I haven’t watched “The Simpsons” in a great long while. It was never a conscious decision, but somehow I got old and ended up cramming all the grownup things I should have done during the weekend on Sunday night. Of course I’ve read the woes that say the show just isn’t as funny as it used to be, but I never really faulted anyone – those fans aren’t kids anymore, and it’s hard to be at your peak for 25 years.
But a fellow bot asked for assistance tonight, and I happily stepped to the plate. I’m glad I did, because my return to the show saw a George Plimpton couch gag, a Stan Lee cameo, a Harlan Ellison cameo, and a truly delightful tribute to Hayao Miyazaki.
A playful poke at the comic industry trend of killing a hero only to bring him back in a number one led Comic Book Guy to meet the woman of his dreams. She’s into comics, writes her own autobio manga, and enjoys his snark. Truth be told, I kind of have a crush on her, too. After a vision (and a shoplifting violation) from Stan Lee, she agrees to move into the Android Dungeon’s basement with CBG and live happily ever after. Unfortunately her father has more traditional ideas, but Homer intervenes and after a night of snake and fish wine Kumiko’s father experiences a “Spirited Away” vision that leads him to see the error of his ways. Comic Book Guy and Kumiko are joined in matrimony by Stan Lee in the Android Dungeon.
This episode was super sweet. It never hit on sappy territory for me, but I might have made the happy-cry face when CBG announced “BEST. DAY. EVER.” There were minimal appearances by supporting characters, but the few that did appear made some classic Simpsons quips that will surely creep in to my everyday use (namely Apu’s “I’m ruined by whimsy”). The satire completely lacked any venom and stayed playful, and the Miyazaki tribute took the show where I’ve never seen it – into total beauty. The sequence adapted all the surreal and dreamlike qualities of its source while remaining goofy and light. It was very well done. I only wish the Kwik E Mart hadn’t been so obviously digital. It broke the spell a bit, especially since the biggest point of wonder in Miyazaki’s work is that it’s hand drawn.
I also loved all of tonight’s winks to episodes past. I don’t know if this is frequent, or if the writers decided that since a few more viewers might be tuning in tonight it would be a good idea to let them know they’re welcome back any time. Millhouse’s 15 minutes got a nod, as did Homer’s resemblance to Mr. Sparkle, which was originally introduced in what is easily one of the shows greatest episodes.
I don’t know if it’s my own absence or if tonight was a highlight of these later years, but “Married to the Blob” was a pop-culturey good time with a couple guffaws and an Alan Moore pun. What more do you need? So while the show has surely had its waxing and waning over the past 25 years, tonight’s episode showed that this team can be imaginative, relevant, and funny.