[5.4/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] Oof, this one is rough. It feels like a mishmash of at least two other, better episodes (plus The Simpsons Movie) and can’t find anything worthwhile or funny to do with those setups. Homer trying to make Bart jealous by cavorting with another son was done much better in “Brother from the Same Planet”, a Simpson looking after Nelson was done better in season 16’s “Sleeping with the Enemy”, and Bart growing attached to Ned Flanders was done better in the show’s 2007 cinematic debut.
All this can offer is characters being jerks or ridiculous nonsense. I’m up for some ridiculous nonsense now and then, but very little here was funny enough to justify it. Bart being taught some tough love by Ned until he develops self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment was thin gruel. Homer feeling affronted that Bart gravitated to his mortal enemy and so mentoring Nelson out of spite is harsh and unpleasant. And Homer breaking Nelson’s heart and winning Bart back by saving him from Nelson’s revenge is a weak resolution. The only nice thing is Ned ending up mentoring Nelson, and even that goes on too long with too many dud gags.
Overall, this one is a pretty big waste of time. You’re better off just watching the times when the show did each of these ideas separately and with greater success, than this crappy remix.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-03-18T03:11:20Z
[5.4/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] Oof, this one is rough. It feels like a mishmash of at least two other, better episodes (plus The Simpsons Movie) and can’t find anything worthwhile or funny to do with those setups. Homer trying to make Bart jealous by cavorting with another son was done much better in “Brother from the Same Planet”, a Simpson looking after Nelson was done better in season 16’s “Sleeping with the Enemy”, and Bart growing attached to Ned Flanders was done better in the show’s 2007 cinematic debut.
All this can offer is characters being jerks or ridiculous nonsense. I’m up for some ridiculous nonsense now and then, but very little here was funny enough to justify it. Bart being taught some tough love by Ned until he develops self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment was thin gruel. Homer feeling affronted that Bart gravitated to his mortal enemy and so mentoring Nelson out of spite is harsh and unpleasant. And Homer breaking Nelson’s heart and winning Bart back by saving him from Nelson’s revenge is a weak resolution. The only nice thing is Ned ending up mentoring Nelson, and even that goes on too long with too many dud gags.
Overall, this one is a pretty big waste of time. You’re better off just watching the times when the show did each of these ideas separately and with greater success, than this crappy remix.