Funny, contrary to the OPs opinion, I thought that was one of the better episodes of late, which isn’t saying much. These days, I consider any new Simpsons’ episode I don’t turn off in disgust to be a good one.
I thought it stank. Simpsons episodes where there are two plots that get more or less equal emphasis usually stink. The writers knew neither plot was good enough to stand on its own, so they mashed them together in one episode. It was like watching two drunks trying to help each other walk home from the bar.
It wasn’t a great episode, nor was the prior weeks (I missed Treehouse this year) but there were some good bits. Nelson forcing Bart to eat his pancakes was funny (Savor it!), as was the gag with Mrs. Crabopple and Principal Skinner. “Duck, duck, duck,” was excellent and so was the Streisand comment.
Only refering to the last two eps; I prefer to wait a while before writing off the series as a whole. I still think it’s the best thing on TV and I’m in no hurry for it to end.
I will say that in the last two eps there was a sort of unpleasant feeling that seemed to permeate everything. Sort of an undercurrent of anger. That might just be my perception though. I hope it passes.