1x04 There's No Disgrace Like Home

One of the few episodes that I can still remember from my childhood (I used to watch this series when I was around 10~14 years, more as a pass-time than actually loving it, because - well - I was to young to get everything, I guess). While the first three episodes felt more like a continuous story from start to end, this is the first episode that already follows the typical setup of later simpsons episodes: We get an introductory story that actually has nothing to do with the main story (Mr. Burns party), except for one single binding element (the family love Homer witnesses from one of his co-worker, that fuels the entire second part (Homer wanting to change his family for better).

On the other side, however, the episode is rather atypical. Marge is the drunk, Homer is the one worried about their image and Lisa misbehaves (which was rather typical for the Simpsons Shorts). Homer selling the TV and wanting to pray before eating is probably the biggest break with his character. In the entire Simpsons context this feels rather strange. But reminding ourselves that this is just episode four, it is understandable that did not have that developed characteristic trades. Would this episode be shown in a later season, we would most definitely have Marge and Homer switch roles in this story.

But even given the short background we do already have, it's rather hypocritical of Homer being the one to judge both, their perceived family image (when he did not care about his personal image at all just in the previous episode) as well as the lack of love in the family (when he only spent time with his son for the first time after thinking his son is a genius, and stopping the second he finds out the truth just two episodes ago). Then again, this episode makes clear, that we are in the early 90s, where it was typical to reset the entire previous history at the beginning of the next episode, by having Homer know his boss so well, which he only met in the previous episode for the first time. Still, with Homer being content with the status quo the entire time, and just wanting a change once Marge gets accidentally drunk and Homer seeing a functional family for the first time, one might wonder why he doesn't try to work on himself and becomes role model instead of just judging and forcing his family, so even when disregarding everything else and taking the episode as a stand-alone story, the hipocracy is still there (even though much less visible).

There is, of course, a lot of settle sarcasm and irony in this episode, starting with Mr. Burns being a parody of Reagan, and ending with aversion therapy, where Dr. Marvin Monroe basically tells Homer that it's okey to hit his family until they comply. For me, the electroshock scene is probably one of the most iconic for a Simpsons episode, and it gets even more iconic as this scene is shown to Holly in the plane in Die Hard 2.

Other than that this episode hasn't too much to offer, for many it's considered one of the worst episodes, but in the end, I still really like it, so this totals up to a 6/10 points.

I can vaguely remember this episode from an old VHS from my childhood and upon rewatching it there were a few moments I liked: the rest of the family’s fiery call to join them in the car, Marge’s out-of-character drunkenness, Bart slipping the foam off the bats during the family therapy session. Generally, though, the episode feels disjointed and vague; the behaviour of the characters seems to be designed to suit the plot rather than vice versa. Homer is unusually conscientious, which seems a stretch even taking into consideration his humiliation at the picnic. Lisa and Marge, on the other hand, seem obsessed with the television to the exclusion of all else. It feels sloppy somehow, although it’s more forgivable at this early stage.

Perhaps this episode’s biggest sin, though, is that it simply isn’t very funny. There are attempts but more often than not they fall flat, leaving things in a hinterland between humour and pathos without really coming close to either. It’s a pity because the premise of the family going to counselling seems a strong one, ripe for anarchy. Special mention must go to Dr Marvin Monroe, undoubtedly one of the worst characters on the classic show and one killed off quickly. Not an episode to remember, then.