I'm not gonna lie, I was somewhat disappointed in this middling Christmas offering. Bart learns a valuable lesson, the town turns on the Simpsons and the holiday itself hangs in the balance. Even Alex Trebek shows up in an inexplicable cameo. But it doesn't hang together well (at all) and comes off rather haphazardly.
To its credit, I like the final message; that when the chips are down, family still have themselves. And it's got one really good gag, with Homer stepping in to show Lisa how to properly strangle her brother:
Lisa: "Why, you little-!" Homer: "Lisa, no! Your hands are too weak!"
But as a holiday episode, it feels like the laughs and the sentiment should be stronger.
6/10
To its credit, I like the final message; that when the chips are down, family still have themselves. And it's got one really good gag, with Homer stepping in to show Lisa how to properly strangle her brother:
Lisa: "Why, you little-!" Homer: "Lisa, no! Your hands are too weak!"
But as a holiday episode, it feels like the laughs and the sentiment should be stronger.
6/10