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Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
The Simpsons Season 02 Episode 04
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The old fishing hole where Bart and Lisa are fishing has a sign conveniently labeling it the "Old Fishing Hole". Lisa isn't vegetarian yet, so I guess she has no problem fishing. She isn't using any bait, though. Ah yes, the reprise of Blinky the three-eyed fish.
Marge is surprisingly politically active and opinionated in this show. I think in later shows, it's pretty much just Lisa who cares about politics, although Marge does a fair amount of moralizing.
Man, Mr. Burns can knock 'em back. I don't think I've ever gotten drunk with an old man.
I think Mr. Burns's political dream team all work at Fox News now. It's always nice when you find washed-up has-beens are still getting work.
Joe Sixpack. Johnny Lunchpail. I love these. Make up more, Mr. Burns, make up more!
Mr. Burns's gubernatorial campaign must have run in that brief period of American politics where Charles Darwin was not a pariah among conservatives. Only a couple years after Dukakis ended up looking ridiculous in a tank, so how come Burns can get away with it?
Ooh more! Joe Meatball! Sally Housecoat! Eddie Punchclock! I'll never get tired of these.
Homer is being such a jackass, telling Marge that her freedom of expression is adequately served by her housekeeping chores.
Okay, I know Marge is trying to make a point, but since when do you serve the fish head to your guest of honor? Also, why was the piece of fish still shuddering?
I love this exchange:
Lisa: "Mr. Burns, I hardly see what destroying our meager possessions is going to accomplish."
Mr. Burns: "She's right. Take me home, Smithers. We'll destroy something tasteful."
This may be the best line Marge has ever uttered (definitely so far, in any case): "Homer, when a man's biggest dreams include seconds on dessert, occasional snuggling and sleeping 'til noon on weekends, no one man can destroy them."
CONCLUSION
This episode again ventures tamely into politics without making any actual reference to real-world politics. In later seasons, Mr. Burns is clearly a Republican, but at this stage, they don't affiliate him with any party. This episode is definitely one of the classics. This is the first episode to really focus on Montgomery Burns and the Simpsons world is definitely a funnier place for it.
THIS EPISODE'S RATINGS
  4/5 donuts from Statler
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RATINGS LEGEND
= LAME
= BAD
= MEH
= GOOD
= CLASSIC
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PLOT SUMMARY FROM WIKIPEDIA
Bart and Lisa go fishing downstream of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and Springfield Shopper reporter Dave Shutton pulls up just as Bart catches a three-eyed fish, which the media nicknames Blinky. The fish makes headlines and a Washington regulatory committee sends a team to investigate nuclear waste coming from the plant that could have caused the fish to mutate. After the inspection, the plant's owner, Mr. Burns, is presented with a list of 342 violations, which would cost US$56 million to rectify. Distraught, Burns talks to plant employee Homer, who half-heartedly suggests Burns run for governor so that he could change the standards and prevent the plant from being shut down. Burns pounces on the idea, knowing that he will not have to pay to bring the plant up to code anymore.
Burns's political advisers break the news to Burns that he is greatly despised by many people and force Burns to try being friendly and even smile. Burns makes a television commercial discussing Blinky with an actor portraying Charles Darwin, who claims Blinky is an evolutionary step and not a mutated fish. Combined with a promise to lower taxes and a smear campaign against current governor Mary Bailey, Burns ties with her in the polls. On the night before the election, Burns's advisers suggest that Burns have dinner at the home of a middle class family as an opportunity to put Burns in the lead. Burns scans his employees for the most average man he can find, and Homer is chosen.
The impending dinner with Burns divides the Simpson household. Homer supports Burns, while Marge and Lisa oppose him. Before the dinner arrives, Burns's advisers prepare the family for the event, even giving them pre-written questions to ask in lieu of conversation. Lisa becomes disillusioned by it all, but Marge tells her not to worry. To everyone's surprise, Marge serves Blinky for dinner. Burns tries to act as if it does not bother him, but is not able to keep from spitting it out. The cameras flash as the bite flies through the air, and by the time the chunk hits the floor the press is gone and his gubernatorial campaign dissolves. Bailey wins the election and the Simpson family happily gets together again.
Accessed from Wikipedia on Feb. 23, 2010