The Wayz We Were
1. Plot Main plot ("
Evergreen Terrace is full of traffic.") - Up to new promos I thought, it will be just a first act, or introduction, but with more accenting on Simpsons family in the story (+Michael Price's words + promo stuff).
The last time I misloaded the A and B stories was The Incredible Lightness of Being a Baby's new synopsis in March'20. That's just to said. If this is really a full story, not just 1 act - it's REALLY REALLY BAD
just to complete Jean's worst Q-cycle to the end . Not 1, but
2/5, just because "a hope dies in the last time"
Sub-plot ("
Meanwhile, Moe has to make a fateful choice…") - Obvious, what choice is it... isn't? So, a guess: Moe reunites with Maya, but founds she became
secret alcoholic. Huh, Huh? Sounds like a shit? Yes! Is it really possible? Yes (
That's Al, folks!) Or I just too rely on promo stuff, and the story (even as B-story) is a really emotional long-awaited story about lovable old character? Maybe
3/5 (hit-or-another-miss)
SO, in average we get
2.5/5 for plot(s)
2. The Biggest Possible Problem (something new) The B-story is going to be a sequel of «Eeny Teeny Maya Moe», which many (include me) consider as one of season 20 bests. But, as I said earlier, but it's a SEQUEL. As you want or not, but people WILL compare the two episodes, even, if in premise they have nothing in common. For example, Gudson in Playdate with destiny and subplot in TILoBaB. What was considered better? (rhetorical question) In fact: 98% of sequels/reusing of old characters is WORSE of origin. And I bet (if I had money, I'd really make a bet) Maya character WILL BE RUINED. I became sure of it seeing just one frame from promo clip with "drunken dances" + above image
Also, not a problem, but feature: if the story has a potential, it will be ruined. For example, we had 2 biggest disappoints: Diary Queen with so hyped Edna tribute, and the too bigger - Mother and Child Reunion - hard to refuse it. (what a surprise - they were run by Jean
).
And those are the biggest possible problems, imho
3. Regarding
Al Jean. Not kidding, for some reason he lost the QABF cycle completely (despite I will surprise he could turn this episode into something funny/emotional). The writer is
Joel Cohen, who couldn't deliver something good under Jean for a really long time. The director
Matthew Nastuk (smells like a possible music number) can do hit or miss
4. Promo stuff this time worked well, I mean it spoil Maya return, but still lots of generic images.
5. Possible ratings 0.5 rat
1.18-1.6 mil
SO, I wrote too pessimistic preview, and might sounded like typical "anti-modern-Simpsons", "anti-Al-Jean" "fan"
(too much braces), though actually I still
love the show, even the most recent
good episodes, even came from weak staff
who are always hit-or-miss (I overrun this phrase). FYI, that's all based on just dry statistics.
2/5
P.S. This preview took even more time than on 5 segments of THOH