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Difference between revisions of "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story"

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'''The Seemingly Never-Ending Story''' is an [[Emmy]]-nominated episode of [[The Simpsons]] that originally aired in the United States on [[March 12]], [[2006]]. It was the thirteenth episode of the show's seventeenth season. The title is a take-off from the novel ''[[The Neverending Story]]'', and the [[1984]] [[Wolfgang Petersen]] [[Die Unendliche Geschichte (film)|film of the same name]].
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{{Tab}}
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{{EpisodePrevNext|My Fair Laddy|Bart Has Two Mommies}}
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{{Icons||FE}}
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{{Episode
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|image= The Seemingly Never-Ending Story Promo.png
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|number= 369
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|season=17
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|snumber=13
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|prodcode= HABF06
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|airdate= March 12, [[2006]]
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|couchgag= The Simpson's are on a conveyor belt, and Homer is placed on.
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|guests= [[Maurice LaMarche]] as [[Commander McBragg]]
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|showrunner1= Al Jean
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|writer= [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]]
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|director= [[Raymond S. Persi]]
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}}
  
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While [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] is trapped in a cave, [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] tells him a story from her past, vaguely similar to the episode "[[22 Short Films About Springfield]]."
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"'''The Seemingly Never-Ending Story'''" is the thirteenth episode of [[season 17]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and the three-hundred and sixty-ninth episode overall. It originally aired on March 12, [[2006]]. The episode was written by [[Ian Maxtone-Graham]] and directed by [[Raymond S. Persi]]. It guest stars [[Maurice LaMarche]] as [[Commander McBragg]].
  
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The episode has been nominated for an Emmy at the 2006 awards.
+
== Synopsis ==
 +
{{Desc|The family is on a nature walk through [[Carl's Dad Caverns]], when [[Homer]] tries to get a piece from a stalactite. This results in the family falling through the cave floor and winds up with Homer getting stuck in the ceiling of one of the lower chambers of the cave. [[Marge]], [[Bart]] and [[Maggie]] go off to find help, while [[Lisa]] stays behind and tells her father a story to pass the time. Her story involves running from a [[bighorn sheep]] and into [[Burns Manor|Mr. Burn's mansion]]. The pair evades the tenacious sheep by finding refuge in the mansion's attic, where [[Mr. Burns]] tells her the story of how he came to work at [[Moe's Tavern]] by losing a scavenger hunt with a [[The Rich Texan]]. While there he learned (and tells to Lisa) the tale of the Moe's treasure. The stories within stories culminate in the fate of the treasure being determined in the cave.}}
  
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==Plot Synopsis==
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== Plot ==
 
While visiting a cave, Homer meddles with a very fragile stalactite, with the result that the whole family ends up in a hidden cavern below the main tour—with Homer stuck in a narrow hole, half in and half out of the cavern. To pass the time, Lisa begins to tell a story.
 
While visiting a cave, Homer meddles with a very fragile stalactite, with the result that the whole family ends up in a hidden cavern below the main tour—with Homer stuck in a narrow hole, half in and half out of the cavern. To pass the time, Lisa begins to tell a story.
  
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Lisa tells how, the week before, she had been out for a walk when a [[Bighorn sheep|big-horned goat]] inexplicably attacked her; she ran to the nearest shelter, [[Montgomery Burns|Mr. Burns]]' house. The animal bursts in, and she and Mr. Burns wind up in the attic. There, Lisa finds a photo of Mr. Burns as an employee at [[Moe Szyslak#Moe's Tavern|Moe's]], and he tells her the origins of it.
+
Lisa tells how, the week before, she had been out for a walk when a big-horned goat inexplicably attacked her; she ran to the nearest shelter, Mr. Burns' house. The animal bursts in, and she and Mr. Burns wind up in the attic. There, Lisa finds a photo of Mr. Burns as an employee at Moe's, and he tells her the origins of it.
  
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Mr. Burns explains that once, he and the [[List of recurring characters from The Simpsons#Colonel O'Hara (Rich Texan)|Rich Texan]] were involved in a [[scavenger hunt]], the winner of which would get all the possessions of the loser. Mr. Burns was unable to find the last item on the list—a picture of himself with a smiling child. (Every child was terrified of him.) The Texan won, and Mr. Burns had to go and work at Moe's. While there, he found a note to be opened when [[Moe Szyslak|Moe]] died, which led to Moe's story of a hidden treasure.
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Mr. Burns explains that once, he and The Rich Texan were involved in a scavenger hunt, the winner of which would get all the possessions of the loser. Mr. Burns was unable to find the last item on the list—a picture of himself with a smiling child. (Every child was terrified of him.) The Texan won, and Mr. Burns had to go and work at Moe's. While there, he found a note to be opened when Moe died, which led to Moe's story of a hidden treasure.
  
