History Recap / TheSimpsonsS9E22TrashOfTheTitans

* {{Jerkass}}: You can see why some consider season nine a turning point in Homer's characterization (at least, for the seasons with Mike Scully as head writer). He [[DisproportionateRetribution cuts off his family's garbage service over a petty argument]] and runs for sanitation commissioner rather than apologizing. Once he gets elected, he renders the entire town uninhabitable in a matter of weeks. It's implied that he has been forging Marge's name on loan applications and wills, and sees no problem with that. It's also implied that he tampered with the brakes in Ray Patterson's car, putting him in serious danger. He also continuously makes Ray's life a living hell by tossing lies (bringing children to his gingerbread house) and belittling him at every opportunity. When Homer wins, he laughs it all off to a fuming Ray that they were all lies and that they can keep being friends.

* NewJobEpisode: This episode has Homer getting a new job as a garbageman.

* {{Jerkass}}: You can see why some consider season nine a turning point in Homer's characterization (at least, for the seasons with Mike Scully as head writer). He [[DisproportionateRetribution cuts off his family's garbage service over a petty argument]] and runs for sanitation commissioner rather than apologize. Once he gets elected, he renders the entire town uninhabitable in a matter of weeks. It's implied that he has been forging Marge's name on loan applications and wills, and sees no problem with that. It's also implied that he tampered with the brakes in Ray Patterson's car, putting him in serious danger. He also continuously makes Ray's life a living hell by tossing lies (bringing children to his gingerbread house) and belittling him at every opportunity. When Homer wins, he laughs it all off to a fuming Ray that they were all lies and that they can keep being friends.

* {{Oireland}}: Homer gets in backstage to the U2 concert by pretending to be the "Potatoe man", who had apparently been expected.

** The song "The Garbage Man" spoofs "The Candy Man" from ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', and its end parade spoofs that of ''Theatre/TheMusicMan'' (as does Homer [[InstantCostumeChange snapping his fingers to change into a uniform]]). Also, [[Series/SesameStreet Oscar the Grouch]] appears in one of the trash cans in said parade.

-->''(Ray enters to a band playing the theme to Series/WelcomeBackKotter.)''

-->''(Ray leaves. The band shrugs, and plays the Series/WelcomeBackKotter theme again as he leaves.)''

* VillainProtagonist: JerkAss Homer is in full force this episode, as he beefs with the garbagemen, runs for santitation commissioner, and literally trashes the town all through petty egotism, selfishness and incompetence.

-->''(Ray enters to a band playing the theme to ''Series/WelcomeBackKotter''.)''

-->''(Ray leaves. The band shrugs, and plays ''Series/WelcomeBackKotter'' as he leaves.)''

-->'''Moe:''' [[ComicallyMissingThePoint He's right. He ain't much on speeches.]]

* NotSoInnocentWhistling: When Adam Clayton gets turned down on joining the Edge and Larry Mullen at Moe's, he calls them wankers before quickly turning away to adjust his guitar and whistle.

** The song "The Garbage Man" spoofs "The Candy Man" from ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory'', and its end parade spoofs that of ''Theatre/TheMusicMan'' (as does Homer snapping his fingers to change into a uniform). Also, [[Series/SesameStreet Oscar the Grouch]] appears in one of the trash cans in said parade.

* WorseWithContext: This and NotHyperbole. When Homer wants to show the rest of his family the illegal thing he did to get the money to fund his department, they all think that it's drugs until Homer shows that it's allowing other cities to dump trash in an abandoned mine. A distraught Lisa then points how much of an ecological disaster that is and says "I almost wish they ''were'' drugs!" and Bart then says a deadpan "some are", pointing out a truck [[BrooklynRage from New York City]] that is dumping guns and used dope syringes.

* AnalogyBackfire: When the city resumes collecting the Simpsons' garbage, just before Marge tells Homer it was because she apologized on his behalf, he asserts, "It's just like [[Literature/TheBible David and Goliath]], only ''this'' time, ''David'' won!" Rather than correct Homer, Lisa's mind gives her [[Music/WolfgangAmadeusMozart Mozart]]'s "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" to bliss out to.

