Difference between revisions of "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed"

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Template:EpisodeHD "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" is the Sixteenth episode of The Simpson's 21st season.It aired on March 28, 2010 and the 457th episode overall. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 28, 2010 (Palm Sunday). In this episode, the Simpsons vacation in the Holy Land with Ned Flanders, but Homer does not appreciate any of the culture -- until a tour guide named Jakob shows him around and, in a severe state of dehydration, Homer believes he is the Messiah.

The episode was written by Kevin Curran and directed by Michael Polcino and guest stars Sacha Baron Cohen as Jakob and Yael Naim as Dorit and features references to films like "Transformers" and "Veggie Tales". "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" received a 2.7/8 Nielsen Rating in the 18-49 demographic and received mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

The story opens with Flanders officiating a Bible -study group in his home. However, he's continually interrupted by the antics of Homer next door, who is playing on a "slip-n-slide"-style water slide toy. In the end, Flanders gets exasperated and claims that Homer is the one and only man who is irredemable. Reverend Lovejoy, trying to salvage the situation, encourages Ned to reach out to Homer. Ned, acquiescing, invites Homer and the Simpsons to come along with the Bible group's tour of the Holy Land. Marge accepts over Homer's objections, even offering to pay for the trip themselves.

The group lands in Jerusalem, where they are met by Jacob, an eccentric Israeli tour guide and his niece Dorit, who later is revealed to be security. Jacob, after an argument with Marge, is ready to commence the tour, and Ned is eager to walk the Via Dolorossa (or Way of the Cross) as the first stop on the journey. Instead, after Homer's urging, the first stop ends up being the magnificent sights of... the hotel's breakfast bar.

Next, the tour visits the Cenacle, the legendary site of the Last Supper. While there, Ned prays for Homer's eyes to be opened to the spirituality of the land, but instead finds Homer and Bart acting irreverently within the building, further irritating Ned.

The tour then visits the Wailing Wall, where Bart runs amok, and finds himself on the receiving end of a Krav Maga beating administered by Dorit.

Afterwards, the group finally arrives at the Church of the Holy Sepluchre, where Ned, in front of the tomb of Christ, prays in thanksgiving for what he perceives to be Homer's increase in spirituality... until he finds Homer splayed asleep upon the tomb's shrine. Homer lazing on the most sacred sight of all christianity finally enrages Ned. After realizing that Homer has used all of Flanders' camera's memory to take pictures of humorous Israeli soft drinks (such as OY!, Lemon-Lime OY! Diet Brisket, and one whose label is the Israeli flag with an exclamation point after the Star of David), he smashes the camera against the wall of the tomb, and is escorted out of the building by a group of Palestinian guards. Banned from the Church for life, he finally and calmly states that Homer is completely incapable of salvation and storms off out the gates of Jerusalem. Homer, fearing he's going into the desert, follows, stealing a camel to rescue him... however, Flanders was merely grabbing some tea before going to see a movie to wind down from the encounter.

Homer rides his camel through he trackless desert, encountering a sandstorm. The camel rides off without him, stranding him in the middle of the desert, near the Dead Sea. Naturally, a thirsty Homer tries to drink the heavily salty water, and ends up temporarily comatose, seeing a vision of "Veggie Tales"-style characters who convince him that he is the Messiah. Just then, Marge and a rescue team find Homer and bring him back to the hospital, where he is ministered to by Doctor Hibbert, who diagnoses Homer as suffering from Jerusalem Syndrome. He escapes from the hospital, convinced that he needs to pronounce his message at the Dome of the Rock ("Brought to you by Lemon-Lime OY!"), where he gathers a large crowd of Christians, Jews and Muslims to hear him expound on a new religion that keys in on the similarities of the three religions as opposed to their differences.

He's soon kicked off the Rock by Agnes Skinner, similarly believing herself to be the Messiah. Hibbert, under the same delusion, refuses to help.

Finally, the tour heads home, with Homer having a clearer view of is own spiritual life... though forgetting that people can buy goods from places other than the SkyMall in-flight magazine...

Production

The episode was written by Kevin Curran, his second writing credit for the season after "Rednecks and Broomsticks" although the other episode was produced for season 20 and directed by Michael Polcino his second directing credit the season after "Thursdays with Abie". Sacha Baron Cohen guest stars as Jakob and Yael Naim appears as Dorit.

Reception

In its original airing, "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" was viewed by 5.698 million viewers and got a Nielsen Rating of 2.7, with an 8% share of the audience. It came second in its timeslot and second in the "Animation Domination" lineup.

The episode received lukewarm reviews. Robet Canning of IGN gave the episode a 7.3, calling it was "Decent" and adding, "I was underwhelmed with Sacha Baron Cohen's voice work as the group's tour guide. He was like a sped up Borat and was actually a bit difficult to understand at times. The few jokes that did get through were only okay." Canning also stated that "It's difficult to keep your expectations in check when you hear about an upcoming guest star, and that likely affected my perception of this episode. But that it is what it is. Perhaps subsequent viewings will find me enjoying this more, but for now, "Greatest Story Ever D'ohed" was just this side of good." Todd VerDer Werff gave the episode a B+ the best review of the lineup and said "there were jokes here that went on way too long, like that whole krav maga thing. But, for the most part, this was a funny vacation episode, and the show hasn't done one of those in a while." Jason Hughes of TV Squad gave the episode a negative review saying "I don't expect 'The Simpsons' to have that sharp edge of wit it used to in its earlier, more subversive days, but I do expect it to be able to create situations for humor from time to time; even if it's gentle humor. The TV Fanatic gave the episode a 3/5 saying "It manages to combine jokes, while still showing positive messages such as Homer showing genuine care after Flanders, his supposed enemy, takes off into the dessert. Or even Homer's positive message of re-uniting all faiths."

Ariel Ponywether of FireFox gave the episode a D- saying "This reviewer laughed exactly twice – during the “Reformers” gag, and at Homer complaining he’d gotten sand in his shoes during the sand storm. Both gags came within ten minutes of the conclusion. That says all you need to know about this episode. The rest is a plotless slog through nearly-funny jokes and an inexplicable fight sequence. I will give it credit for one thing, though: it’s neither touching, funny, or thought-provoking, but it’s never, ever boring." The episode was later used on a report on "Jerusalem syndrome", when people think they are the Messiah, by CNN.