Review: The Simpsons ‘Halloween of Horror’

 

Spoilers Below:

The episode began with the family visiting a Halloween pop-up shop, where Homer unintentionally got a trio of workers fired and furious with him. Later that evening, Lisa became lost at the Krustyland Halloween Horror Night and was traumatized, causing the family to call off the holiday.

While Marge took Bart trick or treating in an exclusive neighborhood, the vengeful employees showed up at the house and terrorized Homer and Lisa. Lisa sacrificed Tailee (the remnant of a safety blanket stuffed raccoon from her childhood) and Homer used the stowed-away Halloween decorations to alert the neighbors of the intruders, and got them locked up.

Meanwhile, Bart’s Halloween turned into a Rocky Horror­-esque adult party, and he and Marge had to leave, but when they returned to the house, the townspeople were gathered for a party, complete with a participating Lisa.

In Case You Missed It:

1) No chalkboard gag. No couch gag.

2) Homer claimed next week’s “Treehouse of Horror” would involve “Psycho with Skinner and his mom, Muppet Wizard of Oz (I’m Scarecrow Fozzy), and then one where furniture gets smart and takes over the world, or something.”

3) The Krustyland Halloween Horror night was “powered by Purple Rage Energy Drink – taste the rage!”

4) The Krustyland Pretzel Stand’s spooky toppings included: salty, extra salty, ultra salty, plain, salt frosting, and peanut-ish butter.

5) Nice Halloween homage during the end credits.

The Simpsons have really been experimenting with their traditional treatment of Halloween. Last season we saw Kang & Kodos in their first non-Halloween episode, and this year we got the first non-Treehouse of Horror Halloween installment.

It’s pretty well known (and I’ve previously stated) that holiday episodes are difficult to execute, so all things considered, this was a success. It didn’t drag, it didn’t try too hard, and it wasn’t sappy. Quite the contrary, it filled a whole episode runtime without an unrelated beginning, it stayed true to the show’s usual style, and it still contained some feeling.

For plusses, it was sweet to see Lisa be a bit vulnerable for once, to have Homer to save his little girl, and the fact that the two teamed up to make it happen. Also, how often do we see Marge and Bart paired together? Blake Anderson and Nick Kroll did well in their guest stints as well.

On the criticism side, there really isn’t much. Yes, the episode wasn’t hilarious, but holiday episodes usually aren’t – unless you count “Whacking Day.” It definitely had a few gems though.

In the end, this isn’t an installment that would make it into my regular rotation, but come Halloween, I’d gladly add it to the usual marathon of “Treehouse of Horror” specials.