[8.3/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] I feel like I start every episode showrrun by Matt Selman by talking about how the episodes he showruns are different. But they are! There’s usually an emotional core to the eps he shepherds, and this is no exception. The premise of this one is a little outlandish (though fairly mild by Simpsons standards). Lisa and Marge collaborate on a graphic novel called “Sad Girl” that turns into a big success and inevitably causes friction.
As much as the show has gone to this well before (Bart’s created two successful comics, Marge had a best-selling romance novel, etc. etc.), the collaborative nature of “Sad Girl” gives us some good mother-daughter material. There’s a nice flip in perspective with Lisa initially getting all the credit as the writer of the book and Marge then getting all the notoriety for the stage adaptation. The way their bonding experience turns into a wedge between them but then they remember why they started doing this in the first place makes for a satisfying arc.
There’s also tons of guest stars in this one (including a blink and you’ll miss it cameo from Dan Harmon. Rachel Bloom does well with what she’s given but is kind of wasted as Lisa’s Community College therapist. It’s amusing to get a Bechdel test joke with Allison Bechdel herself. And having Martin Short ham it up as a Darren Nichols-esque whimsical theater director is enjoyable.
Plus, there’s some really neat art direction here. The design elements of the “Sad Girl” segment create some visual diversity to the show’s standard setting. The dream sequence in the opener has some cool instances of playing around with perspective. And even the giant puppet setup of “Sad Girl” on Broadway gives the animators some room for creative designs.
Overall, this is a great followup to the underwhelming season premiere to help get Season 29 off on the right foot.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-10-12T02:15:09Z
[8.3/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] I feel like I start every episode showrrun by Matt Selman by talking about how the episodes he showruns are different. But they are! There’s usually an emotional core to the eps he shepherds, and this is no exception. The premise of this one is a little outlandish (though fairly mild by Simpsons standards). Lisa and Marge collaborate on a graphic novel called “Sad Girl” that turns into a big success and inevitably causes friction.
As much as the show has gone to this well before (Bart’s created two successful comics, Marge had a best-selling romance novel, etc. etc.), the collaborative nature of “Sad Girl” gives us some good mother-daughter material. There’s a nice flip in perspective with Lisa initially getting all the credit as the writer of the book and Marge then getting all the notoriety for the stage adaptation. The way their bonding experience turns into a wedge between them but then they remember why they started doing this in the first place makes for a satisfying arc.
There’s also tons of guest stars in this one (including a blink and you’ll miss it cameo from Dan Harmon. Rachel Bloom does well with what she’s given but is kind of wasted as Lisa’s Community College therapist. It’s amusing to get a Bechdel test joke with Allison Bechdel herself. And having Martin Short ham it up as a Darren Nichols-esque whimsical theater director is enjoyable.
Plus, there’s some really neat art direction here. The design elements of the “Sad Girl” segment create some visual diversity to the show’s standard setting. The dream sequence in the opener has some cool instances of playing around with perspective. And even the giant puppet setup of “Sad Girl” on Broadway gives the animators some room for creative designs.
Overall, this is a great followup to the underwhelming season premiere to help get Season 29 off on the right foot.