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Difference between revisions of "Mona Leaves-a"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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{{episode
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{{Tab}}
|image= Mona Leaves-a.jpg
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{{EpisodePrevNext|Any Given Sundance|All About Lisa}}
|productionCode=KABF12
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{{Quote|Homer, if you're watching this, either I'm dead, or you've gone through my stuff. If I'm dead, this is my video will; if not, please keep away from my stuff.|[[Mona Simpson]]}}
|originalAirdate=May 11, 2008
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{{Episode
|blackboardText= This punishment is not medieval.
+
|image= Mona Leaves-a.png
|couchGag= The "evolution" gag
+
|number=419
|specialGuestVoices=[[Glenn Close]] as [[Mona Simpson]] and [[Lance Armstrong]] as himself
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|season=19
|Written By= [[Joel H. Cohen]]
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|snumber=19
|Directed By= [[Mike B. Anderson]] <br> Ralph Sosa
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|prodcode=KABF12
 +
|airdate=May 11, [[2008]]
 +
|blackboard= This punishment is not medieval (written in fancy gothic letters)
 +
|couchgag= The "[[Homer's Evolution|evolution" gag]]
 +
|guests=[[Glenn Close]] as [[Mona Simpson]]<br>[[Lance Armstrong]] as {{Ch|Lance Armstrong|himself}}
 +
|showrunner1= Al Jean
 +
|writer= [[Joel H. Cohen]]
 +
|director= [[Mike B. Anderson]]<br>[[Ralph Sosa]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
"'''Mona Leaves-A'''" is the nineteenth episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> nineteenth season. It aired on May 11, 2008.<ref name="FF">{{cite news | title = Fox unleashes a May sweeps to remember | publisher = FoxFlash | date = 2008-04-15 | url =http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z1z25z1z8&ID=4087 | accessdate =2008-04-15}}</ref> It guest starred Glenn Close in her third and final appearance as Mona Simpson, and Lance Armstrong as himself.<ref name="FF"/>
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"'''Mona Leaves-a'''" is the nineteenth episode of [[season 19]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the four-hundred and nineteenth episode overall. It originally aired on May 11, [[2008]]. The episode was written by [[Joel H. Cohen]] and directed by [[Mike B. Anderson]] and [[Ralph Sosa]]. It guest stars [[Glenn Close]] as [[Mona Simpson]] and [[Lance Armstrong]] as {{Ch|Lance Armstrong|himself}}.
  
==Plot==
+
== Synopsis ==
[[The Simpsons]] return home from the mall to discover that someone has broken into their home.  [[Homer]] prepares to confront the burglar using a device made from a concrete block on a chain, but when he smells apple pie, he abandons the attempt and rushes into the house.  Here he finds that the housebreaker is, in fact, his [[Mona Simpson|mother]].  [[Mona]] informs [[Homer]] that she intends to give up her life on the run and settle down with the family permanently, but [[Homer]] refuses, having been hurt too many times by her in the past.
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{{Desc|[[Homer]] is reunited with his mother, [[Mona Simpson|Mona]], but isn't willing to forgive her for all the times she left him as a child. When she dies, a guilt-ridden Homer attempts to make it up to her by fulfilling her final wishes.}}
  
[[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] inform [[Mona]] that despite his anger, [[Homer]] loves her and misses her while she is away. After hearing this, [[Mona]] realises that in an attempt to save the world, she had destroyed her family, and is truly remorseful.  However, when she tries to tell this to [[Homer]], he becomes infuriated. Sadly, she leaves the room, saying that it takes time for him to forgive her.
+
== Plot ==
 +
After going to the [[Itchy & Scratchy's]]-themed sweater store at the [[Springfield Mall]], [[Simpson family|The Simpsons]] find [[Stuff-N-Hug]] is in a malfunctioning state due to [[Ralph]] overfilling his teddy bear. [[Bart]] makes things worse by recording himself insulting [[Homer]] on a stuffed hippopotamus. They return home to discover that someone has broken into their home. Homer prepares to confront the burglar using a device made from a concrete block on a chain, but when he smells apple pie, he rushes into the kitchen. Here he finds that the housebreaker is, in fact, his [[Mona Simpson|mother]]. Mona informs Homer that she intends to give up her life on the run and settle down with the family permanently, but Homer refuses, having been hurt too many times by her in the past.
  
