Trilogy of Error

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The Simpsons episode
"Trilogy of Error"

Episode no.	266
Prod. code	CABF14
Orig. Airdate	April 29, 2001
Show Runner(s)	Mike Scully
Written by	Matt Selman
Directed by	Mike B. Anderson
Chalkboard	"Fire is not the cleanser"
Couch gag	The family skateboards to the couch, jumping off a conveniently placed ramp and doing some nifty aerial stunts before landing. Or at least most of the family does. Homer falls off the edge of the ramp, landing on his bottom. Adding both insult and injury, his skateboard bounces off the top of his head.
Guest star	Frankie Muniz as Thelonius
SNPP capsule
Season 12 November 1, 2000 – May 20, 2001
Treehouse of Horror XI A Tale of Two Springfields Insane Clown Poppy Lisa the Tree Hugger Homer vs. Dignity The Computer Wore Menace Shoes The Great Money Caper Skinner's Sense of Snow HOMR Pokey Mom Worst Episode Ever Tennis the Menace Day of the Jackanapes New Kids on the Blecch Hungry, Hungry Homer Bye Bye Nerdie Simpson Safari Trilogy of Error I'm Goin' to Praiseland Children of a Lesser Clod Simpsons Tall Tales
List of all Simpsons episodes...

Trilogy of Error is an episode from season twelve of the animated TV series The Simpsons. It portrays one day from the viewpoints of three different characters: Homer, Lisa, and Bart (in that order).

1 Synopsis
2 Trivia
3 Cultural references
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Three intertwining tales offer different perspectives on a day (the first day of spring, according to the newspaper that is thrown onto the Simpson doorstep at the beginning) in the life of the Simpsons. First, Homer's attempt to get himself a freshly baked brownie results in Marge accidentally cutting off his thumb. They must race to the hospital to get it reattached. In the meantime, Lisa can't find her bike and is left without a ride to school on the day of the big science fair. Her invention, a robot named Linguo that corrects grammar, can't win first prize unless she enters on time. In her numerous attempts to get to school, she eventually crosses paths with the rest of the family. Meanwhile, Bart and Milhouse uncover a stash of fireworks. When Chief Wiggum catches up to them, he enlists their help in an undercover sting operation, with explosive results. As the mayhem of the day unfolds, it becomes clear how the actions of each family member directly affect the rest of the household.

[edit] Trivia

The plot of this episode is often compared to Larry David's style of writing, making everything add up in the end.^{[citation needed]}
There are two subtle references to frogs in this episode: in the French classroom («La grenouille mange le pamplemousse» = "The frog eats the grapefruit") and in the fireworks (FROG launchers).
Marge and Maggie are the only members of the Simpson household not to have a story devoted to them. This is mainly because Marge features in all three of the stories and thus the story of her day is told through the other three characters. Maggie is only briefly seen during the breakfast scene, and is presumably left alone in the house forgotten, while the rest of the family takes off to various places.

[edit] Cultural references

The title is a reference to the 1975 three parts television horror film Trilogy of Terror.
This episode is based upon the films Run Lola Run and Go.
The scene where Rainer Wolfcastle attacks Marge's windshield with a golf club is a reference to a similar incident involving Jack Nicholson.
Krusty's chimp, Mr Teeny, driving his limo is a reference to the 1984 film Cannonball Run II.
The name of the male student Lisa meets at West Springfield Elementary, Thelonius, is a reference to jazz musician Thelonius Monk.
Flanders' reactions to, and subsequent burning of a Harry Potter book, is a reference to real-life allegations by the Christian Right that the Harry Potter series promotes witchcraft.