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"Bottle Episode" |
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"Bottle Episode" is the eleventh episode of Season 36, and the 781st episode overall. It originally aired on December 29, 2024. The episode was written by Rob and Johnny LaZebnik and was directed by Gabriel DeFrancesco. It features guest stars Robert Parker as himself.
This episode was dedicated to the memory of former writer William Wright who died on December 16, 2024.
Plot[]
Marge and Smithers team up to become wine-forging Robin Hoods.
Full story[]
Smithers is, as usual, helping Mr. Burns with completing various tasks. These include assisting with duck hunting (Burns attempts to shoot them in the air, but Smithers dispenses pre-killed ducks from an airplane to make Burns think he was successful), evicting a children's hospital to repurpose it as chandelier storage, restocking organs, disposing of trash by plane, and melting Iceland. To celebrate their achievements, Smithers attempts to sip a 1945 Bordeaux, but the moment is fleeting.
At the power plant, Lenny alerts everyone that Smithers is about to arrive. The employees scramble to appear busy, except Homer, who is waiting for his taquito to finish cooking in the microwave. By the time it is complete, Smithers reaches the break room. He escorts Homer to the port, where a secure container delivers a bottle of "Gevrey-Chambertin": this wine was once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte and now purchased by Mr. Burns for a million dollars. Smithers, distracted by a phone call about Mr. Burns choking on his Adam's apple, leaves Homer alone, allowing him to sneak the bottle into the wine cellar at Burns Manor.
While searching for the safest route, Homer becomes distracted, and Mrs. Vanderbilt steals the bottle to christen a yacht named "The Upper Decker". Her attempt fails, hitting Homer instead. The bottle then tumbles through various escapades: rolling into a wedding, a swingers' party where it's used for spin-the-bottle, and nearly being shot by the Spuckler children, who instead hit Homer in the back.
Homer eventually returns home, hides the bottle in a garage safe, and takes a nap on the couch. When he wakes up, Marge insists that Homer join the family for dinner before he leaves. She serves a delicious stew, prompting Homer to ask about the secret ingredient. To his horror, Marge reveals she used the wine from the garage. When Homer checks the safe, he finds a giant hole between the safe and the kitchen wall, hidden behind his bowling ball. Marge reminds Homer that he punched the hole himself while watching Major League Baseball. Amid the chaos, Bart demands macaroni and cheese, but Homer insists he eat stew. Homer clumsily transfers what remains of the wine into the original bottle just as Smithers arrives. Homer suggests his usual tactic: a cover-up.
Meanwhile, Mr. Burns plans to serve the wine to esteemed connoisseurs. Lisa points out that duplicating the wine chemically might solve the problem. They consult Moe, who fails to help (he is evidently more skilled with beer than wine), and then turn to Professor Frink. Frink creates a convincing replica that Smithers finds acceptable. At the event, the substitute wine impresses everyone.
At home, Marge suggests that Smithers embrace a Robin Hood persona by selling counterfeit wine to fund charitable causes.
Smithers (as Robin Hood) and Marge (as Maid Marian) keeping quiet as they sneak around the castle.
In a segment that parodies Robin Hood, Smithers (as Robin Hood) and Marge (as Maid Marian) attempt to steal from Mr. Burns (as Prince John).
In real life, Smithers and Marge are arrested for wine forgery, being sent to "Alca-Shiraz Wine Jail." There, they meet Cesar and Ugolin, who are brewing counterfeit wine in a toilet. Concerned about her family, Marge calls Homer, who is at Moe's but claims to be at home, struggling to take care of the kids in her absence.
The next day, in Springfield Wine Court, Marge confesses while urging Homer to care for the kids. Surprisingly, the judge dismisses the case, deeming the wine genuine as a result of Mr. Burns bribing the judge. Lisa, stunned by Homer's involvement, is even more surprised when Marge receives a $2 million check. Smithers is upset that the goal of them stealing from the rich to give to the poor was a bit undermined by the fact that a rich person bailed them out of their predicament. Nevertheless, they both have money that they can still use to give back to others.
"Robin Hood", "Maid Marian", and the children dancing in the final scene.
Smithers and Marge reopen the children's hospital, distribute art teachers across the country, and release living ducks back into nature. The episode ends with the group drinking wine and dancing in Sherwood Forest.
Behind the Laughter[]
Awards[]
Writers Rob and Johnny LaZebnik received a nomination for the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation at the 77th Writers Guild of America Awards for their script for this episode.
Videos[]
External Links[]
- "Bottle Episode" at the Internet Movie Database
- "Bottle Episode" press release via The Futon Critic
- "Bottle Episode" script via Springfield! Springfield!