Very unpopular opinions.

[enderpotato00]

I love Season 10. Not as good as prior, but it has a lot of good episodes like "Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo", and "Bart the Mother"

 

[TheDuffBlimp]

Don't get me wrong, it was good, but some say it's at the quality of classic Simpsons, and I highly disagree with that.

Honestly, classic Simpsons is overrated. Obviously it was good, but when you start getting stuff like this where every episode after whatever some subjective person says is "classic Simpsons" gets immediately kicked down a peg for not being in that sphere is just terrible for discussion in my opinion.

 

[Commander Flanders]

Behind The Laughter is one of the, if not THE, worst episodes ever.

 

[Homer Samson]

I think Marge is characterized a lot better in Season 17-now even if the show got worse after then. Sure, there is stuff like Peeping Mom, but in the classic era, she was a much worse character. I basically think her character went through flanderization Benjamin Button-style.

 

[Wile E. the Brain]

Well I think it depends on the topic. When it comes to jealousy or anything about her couple with Homer (or love for that matter), I think it's actually worse than before. Like in Friends and Family where she's insufferable for nothing (and thinks she's in the right to be mad at Homer), or in Love is a Many Splintered Thing where she kicks her own son out of their house. But there's indeed some episode where she's characterized quite better.

 

[CousinMerl]

In 'Friends And Family' she behaved the worst she's ever been so far to me; she acted like a petty child who was completely in the wrong and even snapped at the kids which was unforgiveable.

Regarding the opinion it's indeed a mixed topic; she's indeed mostly worse now with things like her psychotic episodes and looking down on Bart as either a dangerous sociopath, failure with no future and/or mentally challenged on occasion (even though she's pretty decent most of the time), but in the classic era she wasn't much better at her worst.

 

[Homer Samson]

In 'Friends And Family' she behaved the worst she's ever been so far to me; she acted like a petty child who was completely in the wrong and even snapped at the kids which was unforgiveable. But regarding the opinion it's indeed a mixed topic; she's indeed mostly worse now with things like her psychotic episodes and looking down on Bart as either a dangerous sociopath or mentally challenged from time to time (even though she's pretty decent most of the time), but in the classic era she wasn't much better at her worst.

I should have added that post-Season 16 Marge, while I consider it her best characterization, can be bad in some episodes in the post-Season 16 era, and during that era, when she is characterized bad, she is characterized REALLY bad, especially Friends and Family

 

[TheDuffBlimp]

People who actually think the 'best' (5/5) new episodes, who aren't grading on a curve, can hold a candle to the first 9 seasons.

This is 100% possible and has actually happened multiple times.

 

[CousinMerl]

I should have added that post-Season 16 Marge, while I consider it her best characterization, can be bad in some episodes in the post-Season 16 era, and during that era, when she is characterized bad, she is characterized REALLY bad, especially Friends and Family

Sometimes I feel that Marge was maybe, possibly best characterized during the early, non-HD Jean seasons (season 13 to 19).

I think they struck a good tone with it there with a good and fairly level-headed demeanor and relatively few objectional moments in comparison to the HD era and some of the classic seasons (and we also got some really good bonding moments with her and her family, such as between her and Bart, something which wasn't really too explored before that and has mostly been forgotten about in recent years).

 

[Smarch Weather!]

This is 100% possible and has actually happened multiple times.

Very true. I grade on a slight curve, because a good episode in seasons 1-12 to me isn't the same as a good episode in 21+. It's hard not to, because I grade only out of 5, so it's hard to rank episodes that are both good but show that one is obviously better than the other without making it seem like you didn't enjoy the other episode.

 

[Scrooge McDuck]

In 'Friends And Family' she behaved the worst she's ever been so far to me; she acted like a petty child who was completely in the wrong and even snapped at the kids which was unforgiveable.

Regarding the opinion it's indeed a mixed topic; she's indeed mostly worse now with things like her psychotic episodes and looking down on Bart as either a dangerous sociopath, failure with no future and/or mentally challenged on occasion (even though she's pretty decent most of the time), but in the classic era she wasn't much better at her worst.

She was definitely "less" of a doormat and I agree with your assessment of her with Bart. She could mother him without mothering him. Bart is still young and mothers usually don't turn their backs on their 10 year olds. She knew how to get the best out of Bart. It makes me wonder, more now than then, like Bart, can they write for her.

