Mathlete's Feat

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"Mathlete's Feat"
The Simpsons episode
Episode no.Season 26
Episode 22
Directed byMichael Polcino
Written byMichael Price
Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland (couch gag)
Production codeTABF16
Original air dateMay 17, 2015 (2015-05-17)
Guest appearances
Justin Roiland as Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith
Episode features
Couch gagRick and Morty crash into the living room, killing the Simpson family, and attempt to revive them.
Episode chronology
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The Simpsons (season 26)
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"Mathlete's Feat" is the twenty-second and final episode of the twenty-sixth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 574th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 17, 2015.

Plot[]

The math teams from Springfield Elementary and Waverly Hills Elementary compete against each other in an event organized by Benjamin, Doug and Gary. Lisa boasts that Springfield Elementary will surprise everyone at the meet; her prediction comes true when the team fails to score any points at all. She laments the fact that Waverly Hills Elementary can afford the newest educational technology, while her school uses antiquated tools due to its inadequate budget.

The three sponsors make a large donation to Springfield Elementary, prompting Principal Skinner to install upgraded equipment in all the classrooms and have the old textbooks destroyed. However, electrical malfunctions in the computer servers cause all the new devices to overload and break down, leaving the teachers with nothing they can use to lead their classes. As Miss Hoover tries to show her students an educational video on her cell phone, Lisa notices Groundskeeper Willie using a knotted rope to measure the dimensions of a field outside. The sight inspires her to suggest that Springfield Elementary become a Waldorf school, with an emphasis on creative play and hands-on activities.

The children enjoy the new system, and Willie is named as coach of the math team. Upon realizing that he is being grossly underpaid for his work, he begins chasing Superintendent Chalmers around the school. Bart throws an egg and hits Chalmers in the head, causing him to run his car into a tree; Willie is so impressed by the accuracy of the throw that he names Bart as captain of the math team. During a rematch against Waverly Hills Elementary, Bart is shocked to find that he is expected to do actual math. With the score tied at 29-29, he nevertheless scores the winning point for Springfield Elementary by using the fringe of hair on Homer's head to solve the last problem. Lisa is overjoyed at the victory, but also horrified when Willie explains that his measuring rope was originally created as a means to torture and kill sheep thieves.

Production[]

On September 26, 2014; while in a conference at the London Science Museum, Al Jean told that there would be a future episode with the following plot: "It will have Lisa on a math team and features the most complicated math jokes we [The Simpsons crew] can think of."[1][2] This episode's couch gag features a crossover with the animated series Rick and Morty.[3] Dan Harmon wrote the first draft of the sequence with Justin Roiland performing rewrites.[4] A sequence during the second Mathlympics scene features a section of the Kate Bush song "π" from her album Aerial.[5] Busted song Year 3000 features during the sequence where the new technology is implemented in the school.

Reception[]

The episode received a 1.3 rating and was watched by a total of 2.82 million people.[6]

The episode received mixed reviews with praise going to the couch gag with Rick and Morty.

Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave the episode a D, saying "as the final act of "Mathlete's Feat", the final episode of the 26th season of The Simpsons went to commercial. I was genuinely pissed at how disjointed, lazy, and downright lousy this season finale was."[7]

Jesse Schedeen of IGN gave the episode a 7.3/10, ultimately saying the episode was unfocused but was still amusing.[8]

The episode Two Bad Neighbors was mentioned by Rick from Rick and Morty during the couch gag.

References[]

  1. ^ "The Simpsons: One big numbers game". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  2. ^ "Al Jean on Twitter: "@87Loco87 @fred_malcolm yes on math team and math jokes. Prepare for a 50 share!"". Twitter.com. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  3. ^ "Al Jean on Twitter: "@justinchaney6 Mathlete's feat, season finale ."". Twitter.com. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  4. ^ Couch, Aaron (May 14, 2015). "'The Simpsons': Matt Groening Dissects 'Rick and Morty' Opening Credits Crossover". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  5. ^ "Simpsons, Episode 574, clip feat. Kate Bush's "π"". May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  6. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 19, 2015). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'The Simpsons' & 'Billboard Music Awards' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  7. ^ Perkins, Dennis (2015-05-17). "The Simpsons: "Mathlete's Feat"". Avclub.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  8. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2015-05-17). "The Simpsons: "Mathlete's Feat" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2016-12-13.

External links[]

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