(S18E16) I often counter anti-Simpsons bromides by telling people that no series can be perfect all the time, but I think there's a part of me that still expects perfection. I'm like a mother that knows her child isn't perfect, and yet feels let down when they falter, because damn it, I know they're better than that.

I probably could have come up with a better analogy, but it's too late now, I'm already on the second paragraph. The thing is: I liked this episode. It made me laugh, and it had a ton of great gags, and plenty were "pause button worthy." It just didn't feel "full," you know? Of course, the first indication should have been the extra-long opening sequence showing Homer evolving as he treks to his house to sit with his family on the couch. When you see a long couch gag, you know they were a little short on the episode length that week.

There were so many "moments" I loved in this episode: Marge crying when the family album burned because it was record of her accomplishments, like a resume is to a man; the "Happy 1987" photo where the family looked like the old versions of themselves; the stem cell fajitas at the celebs' party; and Drederick Tatum snorting Secretariat's ashes. It was also nice to see J.K. Simmons back as the fast-talking magazine editor, and did anyone else notice Flanders' old Hollywood girlfriend in the scene where all the celebs are gathered around the table?

So I watched The Simpsons and laughed pretty hard for half an hour. It didn't cost me a thing, so I can't complain too much. Still, that maternal side of me knows this episode could have been better, that the best episodes are more than just a lot of funny gags. Then again, maybe this was always intended as a silly episode with no serious point. I think what we can all agree on is that this is the most wishy-washy episode review I've ever written.