 

[CousinMerl]

'Moe Goes From Rags To Riches' is an averagely okay episode to me. The main plot is really bizarre and stupid for sure, but there is some enjoyable bits, some decent humor, a nice enough subplot & a good guest star performance despite the ridiculousness of the role itself. Comparing it to other episodes singled out as some the worst of the series this feels like one of the least thoroughly bad.

 

[TheDuffBlimp]

so it's hard to rank episodes that are both good but show that one is obviously better than the other without making it seem like you didn't enjoy the other episode.

I don't think what season an episode airs in should have any bearing on whether or not you enjoyed it.

 

[Homer Samson]

'Moe Goes From Rags To Riches' is an averagely okay episode to me. The main plot is really bizarre and stupid for sure, but there is some enjoyable bits, some deent humor, a nice enough subplot & a good guest star performance despite the ridiculousness of the role itself. Comparing it to other episodes singled out as some the worst of the series this feels like one of the least thoroughly bad.

I thought the ending with Marge and Homer claiming that they are Moe's true friends is one of the best ending scenes of the HD era. I just wish they didn't extend the episode beyond that.

 

[John Smith 1882]

'Moe Goes From Rags To Riches' is an averagely okay episode to me. The main plot is really bizarre and stupid for sure, but there is some enjoyable bits, some deent humor, a nice enough subplot & a good guest star performance despite the ridiculousness of the role itself. Comparing it to other episodes singled out as some the worst of the series this feels like one of the least thoroughly bad.

Right, I've seen worse. It's certainly not as bad as Lisa goes Gaga.

 

[mrattapuss]

Seasons 1-16 are all classic era, with little decline in quality after the conventional classic era

 

[JRogyRogy]

I honestly think most of my Simpsons opinions are pretty much the norm on this board, with one exception - I can't for the life of me fathom why "Holidays of Future Passed" is so well regarded. I always disliked future episodes because the goofy future tech distracts me from the plot - this wasn't too bad in Lisa's Wedding (videophones were a realistic prediction in the mid-90s, and the robot stuff was very funny) but stuff like aliens and super-evolving pets are so goofy they take me out of the story completely, because the Simpsons setting is supposed to be somewhat grounded in reality, unlike say, Futurama.

I have found myself thinking a lot lately about what a Simpsons reboot might have been like in a world where the show ended after its golden age. Could be amazing seeing older versions of the season 4 characters living in 2019 (it all depends on who's writing it of course...)

 

[Smarch Weather!]

I don't think what season an episode airs in should have any bearing on whether or not you enjoyed it.

Yeah I agree, My enjoyment is the same, but when critiquing an episode on not only enjoyment but how well made it is, one is usually considered slightly better than the other even though I might enjoy both episodes about the sme.

 

[TheDuffBlimp]

8's not in your classic era?

I think this sums it up quite nicely. Everyone has their own line-up of classic 'Simpsons' seasons. It does not say anything about the seasons that are not included in that time either.

 

[BlueRibbonCommittee]

I thought the ending with Marge and Homer claiming that they are Moe's true friends is one of the best ending scenes of the HD era. I just wish they didn't extend the episode beyond that.

But at least that provided closure for the rag's story. Moe abandons him yet again only to be taken in by Santa's Little Helper.

I liked it too. My favorites part is the bit with Viking Homer looking at the tapestry and seeing the picture of him biting the rag, only to shrug and do so. That whole thing had no explaining, and makes me wonder why people say they didn't laugh once at it. Same thing happened when Milhouse choked on the rock Bart tossed at his window... then added it to his collection.

Honestly the only cringe-worthy moments of the episode was Burns in the French bit saying "Me marrying my sister" and the Depression segment with Homer chopping the wart off his foot and into the soup. Some say that the things that bring the episode down (aside from the fact that it's a talking rag) are the lack of any real thematic elements, the fact that the whole "tapestry predicts the future bit" is dropped about halfway through, the 1001 Nights story (that's the one with Nelson and his wives) is fictional, and the Bart/Milhouse story not really fitting in. Still, not sure how this is a contender for "Worst Episode Ever". I can probably name 100 episodes worse than this.

 

[B-Boy]

and the Bart/Milhouse story not really fitting in.

