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Difference between revisions of "To Surveil with Love"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
 
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{{EpisodePrevNext|The Squirt and the Whale|Moe Letter Blues}}
 
{{EpisodePrevNext|The Squirt and the Whale|Moe Letter Blues}}
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{{Quote|Now just follow a little formula called PB&J, peer at the monitor, be judgmental, and jot it down. And one way to remember that is ABC, Always Be Considering PB&J, but the single most important rule is the four 'A's, Always Act According to ABC.|[[Clancy Wiggum]]}}
|image=ToSurveilWithLove.png
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{{Episode
|Episode Number=461
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|image= To Surveil with Love promo.png
|productionCode=
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|number= 461
|originalAirdate=May 2, 2010
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|season=21
|blackboardText=None
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|snumber=20
|couchGag=The cast lip synchs to Ke$ha's "[[Tik Tok]]".
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|prodcode= MABF12
|billboard=None
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|airdate= May 2, [[2010]]
|titlescreen=None
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|couchgag= The cast lip synchs to [[Kesha|Ke$ha]]'s "[[Tik Tok]]".
|tv=N/A
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|guests= [[Eddie Izzard]] as [[Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Nigel Bakerbutcher]] and [[Prince Charles]]
|specialGuestVoices=[[wikipedia:Eddie Izzard|Eddie Izzard]] as [[Queen Elizabeth]]<br>[[wikipedia:Marcia Wallace|Marcia Walace]] as 
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|showrunner1= Al Jean
|Written By=[[Michael Nobori]]
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|writer= [[Michael Nobori]]
|showRunners=TBA
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|director= [[Lance Kramer]]
|Directed By=[[Lance Kramer]]
 
 
}}
 
}}
'''To Surveil With Love''' is the twentieth episode of [[Season 21]]. It aired on May 2, 2010. The episode was written by [[Michael Nobori]] and directed by [[Lance Kramer]] and guest stars [[Eddie Izzard]] as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Nigel Bakerbutcher.
 
  
Thanks to [[Homer]] leaving a gym bag with radioactive waste (planted there by [[Waylon Smithers|Smithers]]) unattended in a train station, [[Springfield]] has surveillance cameras installed throughout the town, but when citizen video monitor scanner [[Ned Flanders|Ned]] abuses his ability to speak through the camera's speakers, Homer uses the camera blind spot [[Bart]] discovers to the town's advantage; [[Lisa]], having heard one too many dumb blonde jokes, dyes her hair brown.
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"'''To Surveil with Love'''" is the twentieth episode of [[season 21]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the four-hundred and sixty-first episode overall. It originally aired on May 2, [[2010]]. The episode was written by [[Michael Nobori]] and directed by [[Lance Kramer]]. It guest stars [[Eddie Izzard]] as [[Queen Elizabeth II]], [[Nigel Bakerbutcher]] and [[Prince Charles]].
==Plot==
 
When [[Mr. Burns]] is informed that the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]] has run out of room to store waste plutonium, [[Waylon Smithers|Smithers]] hides some of the radioactive matter in [[Homer]]'s Duff gym bag. Later that day, Homer forgets the bag in a train station and mass chaos ensues when the police see the bag as a threat and blow it up (which according to [[Kent Brockman]] released enough radioactive power to create seventeen Incredible Hulks and a Spider Man). The incident sparks fears of terrorism, and the town votes to hire a British security consultant named [[Nigel Bakerbutcher]] to install surveillance cameras all around Springfield. Soon the entire town is being watched, but [[Chief Wiggum]] and the other officers tire of watching the surveillance screens and recruit some of the townspeople — including [[Marge]] and [[Ned Flanders]] — to keep watch. Marge is not comfortable watching the activities of her fellow townspeople, but Ned discovers he enjoys being Springfield's "conscience" and proceeds to nag everyone through loudspeakers on the cameras.
 
