Bye Bye Nerdy is the 16th episode of the 12th season of The Simpsons.
| "Bye Bye Nerdie" | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bullies may have various reasons for their behavior, but it is highly unlikely that they target individuals based on the chemicals present in their sweat.
| ||||||||||||||||
|
Plot
Lisa is attempting to understand why the new girl at school targets only the nerds.
Why It Should Go Bye Bye
- Initially, the plot captures interest, but as the story progresses, it devolves into absurdity and loses coherence, becoming increasingly outlandish in the later stages.
- Indeed, this episode serves as yet another illustration of the eccentric nature prevalent in most episodes of Seasons 11 and 12.
- The episode seems like a more severe reiteration of "Lisa's Rival" from Season 6 and "Lard of the Dance" from Season 10, which also delve into Lisa's interactions with a new student. However, those episodes were more successful in exploring Lisa's character and her dynamics with school friends. While episodes featuring Lisa's new school relationships usually fare well, this particular one disappoints on nearly every front.
- It introduces Francine Rhenquist, who is an unlikable character.
- In this episode, she, along with the other bullies, targets Lisa solely because of her sweat glands.
- Contrary to characters like Allison Taylor in "Lisa's Rival" or Alex Whitney in "Lard of the Dance," she lacks a backstory explaining her reasons for antagonizing Lisa, nor is there any information provided about her life outside of school or her personality traits.
- This episode is the sole focus on her character throughout the entire series, with only brief cameos in subsequent episodes, rendering her character rather insignificant.
- Nelson might sometimes be perceived as unlikeable because of his relentless bullying, yet he garners sympathy through his tragic history, including his father's abandonment and his abusive mother. Francine, however, lacks such mitigating circumstances, which arguably makes her even less likeable.
- She never faces punishment or discipline for her actions, even at the episode's end where she assaults everyone at the nerd convention, epitomizing a Karma Houdini.
- Lisa endures relentless torment and bullying during the initial acts of this episode, which is neither humorous nor gratifying, given that she has done nothing to warrant such treatment.
- The episode suggests that bullies attack nerds solely because they emit a chemical in their sweat that triggers aggression in those who perceive it, a notion that is not only absurd but also entirely untrue.
- In a dramatic conclusion, Francine becomes docile when Lisa sprays herself with salad dressing, masking a certain scent. However, the effect is short-lived, and Francine soon becomes violent again, attacking every nerd at the convention.
- What exacerbates the situation is that nobody, including Francine's parents, attempts to intervene, and her parents merely remark that she'll have a better sleep that night. Quite the example of exemplary parenting!
Redeeming Qualities
- The notion of Lisa enduring bullying, along with the plotline of her forming a bond with a new student, are solid concepts for an episode, though they were not well-implemented in this instance.
- The subplot involving Homer and Marge's efforts to baby-proof their home, although not outstanding, is somewhat more engaging than the main storyline.
- Observing Homer employ various babyproofing techniques at his friends' homes is undeniably inventive.
- The opening moments where Marge is hustling to prepare Lisa and Bart for school are fantastic.
- The episode features several humorous moments, including Ralph picturing the new student at school as a goat, a flashback showing Homer assaulting Smithers in high school as he and Barney Gumble belt out Carl Douglas's "Kung Fu Fighting," and a scene where Maggie fires nails at Homer with a nailgun.
- In subsequent episodes, Francine's cameo appearances are portrayed more prominently implying that her parents eventually did something about her attitude.
Reception
Bye Bye Nerdy currently has a user score of 6.7 on IMDB. On NoHomers.net it was rated the 28th worst episode on the 2003 list and dropped to 39th worst on the 2006 list.
Trivia
- This episode spawned the "Lisa Simpson's Presentation" meme.
References
Comments
Loading comments...