Review: The Simpsons “Pin Gal”

The always fascinating thing about The Simpsons is that when something happens “so long ago”, did it really happen that long ago in the show’s time-setting? This week’s episode is all about the new prospective owner of Barney’s Bowlarama named Terrence (voiced by the brilliant Fred Armisen) challenging Homer to a bowling match. If Homer wins, the Bowlarama stays (by the way, Barney, the owner, is nowhere to be found in this episode). If not, the bowling alley turns into an upscale coffee shop. Each side has their lead player, Homer taps Marge and Terrence taps Marge’s former bowling instructor, the one and only, Jacques (A. Brooks). That’s right, after 30 years, Jacques is back and he attempts to make another move on Marge.

That said, to my original point, is it 30 years? Or is it no time at all? Because, I was told the show isn’t canon and time doesn’t move, hence why the kids are still the ages they were when the series premiered in 1989. Likewise, the original episode in which Jacques was featured on March 18th, 1990 in the episode entitled “Life on the Fast Lane”, featuring a 34 year-old Marge Simpson. Does this ruin the episode? No. But, hopefully, we can stop with the canon conversations as it pertains to the show. Because, I would think this episode kind of puts the ham on that debate. 

The result of the episode is an entertaining romp down memory lane and Marge finally coming clean to Homer when the original tryst nearly went down. Moreover, both Homer and Marge gave us additional trips down memory lane in the form of flashback sequences that, admittedly, had me shed a tear. The Simpsons showcased a fantastic episode. Albert Brooks is still a god, and Fred Armisen is a voice god in the making that I feel hasn’t had the animated series to really showcase ALL of his talents in a MacFarlane/Kroll way.