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Apparently, the summer before [[Edna Krabappel|Mrs. Krabappel]] was to begin teaching, she and Moe met and fell in love, albeit without her knowing he owned a bar (she hates bar owners). Scared that Edna would find out the truth about him, Moe wanted to leave Springfield with her but had no money. He then discovered that [[Snake Jailbird|Snake]]—who used to be an idealistic archaeologist—had discovered a large batch of [[Mayan]] coins he was going to donate to the museum. Moe ended up stealing them, turning Snake to a life of crime. He was then about to leave town with Edna, but when she went into the school to explain that she was quitting, she saw [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]. (This leads to ''her'' story.) Bart explained he had all-summer detention, and felt he was a lost cause because no one believed in him. Edna declared that come the next year, when she was to teach fourth grade, she would help him to succeed, and explained this to Moe. (It turns out, however, that Bart was actually just distracting Edna while he and [[Nelson Muntz|Nelson]] were stealing [[microscope]]s and [[computer]]s.) Angered, Moe insanely screams at her and drives away to his tavern, even though the both of them don't want their relationship to end.
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Apparently, the summer before [[Mrs. Krabappel]] was to begin teaching, she and Moe met and fell in love, albeit without her knowing he owned a bar (she hates bar and nightclub owners since her ex-husband was a drunkard). Scared that Edna would find out the truth about him, Moe wanted to leave Springfield with her but had no money. He then discovered that [[Snake]]—who used to be an idealistic archaeologist—had discovered a large batch of Mayan coins he was going to donate to the museum. Moe ended up stealing them, turning Snake to a life of crime. He was then about to leave town with Edna, but when she went into the school to explain that she was quitting, she saw Bart. (This leads to ''her'' story.) Bart explained he had all-summer detention, and felt he was a lost cause because no one believed in him. Edna declared that come the next year, when she was to teach fourth grade, she would help him to succeed, and explained this to Moe. (It turns out, however, that Bart was actually just distracting Edna while he and [[Nelson]] were stealing microscopes and computers.) Angered, Moe insanely screams at her and drives away to his tavern, even though the both of them don't want their relationship to end.
  
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Utterly depressed, Moe puts priceless coins in his [[jukebox]], playing their love theme over and over again. Mr. Burns (here ends Moe's story) opened it up and gave them to the Texan to buy back his things, but the Texan demanded that Mr. Burns produce a picture of himself with a smiling child before he could get the Plant back. (The Texan, he explained, has [[Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder]], thus feeling the need to complete the scavenger hunt.) End Mr. Burns' story—he explains to Lisa that he cannot get the plant back.
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Utterly depressed, Moe puts priceless coins in his jukebox, playing their love theme over and over again. Mr. Burns (here ends Moe's story) opened it up and gave them to the Texan to buy back his things, but the Texan demanded that Mr. Burns produce a picture of himself with a smiling child before he could get the Plant back. (The Texan, he explained, has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, thus feeling the need to complete the scavenger hunt.) End Mr. Burns' story—he explains to Lisa that he cannot get the plant back.
  
 
Just then, the goat burst into the attic. Mr. Burns hurts himself defending Lisa; however, it turns out that it doesn't want to kill them—in ''its'' story (which lasts but a few seconds) it explains that it found Lisa's pearl necklace and was merely trying to return it. Lisa, in gratitude to Mr. Burns for his attempted rescue, takes a photo of the two together with her smiling. This exits to the cave scene.
 
Just then, the goat burst into the attic. Mr. Burns hurts himself defending Lisa; however, it turns out that it doesn't want to kill them—in ''its'' story (which lasts but a few seconds) it explains that it found Lisa's pearl necklace and was merely trying to return it. Lisa, in gratitude to Mr. Burns for his attempted rescue, takes a photo of the two together with her smiling. This exits to the cave scene.
  
