Lisa's Substitute

Season 2, Episode 19, Aired
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Episode Summary

With Miss Hoover out sick, an influential substitute teacher takes over for Lisa’s class. Meanwhile, Bart runs for class president against Martin Prince.
8.7
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Fan Episode Reviews (16)

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  • Not bad

    10
    "Perfect"
    By jmbsonic555, Oct 17, 2011 Report Abuse
    With Miss Hoover out sick, an influential substitute teacher takes over for Lisa's class. Meanwhile, Bart runs for class president against Martin Prince.
    Overall, a perfect episode that deserves a ten out of ten from me.

    10 OUT OF 10
    PERFECT!

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  • this was a good ep

    8.5
    "Great"
    By cube2k8, May 14, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the simpsons lisas class is getting a subitute and this new teacher of lisas makes her feal special like a person she can connect with it was a really good lisa ep and bart in this ep he is tring to be martin as class president. and lisa is connecting well with the teacher by sharing poetry and reading and then she comes into school the next day and she finds that her teacher is back and goes back the way things are making lisa ano it all and other things . i really liked this ep it was really goodmoreless

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  • Good!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Apr 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    Seasons one and two of the Simpsons were more introductory seasons then the others, obviously because they were the first two years of such a soon-to-be popular show. One of those seasons' best episodes in Lisa's Substitute. Why is this such a good episode?

    Lisa's class gets a new substitute teacher when Miss Hoover gets sick. The sub's name is Mr. Bergstrom, and he is a very cool, hip teacher, that Lisa eventually gets a crush on {in some ways}. Lisa wants to spend time with Mr. Bergstrom and him, Homer and Lisa go to a museum where Homer embarrasses Lisa. He gets told off by Bergstrom. Lisa likes him more and wants to invite him over to dinner- little does she know, Miss Hoover is back and Bergstrom is leaving, forever. This breaks her heart, as she goes to the train tracks to say a tearful goodbye to her sub.

    Bart's sub plot is Bart running for class president, and it seems like he is going to win because of his promises, but he realizes that only a mere 2/3 people in the class voted, all for his competitor, Martin.

    Bart is sad because he lost, Lisa is sad because of Bergstrom. When Homer shows no signs of caring, Lisa calls him a baboon, and cries, leaving to her room. Homer comes in and makes things right, tells Bart how it would be bad to be class president, and even helps Maggie sleep. Homer proclaims he is a good dad. The end.

    Such a good episode. It has humor {SEX! Now that I've gotten your attention, vote Bart}, good story, and the train tracks scene is probably their best serious moment, IMO, that left a legacy {You Are Lisa Simpson}. I think this is a good episode for those who want to watch an episode with some emotion and not just all humor. Of all the characters they have been bringing back In recent years, I sincerely hope they don't bring back Bergstrom, because this is such a good episode, bringing him back could kill his character.moreless

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  • In this episode, Lisa's teacher, Ms. Hoover, becomes ill, and requires a substitute teacher. That substitute is Mr. Bergstrom, a kind and caring man who shows Lisa that she is a truly special person. Meanwhile, Bart runs for class president.moreless

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Mdinkle1, Apr 12, 2008 Report Abuse
    "Lisa's Substitute" is a delightful and truly underrated episode that shows the contrasting lives of the two oldest Simpsons children, and has both of them, in the end, learning a valuable life lesson. This episode consists of one major plotline, showing Lisa's experiences with an illuminating substitute teacher named Mr. Bergstrom, and a smaller subplot, showing Bart running for class president. The Bart subplot comprises much of the comic relief of this episode.

    In this particular subplot, we see Bart running versus Martin Prince - the class genius - for the coveted title of class president. Because of his ebullient attitude and increasing popularity, Bart feels that he is surely going to win the title of class president, much to the dismay of his teacher, Ms. Krabappel. It turns out however, that during the election, only two people bother to vote: Martin Prince and Wendell. Bart loses the election that was assuredly his. This can be easily compared to the Dewey-Truman election of 1948, in which many people believed Dewey to be a lock for the presidency. The Chicago Tribune even declared on its front page: "Dewey Defeats Truman!", before the official word was ever in. Perhaps Bart learned from this experience that one can never be too sure of a "sure thing". Which just goes to show you, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.
    The main plotline of this episode follows Lisa Simpson as her teacher, Ms. Hoover, becomes ill, and requires a substitute teacher, named Mr. Bergstrom. This plot is not merely played out for laughs; instead, it shows just how much heart this comedic show can have. In my opinion, Lisa Simpson is one of the most underrated characters on all of television today; to me, her character represents the undervalued and underappreciated souls in society, a role of which some people - myself included - can truly relate to. In this episode, Mr. Bergstrom is a nurturing and caring teacher, who tries as best as he can to get all of his students - especially Lisa - to reach their full potential. He does not merely teach his students; no, he engages them; he brings books and history to life, incorporates song into the learning process, and makes school and learning better for all of his pupils. Mr. Bergstrom especially touches Lisa's heart; in my opinion, this is because she has never been encouraged to reach her full potential - which, undoubtedly, is very great - by any of the adult figures around her. Mr. Bergstrom make Lisa feel as though she is indeed something special; which, of course, she most certainly is. She not only keenly observes and comments and the world around her, but she also does not fall prey to the many fads and trends around her, rendering her my favorite character on the Simpsons. This episode helps to put Lisa in the spotlight, and show her full potential, rather then putting her in the background, again. One of my favorite scenes in this episode is when Lisa, Homer, and Mr. Bergstrom are at the museum. This scene shows the importance of having a strong male role model in a young girl's life, especially when her father is not up to the task of fulfilling that role. In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in all of the Simpsons history, Lisa goes to the train station to meet and talk to Mr. Bergstrom before he leaves for his next substitute teaching job. Before he leaves, he hands Lisa a note. When she opens it, it is revealed that the note says: "You are Lisa Simpson".

