Flaming Moe's (S03, E10-045)

People actually believed the words coming from this man.

Plot Summary
In what I believe is the first episode of the series centered around Homer's bartender Moe, Flaming Moe's puts Homer and Moe at odds.  Escaping what's turning out to be a wild sleepover featuring Lisa and friends, Homer goes to Moe's only to find he's struggling financially, unable to even pay for beer.  Desperate for a drink, Homer recalls a similar situation and in that situation he created a mishmash of drink, with some children's cough syrup accidentally poured in.  While a passable drink on its own, Homer quickly learns that once the drink is lit on fire, it becomes outstanding.  Calling it a "Flaming Homer", Homer has Moe mix it up for him, and the two of them find out its quite delicious.  When giving it to another guy, who also finds it great, he asks what its called.  Moe, realizing the potential of the drink, interrupts Homer and calls it a "Flaming Moe", made by him, Moe.

In short time, Moe's becomes a popular establishment, all centered around the Flaming Moe.  Homer, outraged that Moe has given Homer zero credit for the drink, is advised by Marge to talk it out with Moe.  By now, though, the bar has changed significantly.  Now called "Flaming Moe's" instead of just "Moe's", the bar is packed with celebrities including Aerosmith, Barney has cleaned himself up and is pals with a couple of hipsters, and Moe himself is the toast of the town.  When confronting Moe about the drink, Homer gets a "sorry, its business" from Moe, and Homer's cries of no longer being a customer are drowned out by the increasing noises of success.

Unable to find a suitable replacement bar, Homer becomes more and more obsessed with Moe (or should I say "moe and moe moe-sessed?  Okay, I'll stop).  Meanwhile, with an offer from a restaurant chain for a million dollars (only being offered because they can't figure out the drink's "secret ingredient"), Moe is initially unwilling to sign, but with a waitress he hired having overheard the conversation between Homer and Moe, she convinces Moe to take the deal and give Homer half.  Just before he can sign the deal at the bar, however, Homer appears, crazed and delusional.  He spills the secret on the drink's secret ingredient: the cough syrup, and quickly the drink becomes available everywhere, leaving Moe's business back to the gutter it once was.  Both sides having realized their mistakes, the two make up with Moe offering Homer a free "Flaming Homer".

Quick Review
Another strong episode, with a few memorable moments.  Bart prank-calling the now-popular Moe for a "Hugh Jass", only to find a Hugh Jass actually there, or Homer trying out a run-down dive to replace Moe's, or the ever-horny adventures of Mrs. Krabappel, there was a lot of good to come from this episode.  Too bad its never actually explained which alcoholic ingredients were used to make the drink, but then again its probably for the best.

Final Score: 8.5