[7.7/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] I remember really disliking this one when I watched it live, but I’m not sure why! It’s honestly pretty darn good for a late season episode! There’s a lot of laughs, and while it takes a while to get there, a good core conflict and character story for Marge.
The laughs are what put it over the top. I don’t know why, but I got a real big kick out of the “Krusty on Ice” gag work at the beginning of the episode. There’s not much to it, but it has a nice mix of well-observed bits about the hokiness of such productions and comic exaggeration in the skating crew getting into a showdown with the incoming basketball team. Plus, I love the absurdity of Homer getting into a recurring feud with The Grumple over his theft of the holiday cheer.
There’s also some fun shtick with Gil. His sad sack, Jack Lemmon-inspired routine plays well around the holidays, and the show finds new lows and impingements to saddle him with as the episode wears on in an amusing way. The one element in the episode that really fails the laugh test is Homer, who’s in definite jerkass mode here which drags it down, but even he gets a few good moments (mostly Grumple related).
The story is good too. I like the notion that Gil did a kindness for Lisa and it cost him his job, so Marge feels compelled to include him in the Simpsons’ Xmas festivities. He takes that as an in to turn their house into an inn, and Marge’s sense of charity is too much for her to kick him out, leading to a year-long, family-annoying residence for Ol’ Gil.
There’s a character component to it too though, as the episode grapples with Marge’s inability to say no after a goofy but traumatic experience with her sisters as a kid. That provides a good emotional throughline, and justifies Marge’s increasing annoyance and need to tell Gil “No!” even after his mooching problem solves itself.
The ending is a bit of a problem, as apparently the Simpsons own a house in Arizona now, which is a little extreme. But I like it as an escalation of Marge’s inability to avoid helping a kind soul (even one who takes advantage of her kindness) in need around the holidays.
Overall, this is a surprisingly worthy addition to your Simpsons holiday season watch list!
Shout by KevibVIP 3BlockedParent2023-11-20T08:20:08Z
Nothing too special, fun to have a christmas episode again.