It's been a while since Marge has found a cause to rally against that everyone else loves, but this week, it's the world of MMA. Of course, this is a battle Marge has to fight...literally. The sleazy promoter came off more like a wacky Vince McMahon/Mark Cuban hybrid than Dana White, but it was entertaining as hell, so I didn't really care. Best part of the episode was the promo he cut from outside Marge's bedroom.
"The fireworks start tomorrow!" **fireworks** "I said TOMORROW!"
This episode's a winner, especially for Mr. Burns as Marge's sparring partner.
I also thought this was a pretty good episode, and probably about as fresh of an idea as your going to get from the Simpsons. We've all seen Marge on a crusade before, but this was at least a brand new thing, and the story didn't retread too much old ground.
I tend to look for one big laugh from each episode of the current era of The Simpsons and I got it from Krusty (not surprisingly as virtually anything Krusty does and says is gold with me) when he told Sideshow Mel he's been sleeping with his wife for 11 years.
Also Homer: "I can't help it! She knew my one weakness - that I'm weak!"
My opinion of this show really hinges on what the side characters do at this point, and they really delivered for the most part. All I really hope for these days is for them to crank out 2-4 great episodes a season. This one wasn't great but I didn't lose interest this week, so we'll call it a win.
"I am not a scalper. I am a dude whose 200 friends did not show up." "She's the mom I'd like to fight..."
I've been hoping The Simpsons would take on pro wrestling in one of their episodes (with guest voices aplenty!), but I think this is as close as we'll get. Lots of good lines in this episode (and the return of Drederick Tatum), and I think for me, this may have edged out A.D. on the night.
Oh, and I loved the sign: "When a Man Gloves a Woman." Even if the Simpsons has declined over the years, their punny signs and sight-gags like that are still top notch.