13. Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment

Episode Title: "Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment"
Episode Number: 26
Original Air Date:  February 7, 1991

Plot Synopsis: We begin with a flashback to Bible times as Bible Homer sees Moses bring the 10 Commandments down from that giant mountaintop. Moses gets to the whole "thou shalt not steal" bit, which really annoys Bible Homer.

In the present day, Homer sees Stupid Flanders angrily reject a cable installer guy's offer for an illegal cable hookup. Homer, not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, chases after him and gets one of his own. Homer and Bart love having all channels for essentially free, while Marge feels a little easy. Lisa feels super uneasy, especially after learning about the 8th commandment in Sunday School. Lisa thinks that Homer is going to hell because he's stealing cable, and that freaks her right out.

Lisa continues to see examples of stealing in the world around her. She goes as far as to seek advice from Reverend Lovejoy, who recommends that she not turn Homer in over the cable because of that whole "honor thy father and thy mother" bit. Lisa instead chooses to stop watching television as a method of nonviolent resistance. Homer continues loving the shit out of free cable, and Bart starts charging neighborhood kids to come over and watch pornography.

Homer invites everyone in town over to watch a big fight on TV, which results in him having to hide all of the mugs he's stolen from Moe's over the years and all of the junk he's "borrowed" from work when Moe and Mr. Burns show up. Lisa refuses to even be in the house while all this is going on to try to boycott the party. Soon Marge follows, then Homer. Bart also goes outside, but not so much because he cares but because he's literally dragged outside by Homer. After the fight is over and everyone leaves, Homer climbs up on the utility pole and nobly cuts off their illegal cable hookup - but not before also cutting the power to every house on the block accidentally.

Overall Thoughts: This is a totally fun little episode that deals heavily with the morality of the Simpson family members. While the idea of stealing cable (and analog cable, at that) is really outdated at this point, the actual themes present in the episode as well as the vast majority of the jokes are able to remain fresh and relevant. I have to wonder, though, if we're at that stage where kids will watch this episode and go "wait, how is he stealing the cable? Where's his set-top box?"

As a bonus, this episode is super Phil Hartman heavy and features the first appearance of the wonderful Troy McClure. As a bonus bonus, we get another appearance (albeit a quick one) of Dr. Nick Riviera.

What Works: I've said before that I like episodes dealing with Simpson money problems, and this episode continues that tradition. The financial woes of Homer aren't necessarily a major focus, but they're basically the catalyst for the story that follows. Homer is poor and can't afford cable, so he steals it. Quick and easy. I think these types of issues make the Simpson family members feel real and grounded, despite all of the zaniness going on around them.

This episode deals heavily with Lisa's sense of morality. Maybe my favorite aspect of her character is just how wise beyond her years she really is. Lisa is a little girl, but she's worrying about some really heavy issues. While Bart is concerned primarily about whether or not there are pirates in hell, Lisa is consumed with fear over the idea that her or her family might get sent there due to the aforementioned cable stealing.

This episode also focuses on the Simpsons as a religious family. Look, I'll be honest - religion isn't really my thing. However, it's always been a firm aspect of their characters and I think it's a really strong and interesting stance to take for an animated show. Religion plays an important role in the lives of these people, and it adds another layer of realism to the whole ordeal.

I quite enjoy the "slippery slope" aspect of the story, here. Homer starts out by stealing cable, and soon he has to hide all the stuff he's stolen from Moe's and work over the years as people start to come over to the house to watch the big fight. Homer makes a decision and pays very much for it. It's a good little idea that is executed (for the most part) really well.

My favorite moment in this episode, hands down, is Marge and the grapes. While at the supermarket, Marge eats two grapes with no intention of paying for them. Lisa witnesses this and warns her mother that stealing is wrong. When they get to the checkout counter, Marge tells the clerk about the grapes and asks to be charged for them at Lisa's insistence. Even though Marge is horribly embarrassed and the clerk is horribly annoyed that he has to get a price check for two grapes, Lisa is clearly proud of her mother. It's a wonderful moment.

What Doesn't Work: I've never loved old-timey recreations of historical or religious events with the Simpsons, like the one featured in the opening of this episode. I don't know, they don't really do anything for me. I get the idea of it - it's setting up the 8th commandment and the story that follows. However, I just don't think it's a very good storytelling device. I've seen other shows do similar things, and I've never liked it in either live action or animation. But that's just me, I suppose.

The story stretches itself just a little thin towards the end of the episode. I get the point when Mr. Burns shows up at the house for the fight. Having the Springfield cops also show up to try to watch the fight on Homer's illegal cable hookup is just overkill.

Closing Thoughts: This episode is a great, funny and sometimes touching example of what a strong sense of morality "The Simpsons" really has, which is precisely what separates it from other shows. This may not be the strongest episode of the year, but it's without question another in a long line of really solid television from the second season.

Final Grade (out of 10): 8