The Simpsons/Bart Gets an F

Bart Gets an F
Season 2, Episode 1
Airdate	October 11, 1990
Production Number	7F03
Written by	David M. Stern
Directed by	David Silverman
← 1x13 Some Enchanted Evening	2x02 → Simpson and Delilah
The Simpsons — Season Two

Bart Gets an F is the first episode of the second season of The Simpsons, and the fourteenth episode overall.

A breakout success for Fox and perhaps the second hit program the fledgling network was waiting for – the 3-year-old Married: With Children was the network's first solid hit – The Simpsons earned a second season ... and many more adventures featuring the family and Springfield and what makes them tick would follow.

Bart was the breakout character among the titular family, and a common issue with him would be his lack of academic skills. In this episode, his poor performance in class, even with routine assignments, has grown to the point where his teachers are gravely concerned about him and want to retain him to the fourth grade. When Bart is told his counselors and teachers think he would benefit with repeating fourth grade, Bart vows to do better, enlisting Martin Prince to help him get back to speed. But will it work, or will it take a miracle?

Guest Stars:

Plot Overview

After failing a history test and being threatened with repeating the fourth grade, Bart strikes up a deal with the class brain. Bart agrees to show Martin Prince how to be popular if he agrees to help him pass his test. Things work out for a while until Martin decides tests no longer matter after getting his first taste of popularity. Bart turns to prayer and asks God for a snow day with a promise to use the extra day to study. His prayers are answered. As Bart prepares to go out and enjoy his day off, Lisa reminds him of his promise. Bart studies hard and fails the test anyway, but impresses Mrs. Krabappel with his knowledge of the first continental congress, which convinces her to change his grade to a "D-" Bart responds with an enthusiastic kiss, which he soon regrets.

Notes

Title Sequence

• Blackboard: I will not encourage others to fly.
• Couch Gag: the simpson couch falls through the floor.

Arc Advancement

Characters

• Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby: The mayor of Springfield. Here, he is simply an elected official ceremonially declaring the sudden snow day a city holiday: "I hereby declare this day to be Snow Day, the funnest day in the history of Springfield!" Later episodes would flesh out his character as the stereotypical slick, opportunistic, corrupt politician, often (overtly so) engaged in criminal activity.

Trivia

The Show

• The arcade game Bart plays when he should be studying is titled, "Escape From Grandma's House"
• The winter scene is the first time Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel hold hands and show they may like each other. Subtle hints would be dropped throughout the series' early years, until the Season 8 episode "Grade School Confidential," where they are confirmed to be in a relationship outside of their professional lives.

Allusions and References

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The outdoor sing-along during the snow day was a reference to the animated film.
• King Kong: The movie Bart and Homer watch – one which focuses on a mutant-sized gorilla eating people at random and causing widespread destruction – is a clear ripoff of the 1933 (and 1976) remake of the legendary killer gorilla movie.
• "Treasure Island": The book Bart (supposedly) did a report on; he misidentifies the pirate, Long John Silver (his answer: Bluebeard).
• Video games at the arcade
  • Escape From Alcatraz: The video game "Escape From Grandma's House."
  • The Simpsons: A self-reference – one of the video games was "Eat My Shorts," one of Bart's catchphrases. (An actual action video arcade game based on The Simpsons was in development, as the series had become a solid hit, and would be released in the spring of 1991.) Another game at the arcade was "Itchy and Scratchy," the cartoon insert occasionally seen on the show.

Memorable Moments

• This is one of the few episodes we see Martin Prince wearing something other than his usual outfit. Once Martin becomes "cool" he slicks back his hair, wears a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses.

Reviews

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