Grampa Simpson recap: Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy

When Grampa Simpson reveals that he has a recipe for a tonic that can improve sex lives, he and Homer go into business together. 

When Marge attempts to get intimate with Homer, he is too distracted by a Troy McClure film on television. Over the course of the next few months, the two find themselves unable to have sex for various reasons, including Homer overeating and Bart thinking that he’s seen a UFO. Marge suggests that they seek outside help to reignite the spark in their sex life and the two agree to buy a “tasteful book,” which they do the next day.

The two purchase an audiobook by Paul Harvey, but in spite of their attempts to take its advice, their sex life continues to suffer. After a disappointing outing, they return home where Grampa Simpson asks Homer about his problems. After getting Homer to admit that what’s going on, Grampa reveals to Homer that he has a recipe for a tonic that will solve his problems.

Homer drinks the tonic and is suddenly compelled to rush home to Marge. After a successful trial, Marge tells Homer that he and Grampa should bottle the tonic and try to sell it. The two begin selling Simpson & Son’s Revitalizing Tonic. The tonic is a hit, as Grampa Simpson shows himself to be a natural salesman, capable of drawing large crowds. The citizens of Springfield are taken with the tonic, leaving the children to fend for themselves. This convinces Bart and Milhouse that there is an alien conspiracy in Springfield.

Seeing further opportunities, Homer and Grampa begin traveling to surrounding counties to sell the tonic. Along the way, they stop at the house where Homer spent his childhood. This leads Homer to reminisce about the times that his father discouraged him from following his dreams, with Homer informing him that he could have accomplished so much more had he been more supportive.

In response, Grampa points out that Homer put him in a home in his old age. The two continue to argue in the car, which culminates when Homer tells Grampa that he is sick of him and the tonic. Grampa replies that had he not taken the tonic in the first place, Homer never would have been born and Grampa would have been happier. Infuriated, Homer stops the car and tells Grampa to get out.

Some time later, Grampa brings Homer flowers and attempts to apologize, but Homer slams the door in his face. Not wanting to repeat the mistakes that Grampa made, Homer informs Bart and Lisa that he will be spending  a lot more time with them going forward. Meanwhile, Grampa continues to sell the tonic alongside Barney, but this proves unsuccessful.

Homer’s attempts to dote on his children prove frustrating and overbearing. Bart and Lisa tell Homer that his attempts at over-parenting are “scary,” which leads him to go back to his childhood home to think. Back at the house, Homer finds an old picture of a visit from Santa. Looking at the photo, he realizes that it’s Grampa in the suit, and that he did care about him after all. After holding a match to look more closely the photo, he accidentally starts a fire in the house.

Elsewhere in the house, Grampa curses a bottle of the tonic for ruining his relationship with his son. He throws it into a fireplace, but it ignites, starting yet another fire. Both Homer and Grampa rush out of the house, finding each other on the porch. They reconcile as the house burns down behind them.