I'm not surprised by those mixed reviews this episode received before mine. One of the biggest characteristics of seasons 1 and 2 were in the function it had to present the characters and their personalities and polishing the essence of the dysfunctional but loving family protagonist. But Bart's Dog Gets an 'F' failed in that and it became in one of the charmless and uninspired episodes from the beginning of the show.
One of the cruelest moments of The Simpsons to me.
At this point in the series, Santa's Little Helper already had had two really important appearances. He was who saved Simpsons Christmas arriving at the family after Homer's imminent failure in Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire. And he was the one who went along with Bart in his adventure outside the home in Bart vs. Thanksgiving. But this was the first time that a plot turns around the dog and his relationship with the family. I have to be honest: I usually don't like those stories. I mean, I can understand why the level is lower than an average episode. After all, they are writing about a simple and common pet. But I try to be fair and gauge each episode with the same criterion. And Santa's Little Helper is not as good as the protagonist. Especially here, where the story didn't have the best execution. The idea of him becoming in a troubled pet from nothing was forced. We never had hints of why the dog suddenly changes his personality. And the attempt of a sweet resolution was rushed and predictable. There is not a reasonable motive for which everything backs to the status quo beyond that excuse of the dog connecting with Bart because they played together. That did even more absurd the conflict because it was established that Santa's Little Helper is not a left or a forgotten pet. Bart always has played with the dog, so, it has not sensed that he obey the boy just for another afternoon together. The scenes under Santa's Little Helper's perspective were not catching. Instead, these were notorious fills and they didn't help to three development of the story. I enjoyed those brief moments of the dog shattering everything which appears in his pass. Homer's newspaper, Bart's Krusty's toy, the intromission in Seinfeld's pool, which allowed a great conversation between Sylvia and Homer, him changing TV channels and couldn't resist to a piece of cake.
I've never realized that strange design of this but. What is it supposed to be?
I didn't like how they handled the Obedience school. For moments, it seems like they uphold animal abuse. It's true that the cruel system didn't work with Santa's Little Helper, but what about other pets that concur there? After all, the Obedience School is absolutely respectable for everyone, it gets positive results with each pet except Bart's one and it will continue with the same method after the experience of The Simpsons family. Yeah, an owner of a dog has to tie down it, but the way this School share is something which I disagree with. On the other hand, the character dedicated to Tracey Ullman was pretty uninspired. Her performance was a bit annoying for moments to me. I am not sure why. Maybe because she has a shrill voice and because Mrs. Winthrop is repulsive when she is authoritarian and forces Bart to strangle his dog. That kind of old woman who only cares about discipline and good-manners is bothersome, and Winthrop was one of them. I'd liked more the scene when Bart tried to pass the course without getting any progress if it wouldn't be shunted in Santa's Little Helper being mistreated. At least he used sarcasm when he called her "Wrinkled Highness". About the treat of the family with the dog, well, it was very polemical. I hate the idea of Homer and Marge trying to throw away the dog without any type of resentment but it was even too much worse when they according to sell him to a guy who accepts blatantly he would use the poor dog as a mule. I have to insist. This episode is really cruel with animals besides that sweet but forced moment between Bart and Santa's Little Helper.
I don't know if it should be funny or satirical but it didn't work anyway.
Fortunately, this episode wasn't entirely about Santa's Little Helper, and they created two sub-plots that are related in the same way with the problem of the dog aforementioned. Someone gets something that is appreciated by them and that they don't want to lose, but the dog destroys it generating the disgrace in the family. A bit uninspired, if you ask me. One of those turned out in a failed story. The one starring Homer never worked for me. He had some moments of sweetness with his daughter, having a good conversation when Lisa was ill and being moved with his speech about Santa's Little Helper. But I can't emphasize with him through the rest of the time. Not only when he wants to throw away the dog like a piece of trash, being absolutely unlikable and annoying. Not either when he seems angry because the dog phased the test. It's also because his losses are incredibly stupid and superficial. He hates the dog from a stupid thing like a pair of slippers and a giant cookie. Sorry if I am insistent, but how was treated the dog is really a breakpoint between me and the episode. Ignoring that, the purchase of the assassins could've been just another wrong financial movement by Homer, while the acquisition of that cookie would have been another impulsive act of him. The same happened when he handed down the ID to Marge, lying, and inventing everything the reach his goal. Once again it would be funny but the context didn't allow me to enjoy it. On an aside note, I want to remark that Ned Flanders was a bit strange here. I can't believe he was using they assassins without any problem and enjoying that trivial spoil.
A man who rather a cookie instead his dog is not a good man under any perspective.
If this episode is not a complete disaster, it was thanks to Lisa. Well, Bart had a great characterization too, but he didn't receive a good story to explore it. I'd say Marge too, but she had the same tedious attitude with Santa's Little Helper than Homer. Maybe she was just a bit more comprehensive than him. Anyhow, I wonder how it's possible that five generations of women Bouvier exist if the surname comes into from the father. Jacqueline, the mother of Marge, is not a Bouvier, and Lisa is not Bouvier, she is Simpson. The tradition doesn't add up. But, coming back with Lisa, I found her really likable here. She brought out the best from Homer making him reflect and sharing some nice father/daughter moments. She brought out the best from Marge learning to knit and finding something that joins them. She brought out the best from Bart with their typical discussions but supporting him which the affair of the dog. I loved how she confuses Bart about who'd go to school and when she discovers that Bart tried to gives his homework to Lisa. But it was not only about how she improves the virtues of her family. Also, everything she did was tender, acting like a truly eight-year-old girl. Her shyness after her father insinuated she kissed a boy, defending Snowball against the attack of Santa's Little Helper, the initiative to start a new quilt after the first one was destroyed. The character design when she has mumps what really cute and I could feel relatable with that situation and how the family tests her while she is diseased. It's impressive how well-written she was in contrast to the rest of the characters and the rest of the mumps.
Thank you, Lisa, to give a bit of humanity and common sense in this awful story.
If I had to choose my least favorite episode from season 2, it would be a clear contender along with Dancin' Homer. Easily in my bottom3 of the Groening/Brooks/Simon era. Lack of Jokes, a simple and predictable story, and terrible characterizations. Only Bart and Lisa were in the correct place. I don't handle letter grades so good, but I'd say Bart's Dog Gets an 'F' is close to a 'D'. But in my typical ratings out of 5, I'll give it a:
2/5