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Revision as of 00:34, 6 December 2006 by Natalie Erin (talk | contribs) (unnecessary internal link)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Episode of the 9th season of The Simpsons| "Realty Bites" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| File:5f06.jpg | |
| Episode no. | Season 9 |
| Directed by | Swinton O. Scott III |
| Written by | Dan Greaney |
| Original air dates | December 7, 1997 |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "There was no Roman god named 'Fartacus'. |
| Couch gag | A live-action hand spins the family around. |
| Episode chronology | |
| The Simpsons season 9 | |
| List of episodes | |
"Realty Bites" is the ninth episode of the ninth season of The Simpsons.
Synopsis
Template:Spoiler When Homer purchases Snake's former car at a police auction, Snake learns about the purchase and is so upset that he breaks out of prison, vowing to get his car back. He makes an attempt on Homer's life, but Homer survives unharmed and oblivious, while Kirk Van Houten loses an arm. (At the end of the episode, he is seen with the arm reattached and supported by a sling.)
Meanwhile, Marge encounters Lionel Hutz, and seeing he has become a realtor, she chooses this as a career for herself. She begins working for Hutz, but he finds her honesty sells no houses and threatens to fire her, while urging her to think of more positive descriptions for whatever she tries to sell. Thus, Marge does not disclose the entire truth about one house she sells to the Flanders family. As she knows, this dwelling had been the site of a brutal murder. Feeling guilty about her deception and concerned for the Flanders' safety, Marge eventually tells them the truth, but they are not angry. Nevertheless, the house is destroyed by Homer and Snake, after they battle over the car. Marge loses her job but soon turns to government welfare.
Trivia
- The episode title is a play on the 1994 Winona Ryder and Ben Stiller film Reality Bites.
- This episode has the final appearance of Lionel Hutz prior to the death of voice actor Phil Hartman.
- This episode also marks the first appearance of Gil. Gil is based on Jack Lemmon's character from the film Glengarry Glen Ross, which like this episode, revolved around real estate agents.
- According to Simpsons writer Mike Scully, the piano wire scene was meant to end with Kirk's sandwich being sliced just the way he wanted, until fellow writer George Meyer asked "what if the wire cuts off his arm?" Scully described the ensuing laughter as the most intense he had ever heard from the staff: "They were literally choking because the joke was so unexpected. It was a shocked kind of laugh, and it just started rolling, one of those laughs that build the more they reverberate through you." However, the unusually cruel gag met with mixed reactions from viewers, and was cut altogether in syndication. At the end of the episode, when Marge collects her unemployment cheque, Kirk can be seen standing behind the family with his reattached arm in a sling and wrapped in a cast.
Cultural references
- Snake sets up a wire across a road to decapitate Homer as he drives by. The wire is supplied by "Acme", after the brand of equipment used by Wile E Coyote to try and stop Road Runner in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
- When Ned Flanders explains to Marge that they were painting Todd's room red, the boy starts saying "Red room, red room" and moves his finger, like the character of Danny does in The Shining (referencing the line "Redrum").
Quotes
- Sea Captain (after taking the realty exam): "Yar, I nailed that one about houseboats, did you?"
- Marge: But all I did was tell people the truth.
Hutz: And that's great, but you need to understand that there's the truth (frowns and shakes his head), and the truth (nods and smiles broadly). For instance...(Shows Marge book of houses)
Marge: That's awfully small.
Hutz: I say it's cozy. (Flips page)
Marge: That one's dilapidated.
Hutz: Rustic! (Flips page)
Marge: That house is on fire!
Hutz: Motivated seller! - Ned Flanders (before knowing the house's past): "Will you look at this place! And the price has been slashed repeatedly!"
Maude: "It's sure built solid. The kids could scream bloody murder, and no one would hear!"
Ned: "Well, I'm just gonna spill my guts. I love it to death!" - Kearney (seeing Snake escaping): Hey! You're ruining it for the rest of us!
- Wiggum: This is Wiggum reporting a 318 - "Waking a police officer"!
- Snake (sniffing his car's exhaust): That...smells like regular. She needs premium, dude! PREMIUM! DUDE!!
- Ned Flanders : (Screams like a little girl) Purple drapes! All my life I've wanted purple drapes! (Screams again).
- Marge has passed her real estate exam
Marge: Thank you Bart, thank you Lisa for all your help.
Homer: What about me? You didn't thank me!
Bart: You didn't do anything!
Homer: I like being thanked. - Marge: I'm not getting back in this car until you drive like a sane person!
Homer: (driving away) Okbyeloveya! - Moe: Geez, this hot rod is souped up six ways from Sunday! Never had you figured for a gearhead, Homer.
Homer: Oh yeah, I'm a real expert.
Moe: What is that, a six barrel holleykauf?
Homer: You betcha!
Moe: Pedal block intakes?
Homer: Nothing but.
Moe: Miya half lifters?
Homer: Ah yeah.
Moe: I made that last one up!
Homer: I see. - Lisa: Agh, dad! Doesn't this car have seatbelts?
Homer: Seatbelts, pff! They kill more people than they save!
Lisa: That's not true, you're thinking of airbags! - Marge: Excuse me, Mr. Szyslak, have you ever considered selling your home?
Moe: What? No, why, what, why, what've you heard, are you implying I'm in some sort of financial trouble?
Marge: No..
Moe: Well, I am. Gimme that card. (Takes the card and slams the door)