Homer's Triple Bypass
"Homer's Triple Bypass"
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Episode Information
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"Homer's Triple Bypass" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons' fourth season, which originally aired on December 17, 1992. It sees Homer start having heart attacks, and the family having to resort to a discount surgeon for his bypass operation.
Synopsis
One night, while watching TV, Homer — shortly after Marge warns him against his unhealthy dietary habits — begins feeling chest pains, which return the next morning at breakfast. After refusing Marge's "special surprise" (oatmeal), he eats a cholesterol-laden breakfast of eggs and bacon. While driving to work, Homer's chest pains worsen, but he chalks the irregular thumping to a problem with his car's transmission. The mechanic tells him it is probably his heart, and a relieved Homer drives away.
At work, Mr. Burns calls Homer in to reprimand him for his poor work performance, taunting him with dismissal all the while. Homer's chest pains get worse, and when he is told he is fired, his heart stops. When Smithers tells Burns that he thinks Homer is dead, Burns asks him to send a ham to his widow; at that moment, Homer regains consciousness and the ham is cancelled.
Back at home, Marge gets a phone call from the hospital, telling her Homer has suffered a mild heart attack. When she quickly leaves, a visiting Patty and Selma continue cutting coupons, as though nothing is wrong.
Later, Dr. Hibbert advises Marge that Homer needs triple bypass, but Homer suffers another heart attack when he is told the price — $30,000 (which is upped to $40,000 after his heart stops again); no wonder — the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant doesn't offer health insurance, and the family has less than $100 in their savings account. Homer suffers a third heart attack at the health insurance office and is denied because of his poor health.
Left without options and sure he'll die before he gets some much-needed surgery, Homer and Marge see a TV commercial for Dr. Nick Riviera, who performs bargain-basement surgery for $129.95. Despite Dr. Nick's obvious gross incompetence — thanks to not-too-subtle hints such as being called to the morgue (Dr. Nick sarcastically reacts, "The coroner? I'm so sick of that guy!" before being greeted by the media) — Homer sees the good doctor as his only chance to have the surgery done an affordable price.
Just before the surgery, a nervous Dr. Nick tries to review the basic procedures of the surgery he is about to perform by renting an instructional video, but the most important part of the procedure is taped over with 'People Who Look like Things'. On the day of the surgery, Nick proceeds with the surgery but quickly realizes he doesn't know what to do. Fortunately, Lisa — who has studied cardiology — is in the operating room amphitheater and guides Dr. Nick through the procedure. Amazingly, the surgery is a success, and Homer makes a full recovery. His heart, with some help, thumps out the Simpson's theme tune in the end.
