The Simpsons - Series 8 - Complete (DVD)

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Season 8 of the Simpsons is seen by many as the last season of the so called golden age (seasons 3 - 8), with season 9 onwards, although still as watchable and entertaining, not up to the standard of previous seasons. This boxset is another value for money DVD, containing all 25 episodes of Season 8 on four discs, with the usual extras including commentaries, deleted scenes and commercials. This DVD is an absolute gem, containing some of ...
...in Springfield. I also love the James Bond episode parody in which Homer gets a new job outside of Springfield, unaware that his new boss is a Super Villian intent on ruling the world. We also find out a number of new things in season 8, including Mr Burns having an illegitimate 60 year old son and Ned Flanders having a rather interesting past. We also see more from other characters such as Nelson Muntz and Milhouse's parents, as well as a spinoff ... more

Intro:
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Season 8 of the Simpsons is seen by many as the last season of the so called golden age (seasons 3 - 8), with season 9 onwards, although still as watchable and entertaining, not up to the standard of previous seasons. This boxset is another value for money DVD, containing all 25 episodes of Season 8 on four discs, with the usual extras including commentaries, deleted scenes and commercials. This DVD is an absolute gem, containing some of the funniest episodes ever, from Homer making an enemy at work to Mulder and Scully investigating strange activities in Springfield. I also love the James Bond episode parody in which Homer gets a new job outside of Springfield, unaware that his new boss is a Super Villian intent on ruling the world. We also find out a number of new things in season 8, including Mr Burns having an illegitimate 60 year old son and Ned Flanders having a rather interesting past. We also see more from other characters such as Nelson Muntz and Milhouse's parents, as well as a spinoff episode starring Principal Skinner and Chief Wiggum.

The Episodes:
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Treehouse Of Horror VII:
Another three ghostly stories, even if they're not actually that scary. In the first tale Bart discovers that he has an evil twin brother, who has been locked away in the Simpsons attic since his birth. In the second story Lisa's science experiment develops into a real life model, while in the last tale aliens Kang and Kodos kidnap Bob Dole and Bill Clinton, taking their places in the process. For me the second tale is the best, particularly when Bart attempts to destroy Lisa's science project.

You Only Move Twice:
A great episode. Homer gets a better job offer, so decides to quit working at the Nuclear Power Plant and move the family to a new town, unaware that his new boss is a villain intent on ruling the world. Homer's stupidity and ignorance is the highlight of this fine episode, but i also enjoyed watching Marge become increasingly bored with life at home and turning to drink to pass the time.

The Homer They Fall:
Homer becomes a very successful boxer after Moe discovers that he can take massive blows to the head without feeling much pain. Homer soon becomes a household name on the boxing circuit, and comes up against Dredrick Tatum, the heavyweight champion. Marge becomes worried that Homer won't be able to hold out against Tatum. Although the jokes aren't as sharp in this episode, I did enjoy watching Moe attempt to train Homer for the big fight, particularly when it becomes clear that Homer is extremely unfit.

Burns Baby Burns:
Burns discovers that he has a 60 year old son called Larry. When it becomes clear that Larry is an insulting slob, Burns wants nothing to do with him, so Larry turns to Homer for help. Homer's attempts to help Larry get back with his father are nothing short of disastrous, but hugely entertaining to watch.

Bart After Dark:
Bart is forced to work for a lonely homeowner as punishment for damaging private property. However the homeowner, far from being lonely, runs a burlesque house where people come to be entertained. This episode contains what I consider to be the best Simpsons song, entitled The Spring In Springfield, which is extremely catchy and contains some humorous lyrics.

A Milhouse Divided:
Kirk and Luann Van Houten (Milhouse's parents) announce their divorce, as Homer begins to question his own marriage. In this episode we also get a flashback to Homer's marriage to Marge, which was an absolute disaster.

Lisa's Date With Density:
Lisa begins a relationship with school bully Nelson Muntz, and attempts to change his destructive ways. Meanwhile, Homer takes part in a telemarketing fraud to try and earn some extra cash. I love the character of Nelson Muntz so this episode is a favourite of mine, especially Bart's reaction when he realises that his sister is going out with the school bully.

Hurricane Neddy:
Ned Flanders checks himself into a mental institute after his house is destoyed in a hurricane and he suffers a mental breakdown. As the episode unfolds we are given an insight into Ned's rather troubled past. This is another standout episode, with most of the jokes coming from Homer, particularly at the start of the episode when he shows Ned round his 'new' house. This is also the first episode where we get a real insight into the mind of Ned.

El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Jomer (a.k.a. The Mysterious Voyage Of Our Homer):
The strangest episode of the lot, but brilliantly done. After consuming too many peppers Homer begins to have strange visions which tell him to find his 'soulmate'. This is a very colourful episode, containing some great visual sequences and brilliant reactions from Homer.

The Springfield Files:
Homer witnesses something strange in the Springfield woods, which leads to FBI agents Mulder and Scully arriving in town to investigate. The scenes involving Mulder and Scully testing Homer are brilliant, as are the scenes when they're grilling Moe.

The Twisted World Of Marge Simpson:
After being thrown out of her franchise club, Marge starts a new pretzel franchise but it fails to take off, leading to Homer striking a dodgy deal with Fat Tony.

Mountain Of Madness:
Burns makes his power plant employees go on a mountain retreat to teach them about teamwork. Homer and Burns team up, but manage to get trapped in a cabin together. The scenes in which Homer and Burns start to lose their minds are the funniest, as is watching Smither's trying to make his way to the cabin on his own.

Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious:
A great Mary Poppins parody, with very familiar songs. The Simpsons get a nanny named Sherry Bobbins after Marge starts to lose her hair due to stress. Homer's interviewing technique to try and find a new nanny is very very funny, and the paradoies to Mary Poppies are very noticeable.

The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show:
Homer provides the voice to Poochie, a new character added to the Itchy and Scratchy Show to boost ratings. The reason why Homer has the perfect voice for Poochie is unclear, but it's a good way to get a few cheap laughs.

Homer's Phobia:
Extremely funny, probably the funniest episode in the whole series. A shop owner befriends the Simpsons family, until Homer discovers that he's a homosexual. This is a brilliant episode, as Homer's phobia of homosexual people has so many comedic possibilities. The best bits are Homer taking Bart to a gay mill and Moe, Barney, Bart and Homer going on a manly hunting trip. I also loved Homer not realising that John is gay. The best quote is:

Marge: Listen carefully
Homer: A-ha
Marge: John is a ho-
Homer: yep
Marge: mo-
Homer: a-ha
Marge: sexual
Homer: Aaaargh

Brilliant!

Brother From Another Series:
Sideshow Bob is yet again released from prison, and his placed under the care of his estranged brother Cecil. The last of the great Sideshow Bob episodes, with a very good twist. Kelsey Grammar again gives a sterling performance as the twisted Bob.

My Sister, My Sitter:
Lisa builds up a good reputation as a babysitter, put her job is put to the test when she has to babysit Bart. Although the Bart and Lisa scenes are good I much preferred the Homer and Marge moments, particularly when Homer gets trapped in a water fountain.

Homer vs. The 18th Amendment:
Homer goes into the beer making business after a Prohibition ban hits Springfield. Bart getting drunk and telling Marge a few days later that he's "going to Moe's" is great, particularly when Homer replies "so am I".

Grade School Confidential:
Bart accidentally witnesses Principal Skinner and Mrs Krabappal kissing, and strikes a deal to keep it a secret. However Bart begins to regret this decision when he becomes caught in the middle of their affair.

The Canine Mutiny:
Bart purchases a very expensive dog on a fraudulent credit card, which leads to Santa's Little Helper being taken away when the re-possession men arrive to take the dog back. I loved the scenes early in the episode when Santa's Little Helper and Snowball are attempting to get the families attention.

The Old Man And the Lisa:
Mr Burns loses his fortune and turns to Lisa for help. In this episode we see a great side to Lisa, in that she is willing to help anyone, no matter how evil they side. We also start to see a better side to Mr Burns, until he goes back into his old ways.

In Marge We Trust:
Marge becomes the 'Listen Lady' of the Springfield Church when the people of Sprinfield become tired of Reverend Lovejoy and his rather terrible advice. In the more entertaining part of the episode, Homer sets out to discover why his face is on a box of soap-powder, with hilarious results.

Homer's Enemy:
Another highlight, and one of my favourite episodes. Homer makes enemies with Frank Grimes, a new employee at the power plant, after Grimes becomes annoyed with Homer's bad habits and lazy approach to work. He becomes even more annoyed when he discovers that Homer is more successful then he is. Homer is so annoying in this episode but it makes him even more likeable, especially when he's making his power plant model. My favourite quote from the episode is definately this one:

Lisa: Can I see what Dad's doing?
Marge: He says it's really high-tech stuff that we wouldn't understand.
Homer (on entering the kitchen): Marge, do we have any elbow macaroni and glue-on sparkles?

This quote cracks me up every time i watch it.

Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase:
A strange episode with a few interesting parts. The episode is told in three parts and presented by Troy McClure. In the first part Chief Wiggum moves to New Orleans as a detective, in the next part Abe Simpson's soul is trapped inside a love machine, and in the final part The Simpson family host a variety show. Although more of a curiosity, this episode has some funny moments, especially the variety show at the end.

The Secret War of Lisa Simpson:
Bart is sent to military school after yet another prank. Lisa decides that she wants to stay there too after visiting the school, and is determined to stick it out. Again not a very funny episode, the first joke at the start of the episode is probably the best. Still, a good end to a very good season.

My View:
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Season 8 definately contains some of the best and most quotable episodes, with a plethora of guest stars including the late Jonny Cast, Jon Lovitz, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson lending their voices. The jokes are sharp and very witty, especially the ones in episodes such as 'Homer's Phobia' and 'Brother From Another Series', which are two of the funniest. For me the episode 'Homer's Enemy', although annoying for some, is my favourite episode of the season and possibly of all time, because it sums up Homer and his lifestyle beautifully. These episodes are nearly 10 years old but definately don't show their age, with each one as funny, if not funnier, then the last. It's a credit to a show such as the Simpsons that it can keep the humour and wit going for such a long time.

DVD Extras and Packaging:
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You again get the usual commentaries on all 25 episodes, which again gives you a good insight into how the Simpsons is produced and what goes into making a good episode. There are also deleted scenes and bits from the animators, which feature on all the previous box sets. The most interesting and 'new' bit on the DVD is a featurette on the real life Simpsons house in Las Vegas. There are again two choices of boxset, and I plumped for the one pictured above because it fits in with my previous boxsets. The way its packaged and presented is beautiful and very colourful, and well worth your money.

Summary:
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For all Simpsons lovers, a must buy.

 

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