One of my favorite, but least seen, characters on The Simpsons is an elderly Irishman, who appears for the first of three times here. When it is pointed out that Whacking Day was created as an excuse to beat up the Irish, there’s a cut to an old man dressed like some sort of leprechaun saying that this is true, he took many a good lump, but it was all in good fun.
That guy cracks me up.
Ralph Wiggum has, thus far, just been a kid in Lisa’s class. This episode gives him the spotlight and begins the idea Ralph may be the single dumbest person in Springfield.
Of course, the people behind the show would have you know that Homer doesn’t hold that position. Nope, there is one adult in Springfield dumber than Homer. That would be Chief Wiggum.
The basic plot of this episode of The Simpsons, entitled “Marge Gets A Job”, is about Marge getting a job. If you had not figured that out, perhaps basic literacy is beyond you, and if so, I am not sure how you are reading these very words.
All things being equal, this may be the most disquieting episode of the series yet.
When I first saw this particular episode, I thought the writers were riffing on Jessica McClure, who as a baby fell down a well and became a media sensation until her rescue.
Then years later I learned the real inspiration was a dark Billy Wilder comedy starring Kirk Douglas called Ace in the Hole. That’s actually a pretty good movie, and a lesser-known film from Wilder. But that’s not important right now.
Up until this point, Marge’s sisters Patty and Selma seem to have been fairly interchangeable.
That will change now.
Gabbing Geek 