History Recap / TheSimpsonsS5E2CapeFeare

* ToiletSeatDivorce: Patty mentions that even she wants to kill her sister Selma because she always leaves the toilet seat up.

* AdaptationExpansion: ''Theatre/MrBurnsAPostElectricPlay'' is inspired by this episode.

* ThoseWackyNazis: The announcer for "Up Late with [=McBain=]", for no apparent reason, is Obergruppenführer Wolfcastle, a man in an SS officer uniform.

* PartiallyConcealedLabelGag: In the "Itchy and Scratchy" sketch, Itchy purposely covers up the letter "s" on an advertisement board reading "We spay your pet - $75" so it would read "We pay your pet - $75". Scratchy falls for the offer and ends up StrappedToAnOperatingTable. Watch the scene [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV112-2HK5I here]].

* ContinuityNod: To "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS3E21BlackWidower Black Widower]]". During Bob's parole hearing, Selma recalls how he attempted to murder her during their honeymoon.
* ContrivedCoincidence: Wiggum and his squad are right in place to arrest Sideshow Bob as soon as the boat runs aground in Springfield.

** Homer dreaming of being John Elway scoring the touchdown after being blown out in the Super Bowl, a Take That to Elway, who back then had the reputation of being a great quarterback, but one who choked in the Super Bowl, being on the [[EveryYearTheyFizzleOut losing end of]] [[RuleOfThree three]].

* NoodleIncident: While trying to figure out who's sending Bart threatening notes, it turns out Bart's been making crank calls to Moe and actress Creator/LindaLavin for years. In the latter's case, she did something so bad even Lisa felt she deserved Bart's pranks.

* OverlyLongGag: Bob vs. rakes, Round 1! It had to be shortened in syndication (excluding FXX, DVD, and Disney Plus) because of how long it was (it was approximately 30 seconds; the episode was running short and they needed padding).

-->'''Marge:''' ''(Menacingly, holding scissors)'' Bart, I'm going to ''get'' you ... some ice cream at the store, since I'm saving so much money on Diet Cola!\\

-->'''Ernest''': Wow! "Pooblic lib'ary"! We'll stay here fer a while, Vern. [...] Hey, Vern, help me git ma head outta this toilet!

* UndersideRide: Sideshow Bob tries this in a parody of the 1991 ''Film/CapeFear'' scene. While he does get to his destination, it doesn't quite work out as the family drives through a lot of cacti and over a few speed bumps on the way there, not to mention Homer spilling his hot coffee under the car.

* CouchGag: The family forms a chorus line joined by Vegas dancers and animals.

* UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode: Bart gets sent a death threat in the mail; the words "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU" written in blood. He spends the rest of the day paranoid about who could be trying to kill him, but eventually learns that it's Sideshow Bob. The Simpsons go under witness protection, change their name, and relocate to a houseboat, although Sideshow Bob continues to chase after him. That night, Bob ties up the family and traps them, with the exception of Bart, whom he chases after with a machete. Bart only makes it out alive at the end because of some BondVillainStupidity on Bob's part.

'''Male Voice:''' ...replaced, by the benevolent General [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Krull]]. All hail Krull, and his glorious regime! [[HelloInsertNameHere Sincerely, little girl.]]

-->'''Wiggum''': Do what the kid sez.

* MockingSingSong: During recess, the girls in Bart's class call him "fatty fat fat fat" in a singsong chant.

** The last scene of the old man being infatuated by Grandpa and the ensuing dialog is from ''Film/SomeLikeItHot''.