• Wikisimpsons needs more Featured Article, Picture, Quote, Episode and Comprehensive article nominations!
  • Wikisimpsons has a Discord server! Click here for your invite! Join to talk about the wiki, Simpsons and Tapped Out news, or just to talk to other users.
  • Make an account! It's easy, free, and your work on the wiki can be attributed to you.
TwitterFacebookDiscord

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

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
m (→‎top: replaced: {{Featured episode}} → {{Icons||FE}})
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Icons||FE}}
 
{{Tab}}
 
{{Tab}}
 
{{EpisodePrevNext|The Haw-Hawed Couple|The Wife Aquatic|season=18|number=387}}
 
{{EpisodePrevNext|The Haw-Hawed Couple|The Wife Aquatic|season=18|number=387}}
 
{{Episode
 
{{Episode
 
|image= Kill Gil, Volumes I & II promo.png
 
|image= Kill Gil, Volumes I & II promo.png
−
|caption = Santa Gil wants Lisa to get the Christmas present she wished for... but can he?
 
 
|number= 387
 
|number= 387
 
|season=18
 
|season=18
Line 12: Line 12:
 
|couchgag= The Simpsons sit down wearing winter clothes and the camera zooms out revealing the couch is an ornament on the Christmas tree.
 
|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}}
 
|guests= [[Elvis Stojko]] as {{Ch|Elvis Stojko|himself}}
−
|showrunner=[[Al Jean]]
+
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 
|writer= [[Jeff Westbrook]]
 
|writer= [[Jeff Westbrook]]
 
|director= [[Bob Anderson]]
 
|director= [[Bob Anderson]]
Line 23: Line 23:
  
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
−
[[File:Elvis Stojko (character).jpg|thumb|Elvis Stojko's character in a promotional image.]]
+
[[File:Elvis Stojko (character).jpg|thumb|left|Elvis Stojko's character in a promotional image.]]
−
Along with most of the town of [[Springfield]], the [[Simpson family]] enjoy [[Krusty]]'s Kristmas on Ice show at an indoor ice rink. Krusty the Clown emcees the event's various acts, including an {{ch|Elvis Stojko}} skating performance and a skating performance by Krusty and [[Sideshow Mel]] stunt doubles. The main act features a reindeer, a candy cane and a snowman, who are all fretting over a green monster named, [[the Grumple]]. As the Grumple advances on the Christmas characters, threatening to steal their Holiday Cheer, the characters mistakenly stumble backward over a wooden basketball court being set up by a crew lead by [[Raphael]]. All of the Christmas characters are enraged 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, when they spot [[Homer]] down on the ice grappling with the Grumple and demanding back the Holiday Cheer.
+
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.
  
−
On Christmas Eve at [[Costingtons]], a huge department store, a sad Lisa sits on [[Santa]]'s lap and explains the one present she wants, the [[Malibu Stacy]] Pony Beach Party Set, is sold out everywhere. Santa Claus, played by [[Gil]], feels sorry for Lisa and he goes back to the stockroom to find an extra play set he saw 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 he 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.
+
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.
  
−
After dinner that evening, Gil and the rest of the Simpson family gather around the piano and sing songs. When they finish, Gil gets up to grab his coat and leave, but Marge insists he stays the night, citing the fact it's late and cold outside. A thankful Gil accepts Marge's offer. On Christmas morning, an excited Bart and Lisa charge down the stairs to open their presents, but they are shocked to see their living room piled high with cardboard boxes and clothes. Gil explains to the family he figured since he had a place to stay he would go down to his bus locker and retrieve his personal belongings. As Marge and Homer survey the situation in the living room, the Grumple can be seen looking through the front window brandishing a knife and offering threats to Homer.
+
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.
  
−
Later on Christmas morning, Homer tells Marge she has to inform Gil the invitation was only for the night and he can't stay. But when Marge approaches Gil to tell him he has to leave, Gil's weak demeanor and lack of a job make Marge reconsider and she allows Gil to stay for a few more days. By the time New Year's Day arrives, Gil made himself right at home with the Simpson family and when Marge once again tries to tell Gil it is time for him to move on, Gil explains to her he is waiting for a call and a job offer from his old boss at [[Jackpot Realty]]. Marge once again takes pity on him and cannot bring herself to ask Gil to move out. January 16 Martin Luther King Day, and Gil is still living with the Simpsons and an impatient Homer orders Marge to kick Gil out; he explains to Marge her inability to say "no" caused the whole situation with Gil, but Marge still can't bring herself to order Gil to leave. Marge has trouble saying no because when she was 7, her sisters told her to hide their cigarettes in her dollhouse. She said no and they stuffed her in the dollhouse. She called out for her mom and Aunt Larina, but when she stood up, she slipped on a toy car and fell.
+
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.
  
