[7.4/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] There’s something always a little easier about these three stories episodes. Even in the less-than-great stretches of the show, they’re typically non-canon, a little looser in attitude, and quick to where issues like story and characterization aren’t as big as a concern. That helps a lot of what ails latter day Simpsons.
This episode, which centered on stories of how people got to Heaven, was nothing to write home about necessarily, but was broadly enjoyable and full of gags that were low hanging fruit, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The opening segment, which featured Ned Flanders as a traveling salesman, was the weakest of them. Trying to do a “I learned a lesson with my reckless behavior” is pretty dry ground to try to plant on to begin with for Ned, but the show just didn’t wring much out of it. The bit with him rescuing Homer from a death trap trampoline had a little bit of juice (no pun intended), but overall the segment was just a bit dull.
Plus, the Comic Book Guy-esque nitpicker in me will note that we’ve previously seen Ned having shaved his mustache with no visible scar. (Though I find it kind of annoying that the one bit of continuity the show did observe here was the dumb reveal that Ned is 60 years old, making him an adult when Homer is a kid. Of all the things I’d be happy for the show to forget, that’s definitely up there.)
The middle segment was my favorite. Putting Marge’s grandmother in a Cablanca-like setup in Vichy France was a good setup. Sure, the episode reverted to a lot of easy pop cultural gags about the French and the Germans, but there was some fun wordplay and even the chance for a good turn from Moe. And the notion that Marge’s grandmother had lost her faith due to the war, but still deserved to get into Heaven for her commitment to good works is a laudable one.
I also enjoyed the final segment, which retold the life of Gautma Buddha through Lisa. I’ll admit that most of my knowledge of that story comes from a cobination of sophomore World History class and the movie Little Buddha, so I’m ill equipped to critique its take on the Buddha’s life, but I enjoyed the riff on “Sidd-martha” feeling spiritually listless despite having everything she wanted. It felt like the show rushed through the rest of the story, but there were still some good gags, and I particularly enjoyed the pageantry of the “I want less” song.
I’m also enjoyed the frame story, which was mostly a conversation between God and St. Peter about who should get into Heaven. God’s interactions with other deities, and back and forth with St. Peter were, again, easy gags, but amusing ones.
Overall, this isn’t going to be anyone’s favorite Simpsons episode, but it’s full of amiable bits and stories that make it go down easy.
(Oh, and I loved the Bob's Burgers couch gag. It's nice to see one of The Simpsons' great inheritors getting this little feature spot on the show.)
This Episode was a disappointment ....
This is the most awesome couch gag ever <3
Shout by j_pereira8BlockedParentSpoilers2018-10-15T14:41:08Z
This episode has my favorite couch gag for the entire series! Homer enters Bob's Burgers restaurant during their shows opening sequence. The Belchers notice the stranger in their restaurant. Even the Burger of the Day is "The Eat My Short Ribs Burger."