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Episode Guide > Season 4, Episode 17

The Simpsons: Last Exit to Springfield

 

Episode Score

 
9.1 Superb
249 votes

Your Score

Air Date

Thursday March 11, 1993

Production Code

9F15

Episode Summary

Homer finds himself filling in for the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant's union leader when it comes time to negotiate their new contract with Mr. Burns. Homer is a tough negotiator, despite not knowing the first thing about union organizing, and forces Burns to accept the union's demands on the condition that Homer be removed as leader.

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    9 Superb

    Lisa needs braces; Homer becomes head of workers union. hide show

    The union leader at the Nuclear Power Plant disappears, leaving the employees without a leader to renegotiate their contract. Mr Burns takes advantage of the situation and removes the dental plan from his employee benefits package, offering free beer in return. Everybody including Homer agrees, until Lisa needs braces which he will have to pay for himself. He stands up and urges other members to reject the contract, and is elected the new plant union representative. Marge buys lisa the cheapest braces which are huge and ugly. The workers vote to strike. Burns responds by turning off the city's power, but the workers do not change their mind. Burns comes to realize he has failed, and proposes to reinstate the dental plan if Homer resigns as the union leader. Homer agrees, and Lisa gets new, clear braces. This episode had soo many great parodies and refrences to famous works that its impossible not to find it funny. Although I found some of the parts a little corny like Lisa's song, but nonetheless a good episode. Watch it!

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  •  
    9.5 Superb

    Homer strikes and Lisa needs braces. Hilarious? hide show

    Wow. I don't even know where to begin. This episode is one of the all time best episodes in the Simpsons history. The jokes were funny and the storyline was great. I get constantly reminded of this episode every time I go to the dentist or orthodontist. Why? Because of "The Big Book of British Smiles" of course!!! No matter how many times I watch this episode, that joke remains funny. Other memorable jokes include the story behind Homer's scar, Santa's Little Helper's reaction to seeing Lisa with her braces, and Mr. Burns encounter with the dog in the power plant. Many people consider this to be the greatest episode of the Simpsons, and I can see why. The jokes were great and it came from season 4, in my opinion the best season of the Simpsons!

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  •  
    5 Mediocre

    Worst. 4th season episode. Ever! hide show

    This has to be the awfulist episode ever. Burns just trys to get his ways and makes Homer not get the dental plan. Burns is just a selfless brat and, owns a vulture that looks like him. And, Lisa's braces could make any kid cry. And, maybe break a few glasses (The wearing and drinking kind). I thought this episode went no where. I did'nt even get the begging. This episode will always be alful #1. And, always hated. Then, Lisa sings this corny song. That I did'nt really like. So this is the worst episode ever.

    Final Score: D+, 5

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  •  
    10 Perfect

    Called the best episode, when in fact it's only the second best. hide show

    Called the best episode, when in fact it's only the second best. But it is the truth. But looking back on it, I can see how you can certainly make that mistake. Jimmy Hoffa being buried in one of the romoured places, an opening action sequence, seeing young man burns send another young man to be walled up in the old coke machine (and it ain't coca cola) and of course, Lisa's infamous hallucination dream sequence (beetles themed, of course).
    Now I'm starting to think of it quite too highly, I must remember to keep in mind that it is a close second to Simpsons Christmas Stories. But unfortunately, few agree with me. Oh well, their loss.
    Thats all,
    See Yas!

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  •  
    8.8 Great

    Amazing parody of everything hide show

    Mr. Burns sits in his office awaiting the union leader, who has not been seen since he promised to clean up the union, so that they can discuss the proposed union contract. While perusing the contract, Mr. Burns becomes disgusted with the union demands and reminisces about simpler times. Mr. Burns then decides to take on the union, and revokes their dental plan.

    Meanwhile, at Painless Dentistry (formerly "Painful Dentistry"), the Simpson children are getting their teeth checked. It is discovered Lisa needs braces. When Marge informs Homer, he tells her not to worry about the cost, as the union had won a dental plan during the strike of '88. Later, at a meeting of the local chapter of International Brotherhood of Jazz Dancers, Pastry Chefs and Nuclear Technicians, Carl announces that the newest contract requires the union to give up their dental plan in exchange for a free keg of beer for their meeting. Homer slowly comprehends that giving up their dental plan would require him to pay for Lisa's braces and jumps into action, reminding everyone how their dental plan has helped them all, and how the new contract is an insult. Carl proposes Homer be the new union president and he is promptly elected by a nearly unanimous vote.

