The Simpsons best episodes: Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk

Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk, aka when Mr. Burns sells the Power Plant, definitely ranks as a terrific episode of The Simpsons.

Plot: Mr. Burns wants to do other things and accepts an offer to sell the Springfield Power Plant to some German investors. In response, the Simpsons worry that this will threaten Homer’s (and everyone else’s) job.

Why is it a great episode? Along with Homer’s iconic fantasy in the Land of Chocolate, this episode really gets down to the core of what makes Mr. Burns tick. While he obviously loves money for money’s sake, he also loves money for the power it can provide. It’s a fascinating little detail that in this episode Mr. Burns literally as well as figuratively sells the source of his power, which is an actual Power Plant.

There is a big difference being rich and being powerful and Mr. Burns experiences that lesson in a frank way. Going to Moe’s that night, Mr. Burns gets the same lesson that countless ex employers get when they have an encounter with someone who no longer works for them. Mr. Burns may have provided them with a paycheck, but the his former employees gave him power. After giving up the plant, he ceases to be Mr. Burns and becomes just another guy in a bar that the regular’s hate.

Which leads us to another reason this episode is great. At Moe’s that night Homer finally has the chance to flip the script and tell Mr. Burns what he really thinks. His reaction to Homer’s outburst is a pretty good hint that no one has ever spoken to him like that before. Most people’s demeanor around Mr. Burns is probably a less obsequious version of Smithers, although they may be simmering with resentment. When Homer calls Mr. Burns a greedy old reptile and proceeds to taunt him he does what countless people everywhere have aspired to do; tell off their boss.

Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk is one of the all time great episodes of The Simpsons because it uses a hilarious story to deliver the timeless lesson of there are certain things money can’t buy.