Review: The Simpsons ‘Treehouse of Horror XXV’
Spoilers Below
Halloween is upon us again, and (surprise!) this year’s Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” actually aired before the holiday. So, once again, let’s suspend any sort of knowledge we have of continuity within the show, and enjoy three short Simpsons installments.
Segment 1: “School is Hell”
In detention, Bart discovered ancient Aramaic carved into one of the desks. After reading it (with some help from Lisa) the two were sent to Hell (Bart: “Now I can look up all those people who said, ‘See you in Hell.’”) Of course he excelled in his new Hell School, getting straight A’s and eventually becoming valedictorian.
In Case You Missed It:
1) Best Halloween credit: James “Give Me Gluten!” Brooks
2) Concrete in the sandbox and advertising a naked lunch lady = two of the pranks which landed Bart in trouble.
3) Chalkboard gag in Hell: “Eternal torment is the only just punishment for the un-baptized.”
4) “I know evil; I’m head of the teacher’s union.”
5) “Keeping the Yankees in First Place” is one of Bart’s subjects in Hell.
6) Homer to Bart: “You went to Hell and came back a winner, like Jesus.”
Segment 2: “A Clockwork Yellow”
Moe recounted his younger days as a street hoodlum à la Clockwork Orange, alongside Homer, Carl, and Lenny. After Homer fell in love, the group disbanded. However, Moe was jumped by some younger hoods, and “The Glugs” reunited for one last “noggin’ boggin’” at Mr. Burns’ mansion. Turned out he was having a masquerade ball, and the guests surprised The Glugs with a beat down of their own.
In Case You Missed It:
1) Sherry Bobbins had a cameo!
2) I believe this is the second week in a row with a FOX jab. Classic Simpsons.
3) Moe iced his head injury with “future peas.”
4) Nasties considered by The Glugs: “Home invasion,” “Make fun run un-fun,” “Tell each Doctor Who they’re the worst,” and “Over-feed the birds.”
5) In addition to A Clockwork Orange, the episode also spoofed Kubrik films like Eyes Wide Shut, Full Metal Jacket, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and another, to which Comic Book Guy remarked, “Even I don’t remember what this is a reference to.”
6) In Stanley Kubrik’s office, one of the film reels read: “Fake Moon Landing.”
Segment 3: “The Others”
The Simpson Family discovered their house is haunted – by their former Tracey Ullman Show ghost selves. Jealous of Live Homer’s infatuation with Ghost Marge, Live Marge killed herself, and Ghost Homer then killed Live Homer. Lisa also died via defenestration, and killed Bart herself. The two families feuded (with each other as well as within) but eventually learned to live harmoniously.
In Case You Missed It:
1) “Stupid blood asking me for a favor.”
2) One of the Married With Children shows is on FXXXXXXXX.
3) Homer tried to scare off the ghosts with the “Car-Sellers Bible”
and said, “The power of Chrysler compels you!”
4) Dr. Marvin Monroe had a cameo!
5) The other versions of The Simpson Family included an Adventure Time version, a South Park version, an Archer version, and a Despicable Me version.
Despite the general population finding fault with newer Simpsons episodes, the “Treehouse of Horror” ones have remained surprisingly and consistently good throughout the years. And regardless of new or old, I’ve always felt like the Halloween installments that are spoofs always do the best, especially classics like their Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street parodies. This year’s special had two, and honestly, the Clockwork Orange segment alone was enough to give this episode a high score, in my opinion. It was dead-on, and the characters chosen were unique and perfect for their roles. Usually one of the Simpsons always holds the starring role, but placing Moe in this position was a welcome change. Maybe my affinity for the film played a role in how much I liked the Simpsons version, but if it was a lousy re-creation, I’d probably would have been unfairly harsh, so I think we’re okay.
Simply put, this episode had everything you could ask for in both a Halloween special and a Simpsons episode in general. There were frequent laughs, a few big ones, lots of subtle sight gags, ample cultural references, and plenty of blood and violence. Okay, sure, there was no real conflict in the first part, and the plot of the third was a bit silly, but this is Halloween, a time when nothing should be taken too seriously. Instead, it should be all about fun – which it was.
Not to be a jinx, but this season as a whole is turning out to be quite solid. If the producers can keep up the current pace, The Simpsons may find critics altering their usual negative opinions of the show. Here’s to that.
Happy Halloween, all!
