(warning spoilers) This was another hilarious episode from the shows early years; it deals with Bart skipping school , and winding up being the key witness to an alleged attack on a waiter at a party. Everyone thinks that Mayor Quimbeys partying nephew did; only Bart knows the truth, but that means confessing to skipping school. Overall the episode is really funny, as Bart debates confessing he is meat with several implied consequences(including a story from Marge about a gun crazy uncle, a TV episode featuring the death of a kid who ratted out, and the threat of severe punishment from principal skinner) Ultimately Bart confesses what he really saw; quimby did not beat anybody up, the waiter was a klutz! ultimately the quimbey is freed and Bart is given four months of detention! this is the only part of the episode i had a problem with; it really should have ended with Bart getting punished(ironic cause this is what he feared all along), however we then get an obviously tacked on scene of homer and Marge in bed that adds nothing; neither mention Bart's actions, and it just seems as if the scene was added to increase the running time, other than that a solid episode.
5 Reviews
Skipping Class is Good for the Soul
fpcholcomb1 November 2021
The Boy Who Knew Too Much is one of my favorite Simpson's episodes because of how brilliantly it works in quick witted jokes and relatively obscure movie references with a tongue and cheek satire of the American criminal justice system. To me it encapsulates the classic Simpson's formula executed to a T.
The premise of the episode is that Bart skips class and ends up attending Freddy Quimby's (the nephew of Mayor Quimby) birthday party, at which he witnesses an event that results in the trial of an innocent Freddy. Springfield elementary is depicted much like a dystopian prison, which to me was accurate to how I remembered my own schooling experience. Bart dreaming of playing hooky revealed a world of splendor, possibility, and pure American Huck-Finn-esq adventure. Of course the powers that be (in this case Principal Skinner) pursue Bart with an inhuman zeal leading to one of my favorite scenes where he wades effortless through a river, without swimming, a reference to the original Westworld film (which has a great trailer on YouTube under the account Cinema 85 if you are interested).
Bart has to choose between revealing that he skipped school, and thus incurring the wrath of Principle Skinner, and coming to the defense of an innocent albeit boorish man. The interplay between Skinner, Bart, and Lisa is hilarious. The interrogation scene of Lisa, and when Skinner inevitable has a heart to heart with Bart at the end of the episode, never fails to have me in stitches. But the real star of the episode is the courtroom scene. Lionel Hutz is just the best side character in the show (RIP Phil Hartman) and Homer ends up being the most egregiously terrible Juror imaginable. I once fell asleep on a jury during instructions and was reprimanded by the Judge whom said it could result in my expulsion, I have never related to Homer to such a degree before.
All and all this is a MUST WATCH, even if you're not a big Simpson's fan. Show it to your loved ones. And it's pronounced CHow-der.
The premise of the episode is that Bart skips class and ends up attending Freddy Quimby's (the nephew of Mayor Quimby) birthday party, at which he witnesses an event that results in the trial of an innocent Freddy. Springfield elementary is depicted much like a dystopian prison, which to me was accurate to how I remembered my own schooling experience. Bart dreaming of playing hooky revealed a world of splendor, possibility, and pure American Huck-Finn-esq adventure. Of course the powers that be (in this case Principal Skinner) pursue Bart with an inhuman zeal leading to one of my favorite scenes where he wades effortless through a river, without swimming, a reference to the original Westworld film (which has a great trailer on YouTube under the account Cinema 85 if you are interested).
Bart has to choose between revealing that he skipped school, and thus incurring the wrath of Principle Skinner, and coming to the defense of an innocent albeit boorish man. The interplay between Skinner, Bart, and Lisa is hilarious. The interrogation scene of Lisa, and when Skinner inevitable has a heart to heart with Bart at the end of the episode, never fails to have me in stitches. But the real star of the episode is the courtroom scene. Lionel Hutz is just the best side character in the show (RIP Phil Hartman) and Homer ends up being the most egregiously terrible Juror imaginable. I once fell asleep on a jury during instructions and was reprimanded by the Judge whom said it could result in my expulsion, I have never related to Homer to such a degree before.
All and all this is a MUST WATCH, even if you're not a big Simpson's fan. Show it to your loved ones. And it's pronounced CHow-der.
Free Hotel
snoozejonc7 October 2022
Bart commits truancy and witnesses an incident that goes to court.
This is an enjoyable episode with a good concept and funny character moments.
The story puts Bart in pretty compelling moral dilemma and it is intriguing to find out if he will eventually tell the truth and what the consequence will be.
That aside it is also very funny, with the character of Skinner being used particularly well as that great nemesis to Bart and generating great humour in the process. The Quimbys, Lionel Hutz, and Rainier Wolfcastle are also used very well.
For me the highlight is Homer's '12 Angry Men' parody, which is absolutely hilarious throughout the episode.
This is an enjoyable episode with a good concept and funny character moments.
The story puts Bart in pretty compelling moral dilemma and it is intriguing to find out if he will eventually tell the truth and what the consequence will be.
That aside it is also very funny, with the character of Skinner being used particularly well as that great nemesis to Bart and generating great humour in the process. The Quimbys, Lionel Hutz, and Rainier Wolfcastle are also used very well.
For me the highlight is Homer's '12 Angry Men' parody, which is absolutely hilarious throughout the episode.
Cho-Dah
Hitchcoc25 May 2022
Bart joins Huckleberry Finn in a daydream, along with Abe Lincoln. He first rides a prison bus with some great schtick. Eventually he skips school and ends up at a rich man's house where a terrible assault has been committed (or so everyone thinks). Bart knows other wise but if he admits he skipped school, Skinner will crucify him. Lots of good fun. Homer end up on the jury, along with Ned. Very funny episode.
What Bart Knew
safenoe26 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Mayor Quimby's nephew Freddy is introduced, and it turns out Bart saw what happened, and there's kind of a Hitchcockesque (or Hitchcockian) flavor to this episode, which is one of the last of season five, and Bart has to decide whether to confess that he missed school (so what's new!) so that's pretty much the capsule of The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Anyway, I'm enjoying reflecting on the golden era of The Simpsons, being the first 10 seasons, although there are a few episodes post-season 10 that are worth watching for sure. Mayor Quimby always provides a good laugh and chuckle whenever he appears.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
