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"Lisa's Substitute"

Episode Information

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"Lisa's Substitute" is the 19th episode of the second season of The Simpsons. The episode is about Lisa developing feelings for an unconventional substitute teacher.

Synopsis

When Ms. Hoover falls ill with a suspected case of Lyme disease, she is replaced by a substitute teacher named Mr. Bergstrom. Mr. Bergstrom is different in regards to previous teachers Lisa has, and with his knowledgeable way of teaching, she slowly develops a crush on him. After school one day, she overhears Mr. Bergstrom and Mrs. Krabappel talking. Edna hopes to entice Mr. Bergstrom, but he refuses, saying that he puts the education of his students above 'other things.' Lisa is even touched when during a reading of the E.B. White book "Charlotte's Web," Mr.Bergstrom is not afraid to cry during a very emotional part. Lisa explains this touching event to Marge. However, Bart and Homer who are nearby, mock Mr. Bergstrom for seeming like a crybaby.

Meanwhile, in Mrs. Krabappel's class, elections are announced for Class President. Martin Prince gladly accepts Mrs. Krabappel's endorsement, but Sheri and Teri jokingly nominate Bart, knowing that he'll use this opportunity to joke around. Bart goes along with their 'expectations,' and makes the school paper's front page when he incites a call for 'more asbestos' when Martin Prince cautions that some had been found in the classroom. The article causes Homer to become happy that Bart is gaining attention, and plots to spend as much time as he can to help his campaign. Their campaign tactics delve more into mudslinging, and do not really deal with any actual topics. Of course, this causes Bart to gain more and more attention, as it seems Martin's campaign is trailing.

One day, Mr. Bergstrom makes an announcement that the 'Springfield Museum of Natural History' will close due to a 'lack of interest.' Lisa wants to go, and Marge tries to convince Homer to take her. Homer tries to get out of it by saying that he needs to spend more time with Bart, but finally relents(due to the fact that he can't think of a good reason). At the museum, Lisa and Homer run into Mr. Bergstrom. Lisa hangs on Mr. Bergstrom's every word about the exhibits, while Homer tries to chime in as well. Of course, his comments seem so 'pedestrian' to Lisa. During a lull, Mr. Bergstrom takes Homer aside, and voices his concern that he feels that Lisa is upset that she has no male role model to look up to. Homer attempts to try and interact more with Lisa at the museum, but she rejects all his attempts. As Lisa tells Marge how it seemed that Homer humiliated her in front of Mr. Bergstrom, Marge suggests that maybe they could invite Mr. Bergstrom over for dinner. Lisa jumps at the idea, and the next day enters the classroom, only to find that Ms. Hoover has returned. After explaining to the children that her illness was psychosomatic (she only believed she had Lyme disease), she tells the class that she us upset that Mr. Bergstrom didn't follow any of the lessons she had originally assigned. When she asks just what the class was taught, Lisa blurts out "That life is worth living," before bolting from the room.

The same day, in Mrs. Krabappel's class, it is the day of Class President elections. Per the rules, all ballots must be submitted before the recess bell rings. Martin is too overcome with doubt that he has lost, but Bart raucously calls for a victory party to be held on the playground. During the party, Bart thanks everyone for their votes, only to find that noone at his victory party voted...not even him! As the bell rings, Bart realizes it's too late. Back in the classroom, Mrs. Krabappel happily reveals that two people did vote: Martin and Wendel. Winning 2-0, Martin happily glows in triumph.

Meanwhile, Lisa runs through Springfield to find Mr. Bergstrom. Arriving at his apartment, a tenant tells her that he went to the train station. Mr. Bergstrom greets her happily, but Lisa is saddened that he would just leave. Mr. Bergstrom reveals that it's all part of being a substitute teacher: he's there one day, and the next he's gone. Before they say goodbye, Mr. Bergstrom writes a note to Lisa, telling her that if she ever feels lost, the note will tell her 'everything she needs to know.' As the train carrying Mr. Bergstrom departs for Capital City, Lisa checks the note, which reads: "You Are Lisa Simpson."

That night at dinner, Homer hears how Bart lost the election, and rants about how terrible it is. Though when Lisa reveals her own sad event that day, Homer acts nonchalantly, not even caring about her feelings. Finally growing agitated, Lisa yells at Homer, calling him a babboon, before running to her room in tears. Homer acts shocked at this, whining to Marge who stops him in his tracks, explaining that Lisa is sad and confused, and that she needs her Daddy to comfort her. Homer goes to Lisa's room, and at first is unsure what to do. When he opens a music box by her desk, he suddenly reveals to her that he's lucky, as he has never lost anyone special: that everyone special to him is under their home's roof. When he mentions that he's good at 'monkey business,' he playfully imitates an ape, causing Lisa to laugh. Cheered up, she apologizes for calling him a babboon.

As he passes by Bart's room, he hears Bart moping about losing the election. Homer helps Bart to see the bright side: one of which is that he would have had to have done more schoolwork. After this, he happily passes by Maggie's crib, and places her pacifier in her mouth. Feeling content, he and Marge go to bed.

Trivia

This is one of the only two episodes in which the guest star uses a pseudnym instead of thier real name (the other being Stark Raving Dad)
Dustin Hoffman's pseudnym Sam Etic was chosen as reference to his character being Jewish or "semetic".

Appearances

Characters

Locations

Credits

← Season 1 Season 2 Episodes Season 3 →
Bart Gets an "F" • Simpson and Delilah • Treehouse of Horror • Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish • Dancin' Homer • Dead Putting Society • Bart vs. Thanksgiving • Bart the Daredevil • Itchy & Scratchy & Marge • Bart Gets Hit by a Car • One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish • The Way We Was • Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment • Principal Charming • Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? • Bart's Dog Gets an "F" • Old Money • Brush with Greatness • Lisa's Substitute • The War of the Simpsons • Three Men and a Comic Book • Blood Feud

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