S2E9: Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
MARGE: That's Michelangelo's David. It's a masterpiece. HELEN LOVEJOY: Filth. It portrays parts of the body which, though practical, are evil.
John’s back!
I love it when John writes an episode because it gives me something to talk about besides the episode synopsis. I haven’t had anything to talk about since ‘Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish’ I’ve been entertaining the idea of combining Simpson’s episodes with contemporary issues, but so far we haven’t gotten ‘Homer Takes on the Voice to Parliament’.
He’d vote no, we’re just not ready to talk about it.
Homer decides to make Marge a spice rack. Maggie hits Homer with a mallet while he works. Marge believes Maggie’s violent tendencies are attributable to the influence of Itchy & Scratchy. Marge writes a letter. The creators of the show call her a crackpot. She commences a one-woman vendetta. Classic John.
Free of charge, here are some classic John-isms:
On the picket line, Marge’s sign reads: I’m protesting because Itchy & Scratchy are indirectly responsible for my husband being hit on the head with a mallet.
Homer’s sign reads: Please ban violent cartoons — next time I might not be so lucky.
Maggie’s sign reads: Stop me before I kill my father again.
Moe’s sign reads: Bring back ‘Wagon Train’.
Marge calls out to the gathering crowd ‘How many of you were hit with mallets last week’. A mass of eclectic characters with bandaged heads raise their hands.
I love John.
War is waged between Marge and Roger Meyers Jr. (the creator of Itchy & Scratchy, voiced by Alex Rocco, who famously played Moe Green in The Godfather, who you may recall made his bones when you were still going out with cheerleaders.)
The debate around violence in cartoons is handled earnestly, with Swartzwelder’s libertarianism taking a backseat to the arguments of Marge, Roger, Krust, and Dr Marvin Monroe.
Until Marge’s influence results in a more palatable Itchy & Scratchy that is pandered by the children of Springfield, who flood the parks and streets, rubbing their eyes in the fresh sunlight.
Bart spends his days fishing, and Lisa spends her days birdwatching. They both start building soapbox racers. Cartoons are criticised not for their violence, but for the over-estimation of their value in the lives of growing children.
John’s libertarianism creeps slowly back in.
An already cloudy debate is made more overcast when Michaelangelo’s David is toured around ‘New York, Springfield, and if we have time, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles.’
Marge’s former comrades on the picket line ask her to again raise her sign in the name of censorship but unlike Itchy & Scratchy, Marge believes everyone should see the Italian sculpture.
BROCKMAN: How can you be for one form of expression, like our naked friend... and be against another form, like ltchy & Scratchy?
MARGE: Good question. Well, I guess I can't. It's a shame. I hate those cartoons.
BROCKMAN: What do you say to those out there who wish to suppress David 's doodle?
MARGE: I don't know. One person can make a difference but probably shouldn't.
BROCKMAN: Well, I guess that settles that. We will be ending early tonight. Tomorrow our topic will be "Religion: Which ls the One True Faith?"
One person can make a difference but probably shouldn't.
Review 4/5
Chalkboard Gag: I will not pledge allegiance to Bart.
Couch Gag: The couch is missing!