The Seemingly Never-Ending Story

The Seemingly Never-Ending Story is an Emmy-nominated episode of The Simpsons that originally aired in the United States on March 12, 2006. It was the thirteenth episode of the show's seventeenth season. The title is a take-off from the novel The Neverending Story, and the 1984 Wolfgang Petersen film of the same name.

While Homer is trapped in a cave, Lisa tells him a story from her past, vaguely similar to the episode "22 Short Films About Springfield."

The episode has been nominated for an Emmy at the 2006 awards.

Plot Synopsis
While visiting a cave, Homer meddles with a very fragile stalactite, with the result that the whole family ends up in a hidden cavern below the main tour—with Homer stuck in a narrow hole, half in and half out of the cavern. To pass the time, Lisa begins to tell a story.

Lisa tells how, the week before, she had been out for a walk when a big-horned goat inexplicably attacked her; she ran to the nearest shelter, Mr. Burns' house. The animal bursts in, and she and Mr. Burns wind up in the attic. There, Lisa finds a photo of Mr. Burns as an employee at Moe's, and he tells her the origins of it.

Mr. Burns explains that once, he and the Rich Texan were involved in a scavenger hunt, the winner of which would get all the possessions of the loser. Mr. Burns was unable to find the last item on the list—a picture of himself with a smiling child. (Every child was terrified of him.) The Texan won, and Mr. Burns had to go and work at Moe's. While there, he found a note to be opened when Moe died, which led to Moe's story of a hidden treasure.

Apparently, the summer before Mrs. Krabappel was to begin teaching, she and Moe met and fell in love, albeit without her knowing he owned a bar (she hates bar owners). Scared that Edna would find out the truth about him, Moe wanted to leave Springfield with her but had no money. He then discovered that Snake—who used to be an idealistic archaeologist—had discovered a large batch of Mayan coins he was going to donate to the museum. Moe ended up stealing them, turning Snake to a life of crime. He was then about to leave town with Edna, but when she went into the school to explain that she was quitting, she saw Bart. (This leads to her story.) Bart explained he had all-summer detention, and felt he was a lost cause because no one believed in him. Edna declared that come the next year, when she was to teach fourth grade, she would help him to succeed, and explained this to Moe. (It turns out, however, that Bart was actually just distracting Edna while he and Nelson were stealing microscopes and computers.) Angered, Moe insanely screams at her and drives away to his tavern, even though the both of them don't want their relationship to end.

Utterly depressed, Moe puts priceless coins in his jukebox, playing their love theme over and over again. Mr. Burns (here ends Moe's story) opened it up and gave them to the Texan to buy back his things, but the Texan demanded that Mr. Burns produce a picture of himself with a smiling child before he could get the Plant back. (The Texan, he explained, has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, thus feeling the need to complete the scavenger hunt.) End Mr. Burns' story—he explains to Lisa that he cannot get the plant back.

Just then, the goat burst into the attic. Mr. Burns hurts himself defending Lisa; however, it turns out that it doesn't want to kill them—in its story (which lasts but a few seconds) it explains that it found Lisa's pearl necklace and was merely trying to return it. Lisa, in gratitude to Mr. Burns for his attempted rescue, takes a photo of the two together with her smiling. This exits to the cave scene.

Just then, Homer breaks free of his trap, and suddenly reveals that he had an ulterior motive for bringing the family to the caves. He tells a story, explaining that while in the woods (hiding from babysitting duty), he saw the Texan hide the gold coins in the cave, and brought the family so they could search for the gold. Just then, the Texan shows up, and the gold is found—just in time for Moe, Mr. Burns (who has been hiding behind a stalactite) and Snake to also appear, and they enter a Mexican standoff. Marge grabs the bag and threatens to drop it down a deep pit if they don't end their standoff. When she discovers the depth of their greed, she drops it—and instantly, everyone realizes how greedy they had been, and go out to volunteer as a way of atoning for their sins. (Except Mr. Burns, who attempts to climb down to get the gold.)

Suddenly, it is revealed that the whole episode has all been a story by Bart, being told to Seymour Skinner as an explanation for why he didn't have time to study for a test. The principal finds this ridiculous—until he sees Moe and Edna kissing outside, meaning they've finally got back together. It is possible that they break up, though, because of Moe's sexual problems.

The Stories
Lisa's Story 1
 * Lisa was walking home from school when a sheep came up to her. She ran to Mr. Burns’s house and he let her in. The sheep got through the window and chased them through Mr. Burns's house. They run up the stairs and go up the attic. Lisa finds out that Mr. Burns worked at Moe’s.

Mr. Burns' Story 1
 * Mr. Burns was a member of a club. A new member came in and he challenged him to a duel. They both get a list of 10 items. The first person to get all the items is the winner and gets all the other person’s stuff. Mr. Burns went on the bus to get a picture of him with a smiling child. The Texan wins all Burns' stuff. Mr. Burns started working at Moe’s as a bar boy. He wasn’t getting enough money. He found Moe’s letter.

