... the hired goons seem to have aged? ... Homer's sad about losing a job he rarely goes to? ... Marge isn't using a typewriter to write like she usually does? ... Disco Stu did something for the book? ... in Marge's book fantasies, the boat painting is in the background? ... Lisa approves of a book about whaling? ... something that looks like a rat falling out of the ambulance as Homer cleans it? ... the billboard's illustrations aren't the same as Marge's imagination (but they are similar)? ... Lisa proofread the book, but didn't catch the part where Temperance's name turns to Marge?
Diary of a Mad Housewife (70's film drama) - title
Moby Dick (novel) - Marge is inspired by a painting of a scene from this book - Also about whaling - Moab is similar to Ahab
Herman's Head - Lisa's psyche
MadTV (sketch comedy show) - Lisa mentions it
[7G11] Marge fantasizes about having (and almost has) an affair [8F07] Homer gets advice on fatherhood (cf. being a good husband) [8F18] Marge expresses her loathing of Homer through a creative medium involving Flanders [1F17] Marge fantasizes about falling falling in love with a long haired hunk from a book [3F24] Tim tries to stop Helen from gossiping [AABF17], [CABF16] Morphine is abused [BABF19] Lisa (cf. Marge) writes a tell-all book [CABF20] OFF has a defibrillator [DABF14] Homer's eye twitches as he doesn't tell the truth [EABF05] the bleach guy is seen [EABF08] Ned has an urge to do something sexual to a woman on a picnic blanket [EABF13] Something about Flanders is written and becomes popular
A scene from the promo for this episode with Homer at the hospital with Hibbert and Krusty wasn't in the episode.
Marvin Monoe is dead. We've seen his grave, we've seen the memorial hospital and we've seen the memorial gym, so why was he talking to Marge about her book? Next thing you know, Maude'll be seen strutting down the street.
Tonight's episode was a good showing. Marge was excellently characterized (no craziness) and it was easy to sympathize with her plight. Her poor writing created a nice parallel to her real life, as well as adding a lot of humor. The guest stars weren't too intrusive, and were pretty funny. And it was nice to see Homer trying to solve the problem in a way that was considerate instead of violet. However, there were some things wrong with this one. First of all, Homer's subplot didn't add much, and actually detracted from the development of the Marge/Homer conflict in reality. Also the Marvin Monroe appearance was clearly there just to make fans mad. I mean it was implied three times he was dead, and confirmed once! But despite that, this episode was enjoyable and overall pulls off a 8.5/10. (B)
Announcer: The medical crisis hits a new low, when Homer becomes a paramedic. (Homer is seen purchasing an ambulance. Then he is seen in the OR with Hibbert, pulling a sandwich out of a cooler used to transport and preserve organs.) Hibbert: This is a roast beef sandwich! I ordered pastrami. (The camera moves back to reveal Krusty on the operating table.) Krusty: Just stick it in my stomach. Announcer: Will emergency medicine become a family business? (Homer is seen washing the ambulance in the back yard and dancing, and then driving it with Bart and Lisa. The kids are then seen holding a fribillator and a syringe.) Homer: Those aren't your toys, they're to keep daddy asleep [i]and[/i] awake. (He injects himself with the syringe and revives himself with the fribillator.) Announcer: The Simpsons, all new at 8, FOX LOL Sunday!
Alternate Title: All's Whale That Ends Whale