Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
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"Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington"
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Episode Information
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- "I'd like to give you a logging permit, I would. But this isn't like burying toxic waste - people are going to notice those trees are gone."
- ―Congressman Bob Arnold
"Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington" is the second episode of Season 3. It aired on September 26, 1991. The episode was written by George Meyer and directed by Wes Archer. The episode features multiple references to the 1939 film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, including the scene in which Lisa appeals to Lincoln's statue at the Lincoln Memorial for advice.
Thanks to Lisa's patriotic and winning essay in a contest sponsored by Reading Digest magazine, the Simpsons win a trip to Washington DC. However, Lisa's faith in democracy is shaken when she sees her local representative taking a bribe for a permit to cut down Springfield National Forest.
Plot
After a free copy of Reading Digest magazine is sent to the Simpson residence, Homer gets very interested in the magazine. When he sees the kids are loafing in front of the TV, he shuts it off and orders them to read an article from the magazine instead. He bakes meatloaf men (an idea which he obviously got from the magazine). He also encourages Lisa to enter an essay writing contest where the topic what makes America great. Lisa takes a trip to Springfield National Forest and is inspired to write her essay when she sees the forest's natural beauty and when a bald eagle lands right by the branch she is sitting under. Lisa's essay impresses the judges in the local competition, except one, who thinks that Homer had a hand in its creation. However, after the judge observes Homer's poor vocabulary and realizes that he could not have written Lisa's essay for her, Lisa is approved for entry in the national finals in Washington, DC, which includes a free family trip to the city.
The Simpsons stay at a hotel called the Watergate, and visit tourist spots in the city. Reading Digest gives them VIP badges so they get to see what other tourists can't -- for example, in the White House, they visit the President's bathroom where they see Barbara Bush having a bath! Mrs. Bush is annoyed about her bath being interrupted, but resignedly goes into "tour guide" mode when she sees the VIP badges. The Simpsons also visit to the money printing plant, the national air and space museam, and other attractions. While Bart and Homer abuse the all expense-paid perks of their trip, Lisa visits famous monuments for inspiration. At one particular monument (The Winefred Beecher-Howe), she overhears a bribe taking place about demolishing Springfield National Forest.The bribe involves two men, one of them Lisa's own Congressman, Bob Arnold, who represents Springfield. Heartbroken and disillusioned by the dishonesty of government officials, Lisa tears up her essay, and wanders through the Capitol looking for guidance.
She visits both the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, before ending up on the steps of the Capitol. Seeing a number of politicians there, she decides to write a more cynical, yet truthful, essay to read to the patriotic judges. The new essay, entitled "Cesspool on the Potomac" disdains and condemns the government system, and mentions the names of those involved in the bribery. Lisa's essay causes a ruckus and elicits a hostile reaction from the judges and audience.
Everyone is shocked by her speech, except for Bart, who likes it and wants Lisa to win the contest. Messages are quickly sent around the capital regarding Lisa's speech, and Bob Arnold is arrested and expelled from Congress before the contest is over. Lisa's essay does not win because of its content, but with Congressman Arnold arrested, her faith in government is restored. The episode ends with Bart shooting a pianist whom he had found annoying with his slingshot. When Lisa reprimands Bart for doing so, he explains that she taught him to "stand up for what [he believes] in."
Controversy
This episode was met with controversy from the timber industry due to a major part of the plotline involving a timber lobbyist trying to bribe a corrupt congressman to cut down the entirety of Springfield Forest.
es:Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
