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Difference between revisions of "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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{{episode
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{{Icons||FE}}
|image=blank.png|
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{{Tab}}
|productionCode=JABF01|
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{{EpisodePrevNext|The Haw-Hawed Couple|The Wife Aquatic|season=18|number=387}}
|originalAirdate=December 17, 2006|
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{{Episode
|blackboardText="Frankinscence is not a monster"|
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|image= Kill Gil, Volumes I & II promo.png
|couchGag=The Simpsons sit down wearing winter clothes and the camera zooms out revealing the couch is an ornament on the Christmas tree.|
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|number= 387
|specialGuestVoices=[[Elvis Stojko]] as himself|
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|season=18
|Written By=[[Jeff Westbrook]]|
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|snumber=9
|Directed By=[[Bob Anderson]]|
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|prodcode= JABF01
 +
|airdate= December 17, [[2006]]
 +
|blackboard= "Frankinscence is not a monster"
 +
|couchgag= The Simpsons sit down wearing winter clothes and the camera zooms out revealing the couch is an ornament on the Christmas tree.
 +
|guests= [[Elvis Stojko]] as {{Ch|Elvis Stojko|himself}}
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|writer= [[Jeff Westbrook]]
 +
|director= [[Bob Anderson]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
"'''Kill Gil: Vols. 1 & 2'''" is the ninth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' eighteenth season. The title of this episode is a reference to [[Kill Bill]] Vol. 1 & 2. It is the ninth Christmas-themed episode. This episode aired exactly 17 years after the very first episode ("[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]"); it was also the fifth episode to air on this date. [[Elvis Stojko]] guest stars as himself.
+
"'''Kill Gil, Volumes I & II'''" is the ninth episode of [[season 18]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the three-hundred and eighty-seventh episode overall. It originally aired on December 17, [[2006]]. The episode was written by [[Jeff Westbrook]] and directed by [[Bob Anderson]]. It guest stars [[Elvis Stojko]] as {{Ch|Elvis Stojko|himself}}.
  
==Plot==
+
== Synopsis ==
The Simpson family is enjoying “Krusty’s Kristmas on Ice” (an indoor ice rink), starring Elvis Stojko. The main act features a reindeer, a candy cane, and a snowman who are all fretting over a green monster named Grumple (a clear parody of Dr. Seuss’s Grinch character), who advances upon the other Christmas characters, threatening to steal their Holiday Cheer, the characters mistakenly stumble backward over a wooden basketball court setup crew lead by [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Wiseguy|Wiseguy]]. All the Christmas characters are enraged that their show is being cut short and they begin brawling with the [[Utah Jazz]] as they try to warm up for a basketball game. Marge and the kids decide to get up and leave, and Homer is spotted down on the ice grappling with the Grumple and demanding back the Holiday Cheer. The Grumple is repeatedly seen through the episode.
+
{{Desc|After attempting to fulfill his role as Mall Santa even further, but ending up giving his boss' gift to his daughter to [[Lisa]], [[Gil]] is inevitably fired and finds himself homeless. Taking pity on the unsuccessful businessman, [[Marge]] lets Gil stay with the family over [[Christmas]]. However, Marge finds herself unable to turn Gil back onto the streets... she just can't tell him "no".}}
  
On Christmas Eve, the Simpsons go to Costington’s department store where a sad Lisa sits on Santa’s lap and explains the one true present she wants is the Malibu Stacy Pony Beach Party Set, which is sold out everywhere. Santa Claus, who is really [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Gil Gunderson|Gil Gunderson]] (this episode reveals his last name), pities Lisa and goes back to the stockroom and finds an extra play set he had seen earlier. An overjoyed Lisa thanks Gil as a cashier rings up the sale. As Marge and the kids exit the store, an angry Mr. Costington comes out of his office and berates and fires Gil for selling the Malibu Stacy play set that he had set aside for his daughter. Marge and the kids witness the scene and feeling sorry for Gil, Marge invites him over for Christmas Eve dinner.
+
== Plot ==
 +
[[File:Elvis Stojko (character).jpg|thumb|left|Elvis Stojko's character in a promotional image.]]
 +
The [[Simpson family]] are at a showing of ''[[Krusty's Kristmas on Ice]]'', starring [[Krusty the Clown]]. During the show, [[The Grumple]], a character in it, steals everyone's Holiday Cheer. This scares [[Homer]], but the show carries on until it is interrupted by workers placing down a basketball floor for a game that is happening. The performers of the show start to fight the basketball players and the workers, as Homer fights The Grumple. On Christmas Eve, at [[Costington's]], [[Lisa]] sits on the lap of [[Gil Gunderson]], who is dressed as [[Santa Claus]]. Lisa tells Gil that she wanted a [[Malibu Stacy Pony Beach Party]] playset, but it was sold out everywhere. Gil tells Lisa that he saw one in the back room and gets it for her, making Lisa happy. As the Simpsons buy the playset for Lisa, [[Mr. Costington]] asks Gil if he sold the playset that he set aside for his daughter. When Gil refuses to get it back for him, Mr. Costington fires Gil. Seeing this, [[Marge]] invites Gil to have dinner with them.
  