Later that night, [[Homer]] feels guilty for the way he treated his mother, and decides to make her a card to express his feelings. He comes downstairs to give it to her, but finds her still and quiet in front of the fire. Unaware of the reason for his mother not speaking to him when she seemed so eager to apologise earlier, [[Homer]] gets directly into her face. Soon he realizes that his mother has died, and is devastated.
+
Mona realizes that in an attempt to save the world, she had destroyed her family, and is truly remorseful. However, when she tries to tell this to Homer, he becomes infuriated. Sadly, she leaves the room, saying that she understands it'll take time for him to forgive her. Later that night, Homer feels guilty for the way he treated his mother, and decides to make her a card to express his feelings. He comes downstairs to give it to her, but finds her still and quiet in front of the fire. Unaware of the reason for his mother not speaking to him when she seemed so eager to apologize earlier, Homer gets directly into her face. Soon he realizes that his mother has died, and is devastated.  
  
After [[Mona]] is cremated, the family returns from her funeral and finds a videocassette with her will recorded on it. She has left [[Bart]] a pocketknife. She has left [[Marge]] with a bag made of hemp. She has left [[Lisa]] her rebellious spirit. And she has left [[Homer]] with a difficult task.
+
After Mona is cremated, the family returns from her funeral and finds a DVD with her will recorded on it. She has left Bart a pocket-knife. She has left [[Marge]] a bag made of hemp. She has left [[Lisa]] her rebellious spirit (although Lisa takes her earrings anyway). And she left Homer with a difficult task. Homer must carry Mona's ashes to the top of a mountain, located in [[Springfield Monument Park]], and release them into the air at 3 o'clock. Homer does this and the ashes float into a missile launching device in a secret lair inside of the mountain and cause it to malfunction. Homer, realizing that this was just another radical activist movement, feels betrayed. He accidentally falls into the secret lair.
  
[[Homer]] must carry [[Mona]]'s ashes to the top of a mountain and release them into the air at 3 o'clock. [[Homer]] does this. The ashes float into a missile launching device in a secret lair inside of the mountain and cause it to malfunction. [[Homer]], realizing that this was just another radical activist movement, feels betrayed. He accidently falls into the secret lair.
+
The secret lair is run by none other than [[Mr. Burns]], who plans to send all of the leftover nuclear waste to the Amazon Rainforest to have it out of the way. Mona's ashes are removed from the missile launching system, and the plan proceeds as before. As punishment for trying to stop the missile launching, Homer is tied to a chair and trapped in Burns's lair. Outside of the secret lair, the family tries to break Homer out. Bart gives Homer Mona's pocketknife by throwing it into a vent that leads into the secret lair, although not without the knife making contact with his head.  
  
The secret lair is run by no other than [[Mr. Burns]], who plans to send all of the leftover nuclear waste to the Amazon Rainforest to have it out of the way. [[Mona]]'s ashes are removed from the missile launching system, and the plan procedes as before. As punishment for trying to stop the missile launching, [[Homer]] is tied to a chair and trapped in [[Burns]]'s lair. Outside of the secret lair, the family tries to break [[Homer]] out. [[Bart]] gives [[Homer]] [[Mona]]'s pocketknife by throwing it into a vent that leads into the secret lair. Outside, [[Marge]] ignites the purse made of hemp, the smoke causes some guards that are guarding the lair to get high and pass out. [[Homer]] takes out any remaining guards using the concrete block on a chain from the beginning of the episode. He finally makes peace with his mother and releases her ashes in the air. He fondly remembers her, and Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" accompanies a tribute to her at the end.
+
Outside, Marge ignites the purse made of hemp with Lisa's help involving one of Mona's earrings (she nicked them from her nightstand as she wanted a useful gift due to Bart getting a pocketknife), the smoke causes some guards that are guarding the lair to get high and Homer knocks them out. Homer takes out the remaining guards using the concrete block on a chain from the beginning of the episode. After praising the block, he sets it down on the (mostly wrecked) launch guidance console, although he inadvertently activates a 10-second timer for the self-destruct mechanism, which he managed to escape via parachute. He finally makes peace with his mother and releases her ashes in the air. He fondly remembers her, and Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" accompanies a tribute to her at the end.
  
