I think this was the first episode since Bart the Genius that really focuses on Homer and Bart's relationship. Or at least it is the first one that shows Bart's point of view. Up to this point in the series, their relationship has focused on Homer's need to impress Bart. This can definitely be seen most in The Call of the Simpsons and Dancin' Homer. I would argue that Homer's motivation is somewhat similar in this episode. He gets in the war with Flanders because of pride. Homer accepts the fact that Flanders has a better house, lawn, and even wife, but he needs to prove that he has raised the better son. If Bart can win the game of golf, it will prove to Homer that Bart actually respects him.
Bart, on the other hand, once again shows that he is actually a good person when placed under an unfair amount of pressure. Again, going back to Bart the Genius, when Bart starts failing at his new school, he realizes how much he missed his old life as a regular student. Similarly, in this episode, Bart is able to become a pretty successful golfer, but acknowledges the craziness of the situation. I don't really know what this says about him. On the one hand, it kind of confirms his "underachiever and proud of it" persona. He could be successful but chooses not to. But on the other hand, he is the only one acting reasonably in the entire episode. Basically, I think this indicates that Bart will be fine in the long run. He's a little lazy, but can apply himself if he has to.
Flanders is so interesting in this episode. We later learn that Flanders has some pretty serious emotional issues, and you can sort of see them in this episode. The character was introduced as the perfect, annoying, next door neighbor, but it is nice to see the writers acknowledging the fact that a person like that can't actually exist. After all, at a certain point, Flanders is shouting "mercy is for the weak". It doesn't take much for Flanders' perfect exterior to crumble and we begin to see a somewhat nasty guy. It's interesting that something as small as a golf game reveals the true Flanders in this episode. Later in the series, it takes some major events to have the mean person underneath come out. It's probably a good choice to restrict his emotional outbursts to life changing events; he would seem really unstable if his personality changed back and forth on every simple bet.
There were a couple of other inconsistencies with Flanders in this episode. Mainly that he was in a frat! He also seems to enjoy drinking beer. In these early episodes, I think the writers were actually trying to make Flanders a nice, relatable guy (ignoring of course his emotional outbursts). In later seasons, he becomes so overprotective, nervous, and innocent. It's definitely a big change from the somewhat over-eager, friendly neighbor we see in these episodes.
Springfield characters:
Maude Flanders - Maude is introduced as yet another perfect Flanders member. Whereas Todd was introduced as the opposite of Bart, Maude really wasn't compared to Marge in any way (well, except for the butt...). I'm trying to think of any occasions where Marge and Maude butt heads, but can't think of any off the top of my head.
Other stuff I liked:
Moaning Lisa was my roommate Jason's favorite episode of the show. This one was my roommate Sam's favorite episode. He was particularly fond of the "one hand clapping" bit, as well as Homer chuckling "oh Marmaduke" to himself at the breakfast table.
Homer is so belligerent in this episode. Thank god he is not normally like that. Its so rough to see him yelling at Marge to get him a beer at the start of the episode. I can see why Lisa is happy he takes no interest in her.
We can see how Helen gets her gossip. It was a nice touch to have her be the one to answer the phone before passing it to Reverend Lovejoy (who's "Ohhhh Matthew 19:19" quote always makes me laugh)
I smiled when I saw the mini-golf windmill. That place has a very special significance in Simpson lore.
Marge says she's Homer's best friend. That line is so sweet. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced my personal view on relationships comes from Homer and Marge (Yikes, is that a good thing?)
I think in general, the dialogue was really sharp this episode. The entire "name your putter" bit is great and Homer's response to Lisa bringing a protractor is hilarious.
Another episode that I did not have extremely fond memories of, but ended up enjoying a lot.
6/10
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