After dinner at home, Gil and the rest of the Simpson family gather around the piano and sing songs. Finishing, Gil gets up to leave, however Marge insists he stay the night, citing its late and cold outside. Gil accepts Marge’s offer. On Christmas morning, Gil retrieves items from his bus locker, assuming he had a permanent spot in 742 Evergreen Terrace. Indeed, Gil’s weak demeanor and lack of job allows Marge to let him move in.
+
At home, Gil plays the piano whilst the rest of the Simpsons sing along to "[[The Twelve Days of Christmas]]". After the song, Homer makes [[Grampa]] leave, but Marge lets Gil stay the night. After another song, everyone goes to bed and [[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] wake up the next morning to find that Gil has moved all his stuff into the house. This surprises Homer and Marge, but Homer is also shocked to see that The Grumple is outside the house, threatening to kill Homer. Homer tells Marge that she has to get Gil to leave, but Marge decides to let him stay over Christmas since it would be wrong to kick him out that day. However, Gil ends up overstaying his welcome until New Year's. When Marge goes to kick him out, Gil tells her that he's expecting a call about a job for [[Jackpot Realty]] in [[Scottsdale]]. Marge decides to let him stay a few more days until he gets the job.
  
Gil begins to ruin their every holiday, however only out of guilt, Marge continually allows him to stay. Homer’s infuriating patience wears thin after Marge’s inability to say no causes Gil to brings his friends to sing and drink on St. Patricks Day, and walk in on Homer and Marge’s “snuggling” on Valentine’s Day. After eleven months, Marge says agrees to say no.
+
Days keep passing and more holidays come and go. On [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] Day, Homer again tells Marge to kick Gil out of the house, but Marge tells Homer that she'll let him stay a few more days. She explains that she has trouble saying "no" due to some childhood trauma. Homer goes to [[Moe's Tavern]] where he talks to his friends about Gil. They tell Homer that he can't kick him out because then Marge will never assert herself. Homer then noticed The Grumple is also in the bar and the two of them fight, with Homer hitting him on the head with a bottle, causing him to go unconscious and bleed green blood.
  
By this time, however, Gil had become a very successful realtor in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]]. Despite this, Marge wished to go to Scottsdale and finally get the pleasure of saying “no” to him. After Marge’s display of anger and Gil’s display of weakness, Gil’s boss charges out of his office and fires Gil on the spot. Marge is horrified when she realizes that she has just cost Gil his job. Finally, the Simpsons buy him a house in Scottsdale to let him keep a job. The episode ends with a family of Grumples arriving at the doorstep, Homer lets them in and Gil, the Simpsons and the Grumples continue happily sing their carols.
+
More days pass until it becomes Valentine's Day. Gil eats the box of chocolates Homer got for Marge. When Marge finally decides to kick Gil out, the phone rings, but it turns out it's just Gil's foot doctor and not the Scottsdale job. St. Patrick's Day then arrives next, with Gil drunkenly singing songs with his friends, keeping Homer and Marge awake at night. Meanwhile, Gil is having an affect on Bart and Lisa too, as Gil steals their lunches and replaces them with junk. Eventually, Thanksgiving passes and Gil is still at the house. He makes and sends out a family Christmas card, with him covering most of the family. This is the final straw for Marge who finally decides to tell Gil to leave, but she finds that Gil had already left. Feeling the need to still tell Gil "no", the family goes to Scottsdale to find him.
  
