User blog:AustinDR/Making the Grade: Final Thoughts

So, I had re-watched the episode just recently, and I felt that I should at the very least apologize for my initial reaction towards the episode. Don't get me wrong, I still don't care for the episode, but I do have to admit there are some things I did enjoy about it. For one, I did like how Lincoln was willing to give up his place at the "cool table" so that Lisa could help the kindergarten kids who were stricken with strep-throat. I also liked how Lincoln's friends accepted Lisa at the end. However, this still doesn't change my opinion on Lisa in the slightest, but I did think that her electrocuting herself in order to be more sociable was a little much.

Now as for the Lincoln Torture.....yes, I do agree that Lincoln did kind of start it by asking Lisa to be average for selfish reasons, but I still thought his punishment was out of proportion. I mean, him being thrown out of the van by Lori and Lisa doesn't strike me as hilarious: it was just cruel. I also didn't like how Lisa constantly said that they could thank Lincoln for her change. It just felt like she was taking pleasure in making him miserable. She wasn't, but I just got that vibe. At the very least, Lincoln doesn't suffer any beatings for it. In addition, I just found Lisa too annoying to an extent. As I've said before, she just sucks the fun out if anything without remotely trying. I mean suggesting pop quizzes and aiming to cancel recess? Yes, I get that the latter isn't really intellectually stimulating, but come on, Lisa. This isn't her worst episode I'll admit that much. The episode just didn't really make me like Lisa more as a character is all.

Overall, it was an okay episode that I was too unfair on. If anything, I'll boost the episode to a 3. Yes there are still several issues that I have with the episode, but it makes up for it by having Lincoln realize that it was wrong to change Lisa (which isn't really executed well unlike Toads and Tiaras), and that Lisa at the very least tried to be more open to change.

Final score: 3 stars out of 5