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Just then, Homer breaks free of his trap, and suddenly reveals that he had an ulterior motive for bringing the family to the caves. ''He'' tells a story, explaining that while in the woods (hiding from babysitting duty), he saw the Texan hide the gold coins in the cave, and brought the family so they could search for the gold. Just then, the Texan shows up, and the gold is found—just in time for Moe, Mr. Burns (who has been hiding behind a [[stalactite]]) and Snake to also appear, and they enter a [[Mexican standoff]]. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] grabs the bag and threatens to drop it down a deep pit if they don't end their standoff. When she discovers the depth of their greed, she drops it—and instantly, everyone realizes how greedy they had been, and go out to volunteer as a way of atoning for their sins. (Except Mr. Burns, who attempts to climb down to get the gold.)
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Just then, Homer breaks free of his trap, and suddenly reveals that he had an ulterior motive for bringing the family to the caves. ''He'' tells a story, explaining that while in the woods (hiding from babysitting duty), he saw the Texan hide the gold coins in the cave, and brought the family so they could search for the gold. Just then, the Texan shows up, and the gold is found—just in time for Moe, Mr. Burns (who has been hiding behind a stalactite) and Snake to also appear (Snake brings his son, who asks Bart "Do you like [[Xbox]]?" Despite the Xbox not being a portable console, Bart and Snake's son appear shortly after playing the portable console.), and they enter a Mexican standoff, though it's really just between the Texan, Mr. Burns, and Snake because Moe brought a baseball bat as opposed to a gun like they did. Marge grabs the bag and threatens to drop it down a deep pit if they don't end their standoff. When she discovers the depth of their greed, she drops it—and instantly, everyone realizes how greedy they had been, and go out to volunteer as a way of atoning for their sins. (Except Mr. Burns, who attempts to climb down to get the gold.)
  
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Suddenly, it is revealed that the whole episode has all been a story by ''Bart,'' being told to [[Seymour Skinner]] as an explanation for why he didn't have time to study for a test. The principal finds this ridiculous—until he sees Moe and Edna kissing outside, meaning they've finally got back together. It is possible that they break up, though, because of Moe's sexual problems.
+
Suddenly, it is revealed that the whole episode has all been are story by ''Bart,'' being told to [[Seymour Skinner]] as an explanation for why he didn't have time to study for a test. The principal finds this ridiculous—until he sees Moe and Edna kissing outside, meaning they've finally got back together. It is possible that they break up, though, because of Moe's sexual problems, and due to the fact they are never again seen together.
  
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==The Stories==
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== The Stories ==
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 1'''
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 1'''
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*Lisa was walking home from school when a sheep came up to her. She ran to Mr. Burns’s house and he let her in. The sheep got through the window and chased them through Mr. Burns's house. They run up the stairs and go up the attic. Lisa finds out that Mr. Burns worked at Moe’s.
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*Lisa was walking home from school when a sheep came up to her. She ran to Mr. Burns's house and he let her in. The sheep got through the window and chased them through Mr. Burns's house. They run up the stairs and go up the attic. Lisa finds out that Mr. Burns worked at Moe's.
  
 
'''[[Mr. Burns]]' Story 1'''
 
'''[[Mr. Burns]]' Story 1'''
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*Mr. Burns was a member of a club. A new member came in and he challenged him to a duel. They both get a list of 10 items. The first person to get all the items is the winner and gets all the other person’s stuff. Mr. Burns went on the bus to get a picture of him with a smiling child. The Texan wins all Burns' stuff. Mr. Burns started working at Moe’s as a bar boy. He wasn’t getting enough money. He found Moe’s letter.
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*Mr. Burns was a member of a club. A new member came in and he challenged him to a duel. They both get a list of 10 items. The first person to get all the items is the winner and gets all the other person's stuff. Mr. Burns went on the bus to get a picture of him with a smiling child. The Texan wins all Burns' stuff. Mr. Burns started working at Moe's as a bar boy. He wasn't getting enough money. He found Moe's letter.
  
 
'''[[Moe]]'s Story 1'''
 
'''[[Moe]]'s Story 1'''
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*Moe was walking downtown and was hit by a bus. Edna came out and helped him. Moe closes the tavern. He and Edna decide to leave town. Edna goes to the school to tell them that she wouldn’t be teaching there in the fall.  
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*Moe was walking downtown and was hit by a bus. Edna came out and helped him. Moe closes the tavern. He and Edna decide to leave town. Edna goes to the school to tell them that she wouldn't be teaching there in the fall.
  
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'''[[Edna]]'s Story'''
+
'''[[Edna Krabappel]]'s Story'''
 
*Edna went into the school and found Bart with detention all summer. She decides to stay at Springfield Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher.
 
