Ten seasons later and still great

Ever since I saw my first episode of the Simpson’s I have been hooked. I have bought all the seasons up to this point and nothing was going to stop me on getting the tenth and most recent season. The Simpson’s really never went bad, just less great. By now the Simpson’s aren’t exactly classic material anymore but are still entertaining and enjoyable that can be watched and re-watched over and over. The second year in the Mike Scully years isn’t nearly as great as the last one but make no mistake the Simpson’s are still worth your money and this collection is proof of that.

The first episode of the season is Lard of the Dance, a funny and entertaining episode that shows you what the rest of the season is like. Lisa organizes a school dance when new student Alex shows up. Meanwhile Homer finds out that grease can be exchanged for money. An excellent way to start up the season Lard of the Dance is a very funny episode that pays good attention to Lisa and has a wacky side plot. It is zany but never exactly goes over the top. Lisa has good characterization and there are plenty of laughs thanks to Milhouse. Things only get better with The wizard on Evergreen Terrace. After finding out the average life expectancy is 78.2 years Homer realizes he wasted half his life. While in his depression he finds hears about Tomas Edison and becomes an inventor. Written by series legend John Swartzwelder this manages to be a very funny and lighthearted episode. Revolving around Homer this episode devoid of subplots houses many quotes and laughs. The feel of this season is similar to the last but slightly different, it still retains the lighthearted feel while exploring new territory.

The Tree house of Horror IX is one of the better installments the series ever had. The first two segments are excellent and a fairly good third one. In the first one Homer receives Snakes hair transplant after Snake vows to kill his witnesses that sent him to the chair. The second segment has Bart and Lisa trapped inside an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon, and the final one shows that Maggie is the spawn of Kodos. I personally love the first segment the best as it is short fast paced and extremely witty and hilarious. The second one is very good also and the third one has its moments but isn’t quite as strong as the first two. Still this remains better than the last seasons and about on par with the eighth. Up till now the season is strong with no real weak episodes however When You Dish Upon a Star is probably the worst episode of the season. It really isn’t horrible and I can tolerate homer but it just isn’t funny and has pointless cameos. When a trip to the beach ends up with Homer discovering Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin living secretly in Springfield he agrees to keep their secret and buy them groceries. Although it has a relatively funny first act the episode just is not that good and is the most flawed episode of the season, hard to believe Richard Appel wrote this one but I guess we all have our bad days.

Things do improve with Mayored to the Mob with shows the Simpson’s in top form with plenty of great gags. After Homer saves Mark Hamil and Mayor Quimby, the Mayor makes Homer his bodyguard. Very quotable and often hilarious I enjoy this episode very much and it proves Homer does have morals. Wild Barts can’t be broken shows the Simpson’s take on curfew with hilarious results. During a binge drinking Homer wrecks the school and as a result chief Wiggum makes a tough curfew on Springfield’s youth. Often entertaining this episode has a lot of fun with Springfield’s kids and even includes a very fun musical number. Not exactly perfect like its heyday but after ten seasons the show still holds up exceedingly well.

Homer to the Max remains one of the better episodes of the season and is full of quotes. After a hip new cop show is on T.V. the main character is named Homer Simpson, he is suave and Homer goes around saying how his life is based off the tv character; then his character is changed from cool to stupid so Homer changes his name to Max. A very good episode that is full of quality mainly due to three equally funny acts. It even dabbles into environmentalism in its last act. Brilliantly written by John Swartzwelder this episode never fails to disappoint. The second Lisa based episode is Make room for Lisa. When Homer accidentally destroys the bill of rights, cell phone company omnie touch puts a tower in their house in Lisa’s room. Written by Mike Scully’s brother Brian who also wrote last seasons Lost our Lisa writes another excellent Lisa episode. It is touching and has a good side plot with Marge.

Maximum Homerdrive is another fun and entertaining Homer based episode that never takes anything too far. While at a steakhouse Homer takes on a steak challenge against trucker Red, he dies and Homer fulfills his trucking duties. Some excellent sight gags and an excellent first act Maximum Homerdrive never really disappoints except possibly for the Marge/Lisa story which seems dull compared to Bart and Homer. Mom and Pop art is a perfectly fine episode with Homer as the main story. When Homer is thrown over the edge while attempting to build a barbeque grill an artist helps him sell it and Homer becomes an outsider artist. With a solid script from Simpson’s writer Al Jean this is a funny episode with a lot of good moments and a touching end. With no side plots Homer shows he can carry on an episode just fine as he has been doing most of the season.

Simpsons season 10 is not perfect but it is very funny and memorable. Many excellent episodes surround it and the quality hasn’t dipped much. One of the main drawbacks is that this is the last season to have Phil Hartman on it since he died that year. There is only one Mr. Burns centered episode (Monty can’t buy me love) and Homer is a little over represented as he has the majority of the season. A couple of good Lisa related episodes and some Bart episodes with only a few Marge episodes. Some nice cameos as usual appear even if they do seem forced at times. The Simpson’s do some traveling this year to places such as Japan and Scotland. There are two less episodes than last six seasons but there are plenty of extras to go around. With commentary on every episode you certainly get your moneys worth with this box set. Also the intros include an entertaining Bart and squeaky teen kid 20th century fox logo. If you’re a Simpson’s fan I would highly recommend this, just don’t expect another season 4 and you will be satisfied.

4.5 stars rounded down

Episode List (Bolded ones are my favorites)

Lard of the Dance 5/5
Wizard of Evergreen Terrace 5/5
Bart the Mother 4/5
Treehouse of Horror XI 5/5
When you Dish upon a star 2/5
D'oh-in' in the Wind 4/5
Lisa gets an A 4.5/5
Homer Simpson in Kidney trouble 4/5
Mayord to the Mob 5/5
Viva Ned Flanders 4/5
Wild Barts can’t be Broken 4.5/5
Sunday Cruddy Sunday 5/5
Homer To the Max 5/5
I’m with cupid 4/5
Marge Simpson in Screaming Yellow Honkers 4/5
Make room for Lisa 5/5
Maximum Homerdrive 4/5
Simpson Bible Stories 4/5
Mom and Pop Art 5/5
The Old man and the “C” student 4/5
Monty can’t buy me love 4/5
They Saved Lisa’s brain 4/5
Thirty minutes over Tokyo 4/5