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| How did the censors let this hardcore display of insemination pass? How, I say! |
The opening sequence features the Simpsons dying while trying to get into the house rather than surviving like usual.
Hell Toupée
Snake is busted for smoking inside the Kwik-E-Mart, which is against the law. Its Snake's third strike, and under Springfield's three strikes rule, the third strike always means death. Before being taken away, Snake vows vengeance on the witnesses at the Kwik-E-Mart who will ensure his demise: Apu, Moe and Bart. The execution is aired on live TV (and hosted by Ed McMahon!), with Wiggum pointing out that Snake's body will be harvested for organs and such. At the moment, Homer gets a call. It seems Dr. Nick has just gotten a fresh new hair transplant for Homer. Eager to get hair, Homer lets Dr. Nick graft it on while drugged, despite the fact that its Snake's hair. Later, Snake's hair seeps into Homer's brain, gaining control of his body (and vocal chords).
While in control, Snake is able to kill both Apu and Moe. These murders are shown on the news, and Bart realizes he's next. Homer promises to protect Bart, boarding up the two of them in Bart's room, but Snake takes control again and proceeds to go after Bart. The family is able to break its way in, while Bart is able to 'reach' Homer and convince him to pull off the hair. However, the hair still lives, and tries to suffocate Bart by itself. Just then the police arrive, and as the hair attempts to flee, the police shoot it over and over, essentially killing it. They then laugh at Wiggum's hair-raising pun.
Individual Score: +1.8
The Terror of Tiny Toon
Bart and Lisa are ready to watch the Halloween special of Itchy & Scratchy, but Marge says no, taking the batteries out of the remote to prevent them from watching. Unaware that TVs can be turned on manually, they seek new batteries for the remote. Bart finds some plutonium in Homer's tool box, and shoves it into the remote. It causes some weird things to happen, ultimately pulling Bart and Lisa into the cartoon.
As the two get a close up on Itchy's latest killing, the two also see the kids laugh, and lament that Scratchy's death is being mocked. The two cartoon characters agree to team up and kill Bart and Lisa. As they escape from danger after danger (and Regis and Kathy Lee), Homer comes across the remote and, after a bit, is able to pull the two back out. However, Itchy and Scratchy break out of the TV as well, but they are quite tiny, and as Homer is able to put Itchy into a mouse cage, Scratchy falls in love with Lisa's cat, which means its neutering time for a cat who isn't used to that particular kind of violence.
Individual Score: +0.8
Starship Poopers
Maggie undergoes some odd changes, growing a single sharp tooth and losing her legs to gain tentacles. As the family wonders what's going on, the aliens Kang and Kodos receive a beacon from Maggie informing them its time to pick her up. They arrive at the Simpsons front door, as Kang reveals to the family that he's Maggie's father. Marge reveals that its true, that two years ago she was abducted by the two aliens so that one can 'implant' his seed into Marge as part of some interspecies breeding program. Now Kang has come to take Maggie to their home planet so she can go to work, but Homer is reluctant to give her up.
Bart tries to settle the feud by having everyone go on Jerry Springer's show, Jerry Springer still being relevant at the time. However, things don't get any better, as Kang evaporates the crowd and Maggie ends up killing Springer. Outside, the aliens threaten to kill the 'leaders' of Washington if Homer doesn't cough up Maggie, but Homer and Marge slyly refuse, allowing them to kill every politician in Washington. As the family decides to go home, Maggie speaks up, having matured further into a Rigelian, and enjoying it ever so much.
Individual Score: +0.4
Quick Review
Hell Toupée was an excellent story, with wonderful appearances by many characters including Snake himself. Lots of stuff worked well in that segment. Tiny Toon wasn't as funny, as the cartoon hijinks while appreciated weren't actually all that hilarious, but it had its moments. Starship Poopers had its moments as well but the whole bit with Jerry Springer, besides being dated nowadays, seemed pretty off even then, and I didn't really like it, which was why it got such a low score. So, this Treehouse of Horror has its highs and lows which average out to be a strong if not excellent installment.
Final Score: 8.1
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