[7.1/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] The A-story here is a little too straightforward and easy in its points, but still good, and the B-story is just bonkers. The gags are hit or miss, but pick up a little steam as they continue, which helps.
The A-story sees Lisa winning popularity thanks to an orthodontics-forced smile. There’s some good humor and commentary to be wrung from the sexism of women being expected to smile, and Lisa grappling with how she feels about benefiting from something she disagrees with. Her efforts to use her powers for good by running for school body president, and the inevitable downfall when her bottom orthodontics result in her frown, are a solid progression. The plotline pretty much announces its points and beats, which weakens them (and Parks and Rec did a better job of a “running against Dubya” story), but there’s a good idea and some solid gags here. (I especially laughed at the Mad Men-esque training video.)
But the B-story was just nuts. I’m not saying that the Artie Ziff character has completely run his course (and it’s always a treat to have Jon Lovitz back), but I’m so sick of “he chases Marge” stories. The reveal that he was marrying a robot Marge in a bid to win real Marge’s love is just insane. I’ll admit, I laughed at some of the humor involving the various Marge-bots, but it feels like something that belongs in a Treehouse of Horror episode. Even the whole “use your affections for good” bit at the end felt tacked on.
Overall, the somewhat blunt but still amusing and timely A-story boosts this one, while the ridiculous B-story drags it down.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-01-17T22:21:41Z
[7.1/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] The A-story here is a little too straightforward and easy in its points, but still good, and the B-story is just bonkers. The gags are hit or miss, but pick up a little steam as they continue, which helps.
The A-story sees Lisa winning popularity thanks to an orthodontics-forced smile. There’s some good humor and commentary to be wrung from the sexism of women being expected to smile, and Lisa grappling with how she feels about benefiting from something she disagrees with. Her efforts to use her powers for good by running for school body president, and the inevitable downfall when her bottom orthodontics result in her frown, are a solid progression. The plotline pretty much announces its points and beats, which weakens them (and Parks and Rec did a better job of a “running against Dubya” story), but there’s a good idea and some solid gags here. (I especially laughed at the Mad Men-esque training video.)
But the B-story was just nuts. I’m not saying that the Artie Ziff character has completely run his course (and it’s always a treat to have Jon Lovitz back), but I’m so sick of “he chases Marge” stories. The reveal that he was marrying a robot Marge in a bid to win real Marge’s love is just insane. I’ll admit, I laughed at some of the humor involving the various Marge-bots, but it feels like something that belongs in a Treehouse of Horror episode. Even the whole “use your affections for good” bit at the end felt tacked on.
Overall, the somewhat blunt but still amusing and timely A-story boosts this one, while the ridiculous B-story drags it down.