==Opening sequence==
+
When the family arrives in Scottsdale, they find that Gil is a very successful realtor with his face on billboards and benches. The family goes to Jackpot Realty where Marge finally confronts Gil. When Gil tries to talk to Marge about buying a house, Marge finally snaps and lets her rage out, telling him no to everything. When the other realtors see what a loser Gil actually is, they mock him and Gil gets fired. Feeling bad about getting Gil fired again, the Simpsons buy a house in Scottsdale and Gil spends Christmas with them there. As everyone sings Christmas songs, there is a knock at the door, which turns out to be The Grumple and his family, who want to spend Christmas with the Simpsons. The Simpsons, Gil, and The Grumples all sing "[[Grumply Grumply Christmas]]" together.
The opening sequence is redesigned in a Christmas style for this episode. Not counting the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes, this is the second time that the title sequence is radically different from the norm, the first such time being "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]." The theme change is that the whole town is covered in white snow. The only other changes aside from the theme is that in the garage, Homer runs to the right as opposed to the usual left, and [[Jasper Beardley|Jasper]] is standing where the late Bleeding Gums Murphy stands normally. In the quick pan across Springfield, [[Maude Flanders]] can be seen alive. Bart's skateboard is replaced with a snowboard. Marge and Maggie's grocery and car scenes are cut out and everyone is in Christmas attire.
 
  
==Reception==
+
== Production ==
 +
Executive producer [[Al Jean]] wanted to do an episode similar to the film ''{{W2|Holiday Inn|film}}'', where they have multiple holidays shown during it. The episode features the first appearance of The Grumple, who became very popular among the producers after his debut.<ref name="Jean">{{Com|Jean, Al|Kill Gil, Volumes I & II|Eighteenth|(2017).}}</ref>
  
Dan Iverson of [[IGN]] gave the episode the headline of "Worst Simpsons Christmas episode ever!". He explains that though the story wasn't bad, it was merely told poorly, especially the area were Gil gets a new household had made no sense. He writes: "Gil's storyline wasn't the only thing that didn't make sense, as the ongoing joke of the Grumpo made less sense than most anything from this season." Though he explains that even though the episode wasn't "all bad", he felt there were a couple of comedic bits to keep the show afloat, such as the unique opening sequence.<ref>http://tv.ign.com/articles/751/751482p1.html IGN: "Worst Simpsons Christmas episode ever!"</ref>
+
<gallery>
 +
File:JABF01 Script.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
{{Season 18}}
+
=== Opening sequence ===
[[Category:Episodes]]
+
A Christmas-themed opening sequence was animated for this episode and was later re-aired with "[[The Burns and the Bees]]". Not counting the "[[Treehouse of Horror Series|Treehouse of Horror]]" episodes, this is the second time that the title sequence is radically different from the norm.
[[Category:Season 18]]
+
 
[[Category:Christmas]]
+
It begins with two lines of instrumental "O Christmas Tree" and then the normal theme music begins. This version is similar to the normal version, except for several key differences:
 +
#Everything outside is covered with snow
 +
#Bart's skateboard has been replaced with a snowboard
 +
#Everyone is wearing winter clothes
 +
#Mr. Burns and Smithers have been replaced by a {{W|Ebenezer Scrooge|Scrooge}}-esque Burns and Ghost of {{W|Jacob Marley|Marley}}-esque Smithers, and there are several Christmas banners in the plant
 +
#Lisa's saxophone solo is a jazzy version "Deck the Halls"
 +
#Bleeding Gums Murphy, who is now deceased, has been replaced with Jasper in a Santa costume. Maude Flanders, however, remains in the pan across Springfield, despite having also died.
 +
#Marge and Maggie's supermarket and car sequence have unfortunately been cut
 +
 
 +
[[File:SchoolRehearsalChristmas.png|950px]]
 +
[[File:BartTownsPeopleChristmas.png|950px]]
 +
[[File:Panorama-Christmas.png|950px]]
 +
 
 +
In the end, the family sits on the couch and the camera then pulls out to reveal that the family was reflected in a Christmas ornament, which rests on a Christmas tree.
 +
 
 +
<gallery widths="120">
 +
File:TownSwoopChristmas.png
 +
File:SchoolChristmas.png
 +
File:BartFlyingChristmas.png
 +
File:BartSnowboard.png
 +
File:HomerWorkChristmas.png
 +
File:LisaOpeningChristmas.png
 +
File:LargoDismissalXMas.png
 +
File:LisaLeavesChristmas.png
 +
File:HomerDriveXmas.png
 +
File:BartSwoopsXmas.png
 +
File:HomerGarageX-mas.png
 +
File:HomerRunningChristmas.png
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
== Reception ==
 +
As of November [[2023]], "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" has a 6.3 rating on {{W|IMDb}}.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893217/ IMDb - "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II"]</ref>
 +
 
