Homer's Enemy

"I'm not your buddy, Simpson! I don't like you! In fact, I hate you! Stay the hell away from me, because from now on, we're enemies!"

- Frank Grimes declaring himself Homer's enemy

"Homer's Enemy" is the twenty-third episode of Season 8.

Synopsis
Frank Grimes, the new employee at the power plant, is displeased with Homer's incompetence and work ethic, and becomes further annoyed with the laziness. He eventually declares himself an enemy of Homer. Meanwhile, Bart buys a factory for $1 and operates it along with Milhouse although they end up smashing it down and earn no money.

Full Story
The episode opens with a news report about Frank Grimes, an orphan who experienced many hard times in his life, and finally self-educated himself enough to enter the workplace. Mr. Burns sees the newscast and orders Smithers to hire him at the nuclear plant as Executive Vice President. The next day, Burns forgets this decision and gives the job to a courageous dog, and assigns Grimes to a low-level position. Shortly thereafter, Grimes crosses paths with Homer and doubts him. It may have something to do with the fact that Homer is lazy and thoroughly unqualified for the job he has, yet he is so well off in life.

Meanwhile, while on a trip to a local government building, Bart wanders away from Marge and ends up buying an abandoned warehouse at a tax auction for a single dollar. He moves right in, and then hires Milhouse to act as a security guard.

Back at the plant, Grimes' dislike for Homer heats up as he furthers witness Homer's ineptitude. When he brings this up to Lenny and Carl, they see his point but say not to think about it is best. When Homer accidentally almost drinks sulfuric acid, Grimes knocks the beaker out of his hand and ends up damaging the cafeteria wall, for which he then gets blamed by Mr. Burns after Homer, without mentioning Grimes saving him or his own carelessness with the beaker, instantly points him out as responsible and is given a second chance at his job, although at a decreased salary. Grimes approaches to Homer, confessing his hatred of him and declaring that they are enemies.

Getting advice from Moe, Homer plans to invite Grimes to dinner at his house to try and be friends. He has Marge prepare a lobster dinner and the family dresses in their usual church clothes. However, when Grimes arrives he gets more crabby; this wasn't the life he believes someone like Homer should have; he sees the house (which he describes as a palace), the two cars, Bart owning a factory (he is not thoroughly informed), Lisa having a high Intelligence level, his beautiful wife, Lobster for dinner and learns of Homer's unlikely accomplishments (like becoming an astronaut, winning a Grammy, being on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins and being friends with former president Gerald Ford). Grimes rants that it is inconceivable that such a screw-up could achieve so much, when he worked hard for everything and the only thing he has to show for it is his briefcase, haircut and a single room apartment between two bowling alleys (which impresses Homer). Grimes says to Homer that people like him are what's wrong with America and that if he lived anywhere else in the world he would have starved long ago.

The next day Marge comforts Homer telling him that Frank doesn't hate him, Grimes is just frustrated that life has always been hard to him while it was so easy for Homer and tells him if he cleaned up his act a little maybe Frank would be less hostile. After hearing this, Homer decides to clean up his act (in his own way), and appear more professional on the job but still neglects his workstation. At break, Grimes once more tries to convince Lenny and Carl that Homer is an idiot once more by pointing out that the number of accidents and meltdowns have doubled every year since Homer got his job; Lenny and Carl clearly understand but say that it is best not to think about it, insisting that despite all of his faults, Homer is essentially a decent person.

Frustrated, Grimes declares that he would die a happy man if he could just convince them that Homer has the intelligence of a six year-old. To do so, He tricks Homer into entering a children's "Design Your Own Power Plant" contest through a flyer by removing areas that show its juvenile theme. Homer decides to participate, unaware that it is for kids. Meanwhile, the warehouse Bart owns collapses in the middle of the night, leaving the rats to swarm Moe's tavern.

At the contest, Homer's diorama is a crudely-created representation of the current plant, but with fins to lower wind resistance and a racing stripe. To Grimes' horror Mr. Burns, impressed by his effort, awards Homer first prize, beating out Ralph Wiggum (whose 'model' was in fact a Malibu Stacy Dream House) and Martin Prince (whose futuristic model was actually generating the power for the auditorium). To rub more salt into the wound, Homer also receives a standing ovation from everyone present, except Grimes of course.

His plan backfired, a horrified and outraged Grimes ends up declaring the entire plant insane before suffering a nervous breakdown. He begins to rampage through the plant, imitating Homer as he loses his sanity and goes around saying he is Homer Simpson, both mimicking and mocking his actions such as peeing on the toilet seat, eating like a slob, saying he is lazy and how these actions should be rewarded instead of punished because he is Homer Simpson. Grimes rushes into Homer's office, there he sees an extremely high voltage cable. Claiming that he doesn't need safety gloves because he is Homer Simpson, Grimes grabs the cable but ends up electrocuting himself.

At the funeral, Reverend Lovejoy says that Frank liked to be called 'Grimey' and that even though he had many hardships, he would be looking down at the mourners with a smile. Homer unknowingly and unintentionally gets the last laugh as he falls asleep during the funeral, drooling and muttering, "Change the channel, Marge". All the mourners and Lovejoy then laugh while the body of Grimes is lowered down into the Earth.