  
Meanwhile, [[Lisa]] is invited to join the school debate team but soon discovers that she faces prejudice from the brunette supremacist judges (that her competition readily capitalizes on) because she has blonde hair. Even [[Cletus Spuckler|Cletus]] mocks her when she raises concerns about infringement upon civil liberties at the town hall meeting, so she decides to dye her hair dark brown. At the next debate meeting, she intentionally presents a weak argument and when the judges enthusiastically agree with her, she points out that they judged her on her hair color rather than the strength of her debate skills, and notes that there are exceptions to every stereotype. Just as she says that not all old people are bad drivers, though, [[Abraham Simpson|Grampa]] crashes his car through the wall of the gym where the meeting is being held, ruining her argument.
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== Synopsis ==
 +
{{Desc|Thanks to [[Homer]] leaving a gym bag with radioactive waste (planted there by [[Smithers]]) unattended in a train station, [[Springfield]] has surveillance cameras installed throughout the town to stop terrorist attacks. But when citizen video monitor scanner [[Ned]] abuses his ability to speak through the cameras' speakers, Homer uses the camera blind spot [[Bart]] discovers to the town's advantage; [[Lisa]], having heard one too many dumb blonde jokes, dyes her hair brown.}}
  
[[Bart]] becomes frustrated by Ned's constant nagging and discovers that the Simpson family's backyard contains a blind spot. Soon, he and Homer are charging the townsfolk to use the yard to relax and do anything they want. Marge voices her disapproval and Ned overhears. When Ned confronts Homer, Homer points out that Ned is playing [[God]]. Ned is troubled by this and admits that he got carried away with his nagging, and he and Homer proceed to destroy every security camera in town.
+
== Plot ==
 +
[[File:Drink Duff Responsibly.png|250px|thumb|left|[[Homer]] after receiving [[Duff Beer]] merchandise.]]
 +
[[Duffman]] bursts into [[Moe's Tavern]] to gives everyone free [[Duff]] and Duff stuff, including a Duff gym bag. Back at home, Homer fails to impress Bart with his collection. At school, [[Lisa]] is invited to join the school debate team but soon discovers that she faces prejudice from the brunette supremacist judges (that her competition readily capitalizes on) because she has blond hair.
  
In the end, it is revealed that the antics of Springfield's citizens were broadcast as a reality TV show in Great Britain, known as ''American Oafs''. Queen Elizabeth II remarks that she will miss "that Ralph Wiggum boy," that he reminded her of her own son, and her son Prince Charles replies with a quintessential Ralphism: "My cat's breath smells like cat food."
+
When [[Mr. Burns]] is informed that the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]] has run out of room to store waste plutonium, [[Smithers]] is told to hide some of the radioactive matter in [[Homer]]'s Duff gym bag. Later that day, Homer forgets the bag in a train station and it is spotted as an unnattended bag. It is seen as a threat and blown up, and revealed that the bag contained plutonium. The incident sparks fears of terrorism, and the town votes to hire a British security consultant named [[Nigel Bakerbutcher]] to install surveillance cameras all around Springfield, although Lisa protests and is mocked about her hair color.
==Production==
 
The episode was written by [[Michael Nobori]] who served as a production assistant for Seasons 20 and 21 and directed by [[Lance Kramer]] and guest stars Eddie Izzard performing impressions of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and the character Nigel Bakerbutcher. In an effort for more viewers for May sweeps FOX made a week full of musical segments in all the shows called Fox Rocks. For ''The Simpsons'' they had the entire intro redone with The Simpsons characters lip dubbing Ke$ha's song "Tik Tok" for that episode.
 
==Airing information==
 
*USA: 1st airdate: May 2, 2010
 
*UK: 1st airdate: June 3, 2010
 
*UK: 2nd airdate: June 6, 2010
 
  
{{reflist}}
+
Marge gives Lisa a book named ''[[Sally Circle in Rectangu-land]]'', which Lisa finds unambitious. Later Lisa and Bart watch ''{{Krusty show}}'' which includes [[Krusty]] telling jokes about blondes.
  
