Kredit Kookies: FLYBY: Martin Prince, all done up as Cupid. Billboard: Advertises McBain’ Valentine’ Day Kick-Asacre (Opening and closing February 14th!). Chalkboard Gag: I Will Not Replace a Candy Heart With a Frog’s Heart Couch Gag: Moe welcomes The Simpsons come home to their 500th anniversary episode celebration. Lisa, after fourth walling (AKA checking out the show’s episode guide) declares that that happens next week. Moe informs her that Fox isn’t shelling out for a party like this again.

While Lisa falls in love with a tortured young writer, Bart and Millhouse seek to emulate the heroes of the reality show ‘Mythcrackers’ by busting some of Springfield Elementary’s most persistent urban legends.

A fairly cute episode overall – though with a few strange cutaways. Lisa’s plot – which managed to employ both Marge and Grandpa and introduce a new character who was unique and not a copy of Thelonius or Colin – an intelligent boy whom Lisa might find attractive, but ultimately doesn’t work out as a boyfriend because of reasons organic to the relationship. I liked that Lisa reached the conclusion on her own, while contemplating the possibility of ‘forever’.

Bart and Millhouse’s mini-plot should’ve had a more solid conclusion, but it was funny and made sense for what it was. With good if brief use of Groundskeeper Willy, the plot was rather fun overall ; meanwhile, misters Hyneman and Savage delivered decent VA performances in their cameos, with Jaime in particular doing an excellent job.

While not a perfect episode by any stretch of the imagination, this episode brings Lisa back to her romantic, intelligent roots and presents Bart at his typical rambunctious self. A funny, sweet little epiode.

Letter grade: B