The Simpsons (TV Series) Hostile Kirk Place (2023) User Reviews

It's never cool to try and be cool.

[theryuary · 1/10 · 13 March 2023]

This is my first "1 out of 10" in my IMDb rating history. This episode had no laughs, no plot involving any of the main characters, and instead focus it's entire run time on a social narrative it was trying to reinforce to the audience.

Never before have I seen a Simpsons episode have such a decisive concept become simplified and polarized. They make a prominent joke about consumables being used as political propaganda while creating just that in the very same breathe.

Regardless of the specific message, this episode was treated as an essay instead of a sitcom. It exists purely to perpetuate the social and political beliefs of the writer. While that is not an issue in an appropriate media, it comes across as preachy and obstinate when disguised as a regular episode of a comedy show.

Really Starting to Struggle

[csmcvay-82945 · 1/10 · 19 March 2023]

I usually watch a modern Simpsons episode and think, "well I don't know what I would've done given that it's all been done before. It had some laughs and is better than other modern shows." But with this episode, I really just wanted my time back and regretted watching it as it soured my beloved Simpsons.

There weren't really any funny moments, and the "funny" moments were either too meta (lady Gaga reference) for a show of this pedigree and completely lacking in "can't help but laugh" humor. The idea of "critical brace theory" really pushed it over the ledge. Do you really think your audience wasn't smart enough to get it? The humor was painfully obvious with no nuance and failed to make comedy out of current politics that are honestly not too funny. So much for harmless escapism.

The episode is ideology and narrative driven rather than character and story driven, which has always been the Simpsons' strong point. The episode description is basically, it's a story about Kirk who turns into an actual fascist dictator as he confronts the schools over policy. That is not character driven or even a slightly believable story for Kirk. It's not even absurd, it's just a bad idea. Let's instead follow a character through an actual journey and leave politics out of it.

There's no personal connection, and it honestly just feels amateurish. It's bound to be looked back on as too timely and not that well done in the first place.

Another Great Episode

[Basicrock123 · 8/10 · 13 March 2023]

This is an good episode in my opinion. They were creative enough to come up with their own innuendos on the issue. Instead of diving into the real-life issue in their history classes seen in the episode. The issue they were referencing in this episode is the conservative argument of removing books from schools in an attempt to not teach historical context. There are times when a lot of modern cartoons tend to be a bit too preachy when it comes to tackling politics or other serious topics. I'm glad that The Simpsons are still able to make a topic about the real world a bit more entertaining and fun.

A standout episode!

[Xunnamius · 9/10 · 29 May 2023]

If you're living in a relatively stable political environment, this episode slots in nicely as another funny worthwhile story in a long line of funny Simpsons stories.

However, if you're in the the US, you'll recognize the allegories immediately. Unlike most media with a political undertone, Hostile Kirk Place doesn't drop the naive elementary-civics "both sides bad" anvil on your head as more tepid writers might. Not that one of the characters doesn't try... and by the end it blows up in her face, as it should.

Instead, this episode makes a series of common sense points and sound extrapolations in its biting critique of the politics of the moment, all while making you laugh.

This is the best type of political commentary: where the people who watch it, see themselves in it, and get angry about it are exactly the people who needed to see this the most.

Laughing in the Face of Political Polarization: Faux News Tell Comedy while their Comedians Tell the News

[AvatarAryk · 10/10 · 15 March 2023]

Great job to the show runners for presenting a satirical, Simpsons-esque perspective on the pressing issues that currently divide us as a nation. At a time when one political party is actively promoting policies that seem to erode human rights, including the legalization of child labor/marriage and a general disdain for those who are different, meanwhile the other party is striving to offer free education, healthcare, and a 4-day work week, this show is more important than ever.

By utilizing humor to highlight the absurdity of these political positions, the show brings attention to the critical need for social awareness and political engagement. In an era of increased polarization, it is crucial that we continue to have access to thought-provoking media that challenges us to question the world around us and to stand up for what we believe in.

Kudos to the show runners for their astute commentary on the current state of our society and for using their platform to raise awareness and promote meaningful discourse.

Ruffled feathers for both sides

[synystargates · 9/10 · 20 April 2023]

'Kirk Van Houten - Oppressed White Man: "I have a message for your millions of viewers: I AM BEING SILENCED!!!!!!"'

That quote in itself is enough to describe what we see in this episode. This is pure political Simpsons done very well, it's been a while since we've had it this good. It's super topical and legitimately funny. It would be 10/10 hilarious if it wasn't so real and just kind of sad.

That being said, it is pretty great to see a show like The Simpsons satirize the insanity of Fox News, their rabid fan base directly in their faces. The other end gets jostled around too, the writers clearly got to let loose with the weird state of current American politics. I'd love to see them do more like this!