 +
Soon the entire town is being watched, but [[Chief Wiggum]] and the other officers tire of watching the surveillance screens. Wiggum gets [[Lou]] and [[Eddie]] to recruit seven of the townspeople — including [[Marge]] and [[Ned Flanders]] — to keep watch. Eventually only Marge and Flanders are left, but Marge is not comfortable watching the activities of her fellow townspeople and goes home, which leaves Ned to discover he enjoys being Springfield's "conscience" and proceeds to nag everyone through loudspeakers on the cameras, somewhat abusing his powers.
  
 +
After stopping illegal wagering in Moe's Tavern, Ned frustrates Bart with his constant nagging which makes Bart show his butt to the camera. He notices this has no effect on Ned, and discovers the Simpsons' back yard is a blind spot. Soon, he and Homer are charging the townsfolk to use the yard to relax and do anything they want. Marge asks Homer what is happening and voices her disapproval to herself outside the blind spot. Ned overhears the conversation and uses [[Rod]] to find the blind spot.
  
 +
At the next debate meeting, Lisa (who is wearing a brunette wig), intentionally presents a weak argument and when the judges enthusiastically agree with her, she points out that they judged her on her hair color rather than the strength of her debate skills, and notes that there are exceptions to every stereotype. Not all blondes are stupid and not all fat people are jolly, including [[Comic Book Guy]], and just as she says that not all old people are bad drivers, though, [[Grampa]] crashes his car through the wall of the gym where the meeting is being held, ruining her argument.
  
{{Season 21}}
+
When Ned confronts Homer, Homer points out that because Ned won't let anyone do anything all their pent up desires have been focused into this one small point and that he is playing [[God]]. Ned is troubled by this and admits that he got carried away with his nagging, and he and Homer proceed to destroy every security camera in town.
[[Category:Season 21]]
+
 
 +
In the end, it is revealed that the antics of Springfield's citizens were broadcast as a (in fact, the most popular) reality TV show in [[England]], known as ''[[The American Oafs]]''. Queen Elizabeth II remarks that she will miss "that Ralph Wiggum boy," that he reminded her of her own son, and her son Prince Charles replies with a quintessential Wiggum-ism: "My cat's breath smells like cat food."
 +
 
 +
== Opening Sequence ==
 +
The Simpsons characters lip-synced to {{W|Ke$ha}}'s "[[Tik Tok]]". This is the first canonical episode that does not feature the original theme song in the opening sequence in any capacity, in the show's history. The sequence features the characters performing actions that relate to the lyrics of the song.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:To Surveil With Love Couch Gag.png
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
{{Images|ep=yes}}
 +
{{season 21}}
 +
 
 +
[[Category:2010]]
 +
[[Category:Homer episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Lisa episodes]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Nobori]]
 +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Lance Kramer]]
 +
 
 +
[[sv:To Surveil With Love]]

Latest revision as of 14:32, November 19, 2024

Season 21 Episode
460 "The Squirt and the Whale"
461
"To Surveil with Love"
"Moe Letter Blues" 462
"Now just follow a little formula called PB&J, peer at the monitor, be judgmental, and jot it down. And one way to remember that is ABC, Always Be Considering PB&J, but the single most important rule is the four 'A's, Always Act According to ABC."
Clancy Wiggum
"To Surveil with Love"
To Surveil with Love promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 461
Season number: S21 E20
Production code: MABF12
Original airdate: May 2, 2010
Couch gag: The cast lip synchs to Ke$ha's "Tik Tok".
Guest star(s): Eddie Izzard as Queen Elizabeth II, Nigel Bakerbutcher and Prince Charles
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Michael Nobori
Directed by: Lance Kramer


"To Surveil with Love" is the twentieth episode of season 21 of The Simpsons and the four-hundred and sixty-first episode overall. It originally aired on May 2, 2010. The episode was written by Michael Nobori and directed by Lance Kramer. It guest stars Eddie Izzard as Queen Elizabeth II, Nigel Bakerbutcher and Prince Charles.

Synopsis[edit]

"Thanks to Homer leaving a gym bag with radioactive waste (planted there by Smithers) unattended in a train station, Springfield has surveillance cameras installed throughout the town to stop terrorist attacks. But when citizen video monitor scanner Ned abuses his ability to speak through the cameras' speakers, Homer uses the camera blind spot Bart discovers to the town's advantage; Lisa, having heard one too many dumb blonde jokes, dyes her hair brown."