Moe's Story 1
 * Moe was walking downtown and was hit by a bus. Edna came out and helped him. Moe closes the tavern. He and Edna decide to leave town. Edna goes to the school to tell them that she wouldn’t be teaching there in the fall.

Edna's Story
 * Edna went into the school and found Bart with detention all summer. She decides to stay at Springfield Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher.

Moe's Story 2
 * Edna tells Moe that she is staying in Springfield to teach the children. Moe gets angry at Edna and drives off.

Mr. Burns' Story 2
 * Mr. Burns finishes the letter and steals the money out of the jukebox. He then goes to the Texan and gives him the money but the Texan won’t give everything back until he gets a photo of Mr. Burns with a smiling child.

Lisa's Story 2
 * The goat gets up to the attic and attacks Mr. Burns. The goat gives Lisa her pearl necklace.

The Goat's Story
 * The goat was walking one day and found Lisa’s pearl necklace on a tree.

Lisa's Story 3
 * Lisa gets the camera and takes a picture of her with Mr. Burns and Mr. Burns gets his plant back.

Homer's Story
 * Homer discovers that the Texan has hid the gold in the caves and brings the family with him so they can help him search for the gold to pay for an operation for Bart.

Bart's Story
 * Bart explains the whole story as a reason for why he didn't revise for a geography test.

Trivia

 * This episode's multiple stories with little connection format is similar to the classic episode "22 Short Films About Springfield".
 * It is revealed that Snake's last name is Jailbird, he was once a fair-minded archeologist (à la Indiana Jones), his son's name is Jeremy (who was shown in a previous episode helping Snake steal a bike), this is a retcon of the fact that, in Snake's first appearances, he was credited as "jailbird."
 * Also, the Rich Texan is obsessive-compulsive, Moe dated Edna (and resumes at the end), and the power plant's address is 100 Industrial Ave.
 * Jimbo Jones being the child in the Rich Texan's photo fits with his backstory, as he comes from a very well off background.
 * This episode was rated TV-14DL in the US, the ninth time for The Simpsons.
 * This is voted best episode in Season 17 by fans, and the best in years.
 * It's revealed that Moe is the true reason for Snake's criminal reputation.
 * Edna was in love (engaged?) with another regular Simpsons character, Moe, before she even met Seymour Skinner or became a teacher. They also resume as a couple in the present time, much to Skinner's jealousy.
 * The vehicle in the scavenger hunt during Bart's account of Lisa's account of Mr. Burns' flashback is none other than his Mobilomobile, first introduced a few episodes earlier when it broke down outside Springfield Elementary.
 * Seven stories were told in this episodes, Bart's story, Lisa's story, Mr. Burns's story, Moe's story, Edna's story, goat's story, and Homer's story.
 * Apparently, either Homer, Carl, Lenny or Barney is gay. Only one of them, though: Moe only threatens to out the one of them that is gay.  Of course, given the situation and their reactions, it is possible that all, none, or some of them are homosexual.
 * The episode's title, "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" is a parody of the book The Neverending Story by Michael Ende.
 * Note that when Lenny mentions "other vices" he has except for his drinking habits, and says "I dress up like a baby", it is Carl who nods with approval.

Cultural References

 * The title is a take-off from the novel The Neverending Story, and the 1984 Wolfgang Petersen film of the same name.
 * Commander McBragg, a character from the 1960's cartoon Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales, calls the scavenger hunt duel. He had pink skin in the original version, but of course in the Simpson's world, was recolored yellow.
 * When we see the club Mr. Burns was a part of for the first time, you can see Rich Uncle Pennybags, mascot of the game Monopoly.
 * Moe and Edna's love theme song (which Moe played in the jukebox) is "Fly Me to the Moon" by Bart Howard, as sung by Frank Sinatra.
 * Numerous scenes feature music from Beethoven's 6th Symphony (when Lisa has to deal with the big horn sheep) and Aaron Copland's Hoe Down.

Awards

 * This episode was nominated for an Emmy in 2006 for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour).

