Grilka

Finally I can post the thread a day after it's aired. From The Simpsons Archive

Moe Letter Blues
Episode #MABF13

While Homer, Apu, and Reverend Lovejoy are vacationing together with their children, they receive a letter from Moe...who says he's planning on running away with one of their wives.

22 Umbrellas

Moe isn't one of my favorite characters, but I ended up liking this one a lot. It felt a lot more cohesive than the usual episodes because there was a clear narrative arc and no room for an awkward subplot. They seem to be doing a lot of voiceover eps lately. It's kind of nice. The photos of mothers and their children at the end were a nice touch.

JustMe2000

Yeah, I think with the way the format is now laid out (the four segments as opposed to three), it gets harder to have a stand alone subplot and have it work.

Some standout moments:

In the opening, the billboard with a picture of Bart and the words, "please abduct this child, call Homer," and another good couch gag, this time with Nelson.

Moe's voice over reaction to Marge in a towel.

The cameo with Don Pardo.

Moe's watermark ("What are you lookin' at?)

Homer's text to Marge.

Milhouse's "you were my favorite Uncle, Uncle Otto."

"Dear God, this day gets more and more disturbing." Apu, after he found out Homer was only 39.

Marge's mother admission that Patty and Selma smoked when she was pregnant.

The great background bits with all the stuff on the amusement park ride and Bart being overpowered by Apu's kids.

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. I liked that Moe was actually the hero and not just his usual pathetic self. I also really liked the way that each of the other two husbands were a part of the other's flashbacks. Lots of little great moments, as laid out above. The pictures at the end were sweet, too- especially great seeing Homer and Mona.

Gizziefan1

The plot was a good idea.
Nice to have all three husbands get spare amount of time.
I did like the fortune teller gag with Bart that was funny.
I am getting annoyed with the Bart abuse this year ><
However, at least Lisa got some too this time LOL.
So did Maggie actually, getting thrown in a cage with a Lobster LOL WTF?!
I'm starting to realize Homers just a horrible father period to all of his kids LOL. So at least all the kids got abuse now.
Over all it was pretty good.
I really can't wait for this weeks, Bob Next Door.
I might be overating it a bit, but normally Bob episodes turn out to the best of the season.

22 Umbrellas

I can't wait for Sideshow Bob next week either! Should be good.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I loved Moe's stationery in general. Homer's phone call & text to Marge was very funny as well.

And yes, the photo of Homer and Mona was especially sweet.

Grilka

I thought the couch gag started out creative. Then I figured the one who was blowing it up was Bart. I guess Nelson hasn't totally turned around.

One of my favorite quotes was when Apu and Manjula were arguing, and he told her he wished the dot on her head was an off button.

JustMe2000

Yeah, that was a great line.

Between Apu and Moe, this was a big episode for Hank Azaria.

Grilka

There was a cameo by Jessica Lovejoy, though she didn't have any lines.

JustMe2000

Yep, I was happy to see her on the trip.

Gizziefan1

It was strange how they randomly through her in there after all these years.

Grilka

But for each of the couples being featured, they also included appearances by their children. It was only natural to include Jessica then.

wanderer78

It was odd to see Jessica.

I know it sounds weird, but I kind of wanted to see one of the wives end up with Moe. But considering who they used it wouldn't have made sense. But I do think Helen would have been the closest to doing it.

22 Umbrellas

It was pretty odd to see Jessica. I didn't really notice her until she walked off the bus, and then without a word she disappeared and wasn't in the next scene with the Lovejoys.

I agree it might've been nice to shake things up a little on the show and have a permanent change like that, but it rarely happens.

JustMe2000

Maude dying, Milhouse's parents splitting up....and getting back together, Lisa becoming a vegetarian. That's a few examples of plot developments sticking, but yeah not too many things last more than one episode.

Firestar007

Finally got around to watching this episode. I enjoyed it

Good to see that the episode focused on a certain plot and it was great seeing all the flashbacks on the husbands

Seeing Jessica Lovejoy was weird...I was expecting her to saying something

It was a good episode for Moe...usually episodes with focus on him are a bit eh and kinda creepy sometimes, but I love that we kinda got this different side of Moe...in helping the three men with their wives in the end.

I really enjoyed the narration in the episode