[6.8 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] So here’s the weird thing about this episode. It has a lot of the things I ask for from latter day Simpsons episodes. It has a clear idea and emotional throughline in terms of how much Homer knows about Lisa. There’s a single story that largely follows cause and effect through the whole episode. And there’s setups and payoffs, both dramatically in terms of animal activism and laser pointer, and gag-wise as well, that makes the construction of “The Dad Who Knew Too Little” more sound than the average season 14 episode.
But it’s also just not very funny. It picks up some steam at the halfway mark, but there’s a lot of really dumb jokes here, and Homer in particular is at his worst. The characterization feels off, and even the running gags like the blackening for hair/glasses/emotions or people finding made-up pigs arousing are just stupid and/or weird. Dexter Colt on the case is worth a few yuks, and Homer reading the report while trying to interact with Lisa generates a handful of chuckles, but otherwise, the characterization and humor here is really lacking, which weighs down an otherwise solidly built episode.
Overall, I like the story this episode is trying to tell, even if it fudges the ending, but the weak jokes and unlikable characterization of Homer in particular hobbles it out of the gate.
Shout by KevibVIP 3BlockedParent2023-10-04T18:43:55Z
Really liked this episode, second time in a row where there is still a scene during the credits, a new trend?