==Dedication==
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== Production ==
This episode dedicates Elsie Castelleneta ([[Dan Castelleneta]]'s mother) and Dora K. Warren. ([[Harry Shearer's]] mother)
+
The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Mike B. Anderson and Ralph Sosa. [[Glenn Close]] makes her third and final appearance as Mona Simpson, and [[Lance Armstrong]] has a cameo as himself. The episode is dedicated to the memories of [[Elsie Castellaneta]] ([[Dan Castellaneta]]'s mother) and [[Dora K. Warren]] ([[Harry Shearer]]'s mother). Also, this episode marked the start of yearly episodes to deal with women or mothers while airing on Mother's Day.
==Trivia==
 
The Stuff n' Hug store is a parody of Build a Bear Workshop
 
  
==Cultural references==
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== Reception ==
It's the third time a title is used based on the famous Da Vinci painting, the [[wikipedia:Mona Lisa|Mona Lisa]] the first two being "[[Moaning Lisa]]" and "[[Moe 'N' a Lisa]].
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"Mona Leaves-a" was watched by 6.02 million households and earned a 2.9 Nielsen rating. IGN and TV Squad called it a "decent episode", but hated Mona's brief appearance. Both, however, praised the scene where Homer found out Mona had passed away, and the tribute at the end. FireFox.org quotes the third act should not even have existed and that the James Bond theme had already been done in "[[You Only Move Twice]]", and ruined the image of the episode.
  
==References==
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{{Images|ep=yes}}
<references/>
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{{season 19}}
  
{{stub}}
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[[Category:2008]]
{{Season 19}}
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[[Category:Homer episodes]]
[[Category:Episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by Joel H. Cohen]]
[[Category:Season 19]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Mike B. Anderson]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Ralph Sosa]]
 +
 
 +
[[sv:Mona Leaves-a]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, May 12, 2024

Season 19 Episode
418 "Any Given Sundance"
419
"Mona Leaves-a"
"All About Lisa" 420
"Homer, if you're watching this, either I'm dead, or you've gone through my stuff. If I'm dead, this is my video will; if not, please keep away from my stuff."
Mona Simpson
"Mona Leaves-a"
Mona Leaves-a.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 419
Season number: S19 E19
Production code: KABF12
Original airdate: May 11, 2008
Chalkboard gag: This punishment is not medieval (written in fancy gothic letters)
Couch gag: The "evolution" gag
Guest star(s): Glenn Close as Mona Simpson
Lance Armstrong as himself
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Joel H. Cohen
Directed by: Mike B. Anderson
Ralph Sosa


"Mona Leaves-a" is the nineteenth episode of season 19 of The Simpsons and the four-hundred and nineteenth episode overall. It originally aired on May 11, 2008. The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Mike B. Anderson and Ralph Sosa. It guest stars Glenn Close as Mona Simpson and Lance Armstrong as himself.

Synopsis[edit]

"Homer is reunited with his mother, Mona, but isn't willing to forgive her for all the times she left him as a child. When she dies, a guilt-ridden Homer attempts to make it up to her by fulfilling her final wishes."


