Dangerous Curves (The Simpsons)

Last updated

"Dangerous Curves"
The Simpsons episode
Dangerous Curves (The Simpsons).jpg
A young Homer and Marge
Episode no.Season 20
Episode 5
Directed by Matthew Faughnan
Written by Billy Kimball
Ian Maxtone-Graham
Production codeKABF18
Original air dateNovember 9, 2008 (2008-11-09)
Guest appearances
Maurice LaMarche as Cap'n Crunch, Trix Rabbit and Toucan Sam
Episode features
Chalkboard gag "I did not see teacher siphoning gas"
Couch gag The family is a group of wooden figures that come out of a set of cuckoo clocks.
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Treehouse of Horror XIX"		Next →
"Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words"
The Simpsons (season 20)
List of episodes

"Dangerous Curves" is the fifth episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons . It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 9, 2008 and in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2008. [1] The episode received mixed reviews from television critics.

Contents

Plot

On the Fourth of July, the Simpson family visit a cabin in the woods. While driving there, they pick up hitchhikers Squeaky Voiced Teen and his girlfriend, Beatrice. Homer flashes back twenty years earlier to 1988, when he and Marge ride their bikes down a highway. While trying to kiss, Homer crashes his bike, forcing them to walk. Ned and Maude Flanders are driving by, see them and pick them up. Ned and Maude are on their honeymoon after their wedding earlier that day, but Ned warns the other two about potential marital problems in the future.

Back in the present, Homer becomes annoyed with the Squeaky Voiced Teen kissing Beatrice, prompting another flashback to five years earlier in 2003, where a married Homer and Marge are more stressed. Driving with Marge, Patty and Selma, and getting the usual flak from the latter two, Homer angrily kicks them out of the car, unaware they had the map to their cabin destination. The car runs out of gas and Homer and Marge walk off with a gas can, stopping at a home to use the phone. The owner, Alberto, is having a party, and he invites them in. Marge becomes enraged after seeing Homer flirting with a beautiful woman named Sylvia. Following an argument, Marge accidentally falls into the pool. Homer starts a sushi fight, and Marge regrets marrying Homer.

In the present, the family drops off the Squeaky-Voiced Teen and Beatrice, and continue to their cabin. In 1988, Ned barricades unmarried Homer and Marge chastely in separate rooms of the cabin to discourage premarital sex. In 2003, Alberto comforts Marge, who leaves the party with him for a private airplane ride, while Homer, seeing them in the sky, drives off with Sylvia. They each decide to spend the night together but end up at the cabin, where Homer sees Marge through the window but does not see Alberto. Upon hearing Homer calling out for Marge, Alberto panics and hides in a trunk just before Homer arrives. Despite his initial misgivings, Homer concludes that he and Marge were both there to recapture the memories of their dating years. On Marge's insistence, Homer pulls the trunk out of the room, where he promptly pushes Sylvia into out of Marge's eyesight. Alberto and Sylvia fall in love in the trunk while Homer and Marge rekindle their love.

In the present, Homer and Marge meet Alberto and Sylvia, now married with a daughter named Ruthie, and learn of each other's near-affairs. Marge is disgusted, but Homer points out she was just as bad as he was. Homer regrets marrying Marge and, trapped in a ball of their luggage which happened while unpacking, has Ruthie roll him into the woods.

Back in 1988, Ned comforts Homer, who is despondent at Marge's absence the previous night, and encourages him to consider marrying Marge in the future. Taking a walk through the woods with Marge, Homer carves the message "Marge + Homer 4ever" into a tree. In the present, Homer sees this message, and tries to cut it out of the tree to show to Marge as a symbol of their everlasting love. Marge arrives to reassure him but accidentally knocks the tree over a ravine. Homer clings onto the bark and falls down the ravine toward the river below with Marge falling after. They are saved by Bart and Lisa in their pedal car, which Bart had accidentally driven into the river.

Cultural references

The episode's non-linear plot showing various points in Homer and Marge's relationship is a reference to the 1967 film Two for the Road , starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, and the episode's musical score mimics the film's Henry Mancini score. [2] [3] Homer, Sylvia and Dr. Hibbert sing the Chubby Checker song "Limbo Rock", while a water-soaked Marge resembles Cousin Itt from The Addams Family . [3]

Toucan Sam, Trix, Cap'n Crunch and Count Chocula are all featured on Bart's Cereal Killer game; they are, respectively, the mascots for Froot Loops, Trix, Cap'n Crunch and Count Chocula breakfast cereals. [3] The handheld system Bart is playing on is a Game Boy Advance. [4]

Reception

Since airing, the episode has received mixed reviews from television critics.