*Edna went into the school and found Bart with detention all summer. She decides to stay at Springfield Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher.
  
Line 39: Line 55:
  
 
'''[[Mr. Burns]]' Story 2'''
 
'''[[Mr. Burns]]' Story 2'''
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*Mr. Burns finishes the letter and steals the money out of the jukebox. He then goes to the Texan and gives him the money but the Texan won’t give everything back until he gets a photo of Mr. Burns with a smiling child.
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*Mr. Burns finishes the letter and steals the money out of the jukebox. He then goes to the Texan and gives him the money but the Texan won't give everything back until he gets a photo of Mr. Burns with a smiling child.
  
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 2'''
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 2'''
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*The goat gets up to the attic and attacks Mr. Burns. The goat gives Lisa her pearl necklace.  
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*The goat gets up to the attic and attacks Mr. Burns. The goat gives Lisa her pearl necklace.
  
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'''The [[Goat]]'s Story'''
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'''The Goat's Story'''
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*The goat was walking one day and found Lisa’s pearl necklace on a tree.
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*The goat was walking one day and found Lisa's pearl necklace on a tree.
  
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 3'''
 
'''[[Lisa]]'s Story 3'''
Line 54: Line 70:
  
 
'''[[Bart]]'s Story'''
 
'''[[Bart]]'s Story'''
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*Bart explains the whole story as a reason for why he didn't revise for a [[geography]] test.
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*Bart explains the whole story as a reason for why he didn't revise for a geography test.
  
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==Trivia==
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== Production ==
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*This episode's multiple stories with little connection format is similar to the classic episode "[[22 Short Films About Springfield]]".
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<gallery>
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*It is revealed that Snake's last name is Jailbird, he was once a fair-minded [[archeologist]] (à la [[Indiana Jones]]), his son's name is Jeremy (who was shown in a previous episode helping Snake steal a bike), this is a [[retcon]] of the fact that, in Snake's first appearances, he was credited as "jailbird."
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File:HABF06 Script.jpg
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* Also, the Rich Texan is [[obsessive-compulsive]], Moe dated Edna (and resumes at the end), and the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant|power plant's]] [[address]] is 100 Industrial Ave.
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</gallery>
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* [[Jimbo Jones]] being the child in the Rich Texan's photo fits with his backstory, as he comes from a very well off background.
 
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*This episode was rated [[TV-14]]DL in the US, the ninth time for ''The Simpsons''.
 
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*This is voted best episode in Season 17 by fans, and the best in years.
 
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*It's revealed that Moe is the true reason for Snake's criminal reputation.
 
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*Edna was in love (engaged?) with another regular Simpsons character, Moe, before she even met Seymour Skinner or became a teacher.  They also resume as a couple in the present time, much to Skinner's jealousy.
 
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*The vehicle in the scavenger hunt during Bart's account of Lisa's account of Mr. Burns' flashback is none other than his [[Mobilomobile]], first introduced a few episodes earlier when it broke down outside Springfield Elementary.
 
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*Seven stories were told in this episodes, Bart's story, Lisa's story, Mr. Burns's story, Moe's story, Edna's story, goat's story, and Homer's story.
 
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*Apparently, either Homer, Carl, Lenny or Barney is gay.  Only one of them, though: Moe only threatens to out the ''one'' of them that is gay.  Of course, given the situation and their reactions, it is possible that all, none, or some of them are homosexual.
 
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*The episode's title, "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" is a parody of the book ''[[The Neverending Story]]'' by [[Michael Ende]].
 
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*Note that when Lenny mentions "other vices" he has except for his drinking habits, and says "I dress up like a baby", '''it is Carl''' who nods with approval.
 
  
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==Cultural References==
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== Reception ==
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*The title is a take-off from the novel ''[[The Neverending Story]]'', and the 1984 [[Wolfgang Petersen]] [[Die Unendliche Geschichte (film)|film]] of the same name.
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"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" won the [[2006]] {{W|Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production|Annie Award for Writing in an Animated Television Production}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120307173914/http://annieawards.org/34thwinners.html The Annie Awards - "Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006)"] (archived on {{W|Wayback Machine}})</ref> It also won the {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program}} in the {{W|58th Primetime Emmy Awards}}.<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006/outstanding-short-format-animated-program Television Academy - "Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour) - 2006"]</ref>
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*Commander McBragg, a character from the 1960's cartoon [[Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales]], calls the scavenger hunt duel. He had pink skin in the original version, but of course in the Simpson's world, was recolored yellow.
 
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*When we see the club Mr. Burns was a part of for the first time, you can see [[Rich Uncle Pennybags]], [[mascot]] of the game [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]].
 
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*Moe and Edna's love theme song (which Moe played in the jukebox) is "[[Fly Me to the Moon]]" by [[Bart Howard]], as sung by [[Frank Sinatra]].
 
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*Numerous scenes feature music from [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven's]] [[Beethoven symphony 6|6th Symphony]] (when Lisa has to deal with the big horn sheep) and [[Aaron Copland|Aaron Copland's]] [[Rodeo (ballet)|Hoe Down]].
 
  
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==Awards==
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== In other languages ==
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*This episode was nominated for an [[Emmy]] in 2006 for ''Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour)''.
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{{LanguageBox
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|it=yes
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|itName=La Storia Più-o-Meno Infinita
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|itTrans=The More-or-Less Never-Ending Story}}
  
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==Quotes==
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== References ==
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*'''Homer:''' Our god made their god.
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{{Reflist}}
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*'''Homer:''' Save me, Tsisnajini!
 
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*'''Lisa:''' Mad beast! <br/> '''Burns:''' Liberal midget!
 
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*'''Rich Texan (after the Rich Texan douses Mr. Burns' head with crude oil):''' Back in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], we call that a "[[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] Shampoo"!
 
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*'''Rich Texan (emerging from the shadows holding a [[revolver]]):''' I'll take the gold iffin' ya please! <br/> '''Marge:''' How can you take it? We haven't even found it. <br/> '''Rich Texan:''' It's right behind the rock on the left. No, your left. '''Texas''' Left, which is your down. ''(Marge holds up the bag)'' I'll take the gold iffin' ya please! <br/> '''Burns (emerging from behind a thin [[stalactite]] holding a [[gun|derringer]]):''' Not so fast, [[Lady Bird Johnson|Shady Bird Johnson]]! I'll take that gold! <br/> '''Moe (emerging from the shadows holding a [[baseball bat]]):''' Yeah, ya'll take the gold and then you'll give it to me if ya know what's good for ya. ''(Burns and the Rich Texan aim their guns at Moe)'' ''(nervous)'' You guys got guns? ''(retreats to the shadows)'' Uh, yeah, me too. ''(makes the sound of cocking a shotgun)'' Huh? Huh?<br/>'''Snake:''' Coolest entrance gets the gold! ''(goes down a rope like James Bond)'' I hope it's okay that I brought my son. Today's my day with him. ''(points to Bart)'' Look, Jeremy. There's a boy you can play with. <br/> '''Jeremy (to Bart):''' You like [[Xbox]]?
 
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*'''Burns:''' I had to start up from the bottom to get my fortune back. And to get to the bottom, I had to work my way up from Moe's.
 
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*'''Rich Texan:''' YEE-HAW! I'm gonna win me a nuclear plant!<br/>'''Mr. Burns:''' Dream on, bitch.
 
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*'''[[Carl Carlson|Carl]] (to Burns):''' Hey barboy, write a [[play]] where I meet [[Henry Ford]] and [[Captain Kirk]]!
 
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*'''Rich Texan:''' YEE-HAW! Moe can't catch a break! 1-2-3-4! Can't catch a break! 1-2-3-4! Can't catch a break!
 
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*'''Rich Texan:''' Howdy! What's your business, boy?! <br/> '''Burns:''' [[Nuclear power]]. I make money using my brain, not [[oil rig|sticking a pole in the ground and praying for goo]].
 
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*'''Rich Texan (after Burns gives him the gold):''' Okay. I'll give you back all your worldly possessions, exceptin' this here nu-clear plant, until you give me a picture of yourself with a smilin' child! <br/> '''Burns:''' What the hell could that possibly mean to you? <br/> '''Rich Texan:''' I'm obsessive compulsive! ''(firing his pistols)'' Ye-haw! ''(tapping his foot)'' 1-2-3-4! ''(firing his pistols)''Ye-haw! ''(tapping his foot)'' 1-2-3-4! ''(firing his pistols)'' Ye-haw! ''(tapping his foot)'' 1-2-3-4! ''(firing his pistols)'' Ye-haw! ''(tapping his foot)'' 1-2-3-4!
 
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*'''Moe (retelling the story of his tragic romance with Edna):''' I was the happiest guy in the world, but fate likes to play a little game called 'Up Yours, Moe.'
 
