The Simpsons (TV Series) Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington (1991) User Reviews

Interesting Political Satire!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 6 August 2014]

This is the second episode of the third season of the Simpsons and it's a rather interesting episode. This is one of the more political-heavy satires by the Simpsons that outlines political corruption which is obviously prevalent in our government. But it's funny most of the time and based off the title, it reminds me of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

This episode, "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington," has Lisa winning an essay contest that talked about the greatness of the United States and as a winner, she and her family travels to Washington D.C. But Lisa uncovers a scandal in which some senators were planning on taking bribes to demolish the Springfield forest.

Overall, this is a solid episode and one that should open your eyes to political corruption such as bribery and whatnot. But this is a funny episode as well and another solid entry in the storied Simpsons. I rate this episode 9/10.

Cartoons don't have any deep meaning

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 11 July 2022]

This is a strong episode with decent satire and character moments.

At the time of release it was the most political satire attempted in a Simpsons episode since 'Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish' and it's a good one.

It's actually quite poignant to see the character of an idealistic little girl having her eyes opened to the reality of how the world works and the writers do it with a nice plot and good humour.

I enjoyed the goofy patriotism, the 2am wake-up call, Lisa's visualising of politicians as greedy pigs, and the classic Barbara Bush moment.

The saddest thing about watching it now is the hope it leaves you with at the end, but then you apply that to the current political landscape and how increasingly divided, corrupt and hateful the world has become, you struggle to find any positives you could give that little girl.

Lisa in D.C.

[safenoe · 9/10 · 13 January 2024]

A classic Simpsons episode where Lisa's eyes are open to the truth about federal politics when she travels to Washington D. C. as a finalist in an essay competition and there are shades of political scandal that really shatters the idealistic vision of Lisa and all.

Anyway, for me this episode is part of the golden era which in my humble opinion is the first 10 seasons without a doubt. The satire and humor in Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington pretty much demonstrated that The Simpsons wasn't The Flintstones or Wait Till Your Father Gets Home or Felix the Cat. The Simpsons was becoming part of pop culture.

8/10!

[Analog_Devotee · 8/10 · 4 June 2021]

After Lisa wins an essay contest, the entire Simpsons family is hoisted off to Washington D. C. for an all-expenses -paid vacation! Lots of interesting political commentary here from writer George Meyer. Not the best episode, but still fun.

Disney+ This Isn't the Season Premiere

[e_daneva · 8/10 · 29 December 2023]

Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington was an amazing episode. I am researching Season 3 with my Dad and we have watched 3 really good episodes. This episode is one of those. Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington is a nice episode. It's political, but not too political. Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington has an interesting plot and great humor. Who could ever forget the famous Barbara Bush scene. Anyway, I have something else to discuss about this episode. On Disney+ it says that this the first episode of the season. That's not true too. The first episode in the season is Stark Rank Dad. Now I know that Stark Rank Dad is a banned episode, but Disney+ acts like it never existed. Why does Disney+ want to cover it up that the episode is not on there? They just should have labeled this as the second episode of the season. Easy as that. I mean come on Disney+!! I'm sure every Simpsons fan knows that that episode was banned, and if they don't they can just look it up. At least on Amazon it says that the episode exists but it is just not available. I really want to see Stark Rank Dad too! I don't understand why Disney+ has to hide it. I really don't. Is it because Disney doesn't want people to even know about it? It's just weird. In all, I give this a 8.4 out of 10.

Time has ravaged this episode.

[CubsandCulture · 6/10 · 23 August 2021]

The main satire of this episode is the US gov't is too slow too root out corruption, especially at the federal level. It is why Arnold's downfall taking about 5 minutes is suppose to elicit a dry chuckle. Today however it isn't the speed with which such scandals playout but that at least one side of our politics will shield their "team" members from accountability, even if they conduct a putsch ala the Trumpist Jan. 6th 2021 insurrection. This episode ends up being too weak of a punch to really land as merely bribery seems such a quaint concern.

Tepid

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 14 April 2022]

Homer becomes engrossed in a free copy of Reader's Digest. In it is an essay contest which Lisa enters and wins. It is a patriotic evaluation of the US. She and the gang are on their ways to Washington, DC. But she sees things that make her disillusioned. A little too tame.