The Simpsons season 36 is becoming a new favorite of mine, as each episode hasn't been a disappointment and is of the comedic highest quality. That's tough for any show to do: To remain consistent throughout a season. So, kudos to the writers and voice actors for doing an excellent job of bringing the Springfield citizens to our screens.
"Bottle Episode" is another great piece of plot, climax, and conclusion. It additionally brought Marge and Smithers together as the underdog heroes, something that wasn't on my Simpsons Bingo card. There's a first time for everything! I enjoyed the episode greatly and felt it like a perfect fit in The Simpsons universe.
Here's what you missed on The Simpsons "Bottle Episode"
Smithers appoints Homer to bring a bottle of a million-dollar vintage wine to Mr. Burns, when no one else is available to do the important job. Now, I must give Homer credit, as he done his best to protect that precious bottle of liquor, even coming to close to damaging it when encountering obstacles, such as a swingers party and a wedding.
But as much as Homer done his best for his bosses, he made the fatal mistake of placing the bottle inside the family safe, that has a gaping hole. Yet, he's unaware of it, so it's not his fault. It's Marge's fault, for she used the wine as an ingredient for her stew. But she too, is unaware of its importance.
The stew was delicious though, so the mistake counts for something.
When Smithers finds out about the wine, he panics, for it means that he and Homer's punishments would be far more severe than a simple termination. However, Homer has an idea and through a song-and-dance routine, he basically says to "Cover it up" as the solution.
And that's what Homer, Marge, and Smithers did. With Professor Frink's help, he made an exact replica of the expensive wine, using chemical compounds and Manischewitz Wine for flavor. The Jewish wine nods toward Lee Lewis, whom Frink "impersonates." Lewis was a Jew, as many of several The Simpsons characters are.
The ultimate test was to see if Burns or his wine club couldn't tell the difference between the real wine and the knock-off. They don't, and Homer, Marge, and Smithers are relieved. In fact, the success leads them to an inspiring motion. To become the "Robin Hoods" of the wine community.
They head back to Frink, who makes them another imitation and auctions it off for an impressive $2 million. Marge and Smithers plan to use the funds to rebuild the children's hospital, send teachers to third-world countries, and save the ducks.
Before they can turn these visions into reality, Marge and Smithers are arrested and taken to Wine Jail for the felony of wine fraud. Yes, it is a thing that's punishable by law, but in The Simpsons, the situation's lightened for a comedic effect. To argue their case, they're assigned to wine court (not a thing), and it's Burns who saves his executive assistant and the housewife from a future in prison.
During the fiasco, Bart and Lisa inquire about their mom coming back from Palm Springs, CA, and Homer (after messing up on the dishwashing) fibs to the kids and says there's no such place, and reveals the truth that Marge is in wine jail.
Following the trial, Marge swipes the $2 million check, and all the past plans of spreading the good to the less fortunate become real. If anything, the lesson learned is that we should spread as much generosity and kindness as we can, as it leads to better futures and our endorphins multiply for the greater good.
In a few segments, Marge and Smithers become Robin Hood and Lady Marian from the 1970 Disney adaption. They utilized these characters to "steal" from the rich and give back to the poor. You must understand that Robin Hood was set during the Middle Ages when feudalism peaked. If you attempt to be Robin Hood today, consider yourself spending a hefty time chunk in lockup.
However, as a Disney fan who loves everything about the 100-year-old company, seeing Marge and Smithers as beloved Disney characters was the soft pretzel accompanied with honey mustard. As a very minimal side note, as Smithers is openly gay and proud, there is no romance between him and Marge.
And it was adorable too.
More The Simpsons gulps
Here are a few more pieces about "Bottle Episode."
- There were several Easter Eggs and references throughout from past episodes. Now, I'm not going to spoil for it, but here's a hint: Photos play a huge part.
- I loved how Lisa said wine ia only chemistry, and as such, she goes along with the Cover It Up plan.
- Homer talking to Marge over the phone while drinking at Moe's is so characteristic and hilarious of him.
- "Bottle Episode" was written by Rob LaZebnik and his son, Johnny. The latter wrote the season 33 episode, "Portrait of a Lackey on Fire."
The Simpsons will be taking a break on Sunday an will return with an all-new episode in the future.