Review: The Simpsons “Undercover Burns”

 

 

Overview:

After a special ‘Put Your Kids to Work Day’ proves to be less than ethical, Mr. Burns discovers that he may not be as well-liked by his employees as he would hope. Prompted to catch some insubordination in the act, Burns goes undercover.

With a specialized suit, Mr. Burns becomes Fred Kranepool at takes a job in turbine maintenance at his own powerplant. To his surprise he makes new friends with Homer, Lenny and Carl, causing him to want to treat his employees better.  

Unfortunately, after Homer discovers the truth about Fred, he has no choice but to end their friendship. Which leaves Burns to fight between his old self and this new one, and what is best for the plant.  

 

Our Take:

Season 32!

And The Simpsons keeps the laughs coming.

Though things are a little different around Springfield. Entering the sophomore year of the Disney era, the show has found new life and new fans. Meanwhile, Covid-19 has caused the seasoned series to make some adjustments, including much of the production being confined by social distancing. Thankfully, the transition is seamless as the voice recordings are clean and the animation is as tight despite being done from home.

We also enter this season without any news regarding a 33rd season. While Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers are celebrating new 2-year deals, The Simpsons premiered without the insurance. However, it would be a shock if Disney cancelled such a flagship series at this point. And, with production already underway for new episodes, confirmation of a new contract is imminent.

Another significant difference for this fresh season involves a new voice to the cast. With the Black Lives Movement causing such waves over the summer, The Simpsons, like many other shows, promised that the show “will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters”. Most significant would be the recasting of Alex Desert as Carl Carlson, who had been voiced by Hank Azaria since the first season.

Now, with all the housekeeping put away, let’s talk about this season premiere.

The episode is a balanced mix of the old school themes that we love with the more modern and sustainable storytelling. The story is an exploration of another background character in Mr. Burns while being a parody of Undercover Boss. And, of course, since the beginning of the series, we love episodes that feature Homer’s terrible boss.

Though, in this one, Burns gets new life in his Iron Man-like undercover super suit, and a new voice in guest star David Harbour (Stranger Things). And it truly is Mr. Burns as we have never seen before. Especially in the epic conclusion when he must go toe-to-toe with the self-animated costume.

The premiere was not shy on the humour.  The Simpsons may not be known for pushing the boundaries the way they may have in the nineties. However, a scene involving Burns reading the notations in a men’s bathroom stall proves the series is not afraid to push things to the very edge either.

Of course, what is a good episode of The Simpsons without the moral at the end of the story? Homer wraps this one up tightly with his monologue at the conclusion. The boss is always the bad guy in the workplace. It has been that way for thousands of years. So, if the boss always sucks, why shouldn’t Mr. Burns?

A weird moral, but a moral none the less.

The kick-off to season 32 did what a premiere is supposed to by getting us excited for the episodes ahead. 

For all the fans that have wavered through the years, it is important to know that The Simpsons is still one of the greatest shows on television. Nostalgia aside, if the premiere is any indication, season 32 will be hilarious, relevant, and entertaining. And in a world full of drama nowadays, thank goodness this comedy sitcom is on the air and back for another season.