[7.3/10] It’s funny how little I remembered about this episode. It’s tempting to just call it a gagfest, since it’s heavy on Mr. Burns-style chicanery. Bits like his series of auditions and “life flashing before my eyes” moments and efforts to bond with Bart lend themselves to the show rattling off a bunch of enjoyable, outsized gags. But there’s a heart to this one too.
I like this story as a certain confirmation that, however much of a hellraiser Bart might be, he’s not evil. You’d be forgiven for seeing a child who engages in vandalism and general brattery -- to the extent of pretty massive public destruction and mayhem at Mr. Burns’s estate -- for being head down a dark road. It is, after all, why Mr. Burns picks Bart to be his heir. He recognizes a bit of himself in that.
And yet, even though at first, Bart bristles at his family for putting a damper on his “destructive side” and ventures ever closer to Mr. Burns who not only allows but encourages it, eventually it starts to seem empty to him. It’s striking how subtle some of it is. Even just seeing Mr. Burns laugh too hard at an Itchy & Scratchy cartoon gives Bart a little moment of realization.
The episode even does well to build it all up to a momentous choice, where Bart can spiritually decide whether to stick with Burns and his wealth and malevolence or stick with his family and their poverty and love. As cynical as The Simpsons can be at times, you still know which one he’s going to pick, but it’s still a little bit heartwarming when he does.
But that’s a lot of highfalutin description for an episode filled to the brim with very silly and out there gags. (The ersatz Michael Caine and Estonian little person trying to understand their roles as the Simpsons is a particular favorite.) Despite that big choice, “Burns’ Heir” is a lighter episode. It doesn't have as big laughs or as much heart as some of its neighboring episodes, but it’s still a very enjoyable outing that gets to the heart of Bart.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2019-05-25T22:09:40Z
[7.3/10] It’s funny how little I remembered about this episode. It’s tempting to just call it a gagfest, since it’s heavy on Mr. Burns-style chicanery. Bits like his series of auditions and “life flashing before my eyes” moments and efforts to bond with Bart lend themselves to the show rattling off a bunch of enjoyable, outsized gags. But there’s a heart to this one too.
I like this story as a certain confirmation that, however much of a hellraiser Bart might be, he’s not evil. You’d be forgiven for seeing a child who engages in vandalism and general brattery -- to the extent of pretty massive public destruction and mayhem at Mr. Burns’s estate -- for being head down a dark road. It is, after all, why Mr. Burns picks Bart to be his heir. He recognizes a bit of himself in that.
And yet, even though at first, Bart bristles at his family for putting a damper on his “destructive side” and ventures ever closer to Mr. Burns who not only allows but encourages it, eventually it starts to seem empty to him. It’s striking how subtle some of it is. Even just seeing Mr. Burns laugh too hard at an Itchy & Scratchy cartoon gives Bart a little moment of realization.
The episode even does well to build it all up to a momentous choice, where Bart can spiritually decide whether to stick with Burns and his wealth and malevolence or stick with his family and their poverty and love. As cynical as The Simpsons can be at times, you still know which one he’s going to pick, but it’s still a little bit heartwarming when he does.
But that’s a lot of highfalutin description for an episode filled to the brim with very silly and out there gags. (The ersatz Michael Caine and Estonian little person trying to understand their roles as the Simpsons is a particular favorite.) Despite that big choice, “Burns’ Heir” is a lighter episode. It doesn't have as big laughs or as much heart as some of its neighboring episodes, but it’s still a very enjoyable outing that gets to the heart of Bart.