Plot[edit]

Homer after receiving Duff Beer merchandise.

Duffman bursts into Moe's Tavern to gives everyone free Duff and Duff stuff, including a Duff gym bag. Back at home, Homer fails to impress Bart with his collection. At school, Lisa is invited to join the school debate team but soon discovers that she faces prejudice from the brunette supremacist judges (that her competition readily capitalizes on) because she has blond hair.

When Mr. Burns is informed that the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant has run out of room to store waste plutonium, Smithers is told to hide some of the radioactive matter in Homer's Duff gym bag. Later that day, Homer forgets the bag in a train station and it is spotted as an unnattended bag. It is seen as a threat and blown up, and revealed that the bag contained plutonium. The incident sparks fears of terrorism, and the town votes to hire a British security consultant named Nigel Bakerbutcher to install surveillance cameras all around Springfield, although Lisa protests and is mocked about her hair color.

Marge gives Lisa a book named Sally Circle in Rectangu-land, which Lisa finds unambitious. Later Lisa and Bart watch The Krusty the Clown Show which includes Krusty telling jokes about blondes.

Soon the entire town is being watched, but Chief Wiggum and the other officers tire of watching the surveillance screens. Wiggum gets Lou and Eddie to recruit seven of the townspeople — including Marge and Ned Flanders — to keep watch. Eventually only Marge and Flanders are left, but Marge is not comfortable watching the activities of her fellow townspeople and goes home, which leaves Ned to discover he enjoys being Springfield's "conscience" and proceeds to nag everyone through loudspeakers on the cameras, somewhat abusing his powers.

After stopping illegal wagering in Moe's Tavern, Ned frustrates Bart with his constant nagging which makes Bart show his butt to the camera. He notices this has no effect on Ned, and discovers the Simpsons' back yard is a blind spot. Soon, he and Homer are charging the townsfolk to use the yard to relax and do anything they want. Marge asks Homer what is happening and voices her disapproval to herself outside the blind spot. Ned overhears the conversation and uses Rod to find the blind spot.

At the next debate meeting, Lisa (who is wearing a brunette wig), intentionally presents a weak argument and when the judges enthusiastically agree with her, she points out that they judged her on her hair color rather than the strength of her debate skills, and notes that there are exceptions to every stereotype. Not all blondes are stupid and not all fat people are jolly, including Comic Book Guy, and just as she says that not all old people are bad drivers, though, Grampa crashes his car through the wall of the gym where the meeting is being held, ruining her argument.

When Ned confronts Homer, Homer points out that because Ned won't let anyone do anything all their pent up desires have been focused into this one small point and that he is playing God. Ned is troubled by this and admits that he got carried away with his nagging, and he and Homer proceed to destroy every security camera in town.

In the end, it is revealed that the antics of Springfield's citizens were broadcast as a (in fact, the most popular) reality TV show in England, known as The American Oafs. Queen Elizabeth II remarks that she will miss "that Ralph Wiggum boy," that he reminded her of her own son, and her son Prince Charles replies with a quintessential Wiggum-ism: "My cat's breath smells like cat food."

Opening Sequence[edit]

The Simpsons characters lip-synced to Ke$ha's "Tik Tok". This is the first canonical episode that does not feature the original theme song in the opening sequence in any capacity, in the show's history. The sequence features the characters performing actions that relate to the lyrics of the song.


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "To Surveil with Love".
Season 21 Episodes
Homer the Whopper Bart Gets a "Z" The Great Wife Hope Treehouse of Horror XX The Devil Wears Nada Pranks and Greens Rednecks and Broomsticks Oh Brother, Where Bart Thou? Thursdays with Abie Once Upon a Time in Springfield Million Dollar Maybe Boy Meets Curl The Color Yellow Postcards from the Wedge Stealing First Base The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed American History X-cellent Chief of Hearts The Squirt and the Whale To Surveil with Love Moe Letter Blues The Bob Next Door Judge Me Tender