** Ray Patterson's line "You're screwed!" in his resignation speech was cut (though Mayor Quimby was allowed to say, "We are far from screwed!").

* DisproportionateRetribution: Homer goes on the warpath and ruins a man's career (''and'' tries to kill him -- Patterson also accuses Homer of cutting his brake lines at one point) ''and'' ruins an entire town (although in Homer's defense that one was due to incompetence) because he didn't liked how two trash men treated him and then didn't liked that Marge wrote a letter of apology in his name when they decided to stop picking up his trash. Also an example of MisplacedRetribution.

* EasilyForgiven: Played with. All the people of Springfield agree to horse-whip Homer for messing up the town (at least, nobody votes against it), but strangely, as Springfield is being moved five miles down the road, Homer gets amicably welcomed by Moe when he heads into his tavern.

* ItsThePrincipleOfTheThing: All the chaos Homer ends up causing is simply because he refuses to say he is sorry or even will accept someone else (that being Marge) apologizing on his behalf.

* LetsSeeYouDoBetter: Homer is quite convinced he can completely surpass Ray Patterson's sanitation over Springfield. Rather surprisingly, he provides exceptional service. Less surprisingly, it doesn't last very long, and things get worse from there.

** Ray Patterson's end speech was inspired by an incident in which Redd Foxx was to perform in Las Vegas, but noticed that there were very few people present, prompting him to immediately leave; the band which played him on with the theme from ''Series/SanfordAndSon'', after a moment's confusion, played him off with the theme again. This incident was also spoofed in [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS9E7TheTwoMrsNahasapeemapetilons "The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons"]] when Moe walks onstage at a bachelor auction, and without stopping, walks straight to the "rejects" section.
** In the opening scene, a saleswoman suggest that the proposed new holiday should be something religious, saying, "We had great penetration last spring with Christmas 2!" Christmas 2 was a holiday (falling on March 25) created by B.Z. to cash in on the success of Patch's Puce Pops in ''Film/SantaClausTheMovie''.

* ItsThePrincipleOfTheThing: Homer makes clear to Lisa that he takes the idea of apologizing (even if it's insincere, and especially if someone else does it for him) to the garbagemen as an insult to his pride and he rides this all the way to an apocalyptic resolution.

* TrashOfTheTitans: This episode is the {{Trope Namer|s}}, though the show had used the trope many times before.

-->'''Ray:''' [''Happy sigh''] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6CVvNRQcvE Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches]], but it's so gratifying to -- [''Growling''] leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere You're screwed, thank you, bye.]]\\

-->'''Ray:''' [''Happy sigh''] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6CVvNRQcvE Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches]], but it's so gratifying to -- [''Growling''] leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere You're screwed, thank you, bye.]]
-->'''Moe:''' He's right. He ain't much on speeches.
* UnsportsmanlikeGloating: Once Homer believes he beat TheMan and forced them to clean up his immense mess, Homer gloats about it for what we assume is all day long (thanks to him starting once it's morning and he sees they cleaned up and then a TimeSkip to the evening and him still gloating in bed), to the point that Marge (who secretly sent an apology letter in his name and probably knows what will happen if she confesses to it) can't take it anymore and tells him she sent the letter just to make him shut up.

* AbandonedMine: Homer's solution for solving the Springfield Sanitation Department's budget crisis is to allow other major U.S. cities to dump their unwanted garbage in one (located on the outskirts of the city) in exchange for money. The plan backfires when the garbage starts erupting from the ground all over the town.

* AnalogyBackfire: When the city resumed collecting the Simpsons' garbage and Homer didn't know it was because Marge apologized on his behalf, he asserts, "It's just like [[Literature/TheBible David and Goliath]], only ''this'' time, ''David'' won!" Rather than correct Homer, Lisa's mind gives her some [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] music to bliss out to.

