When Flanders Failed
From Simpsons Wiki
| When Flanders Failed | |
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| Season 3 Episode 3 | |
| Production Code | 7F23 |
| Original Airdate | October 3, 1991 |
| Written By | Jon Vitti |
| Directed By | Jim Reardon |
| Show Runners | James L. Brooks Matt Groening Sam Simon |
| Special Guests | |
| Blackboard Text | "Nobody likes sunburn slappers" |
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"When Flanders Failed" is the third episode of the The Simpsons' third season. It is famous among fans of The Simpsons for Lisa's use of the German word schadenfreude" to describe Homer's initial reaction to the Leftorium's poor business. Homer similarly thinks "sour grapes" is a German word, as it sounds like sauerkraut. 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. The title of this episode is a reference to 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).
Contents |
Plot
Ned Flanders invites the Simpsons to a barbecue party; during the pulling of the wishbone, Homer, who has been constantly jealous of the material success of the Flanders family, wishes for the Leftorium, Ned's new left-handed goods store in the Springfield Mall, to go out of business, and for Ned to go bankrupt and lose his material wealth (Homer also wished for Flanders to die, but pulled back, saying it is going too far). Homer frequently checks on Ned to ensure that business is going poorly. When Ned announces the opening of his business, Homer sarcastically replies that is a ridiculous idea. However, when Homer is not at the store, he sees left-handed people having problems and would likely benefit from being customers at the Leftorium, but he does not recommend the store and just stays quiet (even though his thought bubble is reminding him both Ned and these people would benefit). When the store does indeed close, plunging the Flanderses into debt and misery, after first taking advantage of the desperate Ned selling off his possessions, later comes to return them, only to see Ned's house has been repossessed and his family is living in his car. A depressed Ned is actually grateful to Homer, as he now believes Homer was not being sarcastic, but seriously trying to warn him against engaging in a high risk venture. Homer wrestles with the guilt his wish has brought and makes things right again, by telling the left handed population of Springfield about Ned's business where they can buy things to accommodate them. The business Homer brings in helps the Leftorium to become successful, and Homer learns being a friend to Ned is one of the best achievements he can have.
Subplot
In a subplot, when prodded to get away from the television and get some exercise, 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, and also 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 the school's bullies (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, much to Lisa's satisfaction.
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. However the CFL draft is not broadcast on TV, not even in Canada. 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.