Following an encounter with the Simpson family at the Danish superstore Shøp, Apu and Manjula decide it's the right time in their relationship to have a baby. While initial attempts are unsuccessful, Apu and Majula with the help of Homer's romantic advice (as well as multiple parties slipping Manjula fertility drugs) results in the Nahasapeemapetilons getting 7 more babies than they were expecting which puts a strain on their relationship and finances.
Written by Matt Selman and produced during the series' 11 season, the series was very much past its heyday, but did occasionally churn out some gems such as Missionary: Impossible and the non-canon Behind the Laughter. While Saddlesore Gallactica is is often cited as the worst episode of not only this season but also the series I really can't go that far with Saddlsore because for all intents and purposes its biggest sin is taking a meta approach to a recycled plotline which then culminates in a third act going off the rails with jockeys actually being mischievous Goblin like creatures (yes, seriously). At the end of the day Saddlesore Galactica is stupid but easily moved passed. The same cannot be said for Eight Misbehavin' which damaged Apu and Manjula as characters and made itself impossible to ignore.
I actually didn't mind the setup of the episode with some of the scenes at Shøp being reasonably entertaining, and even the impetus for the plot with Manjula and Apu wanting to build a family did lead to some nice moments of sweetness and even Homer gets some good moments with some good natured stupidity such as arranging a date for Apu and Manjula to role play and homer's script changing scenarios every other sentence. And then Apu and Manjula get the answer to their wish the same way a monkey's paw grants it.
Once the octuplets are born Apu and Manjula become a brief media sensation including free gifts from corporate sponsors only to lose their corporate support when a family in Shelbyville gives birth to "nonuplets"(forgive the spelling). This leads to Apu and Manjula exhausted, irritable, and financially and emotionally strained. In addition to the crushing misery the episode puts Apu and Manjula through, it also has a painfully stupid third act involving guest stars Garry Marshall and Butch Patrick in that feels like it was put there simply because there was no way to give the episode a artificial happy wrap up without distracting the audience with nonsensical plot tangents.
Eight Misbehavin' was a mistake in hindsight, while adding a baby to the cast of a long running TV show rarely (if ever) improves it, I could at least see it as a potential to build upon the relationship of characters if done correctly. While the episode opens well enough, it continually goes down hill as it progresses and leaves Apu and Majula damaged as an unhappily married couple who are now more miserable than funny or enjoyable.
Written by Matt Selman and produced during the series' 11 season, the series was very much past its heyday, but did occasionally churn out some gems such as Missionary: Impossible and the non-canon Behind the Laughter. While Saddlesore Gallactica is is often cited as the worst episode of not only this season but also the series I really can't go that far with Saddlsore because for all intents and purposes its biggest sin is taking a meta approach to a recycled plotline which then culminates in a third act going off the rails with jockeys actually being mischievous Goblin like creatures (yes, seriously). At the end of the day Saddlesore Galactica is stupid but easily moved passed. The same cannot be said for Eight Misbehavin' which damaged Apu and Manjula as characters and made itself impossible to ignore.
I actually didn't mind the setup of the episode with some of the scenes at Shøp being reasonably entertaining, and even the impetus for the plot with Manjula and Apu wanting to build a family did lead to some nice moments of sweetness and even Homer gets some good moments with some good natured stupidity such as arranging a date for Apu and Manjula to role play and homer's script changing scenarios every other sentence. And then Apu and Manjula get the answer to their wish the same way a monkey's paw grants it.
Once the octuplets are born Apu and Manjula become a brief media sensation including free gifts from corporate sponsors only to lose their corporate support when a family in Shelbyville gives birth to "nonuplets"(forgive the spelling). This leads to Apu and Manjula exhausted, irritable, and financially and emotionally strained. In addition to the crushing misery the episode puts Apu and Manjula through, it also has a painfully stupid third act involving guest stars Garry Marshall and Butch Patrick in that feels like it was put there simply because there was no way to give the episode a artificial happy wrap up without distracting the audience with nonsensical plot tangents.
Eight Misbehavin' was a mistake in hindsight, while adding a baby to the cast of a long running TV show rarely (if ever) improves it, I could at least see it as a potential to build upon the relationship of characters if done correctly. While the episode opens well enough, it continually goes down hill as it progresses and leaves Apu and Majula damaged as an unhappily married couple who are now more miserable than funny or enjoyable.
