| "The Ned-liest Catch"
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| Episode Information
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"The Ned-liest Catch" is the twenty-second and finale episode of season 22. It originally aired on May 22, 2011. The episode was written by Jeff Westbrook and directed by Chuck Sheetz. It guest stars Joey Kramer as himself and Ken Burns as himself.
Synopsis
- "Feeling guilty for getting Mrs. Krabappel suspended after one of his school pranks, Bart helps her escape detention, and Ned Flanders winds up saving her life in the process. When Edna and Ned start dating, he is surprised to learn she's been with many of Springfield's men, including Homer and Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer."
Plot
At a girls basketball rally celebrating their first basket in a triple overtime game against Shelbyville, Bart causes trouble for the school. Edna grabs Bart and slaps him twice in front of the school. Edna soon has to face a meeting where she's confronted by Seymour Skinner, Superintendent Chalmers, Homer, and Marge in Skinner's office. Edna is suspended with pay, but she must go to a holding area until her hearing. After guilt gets the best of him, Bart goes to the building to free Edna. However, during the escape, Edna almost fall off the ladder but Ned happens to walk by and save her. Edna begins to talk about the Simpsons with Ned, and the couple soon starts to date. This causes much grief for Bart, as his teacher now constantly visits the house next door, making it hard for him to get away with slacking. Edna then gives Flanders the courage to ask for his stuff back from Homer, emptying the Simpsons' garage. Homer then tries to break up Nedna, but in talking to him, realizes that he wants Ned to be happy. He then accidentally goads the guys at Moe's into talking about their numerous sexual exploits with Edna, causing Ned to question the relationship which worsens when he sees several of Edna's ex-boyfriends (and one ex-girlfriend) on her face, causing him to run out of her apartment. Homer convinces Flanders to go back to Edna, and she agrees to be with him on the condition that her past never gets in their way again. Ned comments on how that will have to be decided by a "higher power". Thus the show ends on a cliffhanger, with Homer and Marge asking the fans to decide, making the second time fans take part in an episode since the two-part "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" saga.
In re-runs, as the closing credits roll, Marge tells the fans that if they're watching a re-run or a DVD, it's too late to vote, and Homer berates them for not taking the opportunity earlier.
Production
The episode was also titled "Nedliest Catch",[1]
Reception
"The Ned-Liest Catch" received mixed-to-positive reviews from TV critics.[2]
Promotional images
References
