Ep 9. Itchy & Scratchy & Marge

Marge becomes concerned about the violence in the Itchy and Scratchy cartoons that Bart and Lisa are watching. She tries to write to the show's creators and encourage them to tone down the violence, but her letter is ignored. In an effort to make a difference, Marge starts protesting the show and gathering supporters. She even tries to create her own, non-violent cartoon.

Meanwhile, Bart becomes fascinated with an Itchy and Scratchy animator named Chester J. Lampwick. Lampwick claims to have invented Itchy and Scratchy, but was cheated out of his credit and royalties. Bart helps Lampwick get his deserved recognition and payment, but in the end, Lampwick just uses the money to buy a mansion and live a luxurious lifestyle.

As Marge's protest continues to gain momentum, the Itchy and Scratchy team decides to create a new character, Poochie, as a response. Poochie is a "hip" and "edgy" dog with sunglasses and a backwards cap. But when Poochie's debut on the show turns out to be a flop, the production team decides to kill him off. Bart and Homer set out to save Poochie from his fate.

The episode tackles issues of censorship, artistic integrity, and commercialism. Through Marge's struggle to change the content of Itchy and Scratchy, the show explores the power dynamics between creators and consumers, as well as the impact media can have on society. The Lampwick subplot also touches on intellectual property rights and the exploitation of artists in the entertainment industry.

The Poochie storyline satirizes the trend of shoehorning in "cool" and "relevant" characters into TV shows in an effort to appeal to younger audiences. The exaggerated caricature of Poochie and the failed attempts to market him highlight the absurdity of this trend and its inherent flaws.

Overall, "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" is a thought-provoking and hilarious episode that showcases the show's ability to tackle complex issues while still providing entertainment.