Homer becomes obsessed with a [=Mapple=] [=MyPad=] he won in a silent auction at school, but when he breaks it, he loses all hope -- then finds it again when he discovers that his backyard tree has spelled out the word "HOPE" in sap.
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!!This episode contains examples of:

* ArtisticLicenseBiology: Flushie is apparently an alligator, but he has interlocking teeth like a crocodile.
* BaitAndSwitch: There's a scene where it seems that Homer is playing a game at his [=MyPad=] and driving at the same time but then it's revealed he's actually playing a game that simulates distracted driving.
* BrickJoke: During Kent Brockman's investigation, we see where Lenny ended up after his conversation with Moe and Homer got dropped.
* ContinuityNod: The short film at the end of the episode, about a Happy Little Elf saving a Stacy doll from a giant Funzo, is chock full of fake food products and appliances the show has made up since it started.
* GeographicFlexibility: As in TheMovie, Moe's is near the church for the sake of a brief gag. When Homer leaves it's back on its usual strip.
* HypocriticalHumor: Homer says that books are for cavemen, yet he acts like a caveman when seeing fire.
* NoodleIncident: Homer bought Bart an alligator for his eighth birthday that wound up living in Springfield's sewers.
* PaletteSwap: Flushie resembles a brownish-green [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS11E19KillTheAlligatorAndRun Captain Jack]].
* RealDreamsAreWeirder: Homer is batting in the World Series against Steroid Santa Claus, and all the announcers are food. And then it gets weird...
* TheReveal: The word on the tree's bark was written by Homer while sleepwalking.
* SewerGator: [[MeaningfulName Flushie]].