Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
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"Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is the twelfth episode of The Simpsons' fifteenth season, airing on February 15, 2004.
[edit] Synopsis
On a school field trip to the Museum of Television and TV, Milhouse shows that he has developed a new attitude where he just doesn't care. Meanwhile Mr. Burns has moved Homer, Lenny and Carl to an offsite location (Moe's) so that they don't ruin a visit by the plant's board of directors. Apu and Manjula stop by celebrating their anniversary, making Homer realize he hasn't gotten anything for his anniversary with Marge. He gets extremely drunk and finds himself ‘dancing' on the street where people, thinking he is homeless, start giving him money. Milhouse reveals the secret to his new attitude is the fact that he and his mother are moving to Capital City, where they are going to get a fresh start. Both Bart and Kirk Van Houten are going to have to learn to get along without Milhouse being around. Bart tries to adapt to a world without Milhouse, especially after a visit to Milhouse in Capital City makes him realize that things will never be the same. In the meantime, Homer has begun begging as a second job when he realizes he can make good money that allows him to buy Marge an expensive anniversary gift. With Milhouse out of his life, Bart finds himself bonding with his sister and she is enjoying the new relationship with her brother; a relationship that gets tested when Kirk gets "pity custody" of Milhouse. When Milhouse returns, Lisa feels betrayed that Bart is acting like their friendship never existed, but nevertheless respects it. Bart, however, shows Lisa how much he appreciates her, and they end up hugging each other. Meanwhile, the other grifters get sick of Homer getting all the attention (and money) and show Marge where Homer is getting his extra cash. She is mortified by his behavior, but can't bring herself to throw away the diamonds that he gave her, even though they were bought with dirty money.
[edit] Trivia
- The episode was Isabel Sanford's final television appearance before her death two months later.
- An Itchy and Scratchy episode is featured in this episode. It is titled "Moo Goo Gai Pain". Scratchy goes into a restaurant that says "All You Can Eat Cat Special". He is lead into the restaurant (called "Mickey Mao's"), where it is revealed that the "cat" on the menu is him. The other mice inside come at him and chop him up so he can be eaten. They eat until they are full and stop at his skull. He sighs with relief, but 30 minutes later the mice get hungry again and eat the rest of him.
- The six schools of begging as described by the bum Homer meets: bad musician, messed up vet, cripple, fake-cripple, religious zealot and crazy guy.
- Despite the fact that the episode was aired on Matt Groening's 50th birthday, there was no publicity or mention of the fact.
- Contains a guest appearance of Nadia Comaneci.
- The only appearance of the secret safe hidden behind the boat painting in the living room.
[edit] Cultural references
- The episode is a pun on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
- Whilst begging, one of Homer's techniques is to sing a butchered version of the song Mr. Bojangles.
