https://the-avocado.org/2021/01/04/the-simpsons-s32e11-the-dad-feelings-limited/ Here's my industry review on "Dad-Feelings Limited" (it has spoilers so I pasted the "My thoughts" section below).
The Simpsons starts off 2021 with a pretty damn good episode, and while I may have preferred that Fox aired Bless the Harts‘ table read episode instead, since they’re behind one episode and were pushed back again to air the pilot of The Great North to lead out the NFL, I can say that I’m happy that we got a quality episode of The Simpsons to start.
But Season 32, so far, in my opinion, has been very hit or miss, and most of the season so far is more of a miss. However, I will have to say when it comes to the two nothing sitcoms of the AniDom block, that The Simpsons in its current state, is better than Family Guy in its current state. And that’s simply because when the writers and producers try harder like they did here, they make some pretty, damn good stuff. Believe it or not, when more effort is put into something, it works. And when it doesn’t like some of the other ones this season, it’s lazy, it’s boring, it’s played out, and it’s especially unfunny and cringy.
And that’s what “Dad-Feelings Limited” does solidly at. For one, it’s not a rehash of older episodes. It’s different than the typical Homer/Marge marriage crisis or Lisa stating her political opinion episodes. Episodes focusing on the family tend to be mostly boring and played out because we’ve had so many of them. Focusing on one of the minor characters, especially after 695 episodes, feels better because there are things fans have always wanted to know about them, and now they do because the producers and writers decided to make an episode that’s different, but also interesting.
The plot direction with exploring CBG’s past and present life was interesting and never boring. I think we really needed an episode like this to dive into a minor character’s background, and move away from Homer/Marge episodes. ‘The Road to Cincinnati” did the same thing with an episode focused on Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers and it proved to be decent as well, whereas episodes about marriage crisis rehash like “The 7 Beer Itch” or a “no one likes Mr. Burns” episode like “Undercover Burns” that’s been seen many times tend to be poor.
I liked seeing the two couples bond over trivia, even if it does feel a bit out of character for Homer. I think one of the best parts though was CBG confronting his dad, and how willingly his dad was to play with him. It ends a bit predictable, but nice to see someone get what we wanted them to get. I don’t like CBG sometimes, but there are times that I do feel bad for him, and this is one of those times. The new voice actress who played Kumiko did a great job, and so did the guest star for CBG’s dad.
“The Dad-Feelings Limited” does a solid job at diving into a minor character’s life, while also managing to keep me interested through the entire plot and to be pretty funny as well. This episode was certainly a memorable one to start off 2021, and may be the second best episode of the season so far, after “I, Carumbus”. I’m impressed and this is an easy recommendation for a diehard Simpsons fan who may not have time to see all the clutter, but wants something new, yet fun. And I’ve seen all 695 episodes, some multiple times even. Although I’m skeptical because this is likely to be a “one of the more memorable ones” while the rest is in mediocrity, I am looking forward to many of the upcoming episodes in seasons 32 and 33, including the show’s milestone 700th episode, which is coming sometime in spring of 2021.
A strong
4/5 for sure. I really enjoyed this.