It does fit in though. The episode is about discovering the value of friendship. Moe convinces himself he has no friends, but forgets that the Simpson family has supported him on many occasions. Milhouse finally gets fed up with the way Bart treats him, forcing Bart to re-evaluate how much he values their friendship. The rag constantly ruminates about its origins and being discarded over the centuries, but finds happiness in the paws of a dog.

It's not a great episode, but there is some thematic richness underpinning the ridiculousness and it's an ambitious attempt to shake up the otherwise tired 'trilogy episode' format. I'm quite convinced that it's been unfairly maligned.

 

[BlueRibbonCommittee]

It does fit in though. The episode is about discovering the value of friendship. Moe convinces himself he has no friends, but forgets that the Simpson family has supported him on many occasions. Milhouse finally gets fed up with the way Bart treats him, forcing Bart to re-evaluate how much he values their friendship. The rag constantly ruminates about its origins and being discarded over the centuries, but finds happiness in the paws of a dog.

I'm referring to the fact that this episode is mostly set in the past over a series of flashbacks with the rag narrating, but every now and then we cut back to the present for the Bart/Milhouse stuff. Some people think that makes no sense and is a bit jarring.

Others also criticize that, too, because of the fact that it felt like Milhouse cutting out Bart seemed out of nowhere, when Bart says/does worse things to him over the years and he never really reacts, and the fact that he can summon Drederick Tatum at will to punch Bart in the arm.

It's not a great episode, but there is some thematic richness underpinning the ridiculousness and it's an ambitious attempt to shake up the otherwise tired 'trilogy episode' format. I'm quite convinced that it's been unfairly maligned.

I do agree here, but one other bit of criticism I hear is that not only was that 1001 Nights thing fictional, it barely even involved the rag itself. It was used in Nelson's tent, but we don't even find that out until the end of the story and nothing that happened in that story had anything to do with the rag. So what was even the point of it being there?

 

[Homer Samson]

Moe Goes From Rags to Riches is really not that bad. The scene where Himer and Marge tell Moe that they are his true friends, not the bar rag, is actually a really nice moment. I'd much rather watch it than that terrible Moe torture porn Singin' in the Lane.

 

[BlueRibbonCommittee]

Also...

I think Moe's dad being a yeti is far more ridiculous than the bar rag being able to talk, especially since the rag spoke exclusively to the audience and not to any characters.

 

[CousinMerl]

I'm surprised that my post about 'Moe Goes From Rags To Riches' inspired a discussion, but pleasantly so as it's not another one tearing it apart. You guys have say much that I do agree with, maybe especially these two bits.

It's not a great episode, but there is some thematic richness underpinning the ridiculousness and it's an ambitious attempt to shake up the otherwise tired 'trilogy episode' format. I'm quite convinced that it's been unfairly maligned.

I think Moe's dad being a yeti is far more ridiculous than the bar rag being able to talk, especially since the rag spoke exclusively to the audience and not to any characters.

[MENTION=22979]bboynexus[/MENTION] pretty much hit the nail on the head of why I cannot rank it lower than mid-grade and I do think I did actually say the latter in my review of the episode (the yeti thing it is indeed much more ridiculous than the talking rag, that I am convinced isn't actually alive within the series but only made so as a stylistic way to tell the audience the story, silly as it is).

I think the episode is generally taken too seriously.

 

[John Smith 1882]

Is Moe being half Yeti cannon? We do know at various times he has been half Armenian, Italian, Dutch, and possibly other things I have forgotten.

 

[B-Boy]

'Canon' is so loose in The Simpsons as to be almost non-existent and I see absolutely no reason to get hung up on it. Is Moe actually half-Yeti? The answer is probably yes and no at the same time.

 

[Mícheál]

Canon is pretty sketchy in the show (I mean, they've had how many christmases in the space of a year). But there is enough of it there for it to matter... to a certain extent.

Personally, I tend pick and choose the for the canon of the show, so while I would ignore things like Moe's Italian accent, I do quite like the touch of showing his background with his family in one of the last seasons. (for example, they showed that his family abandoned him, which I remember was mentioned in a flashback episode years ago).

 

[Mícheál]

Also, the whole canon thing is why people get so hung up on the That 90s Show issue. Personally, I prefer to just sit back and enjoy the show.

 

[Financial Panther]

That ‘90s Show isn’t that good, but I agree that the canon aspect is why it’s disliked to such an extent. When I stopped trying to make every episode fit together, I was able to relax and enjoy the episodes for what they are.