1. Bart Gets an F

Episode Title: "Bart Gets an F"
Episode Number: 14
Original Air Date: October 11, 1990

Plot Synopsis: As Martin Prince finishes up his book report, Mrs. Krabappel informs Bart that it is now his turn. Bart, never the big reader, completely fumbles his way through a report based solely on the cover image for "Treasure Island." When Bart can't answer even a single question about the book, he proves he hasn't read it. Mrs. Krabappel warns him that he needs to study for an upcoming examine, which of course he doesn't do. To be fair, he tries ever so slightly but is thwarted by Homer, who wants to watch TV with the boy instead. Bart fakes a bizarre disease to try to get out of the exam, which works. He calls Milhouse for the answers to the test, which he uses, but it turns out that Milhouse is also an idiot so of course Bart fails.

The school psychiatrist recommends to Marge and Homer that Bart repeat the fourth grade. Bart, terrified of this, promises to do better. By "do better," he means convincing Martin Prince (who really did give quite a lovely book report at the beginning of the episode) to teach him how to be smart. In exchange, Bart will teach Martin how to be cool. Bart holds up his end of the bargain first, which causes Martin to get completely drunk on his new found coolness and leave Bart high and dry.

If Bart fails an upcoming exam, he will have no choice but to repeat the fourth grade. Bart tries to study, but it just isn't taking. He makes a "Hail Mary" pass and prays for a snow day to delay the test for additional study time. His request is granted, and while the entire town is out holding hands, singing and loving snow more than anyone has ever loved snow before, Bart stays in and studies. Of course, he's also still Bart, which means he fails. He gets a high "F." In a moment of weakness and tears, Bart accidentally shows that he retained some of the knowledge he got from his studies. Mrs. Krabappel gives him a mercy point, which takes his grade up to a "D-." Bart doesn't have to repeat the fourth grade, and Homer finally has a paper of Bart's that he can put on the refrigerator.

Overall Thoughts: This is a great, promising way to begin a new season. There really isn't much more to be said beyond that. It's a Bart-centric episode, and it's great to see how insecure this bright-eyed little troublemaker really is.

What Works: For starters, the episode is funny. I can't think of any joke that isn't executed really, really well. That humor is due in large part to the fact that the pace is really starting to pick up. This episode is quick.

It's good to see that the dynamics between family members are continuing to develop. An example: Homer is very, very proud of how well Lisa does in school. He knows that Bart isn't that, though, and probably can never be that, so he finds other ways to bond with him (like a gorilla movie marathon on television). Both Homer and Marge recognize that Bart isn't exactly a genius, which leads to a very touching exchange: "The little tiger tries so hard. Why does he keep failing?" "Just a little dim, I guess." It's lovely stuff.

That dimwitted aspect is also played for laughs. Both Homer and Bart hear an authority figure speaking as "Blah blah blah blah blah...", which shows how alike they really are.

As I've said before, Bart's unhappiness with being kind of stupid has always been one of my favorite aspects of his character, and that aspect is front and center in this episode. He really does try - it just never seems to work out for him.

This episode has a montage that is actually funny when Bart tries to teach Martin how to be cool, and Martin tries to teach Bart how to be smart. Again: the pace is getting better, and jokes like these are following suit because the timing issues from "Season One" are getting taken care of.

What Doesn't Work: The animation is getting better, but it's still a little on the rough side. Actually, it may be more appropriate to refer to these types of instances as "creepy patches" now. For the most part the animation looks fine and even great, but every once and awhile something shows up that makes me go "Gah, what is that?!" There's a sequence where the kids are watching TV and laughing, and when they laugh you can see their gums, which is super weird. After a "creepy patch," the animation will return to normal. So all in all, it's getting way better, but as a show the animation still isn't quite there yet. But it's close.

The story itself goes on a little long. The third act is devoted primarily to Bart's snow day, which isn't necessarily unfunny but it does go on beyond the point of "Alright, alright, I get it." Despite this, the episode still ends way, way strong. So it's only a minor complaint.

Closing Thoughts: This episode marks the first flash-forward to Bart's inevitable unhappy adult life, which has always been a favorite gag of mine. Even Bart thinks that Bart will eventually grow up to be a miserable adult.

Lisa's religious beliefs are always really interesting to me. Lisa doesn't understand what God is, but she knows he's "more powerful than mom and dad put together." She also recognizes that Bart's attempt to pray for a school closing is "the last refuge of a scoundrel." It's all good stuff, and I think it helps add another layer to Lisa beyond "I'm really good at both reading and retaining knowledge." It shows she's actually thinking about things, which is nice.

Bart says "Cowabunga" in this episode, which is somewhat notable. I've been listening to the DVD commentaries for these episodes after I watch and review them (editor's note: nerd), and once or twice last year the writers noted that the "Cowabunga" Bart Simpson t-shirts from the time were bullshit because he never actually says that. But not only did he say it once last year, he also says it again in this episode. So take that, Harvard-educated "Simpsons" writers!

As I said, this is a really promising way to begin a season. So promising, in point of fact, that I'm actually getting excited about watching these episodes on a daily basis for the first time since this little experiment of mine began. Though, to be fair, it's likely in large part because I know what's coming. A mild teaser: two of my favorite episodes of the series are a little later on in "Season 2."

Final Grade (out of 10): 8