Every Simpsons Ever: “Homer’s Odyssey”

Well, it’s episode 3, and Smithers was accidentally black in this one. Per TMZ, Waylon Smithers was always supposed to be yellow. Producers noticed the mistake but didn’t have the money to correct it. Director/animator David Silverman explained that the creators “didn’t really want Waylan Smithers to be black, we want him to be, you know, [Mr Burns’] white sycophant.” As the series progresses, I will follow the evolution of Smithers’ identity as it is revealed.

“If they think I’m gonna stop at that stop sign, they’re sadly mistaken!”

“Homer’s Odyssey” is, as its title implies, a hero’s journey. When Homer gets fired, he has to find a way to still be the hero his family needs.  This struggle to provide echoes Homer’s Christmas troubles back in “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” But here, in episode 3, we don’t find any of the Christmas cheer that kept hope alive during the holidays. Instead, “Homer’s Odyssey” actually gets pretty… bleak.

“Simpson, eh?” – Mr. Burns [nefariously]

It all stats with a field trip to the nuclear plant. Mrs. Krabappel (I get that now) loads up Otto’s bus full of Bart’s classmates for the first time. This is the first time we meet Sherri and Terri, a pair of identical and equally annoying twins. Plus, we’re introduced to Wendell, notorious bus-puker. Naturally, Bart has to sit next to Wendell. With Milhouse on-board, this is the most fleshed out we’ve seen the Springfield Elementary roster of characters.

After a few of Otto’s not-so-shortcuts, the students make it to the plant in time for a presentation from Smithers. Then, during a tour Bart spots his dad and accidentally distracts Homer at a critical moment.  Homer is operating a motor vehicle and, while waving to Bart, crashes into a duct. So, Homer is immediately yelled at and fired from his job.

Despite his bad luck, Homer is back on his feet right away. Due to his family’s reassurance, Homer hits the bricks looking for a new job. And with every door he opens, someone slams it in his face. Then, Moe won’t even serve him on credit. It’s heartbreaking, and restates the thesis that The Simpsons has been writing this whole time. Because it’s hard to be a middle-class family.

“All he does is lie there like an unemployed whale.” – Bart Simpson

Episode 3 reaches its nadir with Homer deciding to kill himself. First, he writes a suicide note. Next, he ties a huge boulder around his waist. And finally, determined to hurl himself into a watery grave, Homer stands atop a bridge, ready to lose it all. But, at the last second, his family saves him by almost getting hit by a car. Homer springs to their rescue and is reborn, filled with new purpose in life.

Homer refocuses his energy, crusading for safer roadways. And he doesn’t stop there. Homer finds a new life as a leader of a safety watchdog committee. Plus, he’s good at it. Like, uncharacteristically good for the typically bumbling Homer. But in this, he finds a way to be a hero again. Men of Homer’s age often tie their ability to provide for their family to their masculinity. And in becoming a successful safety crusader, Homer gets his mojo back.

It all comes to a halt, of course, where it started. Homer leads a protest back at the plant. And due to all the commotion, he gets invited up to his former boss’s office. There, Mr. Burns offers Homer his job back. But, the offer comes with one condition. Homer must lie to the committee and announce that the plant is safe. And Homer can’t do it.  Mr. Burns is seemingly impressed by Homer’s steadfastness, and offers him not only his old job, but a promotion, with a sizable pay raise.

EPISODE 3- FIRSTS

• Sherri
• Terri
• Wendell
• Otto Mann
• Chief Wiggum
• Sylvia
• Mr. Winfield
• Jasper Beardly

GAGS

• Chalkboard – “I will not skateboard in the halls.”
• Couch – The couch is too small and collapses under the Simpsons
• First prank call at Moe’s – “I.P. Freely”