Why I Love The Simpsons Part 2: Homer Is Stupid

Salesman: “Well, sir, many of our clients find pants confining. Se we offer a range of alternatives for the ample gentleman such as yourself: panchos, muu-muus, capes, jumpsuits, uni-sheets, muslin body rolls, academic and judicial robes.”
Homer: “I don’t want to look like a weirdo. I’ll just go with a muu-muu.”

Homer has done a lot of stupid things over the past 18 seasons. He’s gotten into a fist fight with Former Pres. Bush, used Marge as a candy mule to smuggle confection out of a candy convention, brewed beer illeagally in his basement, and of course, he continued eating a sandwhich over the course of a few weeks until he got violently ill. Then he ate some more of it.

If there were ever an episode of the Simpsons that highlights just how stupid Homer Simpson is it would be episode 3F05, King Size Homer.

Like a lot of people Homer hates going to work. He describes the morning commute as, “Gas, Brake, Honk. Gas, Brake, Honk. Honk, Honk, Punch. Gas, Gas, Gas.” Not exactly idyllic. Homer wants to work at home but he just can’t figure out how. His ambitions to skip out on going to work become a dogged pursuit when Homer finds out that another co-worker has been allowed to work at home because he is on disability.

“Unfortunately” Homer doesn’t have a disability. But when Homer sets his mind to something there is no stopping him. Homer finds that he is only 61 pounds away from suffering the debilitating effects of Hyper-Obesity. Yes, that’s right. Homer decides that the best way to miss out on going to work is to gain 61 pounds. With Bart’s help, Homer quickly gains the weight he needs but due to a mishap in weighing himself Homer actually gains 76 pounds. That’s where the muu-muu comes in.

Homer finally realizes his dream but working at home isn’t what he thought it would be. His relationship with Marge and the kids is strained, the air conditioner has to work over time to keep him cool, and he is just as lazy at home as he was at the plant.

Oh, for those of you who don’t know Homer J. Simpson is a Nuclear Safety Technician. The fate of the entire town rest in his fat, lazy hands.

When Homer decides to skip out on monitoring the nuclear reactor and catch a movie he returns home to find out that the reactor is about to explode.

Homer ends up saving the day when he falls into the mouth of the exploding vent. His newly earned girth helps plug the hole thus saving the town of Springfield.

When I sat down to watch this episode this week I was struck by just how great the writing was but that the episode was completed by the visual. You have to watch the episode from start to finish. You can’t blink or you’ll miss everything. King Size Homer combines a great script, with perfect delivery, and flawless imagery.

Yes, one reason that I love the Simpsons is because Homer Simpson is reckless, boorish, and stupid. He routinely puts himself in danger and has just many brain cells as he has fingers. He consistently makes the worst decisions any man could make. However, as consistent as Homer is in his stupidity he is twice as consistent in how much he loves his family. Especially his wife, Marge.

Next Week: Part 3: Homer Simpson Loves His Wife In Spite of What the Fortune Cookie Says