The third season took a few episodes to get me going when I watched it, like it was taking a few steps before it got into its stride but once it did it was away. It was great to see that this stride continued right into the fourth season and out the other side since this season seemed to be nothing but classic episode after classic episode. Just a glance back over the episode listing is enough to show you the quality here and as I watched through it I really enjoyed every single episode – I cannot think of a weak one in the pack.
The thing that struck me the most though was just how consistently daring and brazen the show was. In the previous season they had added some more adult material but here it seemed to really be a concerted and consistent effort to bring it in. The line from Smithers in the Halloween special is the one that really sticks in my mind "sea men and women don't mix" but there are lots of example, with Bart taunting Homer by suggesting their father/son moments on the swings was all faked being probably my favorite. This added layer to the show really added to it in the past and in this season it was as much a part of the show as anything else. The cultural references came thick and fast too but, importantly, they are smart and most very well done producing regular chuckles of appreciation.
The cast are excellent across the board. Supporting characters are given key roles and used very well to help strengthen the show. The guest voices are a little intrusive but mostly they are used like minor characters and they work well; the final episode could have been a little full of itself with star names, but again they are used with good humor and it feels like the stars were queueing up to get on the show rather than the show needing them in any shape or form. Overall then this is a classic season, just great episode after great episode and hardly putting a step wrong. I hope it can continue this into the fifth season because I really was pleasantly surprised by how strong this whole season was.
The thing that struck me the most though was just how consistently daring and brazen the show was. In the previous season they had added some more adult material but here it seemed to really be a concerted and consistent effort to bring it in. The line from Smithers in the Halloween special is the one that really sticks in my mind "sea men and women don't mix" but there are lots of example, with Bart taunting Homer by suggesting their father/son moments on the swings was all faked being probably my favorite. This added layer to the show really added to it in the past and in this season it was as much a part of the show as anything else. The cultural references came thick and fast too but, importantly, they are smart and most very well done producing regular chuckles of appreciation.
The cast are excellent across the board. Supporting characters are given key roles and used very well to help strengthen the show. The guest voices are a little intrusive but mostly they are used like minor characters and they work well; the final episode could have been a little full of itself with star names, but again they are used with good humor and it feels like the stars were queueing up to get on the show rather than the show needing them in any shape or form. Overall then this is a classic season, just great episode after great episode and hardly putting a step wrong. I hope it can continue this into the fifth season because I really was pleasantly surprised by how strong this whole season was.