The Simpsons "Treehouse Of Horror XXXIII"
The Pookadook:
There's no opening this year. Because of this, it is unneeded.
One of the best Treehouse sequences the series has done in years. Frankly, I think it's one of the best ever. What about it absolutely wowed me? It's actually SCARY! The early Treehouses used to hype the fact that the Halloween episodes were unusually violent and scary, and I feel like over the years, they've gone harder into the spoof side of things. Not only did this story involve the actual family (instead of an outside of continuity scenario where they were playing different characters), but there were few actual jokes, and an unusual happy ending gotten to by Marge and Maggie realizing their love for each other.
Julie Kavner also brought her A-game in her performance. Can't forget to mention that.
I am floored and amazed by that. Don't ever let anyone tell you The Simpsons is no longer capable of greatness. I just saw it. *****.
Death Tome:
That was... freaking something. I was underwhelmed by the ending, but kudos for another scary outing, amazing anime animation completely outside of the house style, and a villain in Steve as funny as he is frightening. Another segment that swung for the fences and hit a Homer. ****1/2.
Simpsons World
I think that Treehouse parodying Westworld is a no-brainer. It's just that they did the most genius version of it possible.
The Simpsons' recent negative continuity has ruffled the feathers of long-time fans like me. Because it suggests nothing in the show matters or will stick. That specific short says EVERYTHING matters, and whether or not the show can reference it again, it's something that occurred in that Universe.
What Universe is it? Five fingers and peach skin. Is it the future world of Disenchantment? That sounds about right to me.
When a lot of TV shows do episodes for Milestones (or just special episodes in general), the producers invariably call them "Loving Valentines to the fans". I often dispute whenever a producer calls an episode that. (If "These Are The Voyages..." was actually my Loving Valentine, I'm dumping Star Trek's cheap, easy ass). But The Simpsons, for whatever reason, doesn't really do that. At least not to this extent. I mean "I call the big one Bitey" isn't any fan's favorite joke, but it's Matt Groening's, which is why it's so great to see it called back. And the short just went nuts with every memorable Simpsons thing over the years they could think of. You wouldn't find much stuff from the last 15 seasons in Simpsons World, but it's amazing some of the stuff they DID use, like Lisa with the mayonnaise in her hair to get rid of gum and the angel skeleton. Deep cuts, both.
I feel like that is the second best Treehouse of Horror of all time. The only better one was Treehouse Of Horror VIII, because ALL of those segments were five stars (including the amazing Fox Censor opening). The first and last segment of this were five stars, but the middle segment is four and a half. But the episode is still amazing, one of the greatest things the show has ever done, and a reminder that a long-running show only needs to be underwhelming if the producers allow it to become so. Amazing episodes for shows that have been on the air for 30 seasons are possible, and should be no big deal. I am very glad the show got into its head a few seasons ago there was really no need to phone in the quality of every episode. Great episodes can still occur now. I think what makes it nice for me to see the producers recognizing that fact is that I believe everyone is aware that The Simpsons doesn't even need to be on the air anymore. Last week took a direct shot at that idea, and suggested the show might be more profitable for Disney if they stopped making new content. And that has been true for at least ten years (and maybe longer). It's in Disney's best financial interest to cancel the show, and shop around syndication contracts. It's only kept alive to keep Fox's branding in check. And while that's so, I doubly take notice and appreciate how Matt Selman and the current writers often put in the damn effort. And I think this episode might be their finest moment yet. It impressed the hell out of me. *****.
Epilogue:
We didn't forget Kang and Kodos! We never do! ****.
Episode Overall: *****.
The Great North "Blood Actually Adventure"
You know what? I hate Honeybee's version of Halloween too. And I love the moral is that it freaks Jerry out.
That lady asking Beef if his tail was in the front was made all the more delightful by Nick Offerman's giggle at that.
Judy's Slimer costume is hideous. I also was a bit surprised to see the Alvin and the Chipmunks sheet WAS an Alvin and the Chipmunks sheet. I was having a hard time visualizing that.
The scary doll talking about expectations about what women can and can't do was great.
And yeah, everyone knows A Christmas Carol. The Muppet version is the best.
If I was forced to pick I would have given the cat costume to Moon. Judy wanted it more, but her presentation was unintentionally creepy. Moon's cross between cuteness and madness was utterly convincing. Hopefully not catching though.
Solid. ***1/2.
Bob's Burgers "Apple Gore-chard! (But Not Gory)"
I liked it.
I was like "There is no way these kids know about either Twister or Helen Hunt" until Louise points out that the 40-something adults that answer the door on Halloween would go crazy for it and give them a ton of candy, and it suddenly seemed like a believable Louise scam.
I love Gene saying if a costume doesn't hurt, you aren't doing it right. I think all the actors who suffer through prosthetics on Star Trek probably relate to that statement.
I like that they brought back Louise and Jessica's friendship. I also like the dude saying at the end that he forgot kids are scared of stuff. Little late.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
Family Guy "Happy Holo-ween"
Some really funny jokes. The giraffe sarcastically suggesting they wait for the grown men who write for cartoons to tell them what to do was great.
Sam Elliott's stuff as the Narrator was hilarious. He was way funnier in both this episode and the one where he narrated Brian's SVU than he's ever been as Wild West.
Did Hologram Peter briefly turn into Bob from Bob and Larry at the end? I forgot what Bob looked like, but maybe.
Lois' foot was gross. Nobody wants to touch that.
Brian and Stewie know the proper way to make the Emperor mad. Honestly, they were starting to piss ME off too.
Peter's boss as "Paul Shore" was great. Peter Macon makes me laugh. Total Bortus move.
I love Peter telling the guy on the phone he isn't mad at him, he's mad at the company. I think we've all been there.
It's easier for Peter to do the half-thing from the fake thing so he'll just do that. Lois is like "All right." Lois needs her head examined.
Not a strong or believable story, but a LOT of the jokes were great.
Needless to say, The Simpson won the night of Fox toons. I actually believe Bob's Burgers, The Great North, and Family Guy could have each delivered the greatest episodes they had ever delivered, and The Simpsons would still have won. It wasn't even a contest this week. ***1/2.