It was a nice break for Kirk, a good side of Homer (which is always good) as well as a nice episode! A good one thanks!
I'm glad we got to see more of the positive side to Kirk's character. On the other hand, I did not know he was so perverse.
Good game, Simpson, good game!
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2016-11-11T02:21:16Z
9.5/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale. It's reached the point where every time I'm watching a particularly good post-classic episode, I expect it will be one showrun by Matt Selman (you can tell because his name will come first in the "Executive Producer" credit), and rarely am I wrong. I don't know what it is that Selman has over chief showrunner Al Jean, but it feels like he gets the characters, the humor, and the emotional core of the show better than his showrunning counterpart.
The episode basically comes down to two big emotional conflicts. The first is Kirk Van Houten, who no one likes or listens to, experiencing the first bit of fulfillment he's had since his big time lacrosse days by coaching the kids' lacrosse team and bringing on Homer as assistant coach, getting success and friendship at the same time. Homer, meanwhile, is naturally pretty annoyed by Kirk's exaggerated lame-o tendencies, but feels compelled to keep up the illusion of friendship because the lacrosse has been so beneficial for Bart and Lisa. Homer's part veers nicely into the territory where he's trying to avoid being a jerk rather than being constantly insensitive to anyone and anything. And it all culminates in a nice little tune where Kirk sings of his joy, Homer of his frustration, leading into the third act.
Of course, everything works out. There's a ticking clock, and a nicely setup to go get an angry Kirk who's taken refuge at a strip club. Homer offers Kirk his respect, if not his friendship, coming clean and resolving the emotional conflict of the episode nicely, the lacrosse game working to give it some external stakes as well. In the mean time, there's amusing visual gags (Bart and Lisa using their lacrosse sticks to hurl socks at Homer and get him out of bed was particularly fun), some entertaining character comedy with Homer barely tolerating Kirk's dorkiness, and even some brief but enjoyable Friday Night Lights parodying.
Overall, it's an episode that had the character focus, the emotional stakes, and definitely the comedy to soar where so many late season episodes fail. Matt Selman forever!