A Tale of Two Springfields (S12, E02-250)

Just because they couldn't deal with 6s now being 9s in their area codes.

Plot Summary
Homer finds himself in disarray after he finds out that Springfield has been split up into two area codes, despite all of the advance warning of the change.  A town meeting is arranged to discuss the change, and an "informative" video convinces nearly everybody in the new area code that the change was worthwhile.  Homer, though, makes an interesting observation: the people that kept the old area code are all rich while the poor working class were the ones stuck with the new number.  He's able to convince everybody with the new area code to separate from the people with the old code and become their own town.

Calling themselves "New Springfield", Homer is declared mayor after he skillfully stops the Arizona Cardinals from moving there.  The group is a rowdy bunch, and instigates spats with what is now called "Olde Springfield".  The two sides grow distrustful of one another and attempt to sabotage each other, and finally Homer decides enough is enough.  He has the mafia build a wall to separate the two sides, but with New Springfield now separated from hospitals and food, its residents have had enough as well and jump over the wall to Olde Springfield, leaving the Simpsons the only remaining residents in New Springfield.

Homer isn't licked yet, recalling that The Who are to be playing in Olde Springfield soon.  He and Bart sneak into their hotel room and reaches into the group's rebellious spirit to convince them to play ontop the wall in New Springfield.  The residents of Olde Springfield take notice and start to riot toward Homer.  The Who figure out what's going on between the two sides and offer a simple solution for the area code dilemma: speed dial.  The Who bust down the wall, and everyone parties down to one of their songs.

Quick Review
This episodes starts off strong enough, but as The Who became involved with the plot I felt that the humor faded down the stretch.  It seemed like there was less emphasis on jokes and more emphasis on having The Who do their bits.  The plot of the episode was fine for the most part until, again, The Who start doing things.  You may think I'm hating on The Who, and I guess I am, but, uh... hm.

Final Score: 7.5