REVIEW: The Simpsons “The Spy Who Learned Me”

Homer and Marge’s date night goes so badly that Homer, who suffered a serious head injury during the fiasco, pretends to go to work instead of staying home to recover and seeks out advice from fictional spy Stradivarius Cain, who gives Homer lessons on how to truly be the husband Marge deserves.
Guest star: Bryan Cranston

Spoilers Below

Homer gets six weeks vacation paid up for getting a concussion at the hands of Monty Burns so he’s having a good day. But with his terrible dates with Marge, Bart’s constant bullying courtesy of Nelson, and everything else he can’t enjoy it ! To help with this an illusion of movie action star Stradivarius Cain decides to put Homer through his paces to come out a better husband for Marge who really has just about had it. Everything from talking to women, cleaning his car, and pretty much not acting like himself all are in play here as Homer learns to win back Marge’s heart. Alas it works as Homer takes Marge out to a fancy dancing hall. Unfortunately, a jealous Bolivian man with a gun chases the married couple away. But, thanks to Stradivarius, Homer was able to find sweet words to get him off the hook.

Meanwhile to stop Nelson’s incessant bullying, Bart introduces Nelson to Krusty Burger and even gives him a pack of free food coupons, causing Nelson to become morbidly obese, and thus making it more difficult for him to try and take Bart’s lunch money. Of course Lisa has to ruin everything by introducing Nelson to Krusty’s personal trainer on loan to them by the clown himself. Eventually, Nelson gets ripped huge and goes back to beating up everyone on the playground, including Principal Skinner!

Obviously, Bryan Cranston was going to be great tonight because he always puts in 110% into every role he takes. But, I do believe the A-plot was a bit too formulaic giving us the whole “Marge gets pissed off at Homer, but they make up in the end after Marge learns a lesson”. The B-plot was alright, if not a bit dated. As it all started as a result of a documentary about a guy who ate nothing but burgers for 30 days straight from Krusty Burger, an obvious homage to the 2004 documentary Super Size Me. Unfortunately, the usual topical Simpsons took an idea that probably should’ve been done 5 or 6 years ago and try to make it relevant in 2012. I don’t buy it.

Score

6/10

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