@pixel-fusion.com ry...@pixel-fusion.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dale G. Abersold
Ryan <ry...@pixel-fusion.com> writes:
> After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
> out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
> in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
> everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
> Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
> there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
While I admit that season 8 was "less realistic" in many ways than season 7,
It was _far_ more realistic than seasons 5 and 6. Don't you recall...Bart finds
a comet? The Simpsons go to Australia? Bart wins an elephant? The Simpsons
are trapped in an amusement park, where hundreds of evil robots are going on a
rampage? The surreal/"cartoonish" bent the series has taken is certainly not
unique to this season: it's been there for a few years now.
I agree that the series could use more down-to-earth humor. However, I think
that season 8, like season 7, was a step in the right direction.
____________________________________________________________
| Dale G. Abersold-...@cc.usu.edu |
| S1.2 LIS+++! MIL++@ CBG* f++ n++ $+++ 7F19 M27 |
| Now Open! Dale's Big Page O' Criticism |
| http://cc.usu.edu/~slkby/critic.html |
------------------------------------------------------------
Rick Diamant
In article <338639...@pixel-fusion.com>
Ryan <ry...@pixel-fusion.com> writes:
>Subject: Re: [4F21] "Secret War of Lisa Simpson" Review
>Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 00:41:03 +0000
>Michael K. Neylon wrote:
>> Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
>> show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
>> lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
>> seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
>> Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
>> developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
>> from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
>> is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
>> that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
>> people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
>> They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
>> again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
>> for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
>> MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
>> works out better.
>After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
>out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
>in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
>everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
>Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
>there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
Sure, relative realism like:
Bart riding on a ceiling fan using Grandpa's false teeth;
Homer starting a nuclear emergency from a simulation trailer;
Someone eating a bee because he thought it was a placebo;
Homer surviving falling into a canyon while riding a skateboard (twice);
Bart getting a job as a bartender for mobsters;
9 major leaguers sign up as ringers for a company softball team;
Lisa talks Dr. Nick through major heart surgery;
Inmate makes picture of Alfred E Newman by squeezing the tattoo on her back;
And those are just a few samples, all from episodes in the first 5 seasons. I
agree, The Simpsons has gotten a lot more unrealistic. But it's not like it
has always stuck to realistic plots from the beginning.
Rick
"If elected mayor, my first act will be to kill the whole lot of ye and
burn this town to cinders! <whisper> What?! I know it's on!"
johngu...@earthlink.net
On Sat, 24 May 1997 00:41:03 +0000, Ryan <ry...@pixel-fusion.com>
wrote:
>Michael K. Neylon wrote:
>> Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
>> show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
>> lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
>> seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
>> Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
>> developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
>> from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
>> is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
>> that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
>> people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
>> They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
>> again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
>> for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
>> MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
>> works out better.
>
>After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
>out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
>in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
>everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
>Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
>there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>Pixel Fusion Inc. http://pixel-fusion.com/
>The Simpsons Archive http://www.snpp.com/
>webm...@pixel-fusion.com ry...@pixel-fusion.com
>---------------------------------------------------------------
I agree. This season has had little flavor compared to other seasons.
John Guenther
On Thu, 29 May 1997 02:17:18 GMT, johngu...@earthlink.net wrote:
>On Sat, 24 May 1997 00:41:03 +0000, Ryan <ry...@pixel-fusion.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Michael K. Neylon wrote:
>>> Overall, this season has been a relative disappointment. Nearly every
>>> show this season, I can point out a major point where the writers were
>>> lacking something. Furthermore, this has been one of the zaniest
>>> seasons as well for the Simpsons - which to me, doesn't suit my fancy.
>>> Yes, cartoons can get away from reality, but the Simpsons, as its been
>>> developed, still has at least one foot in there, and many of the plots
>>> from older shows were realistic. Yet, this season, the biggest problem
>>> is that they've taken their foot out from reality, and developed plots
>>> that make no sense that most people really can't relate too (How many
>>> people can talk about ODing on hot peppers, or meeting a magical nanny?)
>>> They need to remember their roots, and step *just a bit* into reality
>>> again. There's plenty of real situations that OFF can still explore -
>>> for me, I'd like more Marge/Bart or Marge/Lisa relationships...we know
>>> MArge is a caring mother.. but how much of one? Here's hoping Season 9
>>> works out better.
>>
>>After seeing 7 seasons of realitive realism, this season kind of took
>>out all the stops. While there were some things that could only be done
>>in a cartoon, up until season 8, pretty much everything could happen in
>>everyday life. Did we really need to see Bart strapped to a propeller?
>>Did we really need to see Lisa fire a machine gun? No. Let's hope
>>there's a little more down to earth humor next year... -Ryan
>>---------------------------------------------------------------
>>Pixel Fusion Inc. http://pixel-fusion.com/
>>The Simpsons Archive http://www.snpp.com/
>>webm...@pixel-fusion.com ry...@pixel-fusion.com
>>---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I agree. This season has had little flavor compared to other seasons.
Yeah.
MikeHland
Obviously you've never been to military school.
-Mike Howland
"That's funny because it didn't happen to me"