Review of Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part One

Where the fifth season had quite a few exaggerated plots, this sixth season mostly stays close to home with the episodes and generally focuses on the characters rather than extreme adventures. This is not to say that the plots still aren't imaginative and large, just that they mostly stay within the town and family, rather than, for example, blasting characters into space. This is just an observation though because really I don't mind as long as it works, and in this season it all works really well. The season doesn't quite have the "stacked classics" feel that season 4 did (for example) but generally the quality is high here.

The family are the driving force but the supporting cast make each episode stronger and this season continues to get the most out of them. The content of the show remains wonderfully subversive and directed towards adults – and not in a sly way, but in a very direct with. Whether it is some of the softer swear words or the sexual imagery, it clearly isn't really for children, but it is still cleverly done – not just crude for the sake of it but uses that tone in a positive way that fits. The animation is great with a lot of polish and lots of jokes in the detail of scenes as well as in the foreground. The voice work continues to be good but it is the writing that gives them such great dialogue to deliver.

Another very strong season of The Simpsons with consistently good episodes that are clever and funny.