Smart & Smarter

Smart & Smarter is a great Simpsons episode with a well written plot and plenty of very funny scenes. It's an enjoyable episode as we focus on Lisa and Maggie's relationship, something that we see seldom on the show, as Lisa struggles with the possibility that Maggie may be more intelligent than she is. Normally Lisa episodes are quite weak, but I found this one Intriguing as we see the character feeling truly lost, and we gain more sympathy for her than we would in episodes where she is trying to save the environment or becoming a vegetarian.

I did feel, however, that the plot does not go as deep as it should have, as if the writers were holding back. We should have seen Maggie achieving in her genius more, while Lisa stumbles far more, the most we ever see of Maggie doing well is with her teachers, we never get a proper showcase.

Simon Cowell adds an extra boost and spirit to the episode, serving as a parody of his own judging background by criticising the intelligence of young children. The highlight for me was the closing credits, as he judges the cast and crew of the Simpsons.

It is a sweet, different show as we get a closer look at the bond between Lisa and Maggie's bond, which is what I mainly took away. Funny and heartwarming, Smart & Smarter is a very enjoyable Simpsons.

Lisa enters a crisis when she discovers she may no longer be the smartest member of the family.