Groucho

Maybe because they all follow the same pattern:

* Lisa has some sort of feminist/genius/jazz angst, often paired with the discovery that some other family member was once in the same boat.
* Lisa pairs up with a mentor and/or goes to a new school or camp
* Lisa decides that her old life isn't so bad and goes back to it. Proceed with the hugs and tears.

I don't know if this pattern fits this week's episode (haven't watched it yet), but it certainly fit the last Lisa episode (the one with the Glee kids).

Pointyskull

I don't find any shift in the quality of humor between "Lisa" and "non-Lisa" episodes. The show cracks me up consistently, and has for two decades.

I loved Homer snapping his fingers "Forget everything!"

story

Those are all common issues of humanity:
* I'm going through something big and then I learn someone else went through it, too.
* I want to try something different because I don't think I'm happy with where I'm at.
* I learn the grass is not always greener and I come to understand and embrace my location more.

Those are honest human parallels one just doesn't find in a Bart episode. If you want to point at an idiot, watch a Homer episode. If you want to look in the mirror and smile, watch a Lisa episode.

Numanoid

That had me lolling. (Though I believe he clapped his hands)

Pointyskull

You're right....

Vlyger

My favorite part of the episode was when Bart was mudboarding while holding on to a kite. The Anvil song "Metal On Metal" was played during that short segment.