Pokey Mom
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"Pokey Mom" is the tenth episode of The Simpsons' twelfth season, aired on January 14, 2001.
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[edit] Synopsis
When the family attends a prison rodeo, Marge meets Jack Crowley, a convict whom she believes to have some artistic potential. She sees his work and likes it. Marge later teaches a class on being an artist to the prisoners. Jack is up for parole and, with Marge's help, is granted parole. When Jack is looking for a job, Marge finds a mural-painting job at Springfield Elementary School. Jack paints an epic mural symbolizing school spirit, but Principal Skinner demands that he tone it down. After reluctantly giving into Skinner's wishes, he is criticized for doing a terrible job. He goes crazy and commits arson. Inevitably, Marge does not like Jack for lying to her as he returns to jail.
Meanwhile, Homer suffers from a back that was injured at the rodeo, and he sees a chiropractor. He reveals that he can solve his back problems with the garbage can; therefore, he names it "Dr. Homer's Miracle Spine-o-Cylinder", and makes a business out of it, but the other chiropractors denounce his business.
[edit] Cultural References
- Bob Dylan's song "Hurricane", about boxer and convict Rubin Carter, is obliquely referenced when the announcer at the at a prison rodeo says of Crowley that he is so vile "Bob Dylan wrote a song to keep him in prison!". Ironically, this statement also recalls Dylan's take on William Zantzinger, as musically chronicled in "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" back in 1964's The Times They Are a-Changin'.
- Michael Keaton's vocal performance as Jack Crowley is similar to his portrayal of sociopathic convict Peter McCabe in the 1998 film Desperate Measures.
- The name "Pokey Mom" is a tribute to the popular Japanese franchise "Pokémon", which is occasionally (intentionally or unintentionally) pronounced "Pokeymon" and sometimes misspelled as Pokémom.
- Moe echoes the famous line from Chinatown as "Forget it Homer, it's Chirotown".
[edit] Quotes
- Marge: They are unveiling a combination, apron-smock. Its called a smapron
Homer: DID YOU SAY SMOCKRON! - Lisa: So, how was it in the slammer?
Marge: Terrific. Bart, Sideshow Bob says he'll be seeing you real soon.
Bart: (he laughs) Oh, that Bob!
(A possible reference to Day of the Jackanapes, which aired 3 episodes later) - Bart: Can I have a cookie?
Marge: Not until you're done with your sundae.
Bart: Oh, (tries to eat, but grimaces). How's that?
Marge: Two more bites.
Bart: (Eats, grimaces again). - Homer: My Spinal Cylinder! They'll pay for what they did to my can!
Moe: Forget it, Homer. It's Chirotown. - (in the cafeteria, Skinner is planning the lunch for the week as though he is a TV network executive)
Skinner: Hmm. Pizza seems to be doing well on Friday, but I think the kids will follow it to Tuesday.
Willie: That's what ya said about the stuffed peppers and ya lost the young males. - Marge: What's wrong with my sundaes?
- Lisa: They're coming for us,aren't they?
Bart:I don't know. - Jack: Now which way is Mecca? I need to do some prayin'.
Marge: Umm, Mecca...
Jack: (Chuckles) I'm just kiddin' with ya, Marge. (Chuckles more, then abruptly stops) I'm Jewish!
[edit] External links
- "Pokey Mom" episode capsule at The Simpsons Archive
- "Pokey Mom" at the Internet Movie Database