Homer Loves Flanders

Homer becomes a neighborly nightmare to Ned Flanders in this episode, making it highly comical and very worthwhile to watch. Even though I watched this while doing some research for my group presentation, I found it to be a generally interesting episode that also explained some things that I hadn’t questioned before. (Aka: newer references to Homer and Ned being best friends in the past.)

Simpson tries to win tickets for the big football game in town, but fails. He hears over the radio that Ned won them and his hatred for Ned just grows. In fact, it grows to the point that Homer plans to go hit Ned with a pipe and steal the tickets, but Ned just brings him along. He doesn’t even ask Homer to pay for anything; free tickets, ride, snacks, and merchandise for Homer! He’s so happy with Ned by the end of the game that he kisses him at the stadium.

Homer gets even happier when he finds out that Ned is friends with Stan Taylor, the famous football star that Homer adores. Apparently Ned and his Christian ways saved Stan from a life of drinking and women and he feels he owes Ned a lot. Stan gives Ned the game ball who, in turn, gives it to Homer as a gift. “Wow, Flanders. This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” That’s the defining moment in this episode: not only does Homer learn to appreciate what Ned did, but he changes his attitude, as well. While they’re leaving, Homer hangs out the car window and shouts “I want everyone to know this is Ned Flanders and he is my friend!”

He begins to hang around with the Flanders family, being around constantly to the point where he never leaves them alone. The kids call him Uncle Homer and he feels accepted. But he begins to drive Ned completely crazy. Ned even prays about him: “Oh Lord, please give me the strength to endure Homer Simpson’s friendship.” Eventually Homer shows up to play some golf and the Flanders family gets in the car and drives away. While Ned speeds away from Homer, he gets caught by Officer Wiggum and has to take a sobriety test. He fails – not because he was inebriated, but because a bus full of townspeople drive by and he falls over in embarrassment.

Ned is so infuriated with Homer that at the next church gathering he yells at him in front of everyone. He calls Homer annoying and fake. After Homer sets the record straight with the congregation, everyone forgives Ned and everything goes back to normal.