Against the Groen(ing) 04.20.08: Homer vs. The 8th Commandment
Posted by Jerome Cusson on 04.20.2008
Thou shalt enjoy this episode, even if it is Lisa being annoying
Dan Castellaneta ... Homer Simpson (voice)
Julie Kavner ... Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright ... Bart Simpson (voice)
Yeardley Smith ... Lisa Simpson (voice)
Harry Shearer ... Additional Voices
Hank Azaria ... Additional Voices
Pamela Hayden ... Additional Voices
Tress MacNeille ... Additional Voices
Phil Hartman ... Moses / Cable Guy / Troy McClure
Written by Steve Pepoon
Directed by Rich Moore
Production code 7F13
Original Airdate February 7, 1991
Chalkboard Gag: “I will not make flatulent noises in class.”
This is one of the more archaic episodes since illegal cable really isn’t that much of a concern anymore with all the satellite packages and whatnot. I mean, I’m sure there’s still some of that going on, but illegal downloading of movies and whatnot from the internet is probably a far worse concern.
Ned Flanders is shown rejecting a cable man’s offer for an illegal hook-up. Homer has no such moral qualms, and after he gets the hook-up, begins to enjoy all the wonders of cable. Just for the record, thanks to a completely legal box I had years ago, I became a wrestling fan and enjoyed every WWF, WCW, and ECW PPV for about nine years. I kinda miss those days. Anyway, Lisa becomes mortified at the idea of her family stealing cable during a Sunday school lesson. She fears that because Homer is breaking the 8th commandment (Thou Shalt Not Steal for all you heathens out there) and will be sent to hell because of it. Lisa continues to get on her high horse by opposing other kinds of stuff that I’m sure we’ve all done before, taste-testing grapes amongst other things.
Reverend Lovejoy is dragged into this situation when Lisa asks if she should turn her father in. But because of that other commandment (Honor Thy mother and father), she instead chooses to ignore all things cable.
Of course, a big Pay-Per-Event is coming up to set up a hell of a climax. It’s a big boxing match. That’s also pretty archaic since there are no big boxing matches anymore. Say what you will, but UFC is the one with all the big matches these days. Bart is also providing a service by inviting some other boys to enjoy the “Adult Channel” for a small fee. Homer eventually catches him, and this plan is quickly kabashed.
While everyone is trying to enjoy the big fight, Homer’s conscience takes over and he realizes he can’t enjoy the mayhem that’s about to ensue. Sadly, it’s not even necessarily the moral issues but moreso Lisa’s complaints that drive Homer to walk out of the house. Marge, Bart, and Maggie join Homer and Lisa as well. Homer, in a dramatic gesture, cuts the cable to his illegal cable hook-up. This of course cuts the power off to the whole neighborhood.
The “Eat My Shorts” award for best line/moment: Bart’s peep show just always made me laugh.
The Milhouse award for worst line/moment: Lisa is such a sourpuss. I’m sorry, but this whole moral objection thing just bothered me throughout this episode.
The 411: A fairly decent episode that was very much a Lisa episode. Lisa episodes just tend to fail on a certain level because she's a little girl that acts way too old for her age. It's almost the same problem I have with Kyle and Stan on South Park. Still, Homer and Bart provided some very good laughs.