Robert Canning of IGN said, "I did find Bart and Lisa as the bickering couple...to be very funny. It added a fresh twist to this generally stale outing. ...There were other fun laughs...but none of that could make up for the poor story being told or the overall unfunniness of the episode." He gave this episode a 5.8. [2]

Erich Asperschlager of TV Verdict wrote: "I’ve always enjoyed The Simpsons flashback episodes. The best of them tickle a nostalgic funny bone, but 'Dangerous Curves' doesn’t really fit with those episodes, though. The story of Homer and Marge’s marriage weathering a serious storm would be a lot more compelling if we hadn’t seen it before. I’m glad the writers feel they can write character-based stories after 19 years. I just wish they’d stop repeating themselves. Still, 'Dangerous Curves' is at least a complete story from beginning to end, and it has some of the best one-liners this season." [5]

Daniel Aughey of TV Guide said, "[It was the] Worst. Episode. Ever. I found the events of this week's episode so simplistic that I was utterly confused." He went on to say, "The story was stitched together and never really had any momentum." [6]

Related Research Articles

"She of Little Faith" is the sixth episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired in the United States on the Fox network on December 16, 2001. In the episode, Bart Simpson and his father Homer accidentally launch a model rocket into the Springfield church, causing the church council to accept funding plans from Mr. Burns for reparation. Discontent with how commercialized the rebuilt church has become, Lisa abandons Christianity and seeks out to follow a new religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse of Horror IV</span> 5th episode of the 5th season of The Simpsons

"Treehouse of Horror IV" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons and the fourth episode in the Treehouse of Horror series of Halloween specials. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 28, 1993, and features three short stories called "The Devil and Homer Simpson", "Terror at 5+1⁄2 Feet", and "Bart Simpson's Dracula".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simpson family</span> Family of five fictional characters in animation series The Simpsons

The Simpson family are the main fictional characters featured in the animated television series The Simpsons. The Simpsons are a nuclear family consisting of married couple Homer and Marge and their three children, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. They live at 742 Evergreen Terrace in the fictional town of Springfield, United States, and they were created by cartoonist Matt Groening, who conceived the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name. The family debuted on Fox on April 19, 1987, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" and were later spun off into their own series, which debuted on Fox in the U.S. on December 17, 1989, and started airing in Winter 1989.

"The Ziff Who Came to Dinner" is the fourteenth episode of the fifteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 14, 2004. The episode focuses on Artie Ziff, who takes residence in the Simpson family's attic after declaring bankruptcy. After playing poker with Homer and losing, he gives Homer all the shares of stock of his bankrupt company. Homer then gets arrested and Marge gets upset with Artie.

"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge" is the twenty-first and penultimate episode of the eleventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired in the United States on the Fox network on May 14, 2000. After a failed marriage attempt with Otto, Becky stays with the Simpson family. However, Marge begins to get paranoid at her family's newfound love of Becky, and begins to think that she is seducing Homer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bart of War</span> 21st episode of the 14th season of The Simpsons

"The Bart of War" is the twenty-first and penultimate episode of the fourteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 18, 2003. In the episode, Bart and Milhouse badly damage Ned Flanders' collection of Beatles memorabilia. Under adult supervision, they are then placed in separate youth groups, but the groups go to war.

"Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily" is the third episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 1, 1995. In the episode, the Simpson children are put in foster care at Ned and Maude Flanders' house. Homer and Marge are forced to attend a parenting class to get their children back.

"Milhouse of Sand and Fog" is the third episode of the seventeenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on Fox network in the United States on September 25, 2005.

