Milhouse of Sand and Fog

"Milhouse of Sand and Fog" is the third episode of the seventeenth season of The Simpsons. It aired on September 25, 2005 during the series' 17th season. The title is a parody of the book/movie House of Sand and Fog. The Episode first aired in Australia on February 21, 2006 at 7:30pm.

Synopsis

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Inspired by Flanders' suggestion of purposely exposing the boys to the chicken pox, Homer Simpson invites all the neighborhood kids over to the Simpson house for a "pox party" (at fifteen bucks a head). However, he ends up catching it himself, having no childhood immunity. One good thing comes of it, though: Milhouse's folks reconcile.

Or so it seems. However, Milhouse feels neglected because his parents aren't fawning over him as they once did, competing for his love. Milhouse schemes to break up his parents again, and enlists both Bart and a plot borrowed from The O.C. The boys leave a bra conspicuously located in Kirk's bed--unfortunately, it's one of Marge's. Luanne thinks Marge is having an affair with her husband, and soon she has Homer questioning his wife's fidelity. An argument ensues, and Bart realizes he may have split up his own parents instead of Milhouse's.

Bart schemes to reunite them by pretending to fall off Springfield Gorge into a river, using a dummy--but Milhouse's poor eyesight queers the deal, and Bart ends up really taking the plunge. Homer leaps into the rapids and rescues Bart, and through a little trust, Marge saves them both from going over the falls. The Simpsons reconcile, once safely on the bank. Milhouse, not wishing to live in a world without his best friend, leaps over the cliff. Marge worriedly asks if he can swim. "What do you think?" asks Bart.

Trivia

The Springfield parents' scheme of purposely exposing their kids to Maggie's chicken pox recalls the South Park parents' scheme of exposing their kids to Kenny, who was sick with the virus, in the "Chickenpox" episode.
This is the second time Milhouse's therapist Dr. Sally Wexler is referred to, the first time being "Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming".
Doctors are actually against the idea of pox parties that was used in this episode, claiming people should get the chickenpox vaccine instead as a safer alternative.
Bart's fall over the cliff references two past Simpson moments. First, Bart falling on the rocks references Homer's famous fall over Springfield Gorge in "Bart the Daredevil". Second, the idea of having a Simpson use a dummy over a cliff to fake their death was used by Homer in "Mother Simpson".

Cultural References

The term "Pox Box" is a play on the former name of 4Kids TV, Fox Box.
The beginning of this episode (the Pox Party) is similar to the South Park episode Chickenpox (South Park). Ironically, this is a case where South Park Already Did It.
In the scene parodying The O.C., in addition to the cheating scene, it also involves the O.C. gang going to Knott's Berry Farm (along with a person dressed as Snoopy), with The O.C.'s theme song California playing (Snoopy then forces the O.C. kids to take out money from an ATM at gunpoint). California is also played over the ending credits.
In one scene, Bart and Milhouse are acting out a song from the play Oklahoma!, "The Farmer and the Cowman".

Goofs

Marge worries adult-onset chicken pox will render Homer sterile--but years of working in a nuclear power plant have already done that. However, only Mr. Burns and Smithers know this, and they covered it up to avoid paying compensation (although this is unnecessary as they already tricked Homer into signing a liability waiver in "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?"). Then again, Homer asks if he's sterile in "Eight Misbehavin'", and Marge assures him he is. So either he found out at some point or she was fibbing to avoid an awkward conversation.
Milhouse (apparently) already had the chicken pox once, in "Lady Bouvier's Lover", but it is possible to contract the disease twice.

Quotes

Milhouse: I don't want to live in a world without Bart! (jumps down a cliff into the water)
Marge: Can he swim?
Bart: (cool) What do you think?
Marge: Maggie, that's not what you do with a hymn book! (sees Homer flossing his teeth with a Bible's bookmark) Homer!
Homer: What? I forgot to floss today.
Bart: We tried to break up your parents and we broke up mine!
Milhouse: Wanna call my therapist and tell her how you feel? (dials into his cell phone) Hello, Dr. Wexler?
Wexler (over phone): Stop calling me! I'm on my honeymoon! (to her husband) Yeah, it's that weird kid again.
Homer: Fifteen dollars to infect your kids! Now featuring the Pox box! (disclaimer fast) Pox Box not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. As with any disease box, results may vary. (normal) Pox box!
Bart: I'd pay you a kajillion dollars for you and Marge to get together again.
Homer: (thinks) Make it 2 kajillion.
Marge: Homer!
Homer: We'll lose the first kajillion to taxes.