The Wreck of the Relationship

The Wreck of the Relationship is the second episode of Season 26. It premiered on October 5, 2014. It is the 554th episode in total.

Synopsis
When Bart disrespects Homer's authority, Homer attempts to start parenting, which doesn't work out too well. Marge sends the two on "The Relation Ship" to resolve their issues out at sea. While Homer is away, Marge is put in charge of his fantasy football league.

Full Story
Bart disrespects his father Homer's authority, first by refusing to tidy his room and then by refusing to eat broccoli. Homer decides to sit at the table until Bart eats his broccoli, which fails. After the first day, Homer is tempted to leave when Lenny phones him about their fantasy football draft starting. So he gets Marge to draft his fantasy football team. Bart is later tempted when Milhouse comes to the house and tells him that Martin has been exercising secretly and is now beaten up the bullies. Homer delightfully waves the broccoli in Bart's face calling it his ticket to a front row seat. Bart at first refuses, but just when he is about to give in, Martin beats up Nelson, causing him to become angry. After two days, Lisa decides to blend the broccoli into a fruit smoothie but this fails too. Homer and Bart are then captured and taken to a ship called the Relation Ship which also includes Ned and his boys, Cletus and one of his many children, Apu and one of his octuplets etc. Captain Bowditch reveals they're here on the Relations Ship because their families are put off by their constant bickering and reveals his intent to take them out to sea to teach them the importance of having a strong and healthy relationship. Bart excels at sailing and is promoted to mid shipman while Homer detests it and gets scurvy. After recovering, he drowns his sorrows in a flask containing beer and Captain Bowditch asks him for a drink. It turns out he is a recovering alcoholic.

Meanwhile, Marge is put off by the trash talking from Homer's friends, and she is studying football in detail. She also seeks Lisa's help for she is more experienced in it than Marge. With Lisa's knowledge, she end up winning the Fantasy League for Homer and shaming all the trash talkers in the process.

A storm is brewing and Bowditch is incapacitated and Bart is the only one who can steer the ship to safety. Homer refuses to accept Bart's new role until he eats a piece of Broccoli. After that, Homer begins to have a new found respect for his son, especially when he realizes he's been too harsh on Bart in trying to get him to respect his authority. Homer and Bart are reunited with the rest of the Simpsons.