QUICK SYNOPSIS

An evil cult called the Movementarians brainwashes the citizens of Springfield and it’s up to Marge to get them back.

POINTLESS GUEST STAR(S)

None, but it was the perfect opportunity to have Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston voice the two sect recruiters! Oh, darn!

WHY THIS EPISODE SUCKS

I understand that it was perhaps the point, but Homer in “The Joy of Sect” is a real fucking jerkass. This is exemplified by the two instances (which was at least one too many, arguably two too many) of Homer shouting “Outta my way, jerkass!” Congratulations, guys. You hereby invented the term “Jerkass Homer”.

“The Joy of Sect” enjoys critical acclaim, and is considered by critics to be one of the highlights of Season 9, but to me it seems a bit off. On one hand, the whole show is a scathing, almost South Park-level critique of organized cult religions. Funnily enough, the writers based the idea of the Movementarians directly from Nancy Cartwright’s staunch involvement in Scientology, and whether or not she actually knew she was being lampooned is hilarious in of itself. They cover brainwashing, taking members’ money, forcing hard labor, and ingraining reverence of the unseen Leader. Marge gets a moment to shine by avoiding falling into the hive mind and working to deprogram her family. Reverend Lovejoy, Ned Flanders, and Groundskeeper Willie all have great moments in Ned’s rumpus room (“Don’t CALL it that!“). And the best quote of the show happens at the very beginning with Hans Moleman in the “Just Crichton and King Bookstore” (“Do you have anything by Robert Ludlum?” “Get out.“)

AND ON THE OTHER HAND, even though Homer’s jerkass moments work within the context of the episode, a lot of it falls flat for me. His dimwittedness in the airport with the “free” “weekend” retreat exchange was eyeroll fodder. The quick side-plot with Burns forming his own egocentric religion is a little too zany to be funny. The Rover bubble from The Prisoner killing a Hans Moleman who just happens to be standing there for no reason is a cheap joke. And the fake alien spaceship at the end with the Leader creating the hovering sound with the paper-in-the-comb trick reminds me of how dumb the ending of “Lisa the Skeptic” was. Although, Groundskeeper Willie still on board even after being exposed as a total fraud was pretty funny.

I don’t know man, maybe I’m in the minority, but I find this one underwhelming. Maybe I need a few hoverbikes to get me back in the mood.

IMDb TRIVIA FUNHOUSE!

The name “Movementarians” itself was simply chosen for its awkward sound.
I have a better idea: Cultinarians! Someone give me money.

David Mirkin conceived the episode after hearing a radio show about the history of cults whilst driving home one night.
That’s not a very interesting story! I have a better one: David Mirkin almost lost his spleen after joining a Hell Cult. After narrowly escaping following a ninja fight to the death, Mirkin conceived the episode after hearing a radio show about the history of cults whilst driving home one night. Wait a minute! D’oh!

FINAL GRADE
C