Moaning Lisa

Oh dear. I remembered this whole Lisa-centric thing as a bit of a clunker and it really is. I can't say I enjoyed watching this. She's not a character I like in large doses. I also don't like the random character of Bleeding Gums.

Compared to previous episodes this doesn't even tonally feel like I'm watching the same show.

The one redeeming thing about this episode is the moment where Marge decides to rescue Lisa and allow her to be her creative and expressive self, rather than asking her to conform to social standards.

At the end of the day, having a message is fine but it should be accompanied with at least a few laughs - this is a comedy show after all. This one is a total snoozefest.

Lisa goes through a period of depression.

Tombeuerlein (8 July 2021) wrote a great review of the episode and the only thing I have to add is that the sub-plot involving Bart and Homer is perfect for this episode as it contrasts the Simpson males and females perfectly. I find it so ironically funny that Marge and Lisa are dealing with such a real life emotional and psychological crisis whilst the centre of Bart and Homer's world is a video game! Brilliant!

Lisa, a precocious second grader, has the gift of music. As is usually the case, the teachers are portrayed as idiots. Lisa is depressed and can't figure out why. Of course, the family hasn't a clue until Marge gets an epiphany. We are also brought into the jazz world, meeting Bleeding Gums.

Nothing against this episode in general, but of all the episodes so far in Season 1, I feel like this one is the weakest. It's not bad in any sense, but it's too depressing and not as interesting as I would like. Lisa carrying the episode is not the best thing to do since I only like her in a supporting role. The chemistry between Homer and Bart with their video game competition is spot on and really funny. But with Lisa and her depression.....not so much. But I did like the Bleeding Murphy character.

The sixth episode, "Moaning Lisa," is about how Lisa gets depressed about problems around her and she meets a jazz man, Bleeding Murphy. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart engage in a video game wrestling competition that usually has Homer losing. But, Homer may be out for revenge....

Overall, this is not the best episode, but it's still very watchable and sometimes enjoyable. The animation keeps getting better and better and it's nice how we are starting to be drawn into these characters. This is a good, but not great episode. I rate this episode 7/10.

One of my favorites of season 1. And probably in my top 20 of all Simpsons episodes.

I don't know why, but I can't help to cry when I watch this episode. It's so much soul and heart in this episode.

Every single scene is just amazing, there's no filler dialogue or content.

Personally I rank season 1 as an exceptional season. And "Moaning Lisa" is one of the seasons strongest episodes. Perhaps this season and episode is especially touching for a guy who's grown up with the Simpsons in the early 1990s. Sure the animation is a little bit rough. But content, emotion and soul never gets old.

Thanks for reading!