 +
Dan Iverson of IGN gave the episode the headline of "Worst Simpsons Christmas episode ever!". He explains that though the story wasn't bad, it was merely told poorly, especially the area were Gil gets a new household had made no sense. He writes: "Gil's storyline wasn't the only thing that didn't make sense, as the ongoing joke of the Grumpo made less sense than most anything from this season." Though he explains that even though the episode wasn't "all bad", he felt there were a couple of comedic bits to keep the show afloat, such as the unique opening sequence.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160412023817/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/18/the-simpsons-kill-gil-volumes-i-ii-review IGN - "The Simpsons: ''Kill Gil, Volumes I & II'' Review"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref>
 +
 
 +
"Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" won the [[2008]] Writers Guild of America award in Animation.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000710/2008/1/ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2008 Awards"]</ref>
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
{{Reflist}}
 +
 
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 +
{{season 18}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category:2006]]
 +
[[Category:Marge episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Christmas episodes]]
 +
[[Category:WGA Award winning episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes written by Jeff Westbrook]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Bob Anderson]]
 +
 
 +
[[sv:Kill Gil: Vols. 1 & 2]]

Latest revision as of 12:24, April 14, 2024

Season 18 Episode
386 "The Haw-Hawed Couple"
387
"Kill Gil, Volumes I & II"
"The Wife Aquatic" 388
"Kill Gil, Volumes I & II"
Kill Gil, Volumes I & II promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 387
Season number: S18 E9
Production code: JABF01
Original airdate: December 17, 2006
Chalkboard gag: "Frankinscence is not a monster"
Couch gag: The Simpsons sit down wearing winter clothes and the camera zooms out revealing the couch is an ornament on the Christmas tree.
Guest star(s): Elvis Stojko as himself
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Jeff Westbrook
Directed by: Bob Anderson


"Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" is the ninth episode of season 18 of The Simpsons and the three-hundred and eighty-seventh episode overall. It originally aired on December 17, 2006. The episode was written by Jeff Westbrook and directed by Bob Anderson. It guest stars Elvis Stojko as himself.

Synopsis[edit]

"After attempting to fulfill his role as Mall Santa even further, but ending up giving his boss' gift to his daughter to Lisa, Gil is inevitably fired and finds himself homeless. Taking pity on the unsuccessful businessman, Marge lets Gil stay with the family over Christmas. However, Marge finds herself unable to turn Gil back onto the streets... she just can't tell him "no"."


Plot[edit]

Elvis Stojko's character in a promotional image.

The Simpson family are at a showing of Krusty's Kristmas on Ice, starring Krusty the Clown. During the show, The Grumple, a character in it, steals everyone's Holiday Cheer. This scares Homer, but the show carries on until it is interrupted by workers placing down a basketball floor for a game that is happening. The performers of the show start to fight the basketball players and the workers, as Homer fights The Grumple. On Christmas Eve, at Costington's, Lisa sits on the lap of Gil Gunderson, who is dressed as Santa Claus. Lisa tells Gil that she wanted a Malibu Stacy Pony Beach Party playset, but it was sold out everywhere. Gil tells Lisa that he saw one in the back room and gets it for her, making Lisa happy. As the Simpsons buy the playset for Lisa, Mr. Costington asks Gil if he sold the playset that he set aside for his daughter. When Gil refuses to get it back for him, Mr. Costington fires Gil. Seeing this, Marge invites Gil to have dinner with them.

At home, Gil plays the piano whilst the rest of the Simpsons sing along to "The Twelve Days of Christmas". After the song, Homer makes Grampa leave, but Marge lets Gil stay the night. After another song, everyone goes to bed and Bart and Lisa wake up the next morning to find that Gil has moved all his stuff into the house. This surprises Homer and Marge, but Homer is also shocked to see that The Grumple is outside the house, threatening to kill Homer. Homer tells Marge that she has to get Gil to leave, but Marge decides to let him stay over Christmas since it would be wrong to kick him out that day. However, Gil ends up overstaying his welcome until New Year's. When Marge goes to kick him out, Gil tells her that he's expecting a call about a job for Jackpot Realty in Scottsdale. Marge decides to let him stay a few more days until he gets the job.

