Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk (S03, E11-046)

You will never be giddy in the land of chocolate. ;_;

Plot Summary
Roughly translated as "Burns sells the power plant", the episode pretty much is about that.  Finding himself depressed, Burns wishes he had more time to do this and that, and laments that his work at the plant limits those opportunities.  Soon, rumors that Burns wants to sell the plant spread, with Smithers casually telling Homer that he believes Burns wouldn't sell it for less than $100 million.  Shortly thereafter, Homer gets a call from a "stockbroker", who gets Homer to agree to sell his stock for $25, even though the stock rises so much from the rumors that Homer could've gotten around $5000 instead, a mistake he and the family soon realize.

Before that point, though, Homer meets up with German investors interested in buying the plant at the bar (Homer having spent his $25 on fancy beer), and he tells them what he heard from Smithers: that Burns won't buy for less than $100 million.  Shocked yet determined, the next day the Germans give Burns that offer, which Burns happily accepts.  With the Germans taking over the plant, fear sets it as everyone at the plant worries they'll lose their job from the takeover.

The Germans, however, are quite friendly to the workers, and plan on having discussions with them all to determine who to lay off.  They also notice a few safety concerns thereabout, and with Homer's discussions with the Germans derailing into some kind of thing involving the land of chocolate, Homer ends up being the only one laid off.

Burns is enjoying his newfound freedom, and one night he and Smithers decide to take in local culture at Moe's.  Homer is there poorly trying to fend off depression, and when Burns tries to get friendly with Homer, Homer tells Burns off, reminding the old man that money won't love you back, etc. etc.  Alarmed that he is no longer feared, Burns is determined to repurchase the plant.  Meanwhile, the Germans have found that power plant to be a death trap with safety violations all over, with repair costs equalling about another $100 million.  Burns comes in just in time to repurchase the plant and, upon learning the Germans are desperate the sell, is able to buy the plant for only $50 million.  With the plant his again, Burns has Homer rehired, under the whole "keep your enemies closer" mantra, which suits Homer just fine.

Quick Review
Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk is a classic.  Tons of laughs to be had throughout, including the antics of the Germans, Burns, Homer, or even Bart in the latter portion where his prank call to Moe seems to of backfired when Marge asks him to go to Moe's to retrieve Homer.  The best part of the episode, and one of the classic moments of the series, is during Homer's talk with the Germans, where he brings up the candy machine in some vain attempt to save face, and the Germans reply "We understand Homer, after all, we come from the land of chocolate", and Homer on cue imagines himself within the land of chocolate, a sequence which takes up 10 minutes apparently.  That sequence pushes the episode over the top, and becomes the first "10" rated episode in the series.

Final Score: 10