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Homer's Enemy - Hit or Miss?
- Thread starter Merk
- Start date
rebel-without-a-cause
New member
This is one of those episodes where I wish it never existed. I felt bad for Grimes the entire time so I didn't feel the desire to laugh during the majority of the episode. Having a guy who worked so hard and was brought to suicide made me despise this episode. To see that a majority not only likes this episode but called it the best episode of the series brings me great sadness.
Maybe I (and Frank Grimes) would have believed Homer's attempts at kindness if he just stopped calling him "Grimey". And personally, I feel Homer was more of a jerk when he was in charge of sanitation (another episode I greatly disliked).
Maybe I (and Frank Grimes) would have believed Homer's attempts at kindness if he just stopped calling him "Grimey". And personally, I feel Homer was more of a jerk when he was in charge of sanitation (another episode I greatly disliked).
Jose The Antichrist
New member
After seeing it mentioned on so many threads I want to start a topic mainly for this episode. It seems to be the most controvesial episode ever of The Simpsons because noone who has seen it seems to be indifferent towards it. Seriously, everyone wither loves it or hate it. So this topic is to discuss your personal opinion towards.
I've always loved this episode. I think it's written fantastically. The way I see it, the episode kind of showcases a "normal" person (in this case, Frank Grimes) trying to survive in a cartoon universe (in this case, The Simpsons universe, or Springfield), and then it's proven that that is not possible. Homer then attempts to behave as a normal person, but as much as he tries he can't seem to impress Grimes, and at the end, Grimes tries to behave like Homer, which only leads to his own demise.
I'll post more later, what are your thoughts?
I've always loved this episode. I think it's written fantastically. The way I see it, the episode kind of showcases a "normal" person (in this case, Frank Grimes) trying to survive in a cartoon universe (in this case, The Simpsons universe, or Springfield), and then it's proven that that is not possible. Homer then attempts to behave as a normal person, but as much as he tries he can't seem to impress Grimes, and at the end, Grimes tries to behave like Homer, which only leads to his own demise.
I'll post more later, what are your thoughts?
Painful memories... must not get involved...
Uh, yeah, I think it's a smash hit. Brilliant dark humor. Many say Homer was either "Jerkass Homer" or simply decreased too much in intelligence for the sake of comedy. I say they're insane and Homer was still his same lovable dumb self, although putting him in this situation with this person showcased just how annoying he can be when he's trying to make new friends.
Uh, yeah, I think it's a smash hit. Brilliant dark humor. Many say Homer was either "Jerkass Homer" or simply decreased too much in intelligence for the sake of comedy. I say they're insane and Homer was still his same lovable dumb self, although putting him in this situation with this person showcased just how annoying he can be when he's trying to make new friends.
Rainblowwarrior
New member
I'm trying to figure out why the "pro-Grimes" side seems to think Grimes was a nice guy. Can you name one nice thing he did in the entire episode?
Homer was calling him "Grimy" as a nickname because he wanted him to like him. There was no malicious intent. I don't know why you guys are being so anti-Homer, when he didn't actually do ANYTHING bad or mean to Grimes at all.
Again, why did you feel bad for Grimes the whole episode? From my position, he didn't do anything worthy of sympathy from me at all. He was rude, malicious, and was full of himself. Sure, it's sad that he died, but it was hardly Homer's fault that Grimes made such a stupid mistake in an attempt to "ruin" Homer.
Grimes was a jerk because he resented Homer for even existing. If that doesn't make him a jerk, then I don't know what else to say.
Homer was calling him "Grimy" as a nickname because he wanted him to like him. There was no malicious intent. I don't know why you guys are being so anti-Homer, when he didn't actually do ANYTHING bad or mean to Grimes at all.
Again, why did you feel bad for Grimes the whole episode? From my position, he didn't do anything worthy of sympathy from me at all. He was rude, malicious, and was full of himself. Sure, it's sad that he died, but it was hardly Homer's fault that Grimes made such a stupid mistake in an attempt to "ruin" Homer.
Grimes was a jerk because he resented Homer for even existing. If that doesn't make him a jerk, then I don't know what else to say.
"Just repeat to yourself, it's just a show. I should really just relax."
