As Burns and Smithers are looking for someone to eat dinner with, Smithers asks "can we find someone common enough". The camera slowly pans across various power plant workers and rests on Homer scratching himself, eating a donut, and burping. I think this is a great representation of what the show was trying to do for its first ten seasons. In later seasons, the story would have escalated to a whole different level; Homer would have certainly been involved in the Burns campaign in a much larger way. But for now, the Simpson are just a simple and flawed American household reacting to events around them. These early episodes almost seem quaint compared to what the show eventually becomes. It was nice to see the episode open with Bart and Lisa quietly sitting at a fishing hole - it is something you could see two young kids actually doing on their day off.
In the case of tonight's episode, we were shown two topics that have not yet been seen in Springfield. The first is politics. Interestingly, one of the main political figures, Mary Bailey, is never seen again in the show. Looking at the series as a whole, it is a bit odd that Burns was not running for Mayor against Quimby. One could argue that Bailey is necessary because she provides a wholesome candidate to counter Burn's evil, but I think it would have been nice to see how Quimby charms the voters. Nevertheless, The Simpsons presents politics as a ruthless, fickle business. In one of the best scenes of the episode we are introduced to Burns' campaign team. One side of the table contains everyone who will make Burns look good, and the other side has all the people who will slander Bailey. I also really like the end of the episode. When it is clear that Burns has blown his chances in the election, his campaign manager leaves him without a second thought. Burns is suddenly just an old man who can't even flip a table in his rage.
I also really like how the episode focused so much on Burns. Just like in Treehouse of Horror, the Simpson family was really secondary to Burns' story; Burns would have had trouble interacting with any common family. Burns trying to bribe the safety inspectors is absolutely classic Simpsons - in fact, it's not the last time we'll see a scene like this. The neatly arranged table of money is a funny image, but my personal favorite Burns bribe is in a later episode where the inspectors can pick between "the washer and dryer where the lovely Smithers is standing or you can trade it all in for what's in this box." And even though there's no reason to feel sympathy for Burns, I began to feel a bit sorry for him when his bribe was rejected and he begins drinking alone in his office. I'll chalk it up the sense of moodiness in this scene to the excellent animation. Overall, we finally got to see a more sympathetic side to Burns. But not too much, of course, seeing how the episode ends with him swearing vengeance on Homer.
Finally, the episode ended on another great bedroom scene between Homer and Marge. These seem to be a theme of this season, and I absolutely love it. At least 3 episodes this season end with Marge turning off the light. Just like in other episodes, Marge comforts Homer by reminding him who he is. Just like how his regained baldness won't ruin his life, Marge shows Homer how Burns' temporary anger won't be a problem either. All of these scenes are combining to show the audience how much Homer really needs Marge. It makes the episodes where they are having marital troubles all the more powerful. In Life on the Fast Lane we really didn't have very much information about the couple; from now on, those episodes will care even more weight.
Springfield characters:
No new ones. Sorry, Mary Bailey.
Other things I liked:
"I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you" is another classic Bart-ism. I'm enjoying how there has been very little Bart this season. The premiere focused heavily on him, but since then there has been almost nothing.
Burns' campaign ad is great. My favorite part is how there is a random elephant standing in the room for Burns to use as an example. Visual aids always help...
Burns' tirades about taxes are also hilarious. The entire dinner is so painfully scripted that having Burns yell at the family doesn't seem too out of place.
This is the first time we have seen a "Burns is weak" joke. Expect many more in the future.
Homer really shouldn't be worried about Burns' threat since it is clear that Burns can't even remember Homer's name
"Imperial and Godlike" are interesting polling opinions.
The episode wasn't unbelievably funny, but it kept pushing the envelope in terms of ambition for the show.
5.5/10
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