−
At [[Moe's Tavern]], Homer vents his feelings about the situation with Gil to [[Lenny]] and [[Carl]], who offer some advice - he needs to tell Marge to throw Gil out, otherwise she will never learn to assert herself. The Grumple suddenly appears, still infuriated with Homer, grabs a pool cue, breaks it in half, and advances toward Homer. A bewildered Homer hits the Grumple in the head with a beer bottle, rendering him unconscious. The pages of a tear-away calendar soon float by mindlessly, as the days and holidays go by, with Gil still remaining in the Simpson residence:
+
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.
−
 
 
−
*Valentine's Day (February 14) - Homer and Marge are about to "snuggle" in their room when Gil interrupts, and just as Marge is about to throw Gil out, the phone rings downstairs and a hopeful Gil thinks it could be his old boss offering him a job. Lisa calls out from downstairs to tell Gil it is just his foot doctor on the phone and a depressed Gil slumps against the wall feeling sorry for himself.
 
−
*St. Patrick's Day (March 17) - Gil invites some of his buddies over for some late night singing and drinking, while restless Homer and Marge struggle to get some sleep.
 
−
*International Literacy Day (September 8) - [[Bart]] and Lisa are upset to find Gil now mooches their lunches.
 
−
*The day after [[Thanksgiving]] - An irritable Marge rakes leaves in the backyard, muttering about the trouble Gil has been, when Ned Flanders approaches and thanks Marge for the Christmas card he received. Marge doesn't recall sending out Christmas cards yet and when she takes a look at the picture on the front of the card Ned holds, she notices Gil placed a photo of himself over the Simpson family photo and mailed it out as a Christmas card.
 
−
 
 
−
Marge finally reaches her boiling point, and marches into the house rampageously, dead set on kicking Gil out, but she is surprised to find Gil suddenly moved out and is in Scottsdale, Arizona, after his old boss called and gave him a job.
 
−
 
 
−
Marge is still hell-bent on saying "no" to Gil and she insists on traveling to Scottsdale so she can finally get the pleasure of saying the word to him. As Marge drives the family through Scottsdale, they spot Gil's image and name on billboards, park benches and buses. Even though Gil became a big shot and a success, Marge still has the urge and the need to tell Gil "no". At the Jackpot Realty office, Gil leads a meeting and motivates his realtors to go out and sell. The realtors clearly look up to Gil and are impressed with his selling capabilities, when Marge barges into the meeting and confronts Gil. She jabs him in the chest and vents out all of her built-up anger towards him. When the rest of the realtors see the successful big-shot Gil being pushed around and cowering in front of Marge, they all realize they have been fooled by his confident attitude. After Marge's display of anger and Gil's display of weakness, Gil's boss charges out of his office and fires him on the spot. Marge is horrified when she realizes she just cost Gil his job, and feels sorry for Gil once again.
 
−
 
 
−
Come Christmas time, at a residence in a suburb of Scottsdale with its mailbox reading "The Simpsons" and a Jackpot Realty sold sign sitting out front, Christmas carols can be heard emerging from the house. Inside, on the piano, Gil leads the family in song, when suddenly a family of Grumples arrives at the doorstep. Homer lets them in, clearly having forgotten the friction between him and the Grumple, and Gil, the Simpsons and the Grumples continue happily in song.
 
  
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
−
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.
+
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>
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:JABF01_Script.jpg
+
File:JABF01 Script.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 86: Line 75:
  
 
== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
−
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>
+
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 ==
 
== References ==

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]

  • JABF01 Script.jpg

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.

  • TownSwoopChristmas.png
  • SchoolChristmas.png
  • BartFlyingChristmas.png
  • BartSnowboard.png
  • HomerWorkChristmas.png
  • LisaOpeningChristmas.png
  • LargoDismissalXMas.png
  • LisaLeavesChristmas.png
  • HomerDriveXmas.png
  • BartSwoopsXmas.png
  • HomerGarageX-mas.png
  • HomerRunningChristmas.png

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]

  1. ↑ Jean, Al (2017). Commentary for "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II", in The Simpsons: The Complete Eighteenth Season.
  2. ↑ IMDb - "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II"
  3. ↑ IGN - "The Simpsons: Kill Gil, Volumes I & II Review" (archived on Wayback Machine)
  4. ↑ IMDb - "Writers Guild of America, USA 2008 Awards"


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
Retrieved from "https://simpsonswiki.com/w/index.php?title=Kill_Gil,_Volumes_I_%26_II&oldid=1259437"
  • Modified on April 14, 2024, at 12:24.
  • Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
  • Powered by MediaWiki