Lisa's Date with Density
| "Lisa's Date with Density" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 8 |
| Directed by | Susie Dietter |
| Written by | Mike Scully |
| Original air dates | December 15, 1996 |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | None |
| Couch gag | The living room is situated upside down. The family rushes in and sit on the couch as normal, but then fall to the "ceiling" |
"Lisa's Date With Density" is an episode from the eighth season of The Simpsons.
Synopsis
Template:Spoiler At Springfield Elementary School, Superintendent Chalmers visits Principal Skinner to show off his newly purchased car – a 1979 Honda Accord – but becomes distraught when he discovers the car's hood ornament missing. Principal Skinner orders a search of everyone's lockers, and it is soon determined that Nelson Muntz is the culprit. As punishment, Nelson is forced to apologize and then help Groundskeeper Willie with chores around the school campus.
In music class, Lisa is caught looking outside the window at Nelson attempting to help Groundskeeper Willie, and is given detention. After school, she continues to watch Nelson ... and develops a huge crush on the bully.
Lisa lets Nelson know how she feels about him by attempting to pass a love note in class; however, Lisa speaks up only after Nelson has seriously injured Milhouse, thinking the note came from him. Lisa is resolved to reform Nelson into a model student. She changes his appearance by taking him to the Wee Monsieur (where he is dressed in a sweater and slacks) and giving him a new hairdo. The two later share a kiss during their date at the Springfield Observatory.
However, the influence of Nelson's friends – Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney – proves to win out when they convince him to throw spoiled food at Principal Skinner's house. Skinner immediately fingers the juvenile delinquents as suspects, and they flee. Nelson takes refuge with Lisa, proclaiming his innocence. Lisa believes him, until Nelson unwittingly lets slip the truth. Lisa realizes that Nelson is always going to be Nelson and ends their relationship, much to the relief of an overjoyed Milhouse.
In the subplot, Chief Wiggum arrests a scam artist for telemarketing fraud. Homer witnesses the arrest and sees the discarded autodialer in a nearby trash bin. Homer takes the autodialer home to use for tele-panhandling.
Homer ends up annoying most of Springfield with his "Happy Dude" scam, and it isn't long before Chief Wiggum catches him. Instead of confiscating the autodialer and taking Homer into custody, Wiggum gives him a citation and asks him to bring the autodialer with him to his court hearing. Homer does just that, and is ordered to apologize to everyone he had scammed. Using the autodialer, he apologizes ... and then asks for more money!
Trivia
- The episode title is a reference to the 1985 Robert Zemeckis film Back to the Future, where George McFly mixes up the words "destiny" and "density".
Goofs
- In Lisa's music class, there is a wide shot of the entire class. Uter sits next to Milhouse Van Houten in this shot yet in the next shot, its Ralph Wiggum.
Homer's "Happy Dude" scam
"Greetings, friend. Do you wish to look as happy as me? Well, you've got the power inside you right now. So use it. And send $1 to Happy Dude, 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield. Don't delay; eternal happiness is just $1 away!"