Line #32 Recap/TheSimpsonsS1E3HomersOdyssey


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/odd17.png]]
2
3	'''Original air date:''' 1/21/1990
4
5	'''Production code:''' 7G03
6
7	After an incident at the Nuclear Power Plant, Homer is fired from his job as technical supervisor. Unable to provide for his family without a job and reduced to stealing from his son to buy beer, he runs away to kill himself -- until a near accident gives him a new lease on life as a local safety advocate.
8
9	In case that description didn't tip you off, EarlyInstallmentWeirdness is here in ''spades'', and that's not even getting into the shockingly [[UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode dark and somber mood.]]
10	----
11	!!This episode contains examples of:
12
13	* AdultsAreUseless: All Ms. Krabappel does in response to Bart's warning about Wendell's impending motion sickness is threaten to punish him for making noise.
14	* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: Burns has a picture in his office of himself riding a green horse.
15	* CharacterizationMarchesOn:
16	** Homer gets fired from his job for crashing a forklift, and goes into such a deep depression at losing the identity of household breadwinner that he ''actually attempts suicide'' so he wouldn't feel like a failure around his wife and children. At the end of the episode, he becomes the power plant's safety inspector because he's very concerned that the plant isn't being run safely and wants to make a difference. In later episodes, [[UltimateJobSecurity his on-the-job negligence is legendary, with him personally committing safety violations that would not only get him canned]], but probably sent to prison for a long time, [[RuleOfFunny if the show cared about realism]]. He would regularly be sacked for gross incompetence and show little-to-no concern, or casually ditch work for the sake of whatever zany adventure he's going on in the episode. Also, even though his title of safety inspector continues to be mentioned, [[ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything his job rarely seems to involve any safety inspecting]]. Homer does acknowledge here that he's not really qualified for the job as he caused more accidents than any other employee before he was fired, and accepted it mainly to provide for his family (with Burns having only offered him the job in the first place to shut down his protests), but even that kind of realization would be beyond the CaptainOblivious we see in later episodes.
17	** In one point, Lisa actually ''enjoys'' Bart's prank call on Moe during the middle of the episode, as she is seen laughing alongside him. Later episodes would have her more fed up on Bart's pranks and even chiding him for it on certain occasions.
18	* ClassTrip: The plot is kicked off when Bart's class takes a trip to the nuclear power plant, and Homer loses his job trying to show-boat for his son.
19	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: A suicidal Homer still bothers to dodge a car and yell back at them for nearly running him over.
20	* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: Subverted. Bart's punishment for talking on the bus is singing "The Ballad of John Henry". It's meant to humiliate him, but he actually enjoys it. He does it so enthusiastically that Mrs. Krabappel has to ''tell him to stop''.
21	* CouchGag: The family sits, but the couch falls apart, leaving them on the floor.
22	* DarkestHour: After he smashes Bart's piggy bank for beer money, a tearful Homer writes the family a farewell note with the intention of committing suicide by tying one end of a rope around his waist and the other end around a large boulder and jumping off a bridge.
23	* DerangedAnimation: Due to the show still figuring out its look. Check out some of the weird background characters in the crowd when Homer is giving his speech at the power plant (which is currently on the front page of this episode's page). Particularly eye catching is the guy with a bulging head and the left half of his face and mouth jutting out to the side. And the guy who seems to be wearing a bright red bandit mask (most likely intended to be sunglasses) for some reason. Also, see the guy in the "El Barto" scene with the spiky hair and slack jawed look. Matt Groening eventually made it a rule that [[FlashyProtagonistsBlandExtras background characters shouldn't be strange looking]] or distract from the action in the scene.
24	* DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength: Variation: When Homer decides to lug the giant boulder all the way to the bridge, he noticeably struggles with carrying it the whole way. The second he sees that his family is about to get run over, he runs so fast to move them out of the way, the boulder is flung around like it's a balloon.
25	* DrivenToSuicide: Homer runs away to kill himself after being unable to find a job and resorting to stealing money from his own son to get a beer (and there wasn't even enough money, not even close).
26	* EarlyBirdCameo: Blinky the three-eyed fish, who played a greater role in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E4TwoCarsInEveryGarageAndThreeEyesOnEveryFish Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish]]", first appears as a throwaway gag.
