30x10 'Tis the 30th Season

[8.6/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale.] Nice to see the show returning to its roots, telling a cynical but character-focused and ultimately warm episode centered around the holidays. I think the first act is my favorite, with Marge’s misadventures on Black Friday. I used to do the Black Friday routine with my own mom, so the strategizing, cold lines, and anger at “cutters” rang true. Plus, it’s just such a great little Marge morality play, where she goes out of her way to be kind to her fellow man (in this instance, a characteristically pathetic Gil) and loses out on her own goals for it. Reverend Lovejoy buying the “Futon Friend” off Gil for a cool hundo is a nice touch to add insult to injury, and setup the emotional stakes for Marge.

In the second act, I like how much Homer in particular goes out of his way to be nice to Marge and try to brighten up the holiday for her since she always does so much for the family. Sure, rolling out to a terrible Florida resort is a pretty standard “the Simpsons are going to ____” setup, and drugging her to get her into the car is pretty extreme, but the effort is a kind one. The show also makes the most of it comedically, whether it’s the bumper sticker cycling (Go Area Team), the teeny hotel room, or the well-observed bits about a decaying amusement park.

Again, it’s rooted in character. Everyone trying to have a good time at this clearly decrepit resort, in order to cheer up Marge, is a sweet family bit that shows the Simpsons at their best. The show shortcuts things a bit to get them home by Christmas and cheer Marge up with the usual “happiness in unusual but familiar places” bit, which happens to take place at Moe’s. But there’s at least a sturdy enough arc there, and what Bart’s veep-head Godfather homage lacks in sense, it makes up for in comic absurdity.

Overall, this is the highlight of a surprisingly solid season, and it makes The Simpsons 2-for-2 on holiday episodes in Season 30!