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The Simpsons/One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish

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One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish
Season 2, Episode 11
Airdate January 24, 1991
Production Number 7F11
Written by Nell Scovell
Directed by Wesley M. Archer
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The SimpsonsSeason Two
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One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish is the eleventh episode of the second season of The Simpsons, and the twenty-fourth episode overall.

The episode poses the classic question: What would you do if you were told you had just 24 hours to live? How would you spend your last day, knowing you were going to die? That's the situation Homer is faced with when he eats fugu, a deadly poisonous fish, at a sushi restaurant, and everyone fears he may have ingested its venomous parts, for which there is no antidote.

Guest Stars:

Contents

Plot Overview

At Lisa's behest, the Simpsons go to the Happy Sumo, a sushi restaurant known for its wide variety of fine seafood. Homer insists on sampling everything on the menu, and is really intrigued when he learns of a type of sushi made from fugu, a deadly venomous pufferfish. When the waiter tries to give a disclaimer that parts of the fugu are poisonous and will kill humans if eaten, Homer grows impatient and demands his sushi. The waiter has one of the apprentice chefs try to find the master chef to explain the order and for help in preparing the sushi, but the apprentice finds the master chef a little preoccupied; he's having sex with Mrs. Krabappel, and he's not happy about being interrupted! The apprentice wants to tell Homer the fugu sushi is unavailable, but Homer refuses to reason, so he goes to try to slice the fugu himself ... but Homer is so eager and impatient that the apprentice finally gives up and has the waiter serve him a sloppily prepared dish, which Homer gobbles up quickly. As Homer is relaxing and taking in his evening of culinary pleasure, the master chef, to his horror, sees the cut fugu and realizes it was improperly prepared, and that Homer may have swallowed its poisonous organs. Homer and Marge are told of the news.

Homer goes to the emergency room, where Dr. Hibbert has been advised of the situation. Hibbert tells Homer it was very likely he had accidentally consumed the fugu's toxins, for which there is no antidote, and if so he has 24 hours to live. He then tells Homer of the "five stages of grief" model, which they go through in 10 seconds ... before bidding him farewell.

That night, Homer – uncertain that he will still be alive in a day's time – lies with Marge that night in bed, worried about his fate but then resolving to live his final day to the fullest. He makes a list, and on that list include spending time with Bart and Lisa, making a video for Maggie, making peace with Grampa, getting arrested for speeding, speaking freely about Mr. Burns to his face, and spending some time at Moe's for "one final drink" with his friends. At dinner that night, he reveals to Bart and Lisa that he will probably die in a few hours and says his goodbyes. He then retreats to the bedroom with Marge to enjoy some private time together.

Late that night, after he and Marge make love, Homer quietly leaves his bed. After quietly watching Marge and his children sleep and saying his goodbyes, he goes to the living room to sit in his easy chair, finding comfort in listening to tape recordings of Larry King reading the Bible. After a few hours, shortly after one the tapes ends, Homer falls asleep, his head dropping suddenly and in a manner to make the viewer believe he has died from the fugu's toxins spreading through his body.

The next morning, Marge finds Homer collapsed in the armchair and fears the worst. She begins to weep, but when she goes to hug him, she comes into contact with his drool ... and realizes he's very much alive! She joyously wakes Homer, and he realizes, also happily, that he indeed is alive and did not swallow the poisoned fish meat after all. The two embrace, after which Homer happily declares he's going to live life to the fullest ...

... and, first things first, that means watching a televised bowling tournament and eating pork rinds.

Notes

Title Sequence

  • Blackboard: "I will not cut corners." (Bart uses quotation marks as ditto marks, directly below the original line he was assigned to write, to do exactly what he was asked not to do.)
  • Couch Gag: The couch tips over backwards. Maggie pops up from behind it.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

Characters

Homer,Marge,Bart,Lisa,Maggie,The Waiters,Mrs.Krabbappel,Barney,Moe,Grampa Simpson,Lou,Eddie,Barney,Moe,Mr.Burns.

Referbacks

Trivia

The Show

Behind the Scenes

Allusions and References

  • Dr. Seuss: One of his children's books, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," sets up the pun for the episode title.
  • The Facts Of Life: An early episode had Tootie made to write lines on a blackboard 100 times as punishment, but used ditto marks as a shortcut. This may have been the inspiration for this episode's blackboard gag, where Bart is made to write "I will not cut corners," but then does so by using ditto marks.
  • The Graduate: The scene of Homer arriving home (from Moe's Tavern), pounds on the house window and shouts, "Marge! Marge!" is modeled after a scene in the 1968 Dustin Hoffmann movie, where Hoffmann's character, Ben Braddock, leaves a tavern, runs to the church and pounds on the window yelling "Elaine! Elaine!"

Memorable Moments

Bart and Lisa sing their version of the song "Shaft". Homer and Dr. Hibbert going through the "Five Stages Of Grief" in 10 seconds.

Quotes

Reviews

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