The Simpsons season 25 episode 2 "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" is, as expected, something that the longest scripted series has churned into coming up with another Halloween special that may not be worth the creeps, but may have somehow proven the show's competency and capability to live up to the contemporary times. After 24 seasons of longtime novelty and zingers, does The Simpsons still have what it takes to outlive its former season? Does it still have that spark to even continue its airtime on our televisions for its 25th and the already confirmed 26th season? Let us take a look at the four-one-one of this year's "Treehouse of Horror" to find out the answers.
It is not unknown to all that annually, since the show has renewed for its second season, The Simpsons ingeniously creates spook-tacular Halloween specials in honor of the said holiday. Now, 23 Halloween specials passed, and the Fox series has continued its tradition by drafting a 24th "Treehouse of Horror," only this time, it came a little earlier than expected.
It is important to note however, that The Simpsons season 25 episode 2 set a new record by creating not just a couch gag for this year, but an entire opening sequence scripted by no less than the "Pacific Rim" creator Guillermo del Toro, who creatively incorporated famous Universal monsters such as Godzilla, Cthulu, and even famous authors including: Richard Matheson, Stephen King, and Ray Bradbury. Del Toro also incorporated some characters from his famous works such as Hellboy (played by Groundskeeper Willie) and the Pale Man from 'Pan's Labyrinth' (played by Mr. Burns). The animation sequence in itself is more than enough to keep one glued to the episode. You can view del Toro's opening sequence below.
As for the segments for The Simpsons season 25 episode 2 "Treehouse of Horror XXIV," we have three new storylines, titled: "Oh The Places You'll D'oh," "Dead and Shoulders," and "Freaks no Geeks." If you have not seen the episode yet, just click this free live stream link here.
The first story "Oh The Places You'll D'oh" is a spinoff of Dr. Seuss' famous "The Cat in the Hat." But since it's a Halloween special, The Simpsons has a rather psychotic take on this one. The story follows how Lisa and Maggie are left home with only their gadgets to use to kill their boredom. And just like Dr. Seuss' story "The Cat in the Hat" pays the two kids a visit, only that instead of a cat, we have Homer as "The Fat in the Hat!" What's very interesting about this segment is the fact that the series animators really took their time and put so much effort in mimicking the Seussical style. The plot and pacing are very similar to the original version, but funny twists will leave everyone chuckling and asking for more. As "The Fat in the Hat's" pranks get too overboard, we are not surprised that our little Maggie emerges the hero, which as always has given us that sense of fondness to the youngest Simpsons' bravery despite her petite form and still undeveloped body 25 season later.
The in-between segment or the second one is not as interesting as many expected it to be though. For one thing, "Dead and Shoulders" is like a reiteration of "Homer's Nightmare," where we saw that same "two heads one body rip-off and spin of Frankenstein." This segment simply chronicles the events that took place after Bart got beheaded due to an accident involving a kite. His head - still alive - was automatically transferred (by this literally sewn) on Lisa's body. The catch in this story is Bart's life is extended by a year while Lisa's is shortened by 30. Although the writers have incorporated the "fun" aspect by making Bart realize that he can control Lisa's body while her sister is asleep, the storyline just didn't have that clever antic, let alone surprising twists to make the story more interesting.
The third and final segment "Freaks no Geeks" is also a spinoff/parody of Tod Browning's horror flick 'Freak.' The storyline for this segment is by far the most impressive as the writers had been fully aware that they have a lot of material to work with and offer to the viewers. The story features Mr. Burns' traveling circus, and every cameo and character was given a chance to have that shining moment, although for some it only meant like a couple of seconds. Interestingly, it also presented the Bart-Lisa science freakshow from the second segment as well as a cameo of Kang and Kodos. The main focus of the story is the love triangle between Strong Man Homer, the Trapeze Artist Marge, and most hideous creature that is Moe. And as usual, Homer has the perfect (if not the most nonsensical) plan to go about things. For this one, he pushes Marge into marrying Moe, so he can have the chance to steal Moe's emerald ring for him and Marge to buy their way out of the circus. Although Homer is the bad guy and he even gets what he deserves at the end of the sequence, the writers never failed to leave a good impression using the 'How I Met Your Mother' line at the end.
In sum, The Simpson season 25 episode 2 "Treehouse of Horror XXIV" simply proved to us that the show still has it going. It is still capable of generating good and peculiar stories to whet our appetite for yellow people comedy. The second segment will not even be seen as a major letdown since it's strategically placed in between two more remarkable stories. Consistency wise everything seems to be fluid smooth in a very "Simpsons" manner. You may have gotten tired of seeing the unchanging faces and forms of all of the characters after all these years, but the gimmicks, the wise-cracks, and all the Homer-type humor will definitely have that same effect on you 25 or 26 seasons hence.
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