"Principal Charming" is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 14, 1991. In the episode, Marge asks Homer to find a husband for her sister Selma. Homer invites Principal Skinner to dinner after Bart gets caught vandalizing the school's lawn. Skinner's dinner with the Simpsons fails to go as planned when he instead falls for Selma's twin sister Patty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Simpsons house</span> Fictional street address in Springfield of the Simpson family home

The Simpsons’ house is the residence of the Simpson family in the animated sitcom The Simpsons and in The Simpsons Movie. The house's address is most frequently attributed as 742 Evergreen Terrace. In the series, the house is occupied by Homer and Marge Simpson and their three children: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)</span> 5th episode of the 18th season of The Simpsons

"G.I. ", also known as "G.I. D'oh", is the fifth episode of the eighteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 12, 2006. It was written by Daniel Chun and directed by Nancy Kruse, while Kiefer Sutherland makes his first of two guest appearances this season. Maurice LaMarche does additional voices. In its original run, the episode received 11.43 million viewers. The episode is a critique of the U.S. military-industrial complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treehouse of Horror XVIII</span> 5th episode of the 19th season of The Simpsons

"Treehouse of Horror XVIII" is the fifth episode of the nineteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 4, 2007. In the eighteenth annual Treehouse of Horror episode, Bart harbors Kodos the alien in "E.T., Go Home," Homer and Marge are husband and wife assassins who try to take each other out in "Mr. & Mrs. Simpson," and Ned Flanders is given God-like powers during his demonstration on the wages of sin in "Heck House." It was written by Marc Wilmore and directed by Chuck Sheetz. Maggie Simpson does not appear in this episode.

"Double, Double, Boy in Trouble" is the third episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 19, 2008 and in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2008. Bart meets a rich boy named Simon Woosterfield, who happens to be Bart's exact look-alike. Because of this, the two decide to switch homes; Simon enjoys his time with the Simpsons while Bart discovers his rich new half-brother and sister are out to kill Simon, so they can inherit the vast Woosterfield family fortune. Former NFL football player Joe Montana guest stars as himself.

"Lost Verizon" is the second episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on October 5, 2008 and in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2008. Bart becomes jealous of his friends and their cell phones. Working at a golf course, Bart takes the cell phone of Denis Leary after the star comedian throws it away in anger. Marge, per Leary's advice, activates the GPS system on the phone to track down Bart's every move; catching on, Bart attaches the GPS chip to a bird that migrates to Machu Picchu, Peru. Leary and Brian Grazer both guest star as themselves. It was directed by Raymond S. Persi and written by John Frink.

"Father Knows Worst" is the eighteenth episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 26, 2009. In the episode, Bart and Lisa start struggling in their academic and social lives at school and Homer starts monitoring them and forcing them to do better, becoming a helicopter parent. Meanwhile, Marge discovers a sauna in the basement.

"Wedding for Disaster" is the fifteenth episode of the twentieth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 29, 2009. In the episode, Marge and Homer's second marriage turns out to be invalid, so they decide to get married again. Right before the remarriage, Homer goes missing, and Bart and Lisa suspect that he has been kidnapped by Sideshow Bob. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Chuck Sheetz. It features Kelsey Grammer in his 12th vocal appearance as Sideshow Bob.

"Postcards from the Wedge" is the fourteenth episode of the twenty-first season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 14, 2010. In the episode, Homer and Marge once again try to discipline Bart after Edna Krabappel tells them that Bart has not been doing his homework, but Bart has a plan to manipulate Homer's strictness and Marge's sympathetic ear, which backfires when Homer and Marge see through the plan and decide to ignore Bart.

"Gone Abie Gone" is the fourth episode of the twenty-fourth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons and the 512th episode overall. The episode was directed by Matthew Nastuk and written by Joel H. Cohen. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 11, 2012. The episode received mixed reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Serious Flanders</span> 6th and 7th episodes of the 33rd season of The Simpsons

"A Serious Flanders" is a two-part episode of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It is the sixth and seventh episodes of the thirty-third season and the 712th and 713th episodes overall. Part One premiered on the Fox network in the United States on November 7, 2021, while Part Two premiered on November 14, 2021. Both parts are written by Cesar Mazariegos. Part One is directed by Debbie Mahan, while Part Two is directed by Matthew Faughnan.

References

  1. ↑ "Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX". The Futon Critic. October 17, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Canning, Robert. "The Simpsons: Dangerous Curves Review". IGN. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Bates, James W.; Gimple, Scott M.; McCann, Jesse L.; Richmond, Ray; Seghers, Christine, eds. (2010). Simpsons World The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 (1st ed.). Harper Collins Publishers. pp. 968–969. ISBN   978-0-00-738815-8.
  4. ↑ RK Project. "The Simpsons: Dangerous Curves". Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  5. ↑ Erich Asperschlager (November 10, 2008). "The Simpsons 20.5: "Dangerous Curves"". Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  6. ↑ Aughey, Daniel. "The Simpsons Episode Recap: "Dangerous Curves"". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.