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Look, the main story of “Lisa’s Rival” is really good. No notes. Well, maybe a couple, but minor notes! However, the B-story with Homer is one of the best B-stories in the history of The Simpsons, and I must note that.
First, that main story. A new girl, Allison, arrives at Springfield Elementary. She’s voiced by Winona Ryder, by the way. At first, Lisa is happy. Here’s a smart, nice girl she can perhaps be friends with. However, Lisa is used to being the big fish in the small pond. Allison is as smart as Lisa, and she’s an even better saxophone player. Suddenly, Lisa isn’t blowing the grading curve.
This starts to eat at Lisa, who goes as far as to sabotage Allison’s diorama. The guilt, though, gets to her so she undoes the damage, but in the end Ralph wins the diorama contest anyway.
It’s a little surprising that it took until the sixth season for Lisa to get a rival, but they did it well. What’s key is that Allison is a nice person, but also that Lisa both pushes it too far and then learns her lesson. Sure, Allison then essentially disappears, but that’s sitcoms for you.
And yet…Homer and the sugar. A sugar truck overturns, so Homer steals the sugar. Why? He’s trying to make a business of it, which is silly, but wonderful. The British guy. The Beemobile. “First you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women.” It’s all great.
“Lisa’s Rival” is a great episode, one where both stories really work. Even if the B-story is a bit better, that doesn’t mean the tale of Lisa and Allison isn’t also a strong one.