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*'''Moe:''' Fate gave me an awful dilemma — should I rob the guy or rob him ''and'' kill him?
 
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*'''Moe (telling his story):''' I knew that in order to keep Edna, I'd have to get rid of the human garbage otherwise known as "my friends". <br/> ''(throws out [[Barney Gumble|Barney]], then [[Lenny Leonard|Lenny]] and Carl, then Barney again, then Homer, then gets ready to throw out Barney again)'' <br/>'''Moe:''' Barney, how do you keep getting back in here? <br/> '''Barney:''' I'm a drunk. I don't know nothin' 'bout how I do anything. <br/> ''(Moe throws Barney out again and then Barney is back in the bar, behind Moe.)''
 
−
*'''Moe (to Homer, Barney, Lenny and Carl):''' Listen Boozebags! I got a good thing going here. If you mess it up I will out the one of you who is gay! ''(the drunks then run off in a [[flamboyant]] fashion)'' ''(to Edna)'' Now, where were we? ''(they resume kissing)''
 
−
*'''Snake:''' I've been robbed! I'll take my revenge on society...by which I mean [[convenience stores]]! And who would suspect me, Professor Jailbird!
 
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*'''Moe:''' I didn't want the gold, so I just kept playing our song on the [[jukebox]] one... <br/> '''Burns (reading letter):''' ...one gold coin at a time. ''(looks at jukebox)'' Oh, you poor man. You're about to get poorer.
 
−
*'''Burns (voice over):''' I steamed open the letter using Moe's [[cappuccino]] machine. <br/> '''Moe (in letter):''' If you are reading this, I am dead and I shall tell you the story about my treasure. <br/> '''Burns (reading letter):''' Treasure?! <br/> '''Lisa (in flashback):''' Treasure?! <br/> '''Homer:''' Moe has a [[cappuccino]] machine?!
 
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*'''Professor Snake Jailbird:''' So, I'm excavating this [[Mayan]] [[Step pyramid|pyramid]] and I came across these coins and I was all like "Could you be any more [[pre-Columbian]]?"
 
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*'''Burns (voiceover):''' At 5.15 an hour, I knew it would take an eternity to get my fortune back. But for once, things went ''my'' way!
 
−
*'''Skinner (after hearing Bart's story/excuse):''' Bart, that story is the biggest load of cra...bappel?!? Making out with Moe?!? (he sees Moe and Edna making out outside his office window)
 
−
*'''Keypad to Safe Room:''' Enter password.<br/>'''Burns:''' Dammit I forget.<br/>'''Keypad:''' Forgot password? Enter place of birth.<br/>'''Burns:''' [[Pangaea]].<br/>'''Keypad:''' Correct. Your password has been emailed to you.<br/>'''Burns:''' D'oh.
 
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*'''[[Martin Prince|Martin]] (attached to a kite being flown by Nelson):''' Lab partners don’t treat lab partners like this!<br/>'''Nelson:''' Shut up and attract lightning!
 
−
*'''Homer:''' Wait a minute. You're telling Moe's story in Burns' story in your story? <br/> '''Lisa:''' Yes, dad. It's like a play inside of a play, like [[Hamlet]]. ''(Homer looks at her puzzled)'' Fine, it's like you watching a home movie of you watching [[TV]]. <br/> '''Homer (understanding):''' Oh yeah.
 
−
*'''Homer:''' (after falling down the hole in the cave) I'm stuck, and I have to pee! (A few seconds later) Now I'm just stuck.
 
−
 
 
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==Broadcasting Information==
 
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'''[[United States|USA]]/[[Canada]]'''
 
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*'''1st Airdate:''' Sunday, [[March 12]], [[2006]]
 
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*'''2nd Airdate:''' Sunday, [[May 21]], [[2006]]
 
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*'''3rd Airdate:''' Sunday, [[August 20]], [[2006]]
 
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'''[[United Kingdom|UK]]'''
 
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*'''1st Airdate:''' Sunday, [[April 2]], [[2006]]
 
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*'''2nd Airdate:''' Friday, [[April 7]], [[2006]] (Encore Screening)
 
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*'''3rd Airdate:''' Sunday, [[June 4]], [[2006]]
 
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*'''4th Airdate:''' Friday, [[August 4]], [[2006]]
 
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*'''5th Airdate:''' Wednesday, [[August 23]], [[2006]]
 
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'''[[Australia|AUS]]'''
 
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Latest revision as of 11:23, April 14, 2024

