Marge vs. the Monorail

Season 4, Episode 12, Aired
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Episode Summary

Springfield holds a town meeting to decide what to do with the $3 million fine Mr. Burns was forced to pay for illegally dumping toxic waste. Despite Marge's opposition, a sly salesman, Lyle Lanley, convinces the town to build a monorail transportation system.
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Cast & Crew

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Fan Episode Reviews (25)

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  • I Don't Love It As Much as Most People...

    8.5
    "Great"
    By futuramarama, Nov 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    Don't get me wrong, this episode is easily one of the funniest of the series, almost every joke had me laughing hard. It's just... I don't know, I don't like the plot a lot. And for me to fully enjoy an episode, I need to enjoy the plot AND laugh a lot. This episode only did half of that. It's one of the funniest episodes of the series, but the plot just does not do it for me... so I can't give it an A+, because to me, plot is probably the most important thing. Overall though, it gets a B or so.moreless

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    2 2

  • When Burns dumps toxic waste in the park, the town holds a meeting on what to do with the $3 million fine

    10
    "Perfect"
    By fenway98, Jun 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    I love this episode!!!!!!!! When the town holds a meeting on what to spend the 3 million dollar fine for Burn's disposal of toxic waste in the park for, they decide to spend it on a monorial system(due to a catchy song). Monorail!!!! Monorial!!! Monorial!!!! Monorial! Marge is the only one against the monorial, due to how unsafe it is. She gets help from a citizen from a town with a former monorial system. Right when the monorial is going haywire, Marge arrives. Is she too late? No!!! Homer saves the day for throwing an anchor on a donut statue. "Donuts! Is there anything they can't do?"moreless

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    1 0

  • Runaway Monorail

    10
    "Perfect"
    By sh811a, Nov 15, 2010 Report Abuse
    It's no supprise if I say this is one of my favorate episodes of the Simpsons ever. Everything about this episode is just perfect there is just not one dull moment.

    There are just so many things that are funny about the episode. From the first half when Marge states something that Springfield should spend their money on which is on a street that looks like it's days are just about numbered, damage was caused because of everyone's carelessness or plain stupidity, love how Homer was a big contribuitor on that as well as seeing the popcorn truck fall into a giant pot hole, blow up, and be filled with popcorn.

    The character Lile Landle is a great antagonist (played well by the late great Phil Hartman)he's just this smooth talking silver tounged sleezy con artist heck his first name is rather ironic. How the heck he can afford to pull off a con that expensive is anyones guess; White Collar criminals most likely. My favorte moment with him was seeing him create that music number which I'll admit is catchy. As well as seeing his blue prints for his sceme which look like a grade schooler has drawn them, that little detail tells me he's the kind of guy that is all flash but no substance. Down to the final half when the Monorail gets out of control, sort of reminds me of the action film "Runaway Train". Love the fact Lenard Nemoy guess stared, he was dryly hillarous because he played it straght but dryly exagerated his persona like seeing his reaction to Quimby's ignorance, seeing him save Krusty the Clown, or even when he energized away at the end what his mission on the Monorail was I don't know may'be what I stated eariler to save Krusty. And Homer whom is great as usual even though his role isn't very big in the episode he once again exercises his usual heroic side which I don't see him do much anymore, but it's at it's best in this episode. Liked that conductor get up which is sort of a Darth Vader outfit only thing missing is the mask. But of course I love what he does to stop the train which is to create and use an anchor, logically and in physics it wouldn't work but oh well it's a cartoon just roll with it; I find where the anchor lands at the end to be rather ironic.

    And finally there were those three problimatic things Marge stated at the end which were so random but hillarious for no particular reason; I just laughed everytime I saw one stupid person after another plumets to their death from an escilator that leads nowhere, comic gold.moreless

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    1 0

  • Not a single dull moment

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Southparkfa, Jul 13, 2010 Report Abuse
    This is as perfect as they get really. In this one, the Town has a meeting to decide what to do with a 3 million dollar fine given to mr.Burns. A man named Lyle Laney, a traveling monorail salesman, who, with the help of a nice little song. They then begin consruction, while Marge learns that Lyle has a plan to steal all their money, and run off to a random island. At the maiden voyage, something goes terribly wrong. Overall, it's without a doubt one of the sharpest written episodes I've seen of any show. I won't spoil the ending, but I love what happens with lyle at the end. A definite must-watch. 10/10 A+moreless

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  • lyle lanley , a con artist builds springfield a poor - working monorail

    10
    "Perfect"
    By heylin_prince, Jul 13, 2010 Report Abuse
    thius was a fantastic episode really ! it is considered the best simpsons episode in the enitre universe . while this isn't the best episode ever , it is one of them . it had one of the most funniest quotes , " i call the big one bitey " . lol . matt groening even said that was his favorite quote . i also liked the monorail song and homer's parody of the flinstone theme song . so if you like season 4 , classical era simpson episodes you will really like marge vs. the monorail . a definite must see .moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Lurleen Lumpkin, from "Colonel Homer," makes a cameo as a washed-up celebrity. Edit
    • One of the paintings in the monorail luxury bar area is the Led Zeppelin symbol, the burning Hindenburg. An eerie fore-shadowing of the monorail. Edit
    • Sign at Swampy's Liquor on Main Street reads: "Duff Spoken Here" Edit

  • Notes

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    • This episode marks the first time one of the male Simpsons voice actors does a female character. Dan Castellaneta voices the laughing old lady in North Haverbrook. Edit
    • Conan O'Brien asked George Takei to be in this episode, but he turned the part down declaring "I take monorails very seriously." Conan and the producers instead went with Leonard Nimoy. Edit
    • Conan O'Brien declared this episode as his favorite. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • (singing) Everybody in Springfield: Monorail, Monorail, Monorail! Monorail!!!! (pause) Homer: Mono--D'OH! Edit
    • Marge: How fast is it going? (Sees Homer scream in the speeding monorail passing by.) Scientist: Well, judging by your husband's cowardly scream, 480 miles per hour. Edit
    • Kent Brockman: What have you been up to, Lurleen? Lurleen Lumpkin: I spent last night in a ditch. Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Beverly Hills Cop When Smithers and Burns are hiding the green ooze, the music bears a striking resemblance to the "Axel F" theme from this movie. Edit
    • Child: Is Superman faster than The Flash? This question the child asked was based on the Superman comic book and the episode, "Speed Demons." Edit
    • Homer: Batman's a scientist.
      Aside from this quick joke, Simthers' and Burns' escape is a parody of the power zip-cord from the film Batman. Edit

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