** Ray Patterson is tormented by Homer, and the townspeople who fall for Homer's insanity. As LaserGuidedKarma they themselves lose their hometown.

* DeadpanSnarker: Ray Patterson, being played by Creator/SteveMartin and all. His flat declaration that the town of Springfield is screwed before leaving them to their fate is the crowner.

* EasilyForgiven: Played with. All of Springfield unanimously agrees to horse-whip Homer for messing up Springfield, but strangely, as Springfield is being moved five miles down the road, Homer gets amicably welcomed by Moe when he heads into his tavern.

* GodzillaThreshold: Plan B, which the mayor speaks of in an ominous tone. There's so much garbage springing up from the ground in Springfield, that the only option to save the city is to move it five miles away.
* GreenAesop: WordOfGod said this was [[AccidentalAesop unintentional]].
* HereWeGoAgain: Lisa points that even though Springfield is being moved five miles down the road, they'll just trash it like they did to the old location.
* HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood: Implied with Bart when riding with Homer to tell the citizens to vote for him, adding "If you don't, he'll beat us."[[note]]Despite the "us", Homer is only physically abusive towards Bart, not so Maggie or Lisa.[[/note]] Homer then lies and says that he won't, then says [[WhatAnIdiot (into the megaphone)]] that he ''will'' beat Bart as horrified citizens look on.

-->'''Homer:''' But this isn't like a loan application, or a will. You signed away my dignity!

* LethallyStupid: Homer causes an ecological apocalypse because he is too stupid to think his campaign promises would be affordable and the people of Springfield are as dumb for choosing Homer and his wishy-washy promises over someone they know was perfectly reliable.
* LetsSeeYouDoBetter: Homer is quite convinced he can completely surpass Ray Patterson's sanitation over Springfield. Rather surprisingly, he does actually start providing exceptional service. Less surprisingly, it doesn't last very long, and things get worse from there.

* LogicBomb: Costington's slogan is "Over a century without a slogan." WordOfGod said it took "a lot of wasted man-hours" to think it up.

** After Homer has created an apocalyptic chaos with the trash accumulation, the city of Springfield welcomes Ray Patterson back with open arms in the hope that he can solve the crisis. Patterson stands in front of the whole auditory long enough to savor their desperation and tell them they're screwed, and leaves.

** Ray Patterson's end speech was inspired by an incident in which Redd Foxx was to perform in Las Vegas, but noticed that there were very few people present, prompting him to immediately leave; the band which played him on with the theme from ''Series/SanfordAndSon'', after a moment's confusion, played him off with the theme again. This incident was also spoofed in "The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons" when Moe walks onstage at a bachelor auction, and without stopping, walks straight to the "rejects" section.

* SomebodyElsesProblem: When Moe and Homer are discussing what to do to make Homer's campaign attractive, they fall on the slogan "can't someone else do it?" and Homer rides it all the way to victory. His promise: the garbagemen will do ''everything'' regarding taking out the garbage, even getting it out of the homes, and the townsfolk will be free to laze around. [[RealityEnsues Reality eventually ensues]]: the additional payment Homer gives the garbagemen so they will follow this order (as well as the extra-flashy uniforms and new equipment) uses up all of the annual budget within ''a single month''.

-->'''Lisa:''' Dad, is this [Homer's dispute with the garbage department] one of those things that could be solved with a simple apology?

** The many times the word "wanker" has been said.

** Marge, Bart, and Lisa guessing that Homer raised money for the garbage collection budget by dealing drugs (though Lisa's line, "I almost wish it ''were'' drugs!" wasn't cut).

* CryingIndian: Parodied. The Crying Indian is seen and does cry when he sees a can carelessly thrown at his feet, but another Indian appears next to him and tells him not to turn around and see the true horror that pollution has wrought on the former location of Springfield. Unfortunately, the Crying Indian does turn around and screams, and the second one lectures, "I ''told'' you not to turn around."

* HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood: Implied with Bart when riding with Homer to tell the citizens to vote for him, adding "If you don't, he'll beat us."[[note]]In spite of the "us", Homer is only physically abusive towards Bart instead of all three of his children[[/note]] Homer then lies and says that he won't, then says [[WhatAnIdiot (into the megaphone)]] that he ''will'' beat Bart as horrified citizens look on.

-->'''Homer:''' But this isn't a loan application, or a will. You signed away my dignity!
** He then vows to stand up for "the little guy" against Ray Patterson's supposed tyranny... while bullying his pet bird.

* IgnoredExpert[=/=]OnlySaneMan: Ray Patterson was smart enough to see that Homer basically has no clue what being sanitation commissioner is all about. First, during the debate:

* {{Irony}}: Homer gets his ass kicked by U2's security guards as the band performs "Pride (In The Name of Love)".[[note]]Albeit it was [[LaserGuidedKarma deserved]], as Homer interrupted their concert to endorse himself for trash commissioner without any prior authorization from them, kicked a [[WouldHitAGirl (female)]] producer just because she called him out on trespassing backstage and messed with expensive equipment that he could have easily broken (and which [[HoistByHisOwnPetard allowed his beating to be broadcast).]][[/note]]

* {{Jerkass}}: You can see why some consider season nine a turning point in Homer's characterization (at least, for the seasons with Mike Scully as head writer). He [[DisproportionateRetribution cuts off his family's garbage service over a petty argument]] and runs for sanitation commissioner rather than apologize. Once he gets elected, he renders the entire town uninhabitable in a matter of months. It's implied that he has been forging Marge's name on loan applications and wills, and sees no problem with that. It's also implied that he tampered with the brakes in Ray Patterson's car, putting him in serious danger. He also continuously makes Ray's life a living hell by tossing lies (bringing children to his gingerbread house) and belittling him at every opportunity. When Homer wins, he laughs it all off to a fuming Ray that they were all lies and that they can keep being friends.
* LeadIn: The episode opens with the creation and celebration of Love Day before moving on to Homer's confict with the garbage department that drives the episode.

* SkewedPriorities: The garbagemen ignore Homer's pleas to stop for his trash, though quickly reverse when he begins to insult them in response.

* TakeThat: To the gift/greeting card industry for creating new holidays purely to boost revenue. Love Day bears a marked resemblance to Sweetest Day, a Valentine's Day-like manufactured holiday created in Cleveland in 1922.

* TrashOfTheTitans: {{Trope Namer|s}}, though many examples of this trope have been seen prior to this episode.

Episode - 5F09\\
First Aired - 4/26/1998

In this, the 200th episode, Homer's {{jerkass}} antics gets the family's garbage collection cut off, and Marge writes an apology to the garbagemen on Homer's behalf. Incensed that Marge would do something like this, Homer takes on sanitation commissioner Ray Patterson (voiced by comedian, actor, and one of ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'''s most frequent and memorable hosts, Creator/SteveMartin) in an upcoming election and wins his seat with a campaign that promises more than it can deliver.

* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted: Homer spends his entire year's budget, $4.6 million, in less than a month.
-->'''Homer:''' They let me sign checks with a stamp, Marge. A stamp!

-->'''Bono:''' Hold on, people. He's talking about waste management, that affects the whole damn planet!\\
'''The Edge:''' Aww, here we go...

* AnalogyBackfire: When the garbagemen resumed collecting the Simpsons' garbage and Homer didn't know it was because Marge apologized on his behalf, he compared it to David vs. Goliath and said that ''this'' time, David won. Rather than correct Homer, Lisa's mind gives her some Beethoven music to bliss out to.

** Marge, Bart, and Lisa guessing that Homer raised money for the garbage collection budget by dealing drugs (though Lisa's line, "I wish it ''were'' drugs!" wasn't cut).
** Ray Patterson's line "You're screwed!" in his resignation speech was cut (though Mayor Quimby was allowed to say, "We are far from screwed!")

