Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part One

Where the fifth season had quite a few exaggerated plots, this sixth season mostly stays close to home with the episodes and generally focuses on the characters rather than extreme adventures. This is not to say that the plots still aren't imaginative and large, just that they mostly stay within the town and family, rather than, for example, blasting characters into space. This is just an observation though because really I don't mind as long as it works, and in this season it all works really well. The season doesn't quite have the "stacked classics" feel that season 4 did (for example) but generally the quality is high here.

The family are the driving force but the supporting cast make each episode stronger and this season continues to get the most out of them. The content of the show remains wonderfully subversive and directed towards adults – and not in a sly way, but in a very direct with. Whether it is some of the softer swear words or the sexual imagery, it clearly isn't really for children, but it is still cleverly done – not just crude for the sake of it but uses that tone in a positive way that fits. The animation is great with a lot of polish and lots of jokes in the detail of scenes as well as in the foreground. The voice work continues to be good but it is the writing that gives them such great dialogue to deliver.

Another very strong season of The Simpsons with consistently good episodes that are clever and funny.

Once again Mr. Burns attempt to add to his kingdom. The janitor lets loose an oil cache and the elementary school becomes rich, until.... Burns decides it's not enough to steal the oil but decides to kill off Springfield by blocking out the sun. Lots of great sight gags. Smithers tries to step in but is totally ineffective. So what should be done with the old guy. Next season.

I'm so glad they decided to do this, they absolutely nail the mystery aspect and still manage to deliver some of the best laughs the show has seen.

Still get goosebumps at the end.

Between siphoning off the oil beneath Springfield Elementary and threatening to blot out the sun, Monty Burns has cheesed off the entire town. So that big question mark that comes at episode's end, well that could be anyone. That does of unpredictability is exactly what makes this work.

I'd had the surprise spoiled for me a good 20 years ago, but I can tell you what kind of impact this had. I wasn't even watching the show in '95 and even I was aware of the cliffhanger. Everyone was talking about this; it was landmark TV.

Despite the ruined surprise, this still holds up beautifully because it's a well-crafted episode. Burns going supervillain feels appropriate; that, and the town in a lather brings everything to a fever pitch. It's funny, dramatic, and even after 20-odd years, it's a keeper.

8/10

"Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)," which aired in 1995, wasn't just another episode of The Simpsons; it was a full-blown whodunit that captivated audiences with its audacious cliffhanger. The episode masterfully built suspense as the loathsome Mr. Burns, after a series of increasingly selfish and cruel acts - from blocking out the sun to stealing candy from a baby - finally met his match in a hail of gunfire. As the residents of Springfield discovered the fallen tycoon, the episode cleverly presented a multitude of potential suspects, each with a plausible motive and varying degrees of opportunity. My own suspicions darted around like a nervous fly, landing for a time on Moe Szyslak, whose bar was threatened by Burns' latest scheme, and then shifting to Principal Skinner, whose career and reputation had been repeatedly undermined by the malevolent millionaire. The beauty of the episode lay in its intricate web of clues and red herrings, keeping viewers guessing until the very last, shocking moment.

What made "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" so compelling was its seamless transition into the realm of a true crime drama. The episode adopted the familiar tropes of the genre, presenting a crime scene, a list of suspects with clear motives, and even a bumbling but determined investigator in Chief Wiggum. The narrative unfolded with deliberate pacing, allowing each character's potential involvement to be explored, complete with flashbacks and subtle hints. The tension steadily escalated as the episode progressed, mirroring the way real-life investigations unfold, where every piece of evidence and every witness statement adds another layer to the puzzle. The cliffhanger ending, with Mr. Burns lying wounded and the shooter remaining anonymous, was a stroke of genius, leaving audiences in a state of anxious anticipation for the resolution.

The brilliance of this episode also lay in its ability to maintain the show's signature humor while delving into a darker narrative. Even amidst the serious crime, moments of classic Simpsons absurdity shone through, providing comedic relief without undermining the central mystery. The exaggerated reactions of the townspeople, Wiggum's ineptitude, and the satirical commentary on societal issues were all skillfully woven into the fabric of the whodunit. This delicate balance between comedy and suspense is a testament to the writers' prowess and is a key reason why this two-part episode remains one of the most talked-about in the show's long history.

Ultimately, "Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)" was a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, cleverly disguised within the animated world of Springfield. It took the familiar characters and placed them within an unfamiliar context, forcing viewers to see them in a new light as potential criminals. The episode's structure, pacing, and the sheer audacity of its cliffhanger transformed a beloved comedy into a captivating mystery, proving that even in the most outlandish of settings, a well-crafted whodunit can leave a lasting impact.