    "Lisa's Substitute" ends with Homer consoling both of his downtrodden children: Bart is sad because he lost the election that he was sure to lose; and Lisa was upset because Mr. Bergstrom had left, possibly for forever. Even though Homer and Lisa had just had a large fight that consisted of Lisa calling her father a baboon, Homer puts that aside to console his daughter and be there for her when she needed him most. This moment truly shows that Homer is not such a bad parent all the time, and has his good moments as well.
    This episode is truly great not just for the laughs it provides with Bart's class president subplot, but also with many of the great life lessons it provides. In addition to the ones mentioned in my review above, "Lisa's Substitute" does a great job of spelling out a few more invaluable life lessons. One such lesson is the importance of not caring what other people think. This can be seen in the scene where some of Mr. Bergstrom's lesser students draw a mean-spirited picture of him, and calling him names. Instead of being hurt by this cruel endeavor, Mr. Bergstrom laughs it off. This lesson also relays the message that it is truly not the worst thing in the world if you do not fit in; you just need to remember who you are (I.e., "You are Lisa Simpson), and stay true to yourself. "Lisa's Substitute" also shows how much impact a truly great teacher can make on your life. Mr. Bergstrom, a truly great teacher, showed Lisa just how wonderful a person she is, and helped her to belief in herself, even when nobody else does. This episode truly touched my heart, and I sincerely hope that it touched yours as well.

    Some may argue that since this episode is not brimming with humor and jokes, that it is not worth watching. I however, could not disagree more; I find that several of my favorite Simpsons episodes are more serious ones that deal with real problems that face real families in today's society. This wonderful episode simply furthers my opinion that a great show like the Simpsons does not need to be stuffed with laughs in order to make a truly great and unforgettable episode. I recommend "Lisa's Substitute" for anyone looking for not only a few laughs expected of a show like "The Simpsons", but also for a few touching moments that give this show its heart and soul.moreless

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  • Good, but not the best episode in season 2

    8.8
    "Great"
    By Iverson82094, Jan 28, 2008 Report Abuse
    Miss Hoover comes down with Lyme Disease and Mr Bergstrom (pictured) takes over the class. Lisa develops a crush on this new witty heartwarming teacher. She runs into him at the museum and is embarassed when Homer displays his stupidity. The next day at school, Lisa is shattered to find Miss Hoover has returned, and Mr. Bergstrom has left town. Lisa takes her grief out on Homer and calls him a baboon. Homer decides to act more like the father he should be, and Lisa apologises. A good Lisa episode. Little did we know that this would be the first of many.. Anyways good, but not the best episode in season 2.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • On of the names on Mr. Bergstrom's buzzer is "Vitti. J", a nod at this episode's writer, Jon Vitti. Edit
    • At the end of the episode, Mr. Bergstrom gave Lisa a note that says, "You Are Lisa Simpson." That note is seen again in episode 15-13, "Smart and Smarter." Edit
    • Poster Homer makes for Bart's campaign: "SEX! Now that I've got your attention, Vote For Bart!" Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • James L. Brooks contributed the line "You are Lisa Simpson." Edit
    • This episode features the first overt antagonism between Homer and his brain. Edit
    • First Appearance: Ralph Wiggum. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Miss Hoover: He didn't touch my lesson plan. What did he teach you? Lisa: That life is worth living. Edit
    • Miss Hoover: You see, class, my Lyme Disease turned out to be (Spells on blackboard) psychosomatic. Ralph: Does that mean you're crazy? Janey: No, that means she was faking it. Miss Hoover: No, actually, it was a little of both. Edit
    • (Bart shows the whole classroom the tape for his project called, "How Kittens Are Born: The Ugly Truth") Bart: …and here comes Snowball II. This is the one we kept. All: EWW!! Bart: We were gonna keep the gray one, but the mother ate her. All: EWWWWW!! Martin: Mrs. Krabappel, he's traumatizing the children! Mrs. Krabappel: As usual, I agree with you, Martin. Bart, shut that off and take your seat immediately! Bart: Oh, look! This is really cool. When I hit reverse, I can make 'em go back in. (The whole classroom screams) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Starland Vocal Band Before Mr. Bergstrom's train leaves the announcer calls it the "Afternoon Delight." This is an allusion to the famous song of the same name by the Starland Vocal Band. Edit
    • Mr. Bergstrom: Mrs. Krabappel, are you trying to seduce me? This line, as well as the layout of the scene, is a reference to a scene in the 1967 film The Graduate. Benjamin Braddock, also played by Dustin Hoffman, is seduced by his much older friend of the family, Mrs. Robinson, and says, "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?" Edit
    • A Streetcar Named Desire Lisa yelling at the window outside of Mr. Bergstrom's apartment is a reference to the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire. Edit

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