The Simpsons: - TV.com

The Simpsons: Lisa the Skeptic

« prev episode next » episode

Lisa protests the building of a shopping mall on sacred ground. Her protest gets the school the ability to conduct an archaeological dig. Lisa's digging reveals a human skeleton that has wings. All Springfield is convinced it is an angel and Homer cashes in; however, Lisa is skeptical. The skeleton disappears and when it reappears it carries a foreboding message about the end of the world. As sundown approaches, the townspeople grow concerned and frightened, but nothing catastrophic happens. The skeleton floats down below the valley to a new discount shopping mall ("the end is near ... for high prices!"). Lisa figures out the whole "end is near" saga was a publicity stunt staged by the developers, not so much to not tip off would-be competitors but, as she angrily states, a way to prey on the beliefs and fears of the guillible. She calls for a boycott of the mall, but the bargain-hunting public immediately go shopping instead. Add a recap »

YOUR SCORE

RESET

N/A n/a

Writers:: David X. Cohen

Director:: Neil Affleck

Stars:: Julie Kavner (Marge Simpson, Patty Bouvier, and Selma Bouvier); Hank Azaria (Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Lou, and others); Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson); Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, and others); Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Krusty the Clown, Groundskeeper Willie, and others); Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Waylon Smithers, Kent Brockman, and others)

Recurring Role:: Marcia Wallace (Mrs. Krabappel); Russi Taylor (Martin Prince, Sherri, Terri and others); Tress MacNeille (Agnes Skinner, Brandine Del Roy, Dolph and others); Phil Hartman (Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure and Additional Voices); Pamela Hayden (Milhouse Van Houten, Rod Flanders, Jimbo Jones, and others); Maggie Roswell (Maude Flanders, Helen Lovejoy, Miss Hoover, and others)

Guest Star:: Stephen Jay Gould (Himself)

During the condensed end credits of the original airing of this episode, Matt Groening "speed draws" a picture of Bart on a sheet of glass. edit »
The plot for this episode appears on a collector card in level 3 of The Simpsons: Hit & Run video game. edit »
Marge comments that when the "angel" started speaking Lisa was squeezing her hand pretty hard, but if you actually watch the moment when the "angel" starts speaking, Marge appears to be holding Maggie in her arms as Lisa grabs onto her legs. edit »
From one of the overhead shots at the archeological dig, Moe has blue hair. edit »
Seen with the people waiting around the angel for sundown to come is a yellow version of Dr. Hibbert's wife edit »

Originally, the crew planned on using the Jimi Hendrix song, "Angel," as the end credits rolled. edit »
The plot for this episode appears on a collector card in level 3 of The Simpsons: Hit & Run video game. edit »
In the DVD commentary, it is stated that this is the last episode in which Lionel Hutz has a speaking role. Actually, "Reality Bites" is his last role. edit »
Blackboard Joke: I will not tease fatty.
Couch Gag: Three old men in towels use the TV room as a sauna. One of them pours water onto the coals. The family arrives in the TV room in towels, look at the men, and leave the room. edit »

Lisa: You exploited peoples deepest beliefs just to sell your cheesy wares! Well we are outraged! (To Chief Wiggum) Aren't we?
Chief Wiggum: Oh, uh yeah, I guess so, but look at all the stores! A Pottery Barn! edit »
Lisa: Because it doesn't make any sense at all! If you believe in angels why not unicorns or elves, or leprechauns?
Kent Brockman: Oh that's ridiculous Lisa, everyone knows leprechauns are extinct! edit »
Lisa: I can't stand those morons!
Marge: Maybe so, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't call them morons.
Lisa: But they are morons! What kind of grown person could believe in angels?
Marge: Well, your mother for one.
Lisa: You? But you're an intelligent person, Mom.
Marge: There has to be more to life than just what we see, Lisa. If you can't take a leap of faith every once in a while, well, then I feel sorry for you.
Lisa: Don't feel sorry for me mom, I feel sorry for you. edit »
Carl: I say it's the angel of peace, you idiot!
Lenny: I say it's the angel of mercy, you jerk! edit »
Lawyer: Your honor over the coming weeks and months we will prove that Lisa Simpson willingly destroyed� (Lenny notices the angel outside)
Lenny: There's the angel!
(they all run out to see the angel)
Judge Snyder: I find the defendant not guilty. As for science vs. religion I'm issuing a restraining order. Science should stay 500 yards from religion at all times. edit »

Raiders of the Lost Ark: The children digging in front of the setting sun is a visual reference to this 1981 film. edit »
"Springfield's Dumbest Criminal" program is similar to the TV show America's Dumbest Criminals. edit »
The Cardiff Giant: The plot of the episode bears more than a passing resemblance to the infamous "Cardiff Giant" hoax perpetrated by William Newell in 1869. He created a stone giant, had it "accidentally" dug up and charged tourists to see it. Skeptics proclaimed it a fraud but religious fundamentalists defended it as confirming biblical stories of giants. edit »
Homer's song for the angel is much like Handel's composition "Hallelujah Chorus." edit »
Ned Flanders: Shall we sing a hymn? "Nearer My God To Thee" maybe?

According to legend, the ship's band was playing "Nearer My God To Thee" as the Titanic went down. edit »

2.5
00
clockking515
member since: Jul 11, 2007
Lisa the Skeptic
The Bottom Line: "Unoriginal"
A really boring and heavy handed episode. That tackles the topic of science vs. religion in a preachy and unfunny manner. ...Continue »
09/14/08 07:01pm | report abuse
7.5
00
DramaStorm
member since: Oct 24, 2006
Lisa the Skeptic
The Bottom Line: "Cleverly plotted"
Here lies Part III...Episode Review 3 of 3 by Drama Storm... ...Continue »
06/18/08 03:01pm | report abuse
8
00
twilightboy
member since: Nov 24, 2006
Lisa the Skeptic
The Bottom Line: "Cleverly plotted"
Jurassic mall ...Continue »
05/13/08 06:03am | report abuse
10
00
codename11
member since: May 16, 2007
Lisa the Skeptic
The Bottom Line: "Adventurous"
Springfield is shocked to find a so called angel that Lisa dug up on an archealogical dig. Homer takes the angel and charges people to see it. Lisa is still in disbelief when it foretells the apocalypse. It's the ultimate Science vs. Religion. ...Continue »
02/01/08 08:15am | report abuse
9.5
00
Iverson82094
member since: Aug 23, 2007
Lisa the Skeptic
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
Lisa thinks she knows when the end of the world is get... Get in line Lisa there's about 100000000 other screwballs who think that they know when God is going to end the world ...Continue »
01/24/08 07:01pm | report abuse