-->'''The Edge:''' ''[to Larry Mullen]'' What do you say we slip out to Moe's for a pint?\\
'''Adam:''' Can I come?\\
''({{beat}})''\\
'''The Edge:''' No.

** Ray Patterson is tormented by Homer, and the townspeople who fall for Homer's insanity. As LaserGuidedKarma they themselves lose their home town.
* CassandraTruth: Ray Patterson tries to warn the townsfolk that Homer's promises are unworkable, but they just brush him off.

* DidNotDoTheBloodyResearch: When this episode first aired in the UK, it caused controversy because of how it had multiple characters say "wankers" (which is a ''really'' offensive thing to call someone in the UK) in a show airing before the 9 pm watershed. Most initial airings (including its premiere there) had it cut.
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Homer didn't realize how expensive his proposals would actually be.
** Also applies to the townsfolk who voted in Homer.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Homer goes on the warpath and ruins a man's career (''and'' tries to kill him -- Patterson also mentions that Homer cut his brake lines at one point) ''and'' ruins an entire town (although in Homer's defense that one was due to incompetence) because he didn't liked how two trash men treated him and then didn't liked that Marge wrote a letter of apology in his name when they decided to stop picking up his trash. Also an example of MisplacedRetribution.

* EasilyForgiven: PlayedWith. All of Springfield unanimously agrees to horse-whip Homer for messing up Springfield, but strangely, as Springfield is being moved five miles down the road, Homer gets amicably welcomed by Moe when he heads into his tavern.
* EtTuBrute: If somewhat justifiably, not a single person opposes brutally punishing Homer for ruining the town. To punctuate this most of Homer's close friends and family members can be seen in the front rows glaring stoically as the vote is given.

--->'''Ray:''' Hey, leave the bird alone!\\
'''Homer:''' Never! ''[continues shaking bird cage]''

-->'''Ray:''' All right, fine. If you want an experienced politician, vote for me. But if you want to believe a bunch of crazy promises about garbagemen washing your cars and emptying your kitty litter, then by all means, vote for this sleazy lunatic.

--->'''Ray:''' Simpson, the American people have never tolerated incompetence from in their public officials. You are going to ''crash and burn'', my fat-headed friend.\\
'''Homer:''' [[ComicallyMissingThePoint See, we're still friends.]] Come on, how about a hug?

* ItsThePrincipleOfTheThing: All of the chaos Homer ends up causing is simply because he refuses to say he is sorry or even will accept someone else (that being Marge) apologizing on his behalf.
* {{Jerkass}}: You can see why some consider season nine a turning point in Homer's characterization (at least, for the Mike Scully seasons). He [[DisproportionateRetribution cuts off his family's garbage service over a petty argument]] and runs for sanitation commissioner rather than apologize. Once he gets elected, he renders the entire town uninhabitable in a matter of months. It's implied that he has been forging Marge's name on loan applications and wills, and doesn't see a problem with that. It's also implied that he tampered with the brakes in Ray Patterson's car, putting him in serious danger. He also continuously makes Ray's life a living hell by tossing lies (bringing children to his gingerbread house) and belittling him at every opportunity. When Homer wins, he laughs it all off to a fuming Ray that they were all lies and that they can keep being friends.
* LeadIn: The episode opens with the creation and celebration of Love Day before moving on to Homer's confict with the garbage man that drives the episode.
* LethallyStupid: Homer causes an ecological apocalypse because he is too stupid to think his campaign promises would be actually affordable and the people of Springfield are equally dumb for choosing Homer and his wishy-washy promises over someone they know was perfectly reliable.
* LetsSeeYouDoBetter: Homer is quite assured he can completely surpass Ray Patterson's sanitation over Springfield. Rather surprisingly, he does actually start providing exceptional service. Less surprisingly, it doesn't last very long, and things get worse from there.