    Mr. Burns watches Homer on his hidden cameras and is impressed, asking Smithers, "who is that firebrand?" Smithers recounts several instances where Mr. Burns was involved in some way with Homer or another member of the Simpson family, all of which Burns has forgotten. Burns further confuses Homer's pathetic attempt to remove a candy bar stuck on his back with a workout routine. Burns invites Homer to his office to try to reach an agreement but Mr. Burns's sly innuendos are misconstrued by Homer as sexual advances. Homer quickly gets to his feet, saying he does not go for those "back door shenanigans", although he is "flattered" and "maybe even a little curious," and promptly leaves.

    Since the dental plan has not yet been reclaimed, Lisa is given exceptionally primitive braces, leading her to call herself a "monster". Meanwhile, Mr. Burns sends hired goons to the Simpsons' house in order to take Homer back to Burns's Manor to negotiate. Before they have a chance to talk, Homer is struck by the urgent need to use the rest room. He asks Mr. Burns where the rest room is and immediately leaves, leading Burns to think that Homer is unwilling to even hear him out. Burns returns Homer to his house, but threatens Homer as he leaves. Homer is now tired of being union president and calls a meeting to announce his resignation. But when he opens by saying that he has had enough of negotiating with Mr. Burns, the union thinks he is suggesting that they strike. Before Homer can say anything else, a chant of "Strike!" is started, a vote is taken, and the union goes on strike.

    Mr. Burns is undeterred by the strike and tries several methods of breaking it up, such as bringing in '30s era strikebreakers and getting loyal robot workers. On an edition of Kent Brockman's talk show, Smartline, Mr. Burns is allowed an opening tirade and he threatens dire events. Fifteen minutes later, Mr. Burns and Smithers march to a secret room in the Power Plant and turn off the power for the whole town. The strikers do not lose hope and begin to sing. Burns, confident he has broken the union's spirit, steps out on his balcony to hear their reaction but is disarmed by their unity and optimism. Mr. Burns finally calls a meeting with Homer to concede to their demands on one condition: that Homer must resign as union president. Homer celebrates, causing Mr. Burns to finally realize that Homer is not the brilliant tactician he thought he was.

    With the Simpson family insured again, Lisa gets her perfect, new braces and she, the Simpson family, and the dentist gather and laugh as the episode comes to a close, with the dentist finally realizing that they are all laughing because he has left the gas on.[3][2][1]

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Episode Cast and Crew

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  • X-rated clubs at the Springfield red-light district: "Nudes at Eleven," "Adam and Adam," and "The Horny Toad" []
  • Dr. Wolfe's, Lisa's dentist from this episode, business is called 'Painless Dentistry: Formerly Painful Dentistry.' []
  • The original panelist on Smartline was supposed to be O.J. Simpson, but he turned it down and Dr. Joyce Brothers was cast (much to the relief of the writers). []
  • In January 2003, an "Entertainment Weekly" article looking back at the top 25 episodes of the series chose this episode as the show's greatest episode. []
  • Anthony Hopkins was originally asked to guest star as the Dentist for this episode, but turned it down. Their secondary choice was Clint Eastwood, but he too turned it down. The part eventually went to Hank Azaria. []
More Notes
  • Kent Brockman: Tonight on Smartline, the power plant strike, Arglebargle or Fufferella. With us tonight our plant owner C.M. Burns, Union Kingpin Homer Simpson, and talk show mainstay Dr. Joyce Brothers.
    Dr. Joyce: I brought my own mic! []
  • Boy: You can't treat the working man this way. One day we'll form a union and get the fair and equittable treatment we deserve. Then we'll go too far, and get corrupt and shiftless and the Japanese will eat us alive!
    Mr. Burns' Grandfather: The Japanese!? Those sandal-wearing goldfish tenders? Bosh! Flimshaw!
    Years Later
    Mr. Burns: If only we'd listened to that boy, instead of walling him up in the abandoned coke oven. []
  • Mr. Burns: Now, let's get down to business.
    Homer: (thinking) Oh, man. I have to go to the bathroom. Why did I have all that beer and coffee and watermelon?
    Mr. Burns: Now Homer, I know what you're thinking. I want to take the pressure off. Now, it doesn't take a "whiz" to know that you're looking out for "Number One". Well, listen to me, and you'll make a big splash very soon.
    Homer: Ooh, which way to the bathroom?
    Mr. Burns: Oh, it's the twenty-third door on the left. []
More Quotes
  • Red River
    The union member and power plant worker Gummy Joe appears to be a homage to Nadine Groot, a character from this 1948 film. []
  • Classical Gas
    Upon Lenny's request, Lisa plays this song by Mason Williams after her power plant ballad. []
  • Eversmile, New Jersey
    Dr. Wolfe is a based on Daniel Day Lewis's character, Dr. Fergus O'Connell from this 1989 film. []
More Allusions
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