Anywho, I'm with Speedy and Desensitzed on this one. The fact all of us are debating over something as trivial as a episode over a beloved sitcom just proves how brilliant this episode is. Even the stuff that nobody talks about, like the animation and voice acting, really shines in this one. Besides, I can't say no to a episode that gives us a mental breakdown of a character (with great voice acting by Hank, might I add).
Weirdly, I can relate with Frank. His rant at the Simpsons house pretty much explains how human beings like me are treated, and idiots I now are treated with praise. Yet, unlike Frank, it's just a part of life and you just gradually accept it. After all, relating to someone doesn't mean I agree with that someone.
Also, to add fuel to the fire, I was with Carl. Unlike most human beings, Homer was trying to be a better sport and try to be good heated about it. It's just him, and the community was fine with it. He wasn't committing a crime, he didn't try to be a monster, he was being kind about it. Yet, that's not enough for someone like Frank, and that resulted to what we saw.
But I better stop here or else I'll have to save my butt from people like Atomius...
Anywho, I'm with Speedy and Desensitzed on this one. The fact all of us are debating over something as trivial as a episode over a beloved sitcom just proves how brilliant this episode is. Even the stuff that nobody talks about, like the animation and voice acting, really shines in this one. Besides, I can't say no to a episode that gives us a mental breakdown of a character (with great voice acting by Hank, might I add).
Weirdly, I can relate with Frank. His rant at the Simpsons house pretty much explains how human beings like me are treated, and idiots I now are treated with praise. Yet, unlike Frank, it's just a part of life and you just gradually accept it. After all, relating to someone doesn't mean I agree with that someone.
Also, to add fuel to the fire, I was with Carl. Unlike most human beings, Homer was trying to be a better sport and try to be good heated about it. It's just him, and the community was fine with it. He wasn't committing a crime, he didn't try to be a monster, he was being kind about it. Yet, that's not enough for someone like Frank, and that resulted to what we saw.
But I better stop here or else I'll have to save my butt from people like Atomius...
nbawizards0
New member
I loved it! As I said before, you're not supposed to look at Homer in this one, but Frank. Everyone has felt like Frank before. It was genius.
I really don't like the idea of introducing a character for one episode, making him the center of the episode so that everyone relates to him, and then killing him off at the end of the episode. And I thought the joke at funeral was too dark for the Simpsons "Marge change the channel." "That's our Homer." I remember when I first saw the episode it gave me a rather unsettling feeling. I thought Maude Flanders death was handled better than this.
Uhhh...but if you feel like Frank then wouldn't you feel bad when he dies at the end?
Uhhh...but if you feel like Frank then wouldn't you feel bad when he dies at the end?
catsrulemyworld4ever
New member
I really hope you're not insinuating that anyone who liked this episode is malicious and laughs at dead people, because that would be a great disservice to us. The point is, there are many themes to discuss in this one compared to many, and as such it's well-written. And liking an episode because it's well-written and sparks debate shouldn't give you "great sadness".
Besides we've never really seen what it would be like to WORK with Homer before. We usually see him sleeping or on a donut break. I really sympathized with Homer here who was just being himself and Grimes hated him wholly and without reservation. I've felt that way when people hated me for something I never quite understood what I did.
The most brilliant thing about the episode was the ambiguous ending. Did Grimes get what was coming to him? Is fate cruel? Did Frank only die because he was so obsessed with proving Homer inferior? Would Frank have actually had a successful life from that point forward if he just let it go? Are the writers saying that Homer's traits are admirable? Or is it just that the world works to reward incompetence?
No easy answers in my book. Someone should write a thesis on the episode, it's morality is so complex. It's my absolute favorite episode of the entire series.
Hit.
The most brilliant thing about the episode was the ambiguous ending. Did Grimes get what was coming to him? Is fate cruel? Did Frank only die because he was so obsessed with proving Homer inferior? Would Frank have actually had a successful life from that point forward if he just let it go? Are the writers saying that Homer's traits are admirable? Or is it just that the world works to reward incompetence?
No easy answers in my book. Someone should write a thesis on the episode, it's morality is so complex. It's my absolute favorite episode of the entire series.
Hit.
