The Simpsons/Black Widower

Black Widower
Season 3, Episode 21
Airdate	April 9, 1992
Production Number	8F20
Written by	Thomas Chastain, Sam Simon
Directed by	David Silverman
← 3x20 Colonel Homer	3x22 → The Otto Show
The Simpsons — Season Three

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Black Widower is the twenty-first episode of the third season of The Simpsons, and the fifty-sixth episode overall.

The episode centers on Sideshow Bob and Selma, who begin a romantic relationship after Selma begins participating in a "Prison Pen Pal" program, and the two marry shortly after Bob is paroled form prison. But Bob's motives aren't romantic, as he plans to kill Selma, and it's up to a suspicious Bart to find a way to expose Bob's latest scheme to prevent a tragedy.

Guest Stars:

Plot Overview

Marge's Sister Selma has a surprise for the Simpson Family,and Patty.At the Simpson Home,Selma brings a Pen Pal that she has been writing to an inmate.To the Simpsons surprise,and especially Bart,Selmas Pen Pal is Sideshow Bob,the Man who had framed Krusty the Clown for armed robbery,to which Bart had exposed him as the real criminal.Bob assures the Simpsons,and Bart in particular that he has changed.While the other Simpson Family Members are willing to give Bob a chance,Bart remains sceptical.Bob would propose marriage to Selma,she would accept,and they marry.Throughout,Bart suspects that Bob is up to no good,and his odd behavior would justify his suspicions.Such suspicions would then land Bob back into Prison.Selma would call for a separation.

Notes

It is always the little things that trip up the villain in their plans.Bart recalling Bobs strange behavior over something as trivia as a Gas Heater gave him the answer to Bob's plan to murder.

Title Sequence

• Blackboard:
• Couch Gag:Burglars take the Simpsons Couch.When The Simpsons jump on the Couch,the two Burglars dump them off,and take the Couch anyway.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

The gathering of Springfielders at the Engagement Party.Bart trying to explain to the Family about Bob's plan to murder Selma.

Characters

The Simpson Family,Selma,Patty,Sideshow Bob,and some of the Citizens of Springfield.

Referbacks

Bart recalling Sideshow Bobs framing Krusty the Clown.

Trivia

This is Sideshow Bobs second time as the focus on an episode.

Allusions and References

• Black Widow: The episode's title and much of the plot – marrying for money, plotting a murder based on revenge and eventually being foiled – is taken from the 1987 movie.
• Cool Hand Luke: The roadside garbage collection scene, where Bob's reflection is seen in one of the guard's dark sunglasses, is modeled after the 1967 movie.
• Dinosaurs: The show the family watches in the opening moments of the show is modeled after the ABC situation comedy about a prehistoric family of dinosaurs. Bart comments, "It's like they saw our lives and put it right on screen!" a reference to The Simpsons' producers thinking Dinosaurs was too much of a knock-off.
• The Elephant Man: At various points prior to Bob being revealed as Selma's new beau, Lisa – picking up on a remark from Patty – suggests the new boyfriend looks much like Joseph Merrick, who was given the name "The Elephant Man" after becoming a circus attraction due to his severely deformed physical appearance.

Memorable Moments

Sideshow Bobs revulsion at comforting Selma.The slow-motion of Selma preparing to smoke after watching "MacGiver".Bobs surprise at finding Bart sitting in a chair in his Room.

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