27	* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: Smithers is black in this episode due to a coloring mistake that couldn't be fixed. The animators [[ThrowItIn wanted to keep him that way]], but saw that a black man being hired as a servile assistant to his white boss wouldn't go over well with American audiences, so they made sure that Smithers was yellow (which is Caucasian in the Simpson world) so this mistake wouldn't happen again. Smithers' skin color was [[HandWave hand-waved]] by saying he was ''really'' tan from being on vacation.
28	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
29	** In later episodes, Homer's supervisor [[DependingOnTheWriter is someone else completely.]]
30	** The episode's tone is [[DarkerAndEdgier much darker]] than the [[LighterAndSofter following seasons]]: for one, Homer ''attempts suicide'' and it's PlayedForDrama, while a later episode such as "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS20E12NoLoanAgainNaturally No Loan Again, Naturally]]" would have it PlayedForLaughs.
31	** Homer gets promoted to nuclear safety inspector in this episode from a lower position, while later episodes would have Homer being the safety inspector from the start.
32	** Homer treats losing his job as his DarkestHour and it's what causes him to attempt suicide. Later episodes would almost always have it PlayedForLaughs and usually as an excuse for a NewJobEpisode. He also cares a lot about the town's public safety, which, suffice to say, is not a trait that is carried forward.
33	** The tire yard makes a brief cameo, but it is just shown to be a big pile that is not on fire.
34	** In his suicide note, Homer counsels his family with "the words my father gave me: 'Stand tall, have courage and never give up.'" The show would go on to establish that Abe never encouraged Homer in any way throughout his life and, in fact, actively discouraged him at every possible opportunity, accounting for [[FreudianExcuse many of Homer's problems]].
35	* FiringDay: Homer gets fired from the power plant and, after failing to find another job, his life goes into a downward spiral. After attempting suicide, he soon decides to become a safety advocate.
36	* FiveSecondForeshadowing: Once Homer approaches the bridge, he almost gets hit by a speeding car. This exact same issue befalling his family is what winds up saving his life.
37	* TheFreelanceShameSquad: An elderly couple pose as a particularly sociopathic example, heckling Homer as he walks off to kill himself.
38	-->'''Old Man:''' He might just be taking his boulder for a walk. ''cackles''
39	* FreezeFrameBonus: Bart's report card reads, U, F, U, F, U, D[[note]]in some American schools, the "U" is used for "unsatisfactory," particularly when grading on behavior or skills. Other letters used besides the usual A, B, C, D, and F grades are "I" [incomplete], "O" [outstanding], and "P" [pass, if you're taking a pass/fail class][[/note]]
40	* HeroicBSOD: Homer's depression at being fired leaves him lethargic, expressionless, and unresponsive. When he finds that his family had a cake with encouraging words that they were planning to surprise him with, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness he brushes it aside in his search for a beer]].
41	* HiddenHeartOfGold: Bart refers to Homer as a hero for wanting to take on the power plant, but he refuses to admit he actually said it.
42	* HypocriticalHumor: Homer's suicide note had a "Don't give up" message.
43	* ImpairmentShot: There is a point-of-view shot of the kids looking down at an exhausted Homer. Maggie pokes at his eyes and the image is doubled for a moment.
44	* InsultBackfire:
45	-->'''Sherri''': Hey Bart! Our dad says your dad is incompetent.
46	-->'''Bart''': What does incompetent mean?
47	-->'''Terri''': It means he spends more time yacking and scarfing down donuts than doing his job.
48	-->'''Bart''': Oh, okay. [[TheSlacker I thought you were putting him down]].
49	* InterruptedSuicide: The family manage to find Homer just as he's about to jump off a bridge.
50	* IntoxicationEnsues: "Beer. Now ''there's'' a temporary solution."
51	* KarmaHoudini: Sherri and Terri, who provoke Bart to get him punished for the fun of it.
52	* [[LikeFatherLikeSon Like Father, Like Daughters]]: Homer's supervisor is implied to tear into Homer on a regular basis, and then coldly fires him in front of his son, before saying hi to his girls Sherri and Terri, who have been harassing Bart throughout the trip.
53	* LimitedAnimation: Done deliberately for the Smilin' Joe Fission cartoon shown at the power plant.
54	* LiteraryAllusionTitle: The title is one to ''Literature/TheOdyssey'', by Creator/{{Homer}}.
55	* {{Montage}}: Homer getting doors closed on him, including his own home. Bart actually slammed the door on him, telling him not to give up.
56	* MoodWhiplash: As Homer has finally dragged the boulder all the way to the bridge so he can [[DrivenToSuicide end his life]], and the family has found his suicide note, the tone is [[TearJerker somber]]... until Homer finds a boulder already at the bridge, rendering all that heavy lifting pointless.