Geez, of course not. If that was the reason, I would have said it (heck, I said less than the other people who were pro-Grimes and I'M the bad guy??). There's no need to attack me. I happened to hate the episode and see a majority like it so naturally I'm going to be sad. Is it really THAT hard to understand?
I felt Grimes worked hard and had little to nothing for show for his efforts. And to make matters worse, he ended up having a son he never knew about because of an encounter with a prostitute. He seemed to fail at everything so I had symphathy for the guy and understood why he acted like he did. I just wish the tone of the episode was different and not so grim.
It's been a while but I recall Frank thanking the rest of the family (Marge for the dinner or apologizing to being mad in front of the kids) before he left. The episode left a bad taste in my mouth so I haven't rewatched it in some time.
I felt Grimes worked hard and had little to nothing for show for his efforts. And to make matters worse, he ended up having a son he never knew about because of an encounter with a prostitute. He seemed to fail at everything so I had symphathy for the guy and understood why he acted like he did. I just wish the tone of the episode was different and not so grim.
It's been a while but I recall Frank thanking the rest of the family (Marge for the dinner or apologizing to being mad in front of the kids) before he left. The episode left a bad taste in my mouth so I haven't rewatched it in some time.
crazy_benny101
New member
This episode is wonderful because it ecapsulates all of the suspensions of disbelief necessary for watching the Simpsons into one episode.
Frank Grimes was a great one-shot character, too.
-Tim
Frank Grimes was a great one-shot character, too.
-Tim
and you are?
New member
Funny, to me Frank Grimes was just the "bad guy" for picking on Homer.
ForTheLulz
New member
I liked it a lot, i was also don't understand why people didn't like it.
I wasn't attacking you. And in my defense, it's hard not to read your comments about feeling sorry for Grimes, followed by you're sad that so many people like the episode, and not put two and two together.
And as said many times in the thread, Grimes wasn't exactly faultless here. I could see why you'd hate the episode if, say, Grimes was a hard worker and a really nice guy and was killed by Homer Simpson in a bout of incompetence. But that wasn't the case.
Grimes had a big chip on his shoulder. In a way, it's not hard to see why; he's known misfortune all his life. But that very chip caused him to resent everyone, including Homer. Which is ironic, because had he put his education and hardships to good use, he could've been a real asset to the plant. But sadly, that never happened.
Some have said this episode is a representation of how Americans actually work (Homer and plant crew) and how Americans SHOULD work (Grimes). I don't know if I'd go that far with the symbolism, but it is interesting to think about, at least.
And as said many times in the thread, Grimes wasn't exactly faultless here. I could see why you'd hate the episode if, say, Grimes was a hard worker and a really nice guy and was killed by Homer Simpson in a bout of incompetence. But that wasn't the case.
Grimes had a big chip on his shoulder. In a way, it's not hard to see why; he's known misfortune all his life. But that very chip caused him to resent everyone, including Homer. Which is ironic, because had he put his education and hardships to good use, he could've been a real asset to the plant. But sadly, that never happened.
Some have said this episode is a representation of how Americans actually work (Homer and plant crew) and how Americans SHOULD work (Grimes). I don't know if I'd go that far with the symbolism, but it is interesting to think about, at least.
nwyrkrolsen
New member
It does say alot about the sadly thin line between pain and entitlement. Obviously for all the crap he'd been through and hard work he'd put in, Grimes attitued soured as he seemingly never achieved any success or happiness. In doing so, he sadly couldn't stop focussing on how better other people had it to the point he wanted to publically humilate someone over it. I don't think you could call Grimes a villain, but he was definetly the architect of his own demise.
I'd say the defeatist attitude is what kind of hurts the episode as satire. Satire's supposed to challenge the status quo, often with laughter but always is supposed to inspire more than just that. Satire that tries to enforce the status quo isn't really satire, except perhaps a satire on the nature of satire, in which we're just getting into real strangeness...
I liked the episode as well, never really thought Homer was a jerk in the episode all he was doing was living his life and some guy hated him for it so how does that make him a jerk lol. I also liked Frank Grimes he was a great shortly lived character, they had to have him die what a shame I think they should have had him live longer. Well we always have his long lost son Grime Jr. Like I said before I liked the episode, but let's not hope too see a re-peat like episode in the near future lol.