TV Troubles: (Lack of) Resolution to "Das Bus"

All things considered, there are worse episodes in the Ninth Season of The Simpsons than Das Bus. Maybe I'll even review one soon (I have a bone to pick with Realty Bites). However, this episode in particular exhibits the growing laziness on the part of the writers to adhere to basic show structure.

Structure is a vague term, and I'm not going to define it here, suffice it to say it's artistically important. The Simpsons structure is dependent on a loose consistancy and a resolved Status Quo at the end of an episode. This episode, to be frank, doesn't end. SPOILER ALERT (as if it even matters): The kids stay lost.

Sure, there's an off-hand announcement at the end, but it's degrees less than I expect from even The Simpsons. If the plot isn't resolved by the end of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, it's no big deal. The show has an established dadaesque structure, and there is minimal continuity. Despite being an animated sitcom, The Simpsons doesn't follow these rules. The Simpsons actually has rules. A cop-out ending hasn't become uncommon in recent seasons of the show, so it may be hard to notice anymore, but this is one of the more glaring examples. I see it as a sign of things to come, the episode is still funny, but the writing is becoming lax. Soon, the show wouldn't even elicit laughs.

It's an unfortunate legacy, but I'd still reccomend the ninth as the last strong season of a once mighty show. The episode isn't actually bad, but is indicative of a larger problem.