 The episode received generally positive reviews from critics . Robert Canning of IGN did not think there was anything " terrible " about the episode , but he did not think there was anything to get excited about , either . Canning thought there were a number of throwaway jokes in the episode that he felt worked well , " but the episode as a whole failed to grab me . As stated , there are a number of episodes that already fit this mold , and most of those are far superior . " Daniel Aughey of TV Guide thought the episode provided a " healthy balance " of humor , story and heart . " Exactly what makes a great Simpsons episode ! " Aughey would have liked to see Homer 's storyline explored as an A story in its own episode rather than cut short as a C story . 
