History Recap / TheSimpsonsS11E2BrothersLittleHelper

* ComicalOverreacting: When Bart uses the tank to shoot down the satellite that has been spying on everybody, as he aims the cannon at the sky, Mel screams "No, not the sky! That's where clouds are born!". [[FlatWhat What]].

* AccidentalHero: Bart's unrelated prank of flooding the gymnasium accidentally saved Flanders' life by dousing the flames when Flanders set himself on fire. This doesn't stop him from being punished for it, and isn't even acknowledged.

* SpoofAesop: Marge learns a lesson about giving her kids dangerous drugs and decides [[DistinctionWithoutADifference to keep Bart on Ritalin from now on]].

* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: After exhibiting this kind of behavior for many seasons, Bart is informally diagnosed with ADHD and put on a course of medication. No word on whether a similar diagnosis would benefit [[SharedFamilyQuirks Homer]].

-->'''Homer:''' ''(talking through [[BrickJoke a 3D model of the classroom Skinner had showed Marge earlier]] like it's a megaphone)'' Hi, Marge. It's me, Homer. ''(Skinner coughs.)'' What? Time to go?

* TinfoilHat: Bart's initial reaction to his ([[ProperlyParanoid wholly warranted]] fear that the MLB are using a satellite to spy on him is to strap a garbage can lid to his head and cover himself in tin foil. He also tries to take the fillings out of Lisa's teeth.

* TinfoilHat: Bart's initial reaction to his ([[ProperlyFounded wholly warranted]] fear that the MLB are using a satellite to spy on him is to strap a garbage can lid to his head and cover himself in tin foil. He also tries to take the fillings out of Lisa's teeth.

-->'''Bart:''' You can't take my Focusyn! I need every brain cell blazing to outwit my invisible enemies!

* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Bart turns out to have been ProperlyParanoid, but nothing about the way he expresses it would clue you in. In fairness, right or not, [[JustifiedTrope he's still extremely hopped up on meds]].

-->'''Bart:''' You can't take my Focusyn! I need every brain cell blazing to outwit my invisible enemies.

* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: The only thing the doctors that diagnosed Bart can think of after the Focusyn seemingly drives him nuts is to give him more drugs (which is standard procedure for weaning someone off, but Marge still calls them out on this for good reason. In response, and to calm her down, they inject her with Valium (Homer was supposed to get injected too, but the automated syringe was full of air).

* PopCulturePunEpisodeTitle: The title references Music/TheRollingStones song "Mother's Little Helper", which is also about drug addiction.

** Combined with an (off-screen) DarkParody: when Marge calls the police to try to find Bart, her description is drawn by Lou and is ComicStrip/{{Dennis the Menace|US}}. Wiggum then says that it's the kid who "roughed up the Wilson widow".

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Ms. Krabappel tries to have the class read a poem before Nelson interrupts about two dogs fighting outside. When she tells them to return to their seats, she's stunned to see that Bart was in his seat the whole time.

* TankGoodness: The climax of the episode is Bart stealing a tank from the local army base and going on a rampage. At first it looks like he's going to blow the town up, but then he manages to shoot the MLB's SpySatellite with the tank's main gun.

** Upon seeing Bart with the tank, Comic Book Guy says it's a job for ComicBook/GreenLantern, Tundra, or ComicBook/GhostRider. Otto asks about Franchise/{{Superman}} but Comic Book Guy doesn't take the idea seriously.

** Upon seeing Bart with the tank, Comic Book Guy says it's a job for ''ComicBook/GreenLantern'', Tundra, or ''ComicBook/GhostRider''. Otto asks about ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' but Comic Book Guy doesn't take the idea seriously.
** While arresting Bart for stealing the tank, Chief Wiggum calls him ''[[WesternAnimation/BugsBunny "Drugs Bunny"]]'' and says it's the end of his ''[[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes looney tune]]''.

* ExpyCoexistence: Combined with an (off-screen) DarkParody: when Marge calls the police to try to find Bart, her description is drawn by Lou and is ComicStrip/{{Dennis the Menace|US}}. Wiggum then says that it's the kid who "roughed up the Wilson widow".
** Focusyn seems to be a stand-in for Ritalin, until the end of the episode, when Marge says she's getting Bart off of Focusyn... and back on Ritalin.

* MistakenForGay: Upon seeing Bart dressed as a cheerleader, Skinner says that Bart has gotten into the pep closet, to which Homer replies, "I'd say he's coming out of the pep closet."

'''Homer:''' Sure you do! All your favourite stars have used drugs. Brett Butler, Tim Allen...\\
'''Marge:''' Tommy Lee...\\
'''Homer:''' Andy Dick...\\