Kredit Kookies: Abbreviated open; No billboard or chalkboard gags; Couch Gag – OFF are a series of animation cells, but only Homer is placed, layer by layer, from skeleton to skin, onto the couch.He’s left momentarily naked, until Marge draws down a final cell which contains his clothes.

Dumbing It Down: After Marge catches Homer ignoring Maggie in favor of an NHL game, she demands Homer spend bonding time with their youngest.Homer naturally takes Maggie to Moe’s, where –after the surly bartender goes on a cleaning spree and uncovers a window – he discovers there’s a playground next door.Homer leaves Maggie there, where she’s menaced by playground bullies.Maggie’s anxiety eventually provokes Marge’s concern; she places a tiny camera on Maggie’s bow, believing that she’ll catch Homer in mid-screwup.But the footage actually shows Homer coming to Maggie’s rescue – and Maggie come to HOMER’S rescue when the infants overwhelm him.Homer vows eternal loyalty to Maggie and Marge’s anger toward Homer melts away.

Moe’s cleaning spree is inspired by a woman whom he met in an internet, Mya.Surprised by her total acceptance of him, mug and all, they meet at Moe’s place, where he discovers she’s a little person.

But Moe doesn’t care about Mya’s height, and they gradually fall in love.Eventually, Mya notices that Moe’s hesitant to introduce her to the people in his life – on Moe’s end of the relationship, his reluctance stems fromfear of what his friends will think of her.He introduces her to the Simpsons, and the group date goes perfectly.

Homer encourages Moe to propose to Mya, and she nearly accepts – unfortunately, Moe makes a few insensitive jokes about Mya’s height, and she angrily breaks up with him instead.

Desperate to win her back, Moe takes Lenny, Carl and Homer’s advice to “try something risky”, he arranges for himself to be shortened surgically by Doctor Nick.Mya rushes in to stop the surgery, but ultimately they break up.

Moe’s depressed over his loss, until Homer points out that the relationship made Moe a better man.Eventually, Moe comes to see Homer’s point of view and has a bittersweet epiphany – Mya made him feel like a man.

Red Dress Press: A glorious episode in a season that shines brightly, “Eeny Teeny Mya, Moe” manages to pack genuine emotion and good character development into a single solid episode.

Moe episodes – in later seasons, at least – have always been high points in the show’s run; here, he’s realistically lonely and pathetic, but totally sympathetic.His inability to recognize social cues once again does him in.As in “Moe Baby Blues”, whenever Moe makes a connection to the world and takes another step forward as a human being, he generates rooting value.

Homer was a wonder across the board, as well – in foolish father mode, versus behaving like a jerkass dad; he managed to seem sort of wise here, and his touching advice to Moe at the conclusion of the episode may just be the best scene of the season.

Mya was a refreshing counterpart to Moe’s bluster; the writers were wise enough to portray her as a woman who happened to be short of stature, not a figure to be laughed at – the humor came from the awkward reaction of Moe.Homer and Marge’s nonchalant reactions were especially pleasing.

I suppose it’s safe to assume Dr. Nick’s death in “The Simpsons Movie” has been officially retconned out of canon, and I, for one, am pleased about it.He’s such a fun and such a rather underutilized character.

The Maggie subplot was an unusual twist – always portrayed as a fearless one, it was interesting to see the youngest Simpson behave fearfully.Her relationship with Homer’s always revolved around her saving him from certain peril, and this was no exception.

So many fun callbacks here; Moe’s history of snake-handling and the young son of Kearney were my favorites.

The episode’s biggest flaw comes in the form of Mya and Moe’s break-up; it feels abrupt and sort of unnecessary.Some canonical things don’t need the reset button.

If you like your episodes emotional, this one’s for you!

Did it Fail At Masonry?: If you prefer your Simpsons a laugh-a-minute farce, this one won’t be your speed; if you like it heartfelt this one, alongside “No Loan Again, Naturally” will stand the test of time in your Simpson collection.

What the Screwballs Think: “Eeny Teeny Mya, Moe” drew a 3.1, tying a Family Guy repeat as the highest rated program aired in Fox’s Animation Domination and tying with ABC’s telecast of the AMC awards to win their timeslot.

Springfield Shopper: The next new episode of The Simpsons, “The Good, The Sad, And The Drugly”, will air April nineteenth.Check back here on the twentieth for a full recap!