"Diary Queen" is the twelfth episode of the thirty-second season of the American animated television series The Simpsons and the 696th episode overall.[1] It aired in the United States on Fox on February 21, 2021. The episode was directed by Matthew Nastuk[2] and written by Jeff Westbrook.[3]
| "Diary Queen" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 32 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Matthew Nastuk |
| Written by | Jeff Westbrook |
| Featured music |
|
| Production code | QABF05 |
| Original air date | February 21, 2021 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "I will never be a teacher's pet" is seen before the closing credits. |
| Couch gag | The couch is on Mars and gets crushed by a spaceship. Marge and Maggie come out of the spaceship, while the rest of the family come on foot, hover bike and skateboard. However, Homer doesn't have his space helmet on; Marge asks where it is, and Homer's head explodes. |
In this episode, Bart finds his former teacher's diary and believes that she thought he was her most improved student. The episode received positive reviews.
Plot
editWhen Ned Flanders holds a yard sale, Bart and Milhouse buy several books as part of a scheme to record a stunt. When that backfires, the boys discover their late teacher Edna Krabappel's old diary among the books. They then escape Fat Tony and his mob and prank the school staff.
Despite Milhouse repeatedly urging him not to invade Edna's privacy, Bart heads to his treehouse and starts reading the diary, discovering a page where Edna had written that she thought Bart had potential in succeeding in school. Convinced that he is the most improved student, Bart starts doing well in school. After Bart passes a test, the family celebrates with a cake, but Marge and Lisa look around his room, suspecting him of cheating. With the help of Maggie, Lisa finds the diary at the treehouse and discovers that Edna was actually referring to her pet cat. Lisa hides this from Bart, which soon stresses her out. When Bart decides to enter the school spelling bee, Lisa reveals the truth, causing a depressed Bart to hide in his treehouse alone.
Later in the treehouse, Ned reveals to Bart that his family had considered leaving Springfield, but were stopped by Edna, who believed she needed to stay, as children like Bart needed her. Realizing that Edna truly did care for him, Bart returns the diary to Ned. At home, Ned reads the diary and is brought to tears over an entry where Edna says that being married to him made her dreams come true.
The episode ends with a montage of Edna's moments throughout the series.
Production
editCasting
editThe late Marcia Wallace guest-stars as Edna Krabappel through archive recordings. Her estate cleared her appearance and was compensated for it. The show did not give a farewell to Wallace's character at the time of her passing because producers were not aware she was ill, so this episode was an attempt to memorialize her. The producers also decided not to reveal how Edna died.[4]
This is the final episode in which actor Harry Shearer voices the black character of Dr. Hibbert. Beginning with the following episode "Wad Goals", he is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who is African-American.[5] In addition, Julio had his voice provided by Mario Jose in this episode.[6][7]
Joe Mantegna appears as Fat Tony.[1]
Release
editThe episode was scheduled to debut on January 10, 2021, but was rescheduled to February 14 due to being preempted by the NFL playoffs.[8][9][1] Rain delays at the 2021 Daytona 500 further delayed all prime time shows scheduled for broadcast to February 21.[10][11]
Reception
editViewing figures
editIn the United States, the episode was watched live by 1.43 million viewers.[12]
Critical response
editTony Sokol with Den of Geek, said "This is a different kind of arc for The Simpsons. 'Diary Queen' is on an uplifting trajectory until Lisa knocks it off course, and ends in a sudden life-affirming crash. Bart’s final warning to Marge, 'I'll go over the edge if you try to make me feel better,' is wonderfully skewered, but the final twist is a dose of treacle. The episode was originally slated to premiere on Valentine’s Day, and is a sweet sendoff." He also gave the episode four out of five stars.[13]
Jesse Bereta of Bubbleblabber gave the episode a 7.5 out of 10. He thought the episode was a respectful way to honor Marcia Wallace. He stated that the closure that Bart receives was the most heartwarming part of the episode.[14]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Listings - SIMPSONS, THE on FOX | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ Jean, Al [@AlJean] (May 12, 2020). "Matthew Nastuk" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Jean, Al [@AlJean] (April 16, 2020). ".@TheSimpsons Today's video read!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (February 21, 2021). "Here's How 'The Simpsons' Brought Back the Late Marcia Wallace to Say Goodbye to Mrs. Krabappel". Variety. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Maas, Jennifer (February 22, 2021). "'The Simpsons': White Voice Actor Harry Shearer Won't Voice Black Character Dr Hibbert Anymore". TheWrap. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (April 22, 2021). "'The Simpsons' Recasts Gay Cuban Character Julio With Gay Cuban Actor". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Gillis, Riley (April 26, 2021). "The Simpsons recasts gay Cuban character with gay voice actor". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Jean, Al [@AlJean] (December 13, 2020). "Now will be later due to football..." (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Jean, Al [@AlJean] (December 10, 2020). "January 10" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "(SI-3205) "Diary Queen"". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Sparks, Astrid (February 23, 2021). "The Simpsons Pays Tribute to Mrs. Krabappel's Late Actor, Marcia Wallace". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 23, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.21.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Sokol, Tony (February 22, 2021). "The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 12 Review: Diary Queen". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ Bereta, Jesse (February 22, 2021). "Review: The Simpsons "Diary Queen"". Bubbleblabber. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
External links
edit
