Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore

"Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is the twelfth episode of Season 15. It originally aired on February 15, 2004.

Main plot
During a school field trip, Bart notices a change in Milhouse's behavior. Milhouse talks back to Mrs. Krabappel, wanders away from the group and causes mischief with Bart, and tells Bart he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him anymore. Finally, Milhouse reveals that he is moving to Capital City with his mother who is separated from his father.

Bart visits Milhouse in Capital City, only to find that Milhouse has dyed his hair blond, is wearing fashionable clothes, and is cultivating a "bad-boy" image. Milhouse asks Bart if he can act cool at Bart's expense (to which Bart reluctantly agrees), including giving Bart a wedgie in front of his new Capital City friends. At home, seeing how depressed Bart is, Marge suggests he spend more time with Lisa. The two begin to bond by washing the car and riding bikes, and after they discover an Indian burial mound together, they become best friends. Milhouse and his mother return to Springfield after his father gets a court order requiring Milhouse's mother to return him.

After Lisa finds out Bart told Milhouse about the burial mound, she tells him he is acting like their friendship never existed and was using her to fill the void created by Milhouse's absence. Bart, however, shows her that he still values her as a sister by giving her a set of cards with nice things he will do for her on them, and the two hug.

Subplot
At Moe's Tavern, Apu and Manjula are celebrating their anniversary, and Homer realizes he does not have anything for Marge for their anniversary. After being thrown out of the bar, Homer sits on the street and people give him money. He dances and earns enough money to buy Marge some flowers.

Homer continues his panhandling, and eventually makes enough money to buy Marge a pair of diamond earrings. When he continues panhandling afterward, angry bums bring Marge to see what Homer is doing. Marge is mortified and angry, but can not bring herself to throw the earrings away.

Closing
The episode ends with Isabel Sanford at the TV and Radio museum, pointing out how sitcoms usually resort to using sappy endings for their episodes, and finally begging George Jefferson to come back.

Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore