Dead Putting Society (S02, E06-19)

As a kid, I though infinity+1 was an actual thing because of this episode.

Plot Summary
Ned's success, or the perception thereof, threatens Homer early in the episode.  Ned reacts badly to it, and later writes Homer a letter full of his feelings.  Getting a good laugh out of that, Homer takes the family mini-golfing.  Its there he and Flanders meet up again and they notice an ad for a mini-golf tournament for youngsters.  Ned notes that Todd is a pretty good mini-golfer.  Homer, eager to one-up Flanders in something, has Bart live out his dream for him by signing him up for the tournament.

Homer's obsession with beating Flanders has him poorly training Bart in mini-golf.  Lisa, perhaps sympathizing with Bart's predicament (and also somewhat thankful Homer doesn't care about her interests in the same manner), decides to help him by going about the game in a more zen-like manner.  The approach works, and Bart quickly improves his game.  Things take a turn, however, as Homer practically forces Ned into a bet: the father of the loser - no - the father of the boy who doesn't win has to mow the other father's lawn, in his wife's Sunday dress.

Soon enough, the day of the tournament arrives, and somehow Bart and Todd are all that matters for the match.  After Homer and Ned have one last boasting match, Bart and Todd are dead even throughout the match, when at the end, when both need to make a chip shot, or else likely lose, they decide the pressure is too much for them (Bart particularly is not fond of the character building taking place), and the two decide to settle for the draw.  Ned is happy with the conclusion, but Homer reminds him that because neither boy won, the bet still stands, and Homer is more than willing to embarrass himself to see Ned do the same.  Turns out, Ned enjoys it (its a call back to his fraternity days, apparently), and Homer loses out, yet again.

Quick Review
Dead Putting Society is the first real episode in which Ned Flanders has a huge role.  The Call of the Simpsons featured him early in that episode too, but all it really established was that he was more successful than Homer.  In this episode, several more things are established that stay with the character from here on:

1) He's religious
2) He's usually the nicest guy around and is normally well liked
3) The only person that can really get to him is Homer
4) He often calls Reverend Lovejoy for advice about almost anything
5) He, his wife Maude, and his two sons Rod and Todd are one big happy family

and, of course

6) He's more successful than Homer, which is partly why Homer hates him so.

This was a great episode.  Ned's character, and his relationship to Homer, establishes itself well, and there's plenty to laugh at throughout the episode as well.  Bart's role as a pawn, as he eventually figures out, is slightly out of character, but him and Lisa teaming up in a non-Sideshow Bob episode continues to show how good a team they can be (when written well).  Another solid entry in Season 2, this episode was.

Final Score: 8.0