Unsorted episode reviews: As I haven't been reviewing so much I've put here all the reviews I've done of latest episodes from the last few seasons...enjoy!

The Debarted:

By far, the best of the season. One of the only episodes where I hadn't found myself looking at the clock partway through which is just great. I was laughing and really interested in the story throughout the entire thing. Donny was a great new character and the whole idea of him being the rat was incredibly well played, I thought. Characterisations spot on all round. The subplot was good too, tons of jokes I found really funny. A couple of iffy lines and extended moments here and just ONE terrible moment which was Lisa repeatedly kicking Bart in the face with soccer boots...I don't get why the writers enjoy crap like this, just totally unfunny, out of character and unnessecary, and it dragged on and on. I don't think Lisa would have been this mean in the classic era, and I hated this scene. But Bart episodes are normally the best and this proves the point here. B+

What was with Doris' voice? I thought Tress did a really good job voicing her in that episode last season, but she sounded really off here.

Edit: I didn't even mind the storm joke because it was short, not overdone, and so crazy it was just very funny. Also, great to see both plots wrapped up properly by the finish and lots of funny Skinner/Chalmers moments.

Smoke on the Daughter:

Really quick review. I thought it was okay, and the subplot was actually really funny- Apu's moment was hilarious. The dance instructor was a laugh. The smoking thing didn't go well for me at all though, it was incredibly cringeworthy especially that final part. I kinda saw it from the beginning, and I don't really know why they had that idea. That was one of those Simpsons moments I'd feel embarrased at if I was watching with others. That whole idea just seemed so unreal and bizzarre, that none of the jokes in the main plot really worked for me at all. Oh well. 3 out of 5

The Burns and the Bees:

Well, it was predictable where the bees would go by the end of it, and of course like most new episodes there were some real dud gags and off-character moments (Burns' lack of knowledge taking over the old stadium was a little bit cringeworthy, and I thought the ending kinda sucked with them carrying him off in a typically crazy Jean-style, but meh). But I enjoyed it more than most new episode, with some genuinely funny moments including some nice Homer and Lisa moments. One of the better episodes for a while. B-, 4.5 / 5

Anyone notice they sort of merged the old and new animation in the intro? Nice touch.

Edit: About Lisa's bee beard, I found that a bit too wacky to be honest as I like some sort of believability in the show..(!), but there were a couple of nice gags resulting from it. And I loved Frink's moment too with Lisa, we don't see enough of him these days.

No Loan Again, Naturally:

Nice little touches throughout and overall a good modern episode. I WISH they cut out the lame crap at the beginning though, this seemed like boring filler, but once that was over the episode really picked up. Ned was really, really in character which I thought Al Jean could never do. I actually found Burns FUNNY in this too, and there were lots of little jokes I laughed at- some of them were really smart. Best of the season for me so far.

I didn't like the suicide gag, but most others were really funny. Nice ending too. I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

One thing that's bothering me now is the intro. It seems too long, and with the very long couch gag, I now can't wait for it to be over.

Bart Gets a z:

Good episode, interesting and I always really enjoy the writers exploring Bart and Mrs K's relationship. The substitute could have been more, but never mind. I thought the idea of Bart getting Mrs. K drunk as revenge was typical of him, and the substitute too which I enjoyed. I didn't expect Mrs. Krabappel to be working as a cupcake seller (that was random!!) but it led to some good gags. Some dull parts, of course, but that is expected these days.

I would have liked much more of Lisa too, shame this never really happened. That could have led to some interesting discussion between Lis and Bart about how he could get Mrs K back, but sadly never happened. 4 / 5

B

The animation seemed really stiff and generally lackluster, which was a bit of a complaint, but it was OK.

The great wife hope:

I hated it.
Homer and Lisa's characterisations were both god-awful, Bart's to some degree. The only one who was like her old self was Marge, caring about her son and family which was kinda nice but overshadowed by the bad.

I have never seen Homer act such like a retarded braindead kid the whole episode. I mean take the cake thing. what the hell? it was made a million times worse by homer's extended crying scene. nor did I like Lisa like some totally dislikeable bitch 20 years older than she should be. That ending...wow. Don't know how anyone can call it "classic era" as I have never seen Lisa hitting Bart unconscious and being happy during the first 8 seasons.

As for the episode itself, okay premise, by the numbers with a fairly predictable conclusion, peppered with lame jokes and forced lines. The Burns one was horribly cringeworthy the first time let alone dragging it on, Homer getting tied into knots, dressing as Marge...dear god. don't remember any jokes I particularly liked.
D

This show is turning more into Family Guy every season.