Dead Putting Society

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"Dead Putting Society" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons'. The episode originally aired on November 15, 1990.

Synopsis

On a beautiful day, where Homer is mowing, he can't stand his neighbor, Ned Flanders. Ned invites Homer into his beautiful rumpus room to have some beer and club sandwiches. Homer protests against Flanders and accuses him and the Flanders family of having things the Simpsons do not have. Flanders asks Homer to leave. Homer worries in his sleep about Flanders. Discussing things with Marge, she suggests to him that Ned is a perfect neighbor, but Homer goes for a walk. Meanwhile, Maude Flanders suggests to Ned that he shouldn't be talking to her, and he writes a note to Homer with funny things in it, after hearing from Reverend Lovejoy that the Bible says that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Homer takes Bart for a round of miniature golf at Sir Putt-A-Lot's Merrie Olde Fun Center, unexpectedly joined by Ned and Rod and Todd.

The game goes well, and Bart and Todd know of a miniature golf tournament, with the first prize being $50. Bart and Todd decide to enter the tournament. Although Todd is very good at miniature golf, Homer is confident that Bart will win the tournament. Homer unsuccessfully helps Bart practice for the tournament, complete with putting a picture of Todd Flanders in Bart's room and making him stare at it angrily for 15 minutes every day. Lisa offers to help Bart practice, through her reading spiritual books that calm Bart's mind and she goes to the fun center to help him practice. Homer wants Flanders to know that he will make a bet with him—the father of the boy who does not win the tournament will mow the lawn of the house of the boy who wins, in his wife's Sunday dress. Marge signs the bet.

It is the day of the tournament, and Bart and Todd are doing well, proceeding to the final round of the tournament. In an extremely close match, as it progresses, Bart and Todd each do well, and tie by the time they each do the eighth hole. Bart and Todd are both worried it is difficult for them, and they worry that they could tie, so Bart and Todd both decide they are equally good, and call it a draw. Because of this, Homer and Ned must wear each wife's best Sunday dress and mow each other's lawn and Ned actually enjoys it to Homer's disgust.

Trivia

• This is the first episode to feature the Flanders family prominently.
• The title of the episode is a reference to the film Dead Poets Society.
• Even though Bart is left-handed, he putts like a right-handed golfer
• In the movie Full Metal Jacket, Marines in basic training are ordered to give their rifles female names. A principal character names his "Charlene".

Quotes

• Ned Flanders: Hey there, neighbor. The Lord's certainly given us a beautiful day today, huh?
  Homer: Hello, Flanders.
  Ned: Doing a little yard work, huh?
  Homer: Who told? Marge, beer me!
• Homer: That shot is impossible! Jack Nicholson himself couldn't make it!
• Homer: All right, knock it off!!
  Ned Flanders: Knock what off, Simpson?
  Homer: You've been rubbing it in my nose since I got here! Your family is better than my family, your beer comes from farther away than my beer, you and your son like each other, your wife's butt is higher than my wife's butt! You make me sick!
  Ned: Simpson, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I hope you understand!
  Homer: I wouldn't stay on a bet!
• Homer: Come on, Bart! Remember what Vince Lombardi said: If you lose, you're out of the family! audio clip
• Homer: What are you doing! That putter is to you what a bat is to a baseball player! What a violin is... to the... the guy that... the violin guy! Now c'mon! Give your putter a name.
  Bart: What?
  Homer: C'mon, give it a name.
  Bart: Mister Putter.
  Homer: D'oh... You wanna try a little harder son? C'mon give it a girl's name.
  Bart: Mom.
  Homer: Your putter's name is Charlene!
  Bart: Why?
  Homer: It just is, that's why! Now this, is a picture of your enemy, Todd Flanders. Every day, I want you to spend fifteen minutes staring at it. And concentrating on how much you hate him, and how glorious it will be when you and Charlene annihilate him!
  Bart: Who's Charlene?
  Homer: [raises the putter, about to wallop Bart with it] I'll show you who Charlene is! Now start hating! audio clip
• Homer: Marge, where's the Duff!?!
  Marge: Ohh, uh, we're all out, Homer.
  Homer: D'oh!
  Marge: Would you like some fruit juice?
  Homer: Don't toy with me, woman!
• Marge: (grumbling) Uhhh...My best dress.
  Lisa: Why do I get the feeling that one day I'll be describing this to a psychiatrist?
  Homer: Listen to 'em laughing. This is so humiliating. I'm never going to live this down. Damn Flanders!
  Flanders: (laughing) You know, Simpson, I feel kinda silly but, what the hey, you know. It kinda reminds me of my good old fraternity days.
  Homer: D'oh! Oh my God, he's enjoying it!