Notes for 35ABF14 (TOH Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes)

[Matt Garvey]

Hmm, OK, odd way to do what's basically just another Treehouse of Horror
triplet (compared to the full-episode Not It, or the Thanksgiving-themed
one), but I would much rather have a framing device or other indication
of non-canon stories as seen here, even if it didn't have much to say or
a way to tie the stories together, than just be dropped into a
high-concept episode without warning (which has happened a lot lately).
All three reasonably good stories, middle the weakest as usual. Why are
the credits so TINY in TOH things lately though?? And not even a token
scream/organ Gracie?

And wow, the animation was so real and lifelike at the start, and I
didn't know Joel McHale was guest starring... oh wait, that was the OVER
TWO MINUTE promo for the new season of Animal Control that delayed the
start of the episode till almost 8:03. (See also 35ABF01 last year.) I
am not sure whether that is to blame for the very short runtime, with
this episode being just below 21 minutes vs. the "normal" 21:30; if it
ever repeats or on-demand/streaming versions are expanded, I guess we'll
see what happens.

[Bice]

Post by Matt Garvey
Hmm, OK, odd way to do what's basically just another Treehouse of Horror
triplet (compared to the full-episode Not It, or the Thanksgiving-themed
one), but I would much rather have a framing device or other indication
of non-canon stories as seen here, even if it didn't have much to say or
a way to tie the stories together, than just be dropped into a
high-concept episode without warning (which has happened a lot lately).
All three reasonably good stories, middle the weakest as usual.

How do you do a recap of that episode and not mention that all three
acts (and the framing device) were based on Ray Bradbury stories (The
Illustrated Man, The Screaming Woman, Marionettes Inc and Fahrenheit
451)?

I tuned in late during the middle of the first story and after a
minute or so was thinking "Wait, is this based on Bradbury's 'The
Screaming Woman'?" By odd coincidence, I had just read that story a
couple months ago in a big Bradbury collection. Seemed like an odd
choice for the Simspsons to pay tribute to. Eventually I realized the
whole episode was based on Bradbury stories.

I really liked the episode. Wouldn't mind seeing them do something
similar with other authors.

-- Bob

[Matt Garvey]

Post by Bice

Post by Matt Garvey
Hmm, OK, odd way to do what's basically just another Treehouse of Horror
triplet (compared to the full-episode Not It, or the Thanksgiving-themed
one), but I would much rather have a framing device or other indication
of non-canon stories as seen here, even if it didn't have much to say or
a way to tie the stories together, than just be dropped into a
high-concept episode without warning (which has happened a lot lately).
All three reasonably good stories, middle the weakest as usual.

How do you do a recap of that episode and not mention that all three
acts (and the framing device) were based on Ray Bradbury stories (The
Illustrated Man, The Screaming Woman, Marionettes Inc and Fahrenheit
451)?
I tuned in late during the middle of the first story and after a
minute or so was thinking "Wait, is this based on Bradbury's 'The
Screaming Woman'?" By odd coincidence, I had just read that story a
couple months ago in a big Bradbury collection. Seemed like an odd
choice for the Simspsons to pay tribute to. Eventually I realized the
whole episode was based on Bradbury stories.
I really liked the episode. Wouldn't mind seeing them do something
similar with other authors.
-- Bob

To answer your question: mainly by not realizing it. Oops! Like Martin
Prince, I am aware of his work, but I say this not dismissively, just
having not managed to read much of it. (451 is the only one I
recognized.) With that common thread, even in the framing device, it
does feel a little more cohesive, yet I am surprised it didn't make that
clearer. (Yeah, I know I dislike when it makes things too obvious!)
Aaand it seems the title is also a Bradbury reference that went over my
head (I only got the much older allusion). Oops again.

Since I'm replying here, might as well note two related things I
neglected before: episodes like this seem to have tiny credits for some
reason now, and I am a little sad they don't have TOH-style spooky
names. (Not It didn't have them either; Thanksgiving of Horror actually
did!)