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Stealing First Base
The Simpsons Season 21 Episode 15
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The Simpsons just got a GPS in-dash unit, only two years too late. I would have figured even Homer would have an iPhone or an Android device with turn-by-turn navigation built-in. His use of the device to navigate the kids to school is pretty typical of a certain type of driver. My mom now relies on GPS to get her to the places she's been driving for the last three decades, just like Homer. His GPS unit's ultimate demise echoes Garmin's impending doom.
I know exactly what Milhouse means about being intimidated by the physiques of the locals in places like Hawaii. I am, how should I put this delicately, somewhat Homeresque, myself. And let's just say I don't surf.
Lisa gets an F. Something is amiss for sure. First of all, these answers are clearly not the sort of thing Lisa would mark down. Secondly, the handwriting looks like a simpleton's.
Bart's choice of reading material sadly reflects his reading level. Nikki's (she's reading "Red Moon", a clear reference to that Twilight crap I hate) clearly reflects her immaturity.
Oh, there's our answer. Ralph cheated poorly (of course). "I cheated wrong. I copied the Lisa name and used the Ralph answers."
First of all, Homer's dummy legs under the car are pretty much a stroke of genius. Secondly, Grampa used to be a man breaks this old man's heart. His advice to Bart about stealing a kiss is sound, I think. I'm actually pretty shocked that it didn't work. Oh, and Nikki isSarah Silverman!
Ugh, how accurate and repulsive. Of course schools criminalize even the most innocent behavior. He kissed a girl, whoopty freaking do. Oh Marge! I can't believe you agree with these idiots. To propose that a smooch is somehow regressive and barbaric, for shame, woman! For shame.
I have to confess, I'd never even heard of Koyaanisqatsi, but that's what the Itchy and Scratchy 3D feature references. They really went all-out on it. It's one of the better Itchy and Scratchy movies I can think of.
At least Superintendent Chalmers's depiction of Bart kissing Nikki was reasonable. Why the hell does Skinner get to say Bart's actual name? If they're so litigious, they should be worried about slander lawsuits.
Oh jeez, this girl is a psycho! Run, Bart, run!
Wow, how'd they get Michelle Obama? I'm swooning over a cartoon version of the First Lady. Ha! "He's our Joe Biden," Chalmers says of Skinner. So funny.
Every movie kiss that's ever happened is happening right now. It's awesome. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but this is destined to be one of the classic Simpson scenes.
CONCLUSION
With the Simpsons clearly well past the heyday (which we have yet to fully review on this site), it's still really refreshing to see an episode of this caliber. Sure there are a ton of pop culture references that might take away from the replay value and staying power of this episode. But it's actually really good. I'm pleasantly surprised.
THIS EPISODE'S RATINGS
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RATINGS LEGEND
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= BAD
= MEH
= GOOD
= CLASSIC
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PLOT SUMMARY FROM WIKIPEDIA
Bart's fourth grade class is merged with another fourth grade class when Edna Krabappel is absent. The teacher is Miss Audrey McConnell from Bart vs. Lisa vs. The Third Grade (2003). In the crowded classroom, Bart is forced to sit by a new student named Nikki. At first they dislike each other, until Nikki admires Bart's artistic skills. Bart seeks romance advice from Homer, who passes him off to Grandpa Abe. Grandpa advises Bart to kiss Nikki. However, when Bart kisses Nikki after the two went skateboarding, she recoils in disgust. Nikki's parents, who are attorneys, threaten to sue the school unless it is declared an "affection-free environment." Bart is confused at the outcome of this seemingly innocent action, and his confusion is amplified when Nikki hides in his locker and kisses him again.
Meanwhile, Lisa becomes more popular when she receives an F on a test, but becomes unpopular again when it is revealed that she was given the failing grade by mistake. She blogs about being ostracized as an overachiever, and her post is noted by a mysterious blogger known as FLOTUS1. FLOTUS1 ("First Lady of the United States 1") turns out to be First Lady Michelle Obama, who drops by Springfield Elementary to give a speech about the importance of academics and recommends that the students be nice to Lisa and other overachievers, including Martin Prince and Allison Taylor. She also remarks that she wanted the username FLOTUS, but it was chosen by Ralph due to his use of "flotuses" (water wings).
Bart and Nikki have been watching this speech from the roof, and Bart confesses to Nikki that he does not understand her ever-changing moods. They argue and Bart stumbles and falls off the roof. Bart is not breathing, but the school's "no touch" policy prevents anyone from performing CPR. Nikki defies the policy and revives Bart (who, while unconscious, dreams a montage of kisses reminiscent of Cinema Paradiso). When Bart awakes, Nikki's mood changes yet again and Bart remains in a state of complete confusion over female behavior.
Accessed from Wikipedia on Mar. 22, 2010