The Simpsons (TV Series)
Homer's Odyssey (1990)
Trivia
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Spoilers (2)
Smithers first appears in the episode "Homer's Odyssey" where he is shown being apparently African-American. However, in his second appearance, The Simpsons: There's No Disgrace Like Home (1990), he appears as having a yellow complexion, which remains throughout the rest of the series. In "There's No Disgrace Like Home," Lou the policeman is depicted not as African-American (as he later appears), but as Simpson-Caucasian (yellow).
Introduces Waylon Smithers, Terri and Sherri, Wendell, Otto, Jasper and Chief Clancy Wiggum. We also find out through the Season 1 DVD commentary that Otto is designed to look like The Simpsons (1989) writer Wallace Wolodarsky.
Although elementary and very cartoon-like, Smilin' Joe Fission's explanation of nuclear power is accurate.
The elderly couple that makes fun of Homer when he walks past them with the boulder were suppose to be regular recurring characters who would offer off-kilter comments to what they see. But the idea was quickly dropped.
Although Mr. Burns was seen in The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989), this was his first appearance in order of production codes, hence the dramatic music when the camera pans out on him.
In this episode Homer is promoted and becomes the "Safety Inspector" at the power plant; he stays like that for the rest of the series.
Blinky, the fish Bart catches in The Simpsons: Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish (1990) can be seen in the water outside during the kids' tour of the power plant.
The cartoon at the power plant was given an old-time reel footage feel by having the animation cells dragged across a cement floor to scratch it up. This trick was used several times by the animators for the next 10 seasons.
When Homer is standing on the car explaining safety to people, if you pause when it shows the crowd, you can see a skeleton and a happy little elf to the right.
The title refers to Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey,' a sequel to 'The Iliad.'
In the Season 1 DVD commentary, we find out that the "J" in Homer's full name was inserted by the writers as a tribute to Bullwinkle J. Moose from The Bullwinkle Show (1959).
One of three episodes in the series where Mr Burns is not voiced by Harry Shearer. He was voiced by Christopher Collins, whom Shearer later replaced in subsequent episodes.
Bart's report card includes an F in Social Studies, an F in Math, a D in Physical Education, a U in Science, a U in Reading, and a U in writing.
Before introducing Chief Wiggum and talking about "El Barto", the one speaking is Springfield's former Mayor (before Quimby). This is his only appearance.
On their way to the power plant they pass the toxic waste dump, the tire yard (which is not on fire as of yet), the state prison and the elementary school.
Springfield Shopper headlines: "Simpson Says Safe!", "Dozens Cheer Homer Simpson", "Homer Simpson Strikes Again!", "Watch Out Here Comes Homer" and "Enough Already Homer Simpson."
The episode was released first on home video in the United Kingdom, as part of a VHS release titled The Simpsons Collection, in which it was paired with the sixth episode of the season, The Simpsons: Moaning Lisa (1990). In the United Kingdom, it was once re released as part of VHS boxed set of the complete first season, released in November 1999.
Spoilers
Mrs Krabappel tells the kids not to stick their arms out the window and tells the story of a boy who did that and lost his arm. Two episodes later during The Simpsons: Bart the General (1990), Herman mentions that he lost his arm by sticking it out the bus window.
