Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Three Times
"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons' eighteenth season, which originally aired on January 28, 2007. It was written by Joel H. Cohen, and directed by Michael Polcino.
Contents
Plot
After the Simpsons' car is cut off by the Rich Texan, Homer's lust for revenge prompts his family to tell three stories of vengeance, hoping to convince Homer that pursuing revenge is not a good idea.
The Count of Monte Fatso
Marge offers a cautionary tale of revenge from 19th-century France, based on Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo.
Moe breaks up Homer and Marge's marriage by framing Homer as an English traitor. When Moe marries Marge, Homer, now in a French prison, swears revenge. His cellmate, Mr. Burns, tells him to find treasure through a tunnel he dug. Homer finds the riches and becomes the Count of Monte Fatso. Five years later, Homer invites Moe and Marge to a party at his mansion, where Homer kills Moe in a home-made revenge machine. However, Marge angrily rebuffs him for killing Moe because wihtout him who will take care of her triplets? Back at the present, Marge tells Homer that revenge can lead to misery, but finds that Homer has been listening to a Jamaican music station instead of her story. When she tries to remind him, Homer brings out his bat and yells "Revenge!" Homer also claims that he shot Mr. Burns and placed the blame on Maggie, although this is most likely a joke by the writers.
Revenge of the Geeks
Lisa's story revolves around Milhouse's campaign to fight back against the school bullies, and the consequences when he goes too far.
Tired of being bullied by Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney, the geeks plan their revenge. In the science lab, Martin reveals his latest creation, The Getbackinator, an awesome weapon of mass destruction. Milhouse - the only geek with any hand-eye coordination - uses the weapon on the bullies, but then begins attacking anyone who has ever wronged him, including Martin (for accidentally hitting him with a shuttlecock), Richard (for being more popular with girls), and Wendell (for giving him "Chinese cuts" in the lunch line). Milhouse even shoots a kid who had never done anything to him, claiming it is 'prevenge'. Milhouse gives Groundskeeper Willie an Ultimate Noogie which cuts his head off. Lisa eventually convinces Milhouse to stop, and he reluctantly throws the device away. Nelson then returns from an absence due to mumps, finds the weapon and turns it on the geeks. Homer likes the story because it has what he likes in a story--an ending. Lisa says the moral is that revenge can make you as bad as the person who harms you. Homer argues the moral should be "never let go of your weapon".
Bartman Begins
Bart recounts Bartman's "origin story", based on Batman's origin as revealed in the film Batman Begins.
After leaving the Gotham City Opera House, Homer and Marge are killed by Snake Jailbird in a dark alley. Homer pleads Bart to avenge him. Bart does as his father says and swears revenge on Snake, giving birth to his superhero ego, Bartman with the help of his grandpa. He flies around Gotham City, defeating enemies on his way for justice. When Serpent, Snake's alter ego, attempts to steal the "Stealable Jewels of the Orient" from the Gotham Natural History Museum, Bartman arrives, saves the Jewels, and kills Serpent by impaling him on the fangs of a snake statue. In the end, a reporter (played by Lisa), reminds Bartman that the Serpent's death will not revive his parents. Bartman agrees, but adds that he now feels better and has gained zillions of dollars and freedom from his parents. Unlike the first two segments, this story implies revenge is satisfying; nevertheless, while Bart was telling the story Homer reconciled with the Rich Texan after discovering they are both from Connecticut.
End Credits
At the end, the screen reads "Dedicated to all who died in the Star Wars films". The list includes: Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Greedo, Uncle Owen, Storm Trooper #5, Jango Fett, General Grievous (Droid), Storm Trooper #22, Dak, Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi, "Whoever Jimmy Smits Played" (Bail Organa), Hutt, Jabba the, Sy Snoodles, "Unfortunately, not Jar-Jar Binks," and "everyone on both Death Stars when they blew up".
Cultural references
- The title is a play on the phrase "Revenge is a dish best served cold", which was popularized by Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan[1], although the saying predates that film.
- Homer requests his favorite story, The Count of Monte Cristo, unaware that Marge already told it. Interestingly, a Monte Cristo is also a type of sandwich, which may explain why Homer likes it so.
- Bartman faces the Toker (a play on The Joker, portrayed by stoner Otto Mann), the Diddler (a play on the Riddler, actually Ned Flanders), Mr. Mole (Imitating Mr. Freeze who is Hans Moleman), Sugar and Spice (Patty and Selma), and Poison Lenny (Poison Ivy) who explains he's not a villain but a transvestite.
Notes
- A level in The Simpsons Game is named Bartman Begins.
- The Bartman in this episode is different than the one in Three Men and a Comic Book. In that episode Bartman was simply Bart wearing a purple mask around the top of his head. This Bartman is Bart in a complete Batman outfit.
