REVIEW: Dial "N" for Nerder

Topic: Sometimes the voices tell me to change the topic.

Users: @SuzyQ

irc.simpworks.com

[Stretch Dude]

Spoiler (hover to show)

An okay episode.

I liked the main plot. Not high-quality, but it had promise. The emergence of Lisa's dark side and Bart's conscience made for an interesting role reversal, as was Nelson's detective work. I really liked Bart aiding Martin's butterfly project. I always like seeing that human side of him.

The subplot...eh. Had some decent moments ("I've tried everything except talking to him! Help me, TV show!"), but overall...eh. The tone clashed with the main plot, and it didn't quite work. The scene with Homer and the rack of lamb...that has gotta be spoofing something. If not, the writers get bonus points for concocting one of the weirdest moments in the show's history.

Another rewrite, trimming it down to just the one plot, definitely would've been a good idea.

[Lisabella]

Spoiler (hover to show)

I actually liked this one a lot better than last week's.

The A plot was pretty terrific - I love that Martin's sticktuitivism was undamaged throughout his ordeal. 

Lisa and Bart reversing moral directive under extreme duress was an interesting twist, too - and not much of a stretch for Lisa.  After all, she thrives with desperation on high praise. 

And hey, Nelson's not-so hidden inquisitive side returns!  The Columbo parody was pretty spot-on.  The entire thing wrapping up at Martin's butterfly garen was a lovely twist.

My biggest nitpick - where the heck were Martin's parents?  The way Lisa and Bart and Nelson snuck onto their property without being detected's one of the bigger leaps of faith in the episode.

B-plot was a mixture of good idea and execution (Cheaters has been asking for a parodying for a very long time) with bizzare side bits (Homer's lamb-rack lover waiting by the phone for his call - for me that stretches things into the realm of over-the-top Family-Guy-esque surreality).

Letter Grade: B-, with points off for what's pointed out above.

[sabrina_diamond]

  Um... How do I start... Well, the Homer/Marge subplot initially had a good premise but started to lag somewhere round the final scenes (especially round that 'Homer eating cake' scenario and the reality producer finally) Betsy Higgins was a funny character and so was Homer's obession with *spoiler tag* Bell peppers* (I need to find out how to do spoiler tags, can someone teach me??  )

But is it just me or did the voices sound a bit different, Marge sounded a little High-pitched in this episode (the voice-actoress?)
The second main plot was a bit disturbing to me, especially the bit where (spoiler) Lisa tries to cover up that she was an accomplice.
The act seems a bit OOC to me and didn't really suit Lisa's personality.
(spoler) Nice job with the recorder though!
Bart: I thought you turned it off.
'Congratulations on purchasing a Non reversible tape' LOL

I thought the ending was a bit cliche though, what was with Nelson talking to the 'audience' ending?? I get annoyed with that sort of '4th wall' ending.

[A Spy in Mancunia]

Spoiler tags are [*spoiler] and [*/spoiler]. (Remove the asterisks.)