Lisa the Skeptic
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"Lisa the Skeptic" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons
Synopsis
As Homer attempts to get a motor boat, a new shopping mall in Springfield is being built on sacred ground. Lisa condemns and protests the building of the mall. Thanks to her protest, it prompts the school to conduct an archaeological dig. When Lisa is digging, it reveals a human skeleton with wings. Springfield's residents are convinced it is an angel, and Homer cashes in by moving the skeleton into the family's garage; however, Lisa is skeptical, believing it may not actually be an angel, and even attempting to have Stephen Jay Gould use it for research. After the tests fail, Springfield's religious zealots riot and destroy all of the scientific institutions. Lisa goes into the garage to destroy the skeleton; however, it has disappeared.
When the skeleton reappears, it carries a foreboding message that the Apocalypse is coming. As for science vs. religion, Judge Snyder issues a restraining order that keeps science and religion 500 yards apart at all times. Sundown approaches, and Springfield's citizens are frightened, but nothing catastrophic occurs. The skeleton is lifted to a new discount shopping mall, saying, "Prepare for the end... the end of high prices!" Lisa finds out that the "end is near" saga was actually a publicity stunt for the mall as a way to exploit the deepest beliefs of people, and calls for a boycott of the mall. However, the bargain-hunting public still go shopping immediately. In the end Marge points out to Lisa that, despite all her skepticism, for a few seconds while the Angel was rising Lisa really did believe the Angel was real. Lisa denies this, but thanks her mother for her support in her moment of weakness.
Quotes
- Reverend Lovejoy: Well, it appears "science" has faltered once again in the face of overwhelming religious evidence.
Lisa: But...
Moe: Go home, science girl!
Lisa: I am home!
Moe: Good. Stay there. - Homer: What the hell are we gonna do with 10,000 angel ash trays?
Bart: I could take up smoking.
Homer: You damn well better! - Homer: (singing a Hallelujah-esque song) Here's the angel! See the angel! It's my angel! No-one else's! Next to the rakes!
- Ralph: Prinscipal Skipple, Prinscipal Skimpster. I found something. (the crowd gathers) It's a spearhead.
Miss Hoover: That's your trowel blade, Ralph. It fell off the handle.
Ralph: And I found it. - Ned Flanders: Science is like a blabber mouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. Well, I say that there are some things we don't wanna know. Important things!
- Cardinal: Your Holiness, there is word from America. They say an angel has foretold the Apocalypse.
The Pope: Keep an eye on it. - Lisa: I just think it's a fantasy. If you believe in angels, then why not unicorns or sea monsters or leprechauns?
Kent Brockman: Oh, that's a bunch of baloney, Lisa! Everyone knows leprechauns are extinct! - Robot (after the townspeople have gone on a rampage): Why? Why was I programmed to feel pain?
- Mr. Burns (talking about the nuclear power plant secrets): Oops. I've said too much. Smithers, get the amnesia ray. Smithers: You mean the revolver? Mr. Burns: Precisely. Don't forget to use it on yourself afterwards.
References
- Springfield's Dumbest Criminal program is similar to the TV show America's Dumbest Criminals.
- The blue whale that hangs in the Springfield Museum is much like the one that hangs in real life at the American Museum of Natural History.
- Homer's song for the angel is much like Handel's composition Hallelujah Chorus.
External links
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