Dead Putting Society

"Dead Putting Society" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons' second season. The episode aired on November 15, 1990 and was the first episode to feature the Flanders family prominently. It is also the first time that Ned is portrayed as firmly religious.

1 Plot
2 Debut appearances
3 Cultural references
4 Trivia
5 External links

[edit] Plot

The episode opens as Homer is mowing his lawn with obvious frustration. This prompts some unwelcome advice from next-door neighbor Ned Flanders. Ned invites Homer into his beautiful basement rumpus room for a beer. Upon seeing Ned's house and observing his exaggeratedly perfect relationships with his wife and son, Homer erupts at Ned, accusing him of showing off. In response, Ned angrily asks Homer to leave. Later, Ned Flanders feels guilty about asking Homer to leave, and he writes a letter to Homer (starting out with "Dear Neighbor,") saying that he is really sorry and that he loves Homer as a brother. Homer immediately starts to crack up at Ned's sentiment and reads the letter to the family at the breakfast table. Marge is not happy with the family's reaction and chastises Homer for making light of Ned's sincere apology. Homer then suggests the family go play a round of miniature golf. Marge and Lisa are doing other things, so Homer takes Bart and Maggie to Sir Putt-A-Lot's Merrie Olde Fun Centre. They unexpectedly run into Ned and Todd Flanders and end up going golfing together.

The game goes well for everyone (especially Bart), except for Homer, who is obviously still jealous of Ned. Meanwhile, Bart and Todd find out about a kids' miniature golf tournament, with a first prize of $50. Although Todd is very good at miniature golf, Homer becomes too confident that Bart will win the tournament ("It is not okay to lose!" he tells Bart at one point). Homer forces Bart to stare angrily at a picture of Todd Flanders for 15 minutes every day. Bart looks at his meager collection of trophies (none of which say 'first place'), when Lisa offers to help him practice. Utilizing spiritual books that calm Bart's mind, they meditate and she asks him answerless riddles such as "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" and "If a tree falls down in the woods and no one's around, does it make a sound?" Meanwhile, Homer goads Ned into a wager on whose boy is a better golfer: the father of the boy who loses the tournament will mow the other father's lawn in his wife's Sunday dress. Before signing it, Ned objects to the word "loses" for being too negative, and requests that Homer swaps it for "doesn't win."

On the day of the tournament, Homer threatens Bart to win no matter what. In an extremely close match, Bart and Todd each do well, and tie by the time they reach the eighteenth hole. Bart and Todd are both agree that the competition is not worth the stress, that they are equally good and that they should call it a draw, splitting the award evenly. Knowing that both boys did not lose or win, Ned is relieved that the bet is off. Homer still sticks to it, saying that Todd did not win, so Ned has to mow Homer's lawn. Ned backs it up by saying that Bart did not win either, so Homer has to mow Ned's lawn. Homer replies that it is a small price to pay. Eventually, they are forced to wear their respective wife's best Sunday dress and mow each other's lawn. People around the neighborhood laugh at them and Ned actually enjoys it (commenting that it reminds him of his fraternity days), much to Homer's consternation.

[edit] Debut appearances

Characters making a first appearance in this episode are:

Maude Flanders
Rod Flanders (Although he made a cameo appearance in The Call of the Simpsons)

[edit] Cultural references

The title of the episode is a reference to the film Dead Poets Society.
The Karate Kid is referenced twice: when Bart poses in the "crane" position, and when Ned calls, "Mercy is for the weak."

Full Metal Jacket is referenced when Homer tells Bart to give his putter a girls name, mirroring the order given by Gunnery Sergeant. Hartman to his recruits that they must give their rifle a female name. The name Charlene which Homer ultimately gives to the putter, is also the same name that Private Pyle gives to his rifle in the movie.