I started writing down quotes because they reminded me of my childhood, and I eventually gave up. It was a solid episode.

My initial instinct was to completely disagree with your review grade (I still don't think it's right), but you provide a cogent analysis for your argument. That being said, I loved this episode. I think maybe you're over-analysing it, but that's your job so…
The B-plot was weak but still had some funny moments.
But…

There really hasn't been enough of an in depth analysis of John Candy's Barf as a Christ-figure…. no disrespect to Alien Jesus of course.

Duracell help us all.

I couldn't have imagined Star Wars would make me feel like I could never get clean enough in the shower.

Reluctantly upvoted.

Every Star Wars post this week has felt a little forced and creepy.

I just saw it and liked it quite a bit. Yes, it's manipulative. But it's pretty low key about it for the most part. I'm not entirely surprised by the reviews, but they're a little over-the-top.
The acting was definitely great across the board.

Blunt Talk!

Why is this so hard to follow?

"Whoa"

I'm not really sure what you're going for exactly. It was pretty cut and dried. Plus, Ghost Patti just out and out calls him a pedophile.

Virgil describes being shot in the "chest, belly, and in the foul machinery below the waist which transgressed the laws of man."

I'll allow it.

Thanks! I love movie novelizations (All praise and glory to Alan Dean Foster), but never read that one…. which is odd considering how much a fan I am of that movie. I made my parents take me to see it several times when it first came out.

May not have been the best episode (definitely a B), but I'm all in favour of more Charlie-heavy ones in the future.

"God, I hate that bitch."
"Probably shouldn't have married her then."

Wasn't that Lindsey Brigman?

That's exactly what that parking lot scene made me think of.

God I loved Combat!