Difference between revisions of "Homer's Odyssey"

Revision as of 16:08, February 4, 2008

Plot

While on a field trip to the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Bart waves to Homer, distracting him and he ends up breaking something, which causes him to get fired. But just when his family stops Homer from killing himself, he notices there isn't a stop sign on a dangerous intersection. He becomes a public safety advocate and rallies to have speed bumps installed on roads and fights against his old boss. Eventually, he abandons his cause and gets rehired at the plant with a raise.

First Appearances

• Otto
• Mr. Burns
• Smithers (first "on-screen" appearance his voice can be heard in the Christmas special)

Behind the Scenes

The cartoon at the power plant was given an old-time reel footage feel by having the animation cells dragged across a cement floor to scratch it up. This trick was used several times by the animators for the next 10 seasons.

At the first appearence of Mr.Smithers. He skin color was actually black instead of yellow . According to David Silverman, Gyorgi Peluci, the person who did the color styling randomly decided the ethnicity of various characters, which usually wasn't much of a a problem, but it sort of ruined the ``white sycophant persona for Smithers. Budget constraints precluded recoloring, so they left it the way it was. If it really bothers you, just imagine that he has a ``Caribbean suntan.

Although Mr. Burns was seen in Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire, this was his first appearance in order of production codes (as well as the first use of his name), hence the dramatic music when the camera pans out on him.

Trivia

• The title comes from the greek myth of "Homer's Odyssey," or in its more common known form of just The Odyssey.
• The power plant doors that open up in different forms is a homage to the openign sequence in the 1960's show Get Smart.
• In the Season 1 DVD commentary, we find out that the "J" in Homer's full name was inserted by the writers as a tribute to Bullwinkle J. Moose from The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show.
• The first time we see Mr.Burns office, it was rather differently arranged and smaller compared to later episodes.
• One of the signs Homer puts up says: "Sign Ahead."
• Chalkboard Scene: Bart writes "I will not skateboard in halls".
• Signature Couch Scene: The family hops on the couch and the sides pop off and the legs give out. They end up sitting on the cushions of the floor.Credits roll.
• On their way to Springfield Powerplant they pass the Springfield Toxic Waste Dump, the Springfield Tire Yard (which is not on fire as of yet), the Springfield State Prison, Springfield Elementry School.
• Bart is forced to sing "John Henry was a steel drivin' man" because he was being too loud on the bus.
• The atom mascots' name is "Smilin' Joe Fission" who sweeps left over nuclear waste under the rug where "no one will find it for a billion years.
• A three-eyed fish, Blinky,swims near the nuclear plant in a pond.
• A sign at the plant reads, "Our Safety Record: [7] Days Since Last Accident."
• Homer gets fired by Sherri and Terri's dad when he runs an electric car into a radiation vapor pipe.
• Marge goes back to her roller waitress job.
• Bart's report card includes an F in Social Studies, an F in Math, a D in Physical Education, a U in Science, a U in Reading, and a U in writing.
• Homer pens his suicide note on "Dumb Things I Gotta Do Today" stationery.
• When Homer reaches the Bridge he is almost run over by who appears to be Hans Moleman who zooms by in a car.
• El Barto is signed on the steps of city hall and Chief Wiggum talks about the graffitti problem in Springfield. He then passes around an artist sketch of the culprit who looks like an older and tougher Bart Simpson.
• Springfield Shopper headlines: "Simpson Says Safe!," "Dozens Cheer Homer Simpson," "Homer Simpson Strikes Again!," "Watch Out, Here Comes Homer," and "Enough Already, Homer Simpson!"
• In the Rally against the Powerplant Homer's opening line is" Thank You. Unlike most of you, I am not a nut".
• Homer gets promoted to his current position as a Safety Inspector for the entire plant.