Season 17 Episode
← 368 "My Fair Laddy"
369
"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story"
"Bart Has Two Mommies" 370 →
"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story"
The Seemingly Never-Ending Story Promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 369
Season number: S17 E13
Production code: HABF06
Original airdate: March 12, 2006
Couch gag: The Simpson's are on a conveyor belt, and Homer is placed on.
Guest star(s): Maurice LaMarche as Commander McBragg
Showrunner: Al Jean
Written by: Ian Maxtone-Graham
Directed by: Raymond S. Persi


"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" is the thirteenth episode of season 17 of The Simpsons and the three-hundred and sixty-ninth episode overall. It originally aired on March 12, 2006. The episode was written by Ian Maxtone-Graham and directed by Raymond S. Persi. It guest stars Maurice LaMarche as Commander McBragg.

Synopsis[edit]

"The family is on a nature walk through Carl's Dad Caverns, when Homer tries to get a piece from a stalactite. This results in the family falling through the cave floor and winds up with Homer getting stuck in the ceiling of one of the lower chambers of the cave. Marge, Bart and Maggie go off to find help, while Lisa stays behind and tells her father a story to pass the time. Her story involves running from a bighorn sheep and into Mr. Burn's mansion. The pair evades the tenacious sheep by finding refuge in the mansion's attic, where Mr. Burns tells her the story of how he came to work at Moe's Tavern by losing a scavenger hunt with a The Rich Texan. While there he learned (and tells to Lisa) the tale of the Moe's treasure. The stories within stories culminate in the fate of the treasure being determined in the cave."


Plot[edit]

While visiting a cave, Homer meddles with a very fragile stalactite, with the result that the whole family ends up in a hidden cavern below the main tour—with Homer stuck in a narrow hole, half in and half out of the cavern. To pass the time, Lisa begins to tell a story.

Lisa tells how, the week before, she had been out for a walk when a big-horned goat inexplicably attacked her; she ran to the nearest shelter, Mr. Burns' house. The animal bursts in, and she and Mr. Burns wind up in the attic. There, Lisa finds a photo of Mr. Burns as an employee at Moe's, and he tells her the origins of it.

Mr. Burns explains that once, he and The Rich Texan were involved in a scavenger hunt, the winner of which would get all the possessions of the loser. Mr. Burns was unable to find the last item on the list—a picture of himself with a smiling child. (Every child was terrified of him.) The Texan won, and Mr. Burns had to go and work at Moe's. While there, he found a note to be opened when Moe died, which led to Moe's story of a hidden treasure.

Apparently, the summer before Mrs. Krabappel was to begin teaching, she and Moe met and fell in love, albeit without her knowing he owned a bar (she hates bar and nightclub owners since her ex-husband was a drunkard). Scared that Edna would find out the truth about him, Moe wanted to leave Springfield with her but had no money. He then discovered that Snake—who used to be an idealistic archaeologist—had discovered a large batch of Mayan coins he was going to donate to the museum. Moe ended up stealing them, turning Snake to a life of crime. He was then about to leave town with Edna, but when she went into the school to explain that she was quitting, she saw Bart. (This leads to her story.) Bart explained he had all-summer detention, and felt he was a lost cause because no one believed in him. Edna declared that come the next year, when she was to teach fourth grade, she would help him to succeed, and explained this to Moe. (It turns out, however, that Bart was actually just distracting Edna while he and Nelson were stealing microscopes and computers.) Angered, Moe insanely screams at her and drives away to his tavern, even though the both of them don't want their relationship to end.

Utterly depressed, Moe puts priceless coins in his jukebox, playing their love theme over and over again. Mr. Burns (here ends Moe's story) opened it up and gave them to the Texan to buy back his things, but the Texan demanded that Mr. Burns produce a picture of himself with a smiling child before he could get the Plant back. (The Texan, he explained, has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, thus feeling the need to complete the scavenger hunt.) End Mr. Burns' story—he explains to Lisa that he cannot get the plant back.

Just then, the goat burst into the attic. Mr. Burns hurts himself defending Lisa; however, it turns out that it doesn't want to kill them—in its story (which lasts but a few seconds) it explains that it found Lisa's pearl necklace and was merely trying to return it. Lisa, in gratitude to Mr. Burns for his attempted rescue, takes a photo of the two together with her smiling. This exits to the cave scene.

