... Bart gets to say bye his bike, but Lisa doesn't say bye to SII (before she dies)? ... Dr. Hibbert stops for the bike and offers to pay for it, but doesn't stop after running over SII? ... SLH looking sad (and cute) at the funeral? ... Bart is rather indifferent to SII's death ... Homer bought a new welding mask since "The Fat and the Furriest"? ... Coltrane looked like Bart? ... Murderpuss (the Lovejoys robot) has a cross on the top? ... The tombstones get progressively crappier (Coltrane's is even made of cardboard)? ... Frink Jr. grew up since "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes"? ... Maggie died or something? Because she doesn't show up after Homer gets out of the robot, yet we see her in there earlier.
I, Robot (novel) - title
This Bud's For You (Budweiser commercial) - Bart spoofs this
BattleBots (TV show) - Robot Wars is similar
Killing Me Softly with His Song (song) - Spoofed by commentators
The Wizard of Oz (novel/movie) - Abe mentions the tin man
Mohammed Ali - Frink's robot is named after him (see Comments for more)
Futurama - One of the tapes that Homer and Bart watch is labeled "Killhammed Aieee vs. Bender" - Also, the plot of the episode "Raging Bender" also involves fighting robots
[7F24] A poem is read about one of Lisa's dead cats [8F02] Homer has a robot body [8F23] Frink's son is seen [2F12] A member of OFF rides a unicycle with their pants down [2F04] Jessica Lovejoy appears [4F13] Bart's arm is dislocated [4F03] The bullies steal something from Bart [4F18] The bullies circle someone on their bikes [4F23] Arman Tamzarian is mentioned [5F15] [FABF01] Crazy Cat Lady appears [5F16] Homer risks his life to impress Bart
Snowball I has never been buried in the backyard before, it was in the pet cemetery.
Yet again, Season 15 deals us an episode that blows expectations out of the water. First off I'd like to comment that this episode's direction and animation were among the best in the series. The main plot was oh-so reminiscent of classic era episodes like "Saturdays of Thunder" (and it even went as far as to include the same song). It set up the conflict between Homer and Bart in the first act well, and concluded it nicely in the end (the idea that it was more about Bart liking Homer rather than retreading the love topic was a great twist on the old theme). Homer and Bart's characterization were great, and the plot was actually pretty down to earth. The subplot was nice too. It's sad to see Snowball II gone, but that was resolved nicely, and I felt a bit for Lisa too. Skinner's comment was hilarious, which is saying something since I loathe TPatP. Overall grade: 9/10. (A-)
Announcer: Get ready to robot rumble! It's the fight game's toughest robots, vs. Homer Jay Simpson! (Scenes of the arena and various robots are shown. Then Homer is seen in his robot) Homer: Woohoo! I mean, beep-beep! Announcer: But how will he survive in a battle of man vs. machine? (Homer is seen getting pummeled by a multi-armed robot. Then he's seen holding a first-aid kit.) Homer: I brought a home-made first-aid kit. It's spring-loaded for quick access. (The utensils pop out into his face, prompting him to scream.) Announcer: The Simpsons! All new at 8/7c next Sunday!
Frink's robot's name actually does have some significance. Boxer Mohammed Ali was born as Cashius Clay, but upon his conversion to Islam, he changed his name to Mohammed Ali, like Frink's robot.