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| Digital animation doesn't really do too well with scale and perspective, does it? |
Youth football in Springfield is cancelled amidst fears of concussions. A town hall is set up to discuss alternatives. Kirk van Houten has one, but is to meek to get anyone to pay attention, except for Marge who convinces Homer to help Kirk be heard. Homer gets everyone's attention toward Kirk, which Kirk takes as a genuine sign of friendship. He then tells everyone about his alternate sport: lacrosse, which everyone loves. Kirk agrees to start up a youth lacrosse team on the condition that Homer, his new friend, becomes an assistant coach. Not willing to disappoint the town or the kids, Homer reluctantly accepts.
As Kirk relives his glory days of lacrosse - shattered literally when he broke his hand high-fiving a knight mascot - Homer is having a worse time. His role being only to slice oranges, having to wake up early and travel to other towns for tournaments pales in comparison to hanging out with Kirk, Homer finds out. Kirk's "rice sandwich", an apparent carb booster, is otherwise unappealing. Kirk also likes to vape and go to strip clubs when Luann isn't around. Homer gets increasingly annoyed by this but keeps it to himself. Following a road trip where Springfield won their way to a championship game, Homer walks off on his own and sings about how much he can't stand Kirk, while Kirk simultaneously walks off on his own and sings about how much he likes Homer. The two meet up at the end of their respective songs, where Kirk learns Homer doesn't actually like him.
Its the day of the championship, but Kirk is nowhere to be seen. Luann informs everyone that Kirk has indeed gone missing but also took out a large sum of money - all in singles. Homer realizes that Kirk has gone to the strip club in turmoil and Marge has Homer go and get him, Homer being responsible for Kirk's current state. In the strip club, Homer finds Kirk spending money on strippers solely to have them listen to him ramble. Homer again admits to Kirk that he doesn't like him, but thanks to his work with the lacrosse team, Homer has come to respect him. Remembering that respect is a thing too, Homer and Kirk evade the multitude of fees the strip club has piled on Kirk and with the help of the single mom strippers who also have kids, the two return to the game on time to help Springfield win the title. Homer and Kirk high five each other afterward, only to break their hands, now Homer has to share a hospital room with the guy he respects but doesn't like.
Quick Review
This ended up being an okay episode. Some of the gags were bland or unfunny and the episode's sport-focused plotline felt a little forced but the episode didn't try to force a reference-fest or do anything else stupid, so the episode ends up getting a respectable score.
Final Score: 7.1
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