Against the Groen(ing) 04.26.08: Principal Charming

Posted by Jerome Cusson on 04.27.2008

Skinner tries to date one of the Bouvier sisters. Shenanigans ensue. You know the drill

Dan Castellaneta... Homer Simpson
Julie Kavner...Marge Simpson
Nancy Cartwright...Bart Simpson
Yeardley Smith...Lisa Simpson
Harry Shearer...Principal Skinner / Others
Hank Azaria...Additional Voices
Pamela Hayden...Additional Voices
Marcia Wallace...Edna Krabappel
Russi Taylor...Martin

Written by David M. Stern
Directed by Mark Kirkland

Production code: 7F15
Original Airdate: February 14, 1991

For the one of the first times, the focus comes off the nuclear family and we sort of branch out here to explore other characters. This episode contains themes of lonlieness and lost lives. Patty and Selma are perhaps two of the saddest characters on this show simply because they never seem to be able to find love. Just the mere sound of their voices is also depressing as well. In fact, the very reason Patty and Selma even have these feelings is due to a past love.

Patty and Selma head off to a wedding of a former lover of Selma. See, Patty got in the way so this was one story without a happy ending. Selma, the one who usually finds herself in these lovemaking situations, begs her sister Marge for help. Marge, apparently in a moment of drunken stupidity, asks Homer for help. Yeah, he knows Barney, Moe, Lenny, and Carl. That's a good pool of men to try and date. To say that Homer has trouble finding someone for Selma would be an understatement.

Bart pulls one of his infamous prank by pouring a chemical into the grass. Principal Skinner has Bart call his father, but Homer is at Moe's Tavern. Isn't he just the model of what a parent should be. I'm sorry, but if you're sucking beer down during the afternoon and you're kids are trying to call you, you've got a major problem on your hand. We get a good joke with Skinner asking for Homer Sexual, and Moe tears into Skinner because he thinks that this is the man who's been tormenting him these last couple of years. Quickly realizing it isn't his tormenter, he hands Homer the phone. Homer heads over to the school to pick up his son (Isn't he drunk?) and realizes Skinner is just the man for Selma.

Skinner arrives for his date with Selma, and of course falls in love with Patty instead. See what I meant by shenanigans. A lot of people speculated about Patty being a lesbian long before she actually came out during the sixteenth season. I wasn't sure about it until it happened. I do admire the writers for having the guts to make her the first openly character on the show. But see, in 1991, things were oh so innocent. Here, she unwillingly begins dating Skinner.

Selma is very depressed about her sister dating this man. Bart has his own fun taking over the school while holding up Skinner hostage for all intents and purposes. Skinner even enlists his arch enemy in an effort to marry Patty. I'm very curious to know what Skinner felt about Patty becoming a lesbian. I don't remember if he had anything to say during that specific episode. Someone, please let me know if he reacted in any way.

Skinner does ask Patty to marry him in a very cool little way, as suggested by Bart. Boy, he can be so romantic when he wants to be. The kid may be a rapscillion, but he can have a real heart sometimes. Patty is indeed flattered but declines. She claims the reason is not wanting to abandon her sister and leave her alone.Seymour is also understanding and says she should be with her sister. Patty is very appreciative of him being such a gentleman. Bart is no longer in charge as Skinner reasserts his authority. Patty tells Selma what happens and Selma even breaks her own date to be with her own sister. Yeah, that's a little creepy.

The “Eat My Shorts” award for best line/moment: Homer searching for a date ala "The Terminator" searching for one of his victims.

The Milhouse award for worst line/moment: That whole thing with Patty and Selma is kinda creepy if you ask me. I know they're sisters, but they both deserve to be happy with other people.

The 411: Some of the funniest episodes are when Patty and Selma think they have found a man to marry or love. This is one of the first. I don't think this is nearly as funny as the stuff with Sideshow Bob or even Troy McGlure, but this is still a very solid episode. For people who don't think this show really gets going until season three or four, I think you're wrong cause most of season two has seen some very good episodes.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]