Days keep passing and more holidays come and go. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Homer again tells Marge to kick Gil out of the house, but Marge tells Homer that she'll let him stay a few more days. She explains that she has trouble saying "no" due to some childhood trauma. Homer goes to Moe's Tavern where he talks to his friends about Gil. They tell Homer that he can't kick him out because then Marge will never assert herself. Homer then noticed The Grumple is also in the bar and the two of them fight, with Homer hitting him on the head with a bottle, causing him to go unconscious and bleed green blood.

More days pass until it becomes Valentine's Day. Gil eats the box of chocolates Homer got for Marge. When Marge finally decides to kick Gil out, the phone rings, but it turns out it's just Gil's foot doctor and not the Scottsdale job. St. Patrick's Day then arrives next, with Gil drunkenly singing songs with his friends, keeping Homer and Marge awake at night. Meanwhile, Gil is having an affect on Bart and Lisa too, as Gil steals their lunches and replaces them with junk. Eventually, Thanksgiving passes and Gil is still at the house. He makes and sends out a family Christmas card, with him covering most of the family. This is the final straw for Marge who finally decides to tell Gil to leave, but she finds that Gil had already left. Feeling the need to still tell Gil "no", the family goes to Scottsdale to find him.

When the family arrives in Scottsdale, they find that Gil is a very successful realtor with his face on billboards and benches. The family goes to Jackpot Realty where Marge finally confronts Gil. When Gil tries to talk to Marge about buying a house, Marge finally snaps and lets her rage out, telling him no to everything. When the other realtors see what a loser Gil actually is, they mock him and Gil gets fired. Feeling bad about getting Gil fired again, the Simpsons buy a house in Scottsdale and Gil spends Christmas with them there. As everyone sings Christmas songs, there is a knock at the door, which turns out to be The Grumple and his family, who want to spend Christmas with the Simpsons. The Simpsons, Gil, and The Grumples all sing "Grumply Grumply Christmas" together.

Production[edit]

Executive producer Al Jean wanted to do an episode similar to the film Holiday Inn, where they have multiple holidays shown during it. The episode features the first appearance of The Grumple, who became very popular among the producers after his debut.[1]

Opening sequence[edit]

A Christmas-themed opening sequence was animated for this episode and was later re-aired with "The Burns and the Bees". Not counting the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes, this is the second time that the title sequence is radically different from the norm.

It begins with two lines of instrumental "O Christmas Tree" and then the normal theme music begins. This version is similar to the normal version, except for several key differences:

  1. Everything outside is covered with snow
  2. Bart's skateboard has been replaced with a snowboard
  3. Everyone is wearing winter clothes
  4. Mr. Burns and Smithers have been replaced by a Scrooge-esque Burns and Ghost of Marley-esque Smithers, and there are several Christmas banners in the plant
  5. Lisa's saxophone solo is a jazzy version "Deck the Halls"
  6. Bleeding Gums Murphy, who is now deceased, has been replaced with Jasper in a Santa costume. Maude Flanders, however, remains in the pan across Springfield, despite having also died.
  7. Marge and Maggie's supermarket and car sequence have unfortunately been cut

SchoolRehearsalChristmas.png BartTownsPeopleChristmas.png Panorama-Christmas.png

In the end, the family sits on the couch and the camera then pulls out to reveal that the family was reflected in a Christmas ornament, which rests on a Christmas tree.

Reception[edit]

As of November 2023, "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" has a 6.3 rating on IMDb.[2]

Dan Iverson of IGN gave the episode the headline of "Worst Simpsons Christmas episode ever!". He explains that though the story wasn't bad, it was merely told poorly, especially the area were Gil gets a new household had made no sense. He writes: "Gil's storyline wasn't the only thing that didn't make sense, as the ongoing joke of the Grumpo made less sense than most anything from this season." Though he explains that even though the episode wasn't "all bad", he felt there were a couple of comedic bits to keep the show afloat, such as the unique opening sequence.[3]

"Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" won the 2008 Writers Guild of America award in Animation.[4]

References[edit]


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II".
Season 18 Episodes
The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer Jazzy and the Pussycats Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em Treehouse of Horror XVII G.I. (Annoyed Grunt) Moe'N'a Lisa Ice Cream of Margie (with the Light Blue Hair) The Haw-Hawed Couple Kill Gil, Volumes I & II The Wife Aquatic Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Three Times Little Big Girl Springfield Up Yokel Chords Rome-Old and Juli-Eh Homerazzi Marge Gamer The Boys of Bummer Crook and Ladder Stop, or My Dog Will Shoot! 24 Minutes You Kent Always Say What You Want