When Flanders Failed
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"When Flanders Failed" is the third episode of the The Simpsons' third season. The episode aired on October 3, 1991. However, many sources list this episode as being broadcast before the previous one, Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington.[citation needed] The title of this episode is a reference to the title of the poem "In Flanders Fields".
The episode had an unusual number of animation glitches, because the animation studio was training a new group of animators and this episode was one of their first efforts, according to the DVD commentary. Furthermore, it is revealed that Ned Flanders, Moe Szyslak and Montgomery Burns are left-handed, just like the Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
Two scenes were cut in syndication: one of Homer's face turning purple after choking on a hamburger at the end of act 1 (note that Homer's evil laugh is cut off abruptly in syndication because of this), and one of Bart running to karate class only to be picked up by Homer seconds later after watching the Itchy and Scratchy cartoon "Burning Love" (note that this cartoon was also cut when it first appeared in Krusty Gets Busted).
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[edit] Plot
Ned Flanders invites the Simpsons to a barbecue party. During the barbecue, Ned announces his plans to open a store for left-handed people; the Leftorium. Homer sarcastically replies that it is a ridiculous idea. During the pulling of the wishbone, Homer, who has been constantly jealous of the material success of the Flanders family, wishes for the Leftorium to be a failure and go out of business. Homer frequently checks on Ned to ensure that business is going poorly. However, Homer sees left handed citizens struggling with items made for right handed people. Homer thinks about informing these people about the Leftorium, but decides against it. Eventually the store does indeed close due to lack of business, plunging the Flanders into debt and misery. Ned is forced to sell his possessions, and Homer gleefully buys many of Ned's things. Homer starts to regret what he did, but when he goes to return Ned's possessions, he find Ned’s house repossessed and the family living in their car. A depressed Ned is actually grateful to Homer, as he believes Homer was trying to warn him against engaging in a high risk venture. Homer wrestles with the guilt his wish has brought, and tells Ned to open the store for one final day. He tells all the left handed population of Springfield about the Leftorium. They all travel to the store and buy many things, and their business helps Ned keep the store and get his house back.
[edit] Subplot
In a subplot, Bart offers to learn karate. On his first lesson, he finds that it is quite boring, so he decides to skip out of each lesson in order to play in the mall arcade. Whenever he is questioned about the techniques he has learned, he refers to the "Touch of Death", an ability seen in one of the arcade games he plays. He proceeds to terrorize Lisa into doing his will by threatening her with it. His actions catch up to him when Lisa prods him to defend her from Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney and reclaim her saxophone. He manages to get it back, but ends up being pantsed and hung up on a basketball court.
[edit] Cultural references
- Akira gives Bart's karate class the ancient Chinese military treatise The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Later in the episode, he is amused to find "left-handed nunchucks" in the Leftorium; in fact this Japanese ninjutsu weapon is ambidextrous. This is similar to a practical joke often played on unsuspecting trainees in the movie industry, where they are sent to purchase a "left-handed screwdriver".
- Homer watches the CFL Draft, which mentioned the Saskatchewan Roughriders, on television, but the CFL draft is not broadcast on TV, not even in Canada. However, the NFL Draft is with ESPN and later the NFL Network broadcasting every round including the first round which can last up to six hours with up to 10 minutes between picks.
- The episode ending -- in which Homer gathers the townfolk to rush to the aid of a beleaguered friend, culminating in a happy song -- is a reference to the movie It's a Wonderful Life. Homer's line at the end, referring to Flanders as "the richest left-handed man in Springfield" is a reference to Harry Bailey's toast line.
[edit] External links