Quotes

 * Homer: Our god made their god.
 * Homer: Save me, Tsisnajini!
 * Lisa: Mad beast! Burns: Liberal midget!
 * Rich Texan (after the Rich Texan douses Mr. Burns' head with crude oil): Back in Houston, we call that a "Fort Worth Shampoo"!
 * Rich Texan (emerging from the shadows holding a revolver): I'll take the gold iffin' ya please! Marge: How can you take it? We haven't even found it. Rich Texan: It's right behind the rock on the left. No, your left. Texas Left, which is your down. (Marge holds up the bag) I'll take the gold iffin' ya please! Burns (emerging from behind a thin stalactite holding a derringer): Not so fast, Shady Bird Johnson! I'll take that gold! Moe (emerging from the shadows holding a baseball bat): Yeah, ya'll take the gold and then you'll give it to me if ya know what's good for ya. (Burns and the Rich Texan aim their guns at Moe) (nervous) You guys got guns? (retreats to the shadows) Uh, yeah, me too. (makes the sound of cocking a shotgun) Huh? Huh? Snake: Coolest entrance gets the gold! (goes down a rope like James Bond) I hope it's okay that I brought my son. Today's my day with him. (points to Bart) Look, Jeremy. There's a boy you can play with. Jeremy (to Bart): You like Xbox?
 * Burns: I had to start up from the bottom to get my fortune back. And to get to the bottom, I had to work my way up from Moe's.
 * Rich Texan: YEE-HAW! I'm gonna win me a nuclear plant! Mr. Burns: Dream on, bitch.
 * Carl (to Burns): Hey barboy, write a play where I meet Henry Ford and Captain Kirk!
 * Rich Texan: YEE-HAW! Moe can't catch a break! 1-2-3-4! Can't catch a break! 1-2-3-4! Can't catch a break!
 * Rich Texan: Howdy! What's your business, boy?! Burns: Nuclear power. I make money using my brain, not sticking a pole in the ground and praying for goo.
 * Rich Texan (after Burns gives him the gold): Okay. I'll give you back all your worldly possessions, exceptin' this here nu-clear plant, until you give me a picture of yourself with a smilin' child! Burns: What the hell could that possibly mean to you? Rich Texan: I'm obsessive compulsive! (firing his pistols) Ye-haw! (tapping his foot) 1-2-3-4! (firing his pistols)Ye-haw! (tapping his foot) 1-2-3-4! (firing his pistols) Ye-haw! (tapping his foot) 1-2-3-4! (firing his pistols) Ye-haw! (tapping his foot) 1-2-3-4!
 * Moe (retelling the story of his tragic romance with Edna): I was the happiest guy in the world, but fate likes to play a little game called 'Up Yours, Moe.'
 * Moe: Fate gave me an awful dilemma — should I rob the guy or rob him and kill him?
 * Moe (telling his story): I knew that in order to keep Edna, I'd have to get rid of the human garbage otherwise known as "my friends". (throws out Barney, then Lenny and Carl, then Barney again, then Homer, then gets ready to throw out Barney again) Moe: Barney, how do you keep getting back in here? Barney: I'm a drunk. I don't know nothin' 'bout how I do anything. (Moe throws Barney out again and then Barney is back in the bar, behind Moe.)
 * Moe (to Homer, Barney, Lenny and Carl): Listen Boozebags! I got a good thing going here. If you mess it up I will out the one of you who is gay! (the drunks then run off in a flamboyant fashion) (to Edna) Now, where were we? (they resume kissing)
 * Snake: I've been robbed! I'll take my revenge on society...by which I mean convenience stores! And who would suspect me, Professor Jailbird!
 * Moe: I didn't want the gold, so I just kept playing our song on the jukebox one... Burns (reading letter): ...one gold coin at a time. (looks at jukebox) Oh, you poor man. You're about to get poorer.
 * Burns (voice over): I steamed open the letter using Moe's cappuccino machine. Moe (in letter): If you are reading this, I am dead and I shall tell you the story about my treasure. Burns (reading letter): Treasure?! Lisa (in flashback): Treasure?! Homer: Moe has a cappuccino machine?!
 * Professor Snake Jailbird: So, I'm excavating this Mayan pyramid and I came across these coins and I was all like "Could you be any more pre-Columbian?"
 * Burns (voiceover): At 5.15 an hour, I knew it would take an eternity to get my fortune back. But for once, things went my way!
 * Skinner (after hearing Bart's story/excuse): Bart, that story is the biggest load of cra...bappel?!? Making out with Moe?!? (he sees Moe and Edna making out outside his office window)
 * Keypad to Safe Room: Enter password. Burns: Dammit I forget. Keypad: Forgot password? Enter place of birth. Burns: Pangaea. Keypad: Correct. Your password has been emailed to you. Burns: D'oh.
 * Martin (attached to a kite being flown by Nelson): Lab partners don’t treat lab partners like this! Nelson: Shut up and attract lightning!
 * Homer: Wait a minute. You're telling Moe's story in Burns' story in your story? Lisa: Yes, dad. It's like a play inside of a play, like Hamlet. (Homer looks at her puzzled) Fine, it's like you watching a home movie of you watching TV. Homer (understanding): Oh yeah.
 * Homer: (after falling down the hole in the cave) I'm stuck, and I have to pee! (A few seconds later) Now I'm just stuck.

Broadcasting Information
USA/Canada UK AUS
 * 1st Airdate: Sunday, March 12, 2006
 * 2nd Airdate: Sunday, May 21, 2006
 * 3rd Airdate: Sunday, August 20, 2006
 * 1st Airdate: Sunday, April 2, 2006
 * 2nd Airdate: Friday, April 7, 2006 (Encore Screening)
 * 3rd Airdate: Sunday, June 4, 2006
 * 4th Airdate: Friday, August 4, 2006
 * 5th Airdate: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
 * 1st Airdate: Tuesday, July 4, 2006