--> '''Homer''': I came to fight city hall. I want to shake things up, Patterson. Stir up some controversy. Rattle a few cages. ''(shakes a nearby bird cage)''\\
'''Patterson''': Hey, stop that!\\
'''Homer''': You'll never silence me! I'm the last angry man, Patterson, a crusader for the little guy! ''(shakes it again)''\\
'''Patterson''': Leave the bird alone!\\
'''Homer''': Never! ''(shakes it again)''

-->'''Ray:''' You told people I lured children into ''[[Literature/HanselAndGretel my gingerbread house]]''.\\
'''Homer:''' Heheheheh. Yeah, that was just a lie.

* OhCrap: Homer realizes he's in big trouble when the garbage men heard him call them "trash-eating stinkbags".

* PoorCommunicationKills: Homer ''really'' should've told Marge the reason he fought with the garbage men was due to how unprofessionally they acted. Otherwise she probably would've written a letter complaining about that instead of forging Homer's apology. This is repeated with Ray Patterson, who is initially depicted as a ReasonableAuthorityFigure that Homer [[WrongGenreSavvy assumes is a bullying corporate]]. Rather than make any direct referral to the mistreatment he suffered from some of his staff, Homer starts childishly antagonising the bewildered and angry Patterson, who insults him back, starting the disastrous war.

** Ray Patterson's end speech was inspired by an incident in which Redd Foxx was to perform in Las Vegas, but noticed that there were very few people present, prompting him to immediately leave; the band which played him on with the theme from ''Series/SanfordAndSon'', after a moment's confusion, played him off with the theme again. This incident was also spoofed in "The Two Nahasapeemapetilons" when Moe walks onstage at a bachelor auction, and without stopping, walks straight to the "rejects" section.

-->'''Bono:''' Why should they vote for you?\\
'''Homer:''' That's a good question, Bono. 'Cause I'd be the most whack, tripped-out sanitation commissioner ever! Can you dig it?\\
''[[ChirpingCrickets (dead silence)]]''

* TrashOfTheTitans: TropeNamer, though many examples of this trope have been seen prior to this episode.

-->'''Ray:''' ''(happy sigh)'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6CVvNRQcvE Oh gosh. You know, I'm not much on speeches]], but it's so gratifying to-- ''(growling)'' leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere You're screwed, thank you, bye.]]\\
'''Moe:''' He's right. He ain't much on speeches.
* UnsportsmanlikeGloating: Once Homer believes he won against TheMan and forced them to clean up his immense mess, Homer gloats about it for what we assume is all day long (thanks to him starting once it's morning and he sees they cleaned up and then a TimeSkip to the evening and him still gloating in bed), to the point that Marge (who secretly sent an apology letter in his name and probably knows what will happen if she confesses to it) is unable to take it anymore and tells him she sent the letter just so to make him shut up.

** In the opening scene, a saleswoman suggest that the proposed new holiday should be something religious, saying, "We had great penetration last spring with Christmas 2!" Christmas 2 was a holiday (falling on March 25) created by B.Z. to cash in on the success of Patch's Puce Pops in ''Film/SantaClausTheMovie''

* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted: Homer spends his entire year's budget in less than a month.

* UnsportmanlikeGloating: Once Homer believes he won against TheMan and forced them to clean up his immense mess, Homer gloats about it for what we assume is all day long (thanks to him starting once it's morning and he sees they cleaned up and then a TimeSkip to the evening and him still gloating in bed), to the point that Marge (who secretly sent an apology letter in his name and probably knows what will happen if she confesses to it) is unable to take it anymore and tells him she sent the letter just so to make him shut up.

* RuleOfThree: Homer vs. Ray's birdcage. See LiterslMetaphor above.

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After Homer has created an apocalyptic chaos with the trash accumulation, the city of Springfield welcomes Ray Patterson back with open arms in the hope that he can solve the crisis. Patterson stands in front of the whole auditory long enough to savor their desperation and tell them they're screwed, and leaves.