Moaning Lisa

I'm going to try a new format starting with this #ElevenSeasons as it was getting hard to write long, winding posts and they were kind of dry and boring. Hope you enjoy it and if you have any suggestions, let me know.

Credits
Episode Number 7G06 (#106)
Created by Matt Groening; Developed by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon
Written by Al Jean & Mike Reiss
Directed by Wes Archer
Executive Producers: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon
Starring Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, and Harry Shearer
Guest Starring: Ron Taylor

Plot
Lisa is standing in the bathroom looking in the mirror while Homer bangs on the door. Lisa is too sad and doesn't really know why except to wonder "what's the point." At school, in an effort to feel better, Lisa begins playing jazz music during Mr. Largo's class. Mr. Largo immediately puts a stop to it. During gym class, Lisa refuses to move out of the way of the balls during dodge ball because she is sad requiring a note to be sent home.

Later, Lisa is yelled at again by Homer for playing her saxophone, Lisa starts crying causing Homer to apologize and Lisa just opts to practice her fingering. As she lays down, Lisa hears another saxophone in the distance and leaves the house to find out where it is coming from and meets Bleeding Gums Murphy.

The two talk music and jam together until Marge arrives to take Lisa home. The next day, Marge gives Lisa some advice that her mom gave her when she was a young girl. All Lisa has to do is smile and push all of her problems deep down inside of her. Lisa does and is immediately taken advantage of by two boys and told to cause problems in music class by Mr. Largo. Upset, Marge tells Lisa to be herself and if she's sad, be sad and that the family will always be there for her. That makes Lisa happy and that night, the whole family goes to the Jazz Hole to hear Bleeding Gums play.

Meanwhile, Homer is fed up with getting his butt kicked by Bart when they are playing a video boxing game.

The graphics were so lifelike in 1990.

In order to get revenge, Homer trains with another kid at the arcade and nearly defeats Bart for the first time ever until Marge unplugs the television so that the boys will listen to Lisa. Bart retires from playing video boxing remaining undefeated.

Stray Observations

• The Simpsons have Glum brand toothpaste in the bathroom. That's probably why Lisa is sad.
• Mr. Largo (to Lisa): "There's no room for crazy bee-bop in 'My Country 'Tis of Thee.'"
• When Homer can't answer Lisa's legitimate questions about life, he instead gives her a "pony ride" on his knee.
• Why is Homer so bad at this video game? Most games I was better than my Mom but there were some games where she was much better. You'd think Homer could at least land a couple of punches.
• Bleeding Gums Murphy (to Lisa): "You play pretty well for someone with no real problems."
• Marge (to Lisa, after finding her with Bleeding Gums Murphy): "Lisa! Get away from that jazz man.
• I think Lisa's song was the first Simpsons-related thing I heard on the playground at school the next day:

"I got a bratty brother,

He bugs me every day.

And this morning my own mother,

she gave my last cupcake away.

My Dad acts like he belongs,

He belongs in a zoo.

I'm the saddest kid in grade number two."

• During a news program, Homer gets very upset that a fire destroyed Barney's Bowlarama.
• Bart (to Moe, over the phone): "Is Jacques Strap there?"
• Two games at Noiseland Video Arcade are "Eat My Shorts" and "Robert Goulet Destroyer".
• This is a very progressive episode, dealing with a side of depression that a lot of people just don't get. It's great that Marge realizes that her advice, and by extension, her mother's, is crap. In a lot of shows, it's common to pass off these emotions as invalid. This episode doesn't do that nor does it try to give a reason for Lisa being sad. She's just sad, what more of an explanation do you want?