[8.2/10] The Simpsons and religion. Does it get any better? This one is hilarious but also moving in its ways. I like the throughline here: that Rev. Lovejoy stopped caring, that his congregation is bored to tears, and that Marge helps him reinvigorate his faith and service, just not in the way he thought.
Her tenure as the Listen Lady is delightful, not just because of her addressing Moe’s problem about his cat (“Alright, shut up! I’m asking her!”), but because she helps spur Reverend Lovejoy to go above and beyond. I’ll admit, getting attacked by rowdy teens and ending up in a baboon pit isn’t the world’s most relatable obstacle, but it works oddly well to show Lovejoy finding a cause to rescue the man who started his decline into apathy, and gives him fodder to launch into his most thrilling sermon yet.
The episode builds that story nicely, from Marge’s volunteerism, Lovejoy’s malaise, and even the ever-present burden/opportunity that is Ned’s life. Plus, the show packs in the comedy here. All the gags about everyone finding church stultifying are a laugh and a half. Marge sitting on the piano in the misdirect gag is great. And Lovejoy’s vision of the saints is laugh out loud funny.
If that weren’t enough, this is also the Mr. Sparkle episode! It’s one of the show’s more bizarre subplots (which is saying something), but also one of its most glorious. Granted, there’s a touch of exoticism here that’s uncomfortable. Still, the thrust of the gag here is just the weird mystery and Homer’s efforts to uncover it. The fact that he’s unexpectedly on the cover of a Japanese detergent box is the fodder for one of the show’s weirdest mysteries, and it wrings the humor from that until we discover the true origin of good ol’ fish-bulb.
Overall, this one is superb, with plenty of laughs, a well-crafted A-story about recovering one’s spirit, and a strange but fantastic B-story about a mundane but intriguing puzzle.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-03-01T05:55:17Z
[8.2/10] The Simpsons and religion. Does it get any better? This one is hilarious but also moving in its ways. I like the throughline here: that Rev. Lovejoy stopped caring, that his congregation is bored to tears, and that Marge helps him reinvigorate his faith and service, just not in the way he thought.
Her tenure as the Listen Lady is delightful, not just because of her addressing Moe’s problem about his cat (“Alright, shut up! I’m asking her!”), but because she helps spur Reverend Lovejoy to go above and beyond. I’ll admit, getting attacked by rowdy teens and ending up in a baboon pit isn’t the world’s most relatable obstacle, but it works oddly well to show Lovejoy finding a cause to rescue the man who started his decline into apathy, and gives him fodder to launch into his most thrilling sermon yet.
The episode builds that story nicely, from Marge’s volunteerism, Lovejoy’s malaise, and even the ever-present burden/opportunity that is Ned’s life. Plus, the show packs in the comedy here. All the gags about everyone finding church stultifying are a laugh and a half. Marge sitting on the piano in the misdirect gag is great. And Lovejoy’s vision of the saints is laugh out loud funny.
If that weren’t enough, this is also the Mr. Sparkle episode! It’s one of the show’s more bizarre subplots (which is saying something), but also one of its most glorious. Granted, there’s a touch of exoticism here that’s uncomfortable. Still, the thrust of the gag here is just the weird mystery and Homer’s efforts to uncover it. The fact that he’s unexpectedly on the cover of a Japanese detergent box is the fodder for one of the show’s weirdest mysteries, and it wrings the humor from that until we discover the true origin of good ol’ fish-bulb.
Overall, this one is superb, with plenty of laughs, a well-crafted A-story about recovering one’s spirit, and a strange but fantastic B-story about a mundane but intriguing puzzle.