Plot[edit]

After going to the Itchy & Scratchy's-themed sweater store at the Springfield Mall, The Simpsons find Stuff-N-Hug is in a malfunctioning state due to Ralph overfilling his teddy bear. Bart makes things worse by recording himself insulting Homer on a stuffed hippopotamus. They return home to discover that someone has broken into their home. Homer prepares to confront the burglar using a device made from a concrete block on a chain, but when he smells apple pie, he rushes into the kitchen. Here he finds that the housebreaker is, in fact, his mother. Mona informs Homer that she intends to give up her life on the run and settle down with the family permanently, but Homer refuses, having been hurt too many times by her in the past.

Mona realizes that in an attempt to save the world, she had destroyed her family, and is truly remorseful. However, when she tries to tell this to Homer, he becomes infuriated. Sadly, she leaves the room, saying that she understands it'll take time for him to forgive her. Later that night, Homer feels guilty for the way he treated his mother, and decides to make her a card to express his feelings. He comes downstairs to give it to her, but finds her still and quiet in front of the fire. Unaware of the reason for his mother not speaking to him when she seemed so eager to apologize earlier, Homer gets directly into her face. Soon he realizes that his mother has died, and is devastated.

After Mona is cremated, the family returns from her funeral and finds a DVD with her will recorded on it. She has left Bart a pocket-knife. She has left Marge a bag made of hemp. She has left Lisa her rebellious spirit (although Lisa takes her earrings anyway). And she left Homer with a difficult task. Homer must carry Mona's ashes to the top of a mountain, located in Springfield Monument Park, and release them into the air at 3 o'clock. Homer does this and the ashes float into a missile launching device in a secret lair inside of the mountain and cause it to malfunction. Homer, realizing that this was just another radical activist movement, feels betrayed. He accidentally falls into the secret lair.

The secret lair is run by none other than Mr. Burns, who plans to send all of the leftover nuclear waste to the Amazon Rainforest to have it out of the way. Mona's ashes are removed from the missile launching system, and the plan proceeds as before. As punishment for trying to stop the missile launching, Homer is tied to a chair and trapped in Burns's lair. Outside of the secret lair, the family tries to break Homer out. Bart gives Homer Mona's pocketknife by throwing it into a vent that leads into the secret lair, although not without the knife making contact with his head.

Outside, Marge ignites the purse made of hemp with Lisa's help involving one of Mona's earrings (she nicked them from her nightstand as she wanted a useful gift due to Bart getting a pocketknife), the smoke causes some guards that are guarding the lair to get high and Homer knocks them out. Homer takes out the remaining guards using the concrete block on a chain from the beginning of the episode. After praising the block, he sets it down on the (mostly wrecked) launch guidance console, although he inadvertently activates a 10-second timer for the self-destruct mechanism, which he managed to escape via parachute. He finally makes peace with his mother and releases her ashes in the air. He fondly remembers her, and Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" accompanies a tribute to her at the end.

Production[edit]

The episode was written by Joel H. Cohen and directed by Mike B. Anderson and Ralph Sosa. Glenn Close makes her third and final appearance as Mona Simpson, and Lance Armstrong has a cameo as himself. The episode is dedicated to the memories of Elsie Castellaneta (Dan Castellaneta's mother) and Dora K. Warren (Harry Shearer's mother). Also, this episode marked the start of yearly episodes to deal with women or mothers while airing on Mother's Day.

Reception[edit]

"Mona Leaves-a" was watched by 6.02 million households and earned a 2.9 Nielsen rating. IGN and TV Squad called it a "decent episode", but hated Mona's brief appearance. Both, however, praised the scene where Homer found out Mona had passed away, and the tribute at the end. FireFox.org quotes the third act should not even have existed and that the James Bond theme had already been done in "You Only Move Twice", and ruined the image of the episode.


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "Mona Leaves-a".
Season 19 Episodes
He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs The Homer of Seville Midnight Towboy I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Treehouse of Horror XVIII Little Orphan Millie Husbands and Knives Funeral for a Fiend Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind E Pluribus Wiggum That '90s Show Love, Springfieldian Style The Debarted Dial "N" for Nerder Smoke on the Daughter Papa Don't Leech Apocalypse Cow Any Given Sundance Mona Leaves-a All About Lisa