57	-->'''Homer''': ''(upon discovering a boulder already at the bridge)'' Well, live and learn.
58	* MyDadCanBeatUpYourDad: Homer's immediate supervisor at the plant is Sherri and Terri's father, and they make a point of telling Bart how little he thinks of Homer's work ethic and abilities.
59	* NoodleIncident
60	-->'''Mrs. Krabappel:''' Now class, I don't want this field trip to be a repeat of our infamous visit to the Springfield State Prison. So I want you all to be on your best behavior, especially you, Bart Simpson.
61	-->'''Bart:''' Mrs. Krabappel, I ''didn't'' unlock that door.
62	* PapaWolf: Seeing an oncoming vehicle, Homer races into the street to push Marge and the kids to safety.
63	* RaysFromHeaven: When Homer realizes that someone needs to put a stop sign at the intersection, giving him a new purpose in life.
64	* RockBottom: After a string of failed job interviews and other misfortunes, a depressed Homer could really use a beer, but he can't afford another at Moe's and can't find any in the house. He resorts to robbing his own son; he reflects on how low he's sunk... and how he did it all for nowhere near enough money to buy a beer.
65	* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: Homer has inner conflict when he's offered the job of safety inspector and is told by Mr. Burns to tell his supporters that [[BlatantLies the nuclear plant is safe.]]
66	--> '''Mr. Burns''': You mean you're willing to give up a good job and a raise, just for your principles?\
67	'''Homer''': ...When you put it like ''that'', it ''does'' seem a little far-fetched.
68	* SpecialGuest: Creator/SamMcMurray as the Worker Drone.
69	* SkewedPriorities:
70	** [[DownplayedTrope Although it can be argued this was to make sure his family didn't wake up to find out where he's going]], Homer takes the time to oil the hinges of the gate as he's in the middle of carrying the boulder to the bridge so he could kill himself.
71	** Right as he approaches the bridge to, again, kill himself, Homer almost gets side-swiped by a car. He proceeds to yell at the driver for almost hitting him.
72	* TakeThatKiss: After Mrs. Krabappel says she'll punish Bart if he makes one more sound, Sherri and Terri vow that they're going to get Bart in trouble. They do so by kissing him on the cheeks, causing him to scream out and he is given the CoolAndUnusualPunishment as noted above.
73	* UnbuiltTrope: This episode marks the first time Homer would be laid off from his job. But instead, we see a man forced into the pain of unemployment.
74	* UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode: Homer attempts to commit suicide because he feels that he's failed his family by not finding a job after getting fired (for the first time). Outside of two elderly neighbors cracking a joke about Homer "...taking his rock out for a walk," the situation is not Played for Laughs. Thankfully, he doesn't do it and instead decides to become a safety advocate after saving his family from being run over on a dangerous street, but it's still rather shocking.
75	* {{Unishment}}: Bart is being disruptive during a field trip and Mrs. Krabappel punishes him by making him sing "John Henry Was a Steel-Drivin' Man" in front of everyone on the bus. This is intended to humiliate him, but he sings with great enthusiasm and obviously enjoys it, to the point that Mrs. Krabappel has to yell at him three times before he reluctantly stops the song.
76	* TheUnseen: The driver [[FailedASpotCheck who nearly runs over Marge and the kids]] is never shown through the windshield of their car, nor do they actually stop after just missing them, instead just driving on.
77	* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Bart saying hi to Homer caused him to lose concentration at his job, leading to the crash, his firing, and his suicidal depression. Of course, Bart wasn't expecting that to happen on his end given to his worried look at Homer after the latter is fired.
78	* VomitDiscretionShot: Wendell, who makes it all the way to the power plant, but then vomits when Bart good-naturedly slaps his back.
79	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: This is the one and only time when we see Sherri and Terri's father besides background cameos. Being established as one of few authorities at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant with a zero tolerance for incompetence, who knows what his response was to Homer getting KickedUpstairs only shortly after firing him.
80	* WorstNewsJudgmentEver: The Springfield Shopper repeatedly headlines Homer's safety advocating, culminating with, "Enough Already, Homer Simpson!"
81	* YourTelevisionHatesYou: Homer is watching a channel that explicitly caters to the unemployed, so this was bound to happen. The Duff commercial exactly describes the circumstances (out of work, sober, and hanging around the house all day) that make him so depressed.

Context Recap / TheSimpsonsS1E3HomersOdyssey