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| Somehow this sequence turned into a Grinch tribute. I don't know how. |
Its Christmas time again! At work, after Homer brushes off his Secret Santa duties, Mr. Burns arrives to give everyone a lunch coupon as their bonus, but Burns also gives Homer a baseball card for Bart. The card, a Joe DiMaggio rookie card, has its value go unnoticed by both Burns and Homer, and Homer goes to sell the card to the comic book guy for some Christmas cash. The comic book guy more than happily gives Homer plenty of money for the card, and now he's set. He takes the family to a fancy shopping district to get their Christmas shopping done, promising to use the leftover money to buy a big, good tree. However, Homer sees a talking astrolabe in a store and can't help but buy it, despite it costing $500. Now out of money, Homer goes to buy a cheap, dry tree which draws the family's suspicion. They learn of the astrolabe and chide Homer for being really selfish, yet again.
An angry Marge has Homer sleep on the couch that night. There, Homer watches a version of A Christmas Carol featuring "Mr. McGrew". Homer relates himself to McGrew and realizes just how selfish he's been. The next morning, Homer vows to be selfless instead, though the family doesn't believe him. Still, Homer quickly goes out and helps out around town, giving away things to everybody he comes across. This ends up drawing the ire of Ned Flanders, whose generosity no longer has a recipient thanks to Homer beating him to the punch. Ned buckles down and decides to do the nicest thing he can: buying everyone in Springfield a Christmas present.
Homer is determined to outshine Flanders, but makes a mistake by once again listening to Lisa. She reminds everyone that, yes, she's still a Buddhist, and that Buddhists wish to rid themselves of material possessions such as, you guessed it, Christmas present. Homer then comes to believe that if he rids everyone of their presents, they'll become happier. On the night of Christmas Eve, Homer sneaks out and steals every present in town. He parks his car holding all the presents near city hall, eager to hear jubilation over his deeds. Instead, a mob quickly advances on him. Flanders quickly stops the mob, making a note that perhaps he made a mistake in giving all those presents in the first place. Further, the town sees a shining star (really just a flare from a distressed Hans Moleman), and as Homer and Ned give back the presents, they all sing a carol.
Quick Review
This episode starts off okay, with a couple of good jokes and decent claymation sequences that were neat if not all that funny. Nothing all that great, mind you. Then, the episode really falls apart once Homer decides to take Lisa's Buddhist teachings literally, and even with a decent reference to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and a good joke at Moleman's expense, the end sequences were just unfunny altogether and ruins the episode.
Final Score: 5.3
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