‘Bart’s Not Dead’ is one of the strongest season premieres that the show has had in a while, with the focus being mostly character driven and Homer, Bart and Flanders being allowed to shine.
‘Daddicus Finch’ is a successful episode on multiple levels, firstly as a genuinely well executed and funny spin on a literary classic, and secondly, it is an addition to the long archive of strong explorations of the Homer and Lisa relationship.
‘Bart vs Itchy & Scratchy’ is a surprisingly well done take on the increasing push for representation on the media, and how some are resisting it. It manages to make a point whilst mostly being a funny and entertaining story.
In what is now a remarkable 30th season, The Simpsons has found a happy groove of being mostly entertaining light entertainment. It is no longer the boundary pushing or game changing hit that it once was, but it is still worth sticking with.
Rating = 3.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 