Just then, Homer breaks free of his trap, and suddenly reveals that he had an ulterior motive for bringing the family to the caves. He tells a story, explaining that while in the woods (hiding from babysitting duty), he saw the Texan hide the gold coins in the cave, and brought the family so they could search for the gold. Just then, the Texan shows up, and the gold is found—just in time for Moe, Mr. Burns (who has been hiding behind a stalactite) and Snake to also appear (Snake brings his son, who asks Bart "Do you like Xbox?" Despite the Xbox not being a portable console, Bart and Snake's son appear shortly after playing the portable console.), and they enter a Mexican standoff, though it's really just between the Texan, Mr. Burns, and Snake because Moe brought a baseball bat as opposed to a gun like they did. Marge grabs the bag and threatens to drop it down a deep pit if they don't end their standoff. When she discovers the depth of their greed, she drops it—and instantly, everyone realizes how greedy they had been, and go out to volunteer as a way of atoning for their sins. (Except Mr. Burns, who attempts to climb down to get the gold.)

Suddenly, it is revealed that the whole episode has all been are story by Bart, being told to Seymour Skinner as an explanation for why he didn't have time to study for a test. The principal finds this ridiculous—until he sees Moe and Edna kissing outside, meaning they've finally got back together. It is possible that they break up, though, because of Moe's sexual problems, and due to the fact they are never again seen together.

The Stories[edit]

Lisa's Story 1

  • Lisa was walking home from school when a sheep came up to her. She ran to Mr. Burns's house and he let her in. The sheep got through the window and chased them through Mr. Burns's house. They run up the stairs and go up the attic. Lisa finds out that Mr. Burns worked at Moe's.

Mr. Burns' Story 1

  • Mr. Burns was a member of a club. A new member came in and he challenged him to a duel. They both get a list of 10 items. The first person to get all the items is the winner and gets all the other person's stuff. Mr. Burns went on the bus to get a picture of him with a smiling child. The Texan wins all Burns' stuff. Mr. Burns started working at Moe's as a bar boy. He wasn't getting enough money. He found Moe's letter.

Moe's Story 1

  • Moe was walking downtown and was hit by a bus. Edna came out and helped him. Moe closes the tavern. He and Edna decide to leave town. Edna goes to the school to tell them that she wouldn't be teaching there in the fall.

Edna Krabappel's Story

  • Edna went into the school and found Bart with detention all summer. She decides to stay at Springfield Elementary School as a fourth grade teacher.

Moe's Story 2

  • Edna tells Moe that she is staying in Springfield to teach the children. Moe gets angry at Edna and drives off.

Mr. Burns' Story 2

  • Mr. Burns finishes the letter and steals the money out of the jukebox. He then goes to the Texan and gives him the money but the Texan won't give everything back until he gets a photo of Mr. Burns with a smiling child.

Lisa's Story 2

  • The goat gets up to the attic and attacks Mr. Burns. The goat gives Lisa her pearl necklace.

The Goat's Story

  • The goat was walking one day and found Lisa's pearl necklace on a tree.

Lisa's Story 3

  • Lisa gets the camera and takes a picture of her with Mr. Burns and Mr. Burns gets his plant back.

Homer's Story

  • Homer discovers that the Texan has hid the gold in the caves and brings the family with him so they can help him search for the gold to pay for an operation for Bart.

Bart's Story

  • Bart explains the whole story as a reason for why he didn't revise for a geography test.

Production[edit]

  • HABF06 Script.jpg

Reception[edit]

"The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" won the 2006 Annie Award for Writing in an Animated Television Production.[1] It also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards.[2]

In other languages[edit]

Language Name Translation
Italy Flag.png Italiano "La Storia Più-o-Meno Infinita" The More-or-Less Never-Ending Story

References[edit]

  1. ↑ The Annie Awards - "Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006)" (archived on Wayback Machine)
  2. ↑ Television Academy - "Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour) - 2006"


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story".
Season 17 Episodes
The Bonfire of the Manatees • The Girl Who Slept Too Little • Milhouse of Sand and Fog • Treehouse of Horror XVI • Marge's Son Poisoning • See Homer Run • The Last of the Red Hat Mamas • The Italian Bob • Simpsons Christmas Stories • Homer's Paternity Coot • We're on the Road to D'ohwhere • My Fair Laddy • The Seemingly Never-Ending Story • Bart Has Two Mommies • Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife • Million-Dollar Abie • Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore • The Wettest Stories Ever Told • Girls Just Want to Have Sums • Regarding Margie • The Monkey Suit • Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play
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