7. Itchy & Scratchy Land
Season Six
1994
The writers on “The Simpsons” pull off one of their many excellent satires of classic films with “Itchy & Scratchy Land,” this time spoofing “West World,” and “Jurassic Park.” Much in the realm of “The Shinning,” the episode doesn’t so much mock the films as they twist the conventions of the narrative to fit the comic elements of the series. With summer now on its way, Bart and Lisa are convinced by Krusty the Klown to go to Itchy and Scratchy Land. Bart and Lisa do whatever it takes to go there, even convincing them that Bart’s dead. Dead serious about going to Itchy and Scratchy Land.
Marge is desperate for one vacation without a disaster with the family, and of course, once they arrive at the Park, everything manages to go wrong. Bart can’t stop tormenting a Itchy Park mascot, Homer gets put in jail for kicking Scratchy, and of course the park runs out of Bort License plates. The episode garners many hilarious moments and laugh out loud gags, including T. G. I. McScratchy’s where every hour is a New Year’s countdown, the family is nearly killed during a log ride, and the great jabs at Disney. There’s “Pinnitchio” and the ultra-violent “Scratchtasia.” There’s even the knock at Disney’s blatant anti-semitism with the short titled “Nazi Supermen Are Our Superiors.” To add to the mayhem, there’s the army of robotic Itchy and Scratchy’s destined to run amok in the park.
The family is left helpless on the park after the Itchy Mascot kicks them off a rescue copter, and soon they must contend with the deadly robotic killers. “Itchy & Scratchy Land” is one of the better horror themed episodes of the series without the Halloween theme, as Marge finds herself risking her life, and Bart and Homer reveal a hidden genius behind them. After throwing literally everything after the onslaught of robots, Homer and the family realize camera flashes can destroy their functions, and thus the family are saved by serendipity and a bunch of disposable cameras. “Itchy & Scratchy Land” really is the family in their element, wreaking havoc in a new setting, and coming out the victor thanks to pure dumb luck. Nothing ever seems to go as they planned, but at least they didn’t end up at the Highway Nine Bird Sanctuary.