TV-Reviewed

I’m not sure what is going on, but ever since The Simpsons has made the switch to HD, it seems like the episodes are better. Along with improved visuals, they also managed to introduce fresh material. The writers have done a pretty good job and this episode was no exception.

The Simpsons have traveled all over the world, but I don’t believe they’ve ever been to Ireland, so since St. Patrick’s Day is here, it was time for the Simpsons to kiss the Blarney Stone and poke fun at the Irish.

It’s rare for Grandpa Simpson to get such an integral part of an episode, but he was there this week, at the center of attention, along with his son, Homer. Grandpa had a bucket list that he wanted to see completed and he had Homer take him back to Ireland, which is where he was some forty years ago during World War II.

The pub that Grandpa liked so much wasn’t much of a pub anymore. Ever since Ireland welcomed big tech companies and banned smoking in pubs, Grandpa’s favorite hang-out went down the tubes.

Bart was on the top of his game this week, cracking jokes and pulling stunts. I think his Blarney Stone stunt was the best in a heck of a long time. What made that scene even better was when the kid in the line wanted to carve his name into Bart’s butt. Bart’s reaction was classic.

While this episode was filled with all sorts of Irish jokes, I have to admit that the inclusion of Police Chief Wiggum was the best of the night. The judge’s comments about how all of Ireland’s dumbest, laziest people were sent to the U.S. was worth a good laugh and was quickly followed by Chief Wiggum pepper spraying and tazering himself. It went on a little too long, but it was quite funny. It was a smart way to end the episode. It’s too bad The Big Bang Theory can’t figure this out.

I would love to see Grandpa featured more often. I realize the writers don’t always have something for the old man, but he can still be a funny character.

Rating: 8.6