Homer's Triple Bypass (S04, E11-070)

Damn, I wish I had pizza when I was born, don't you?

Plot Summary
How can this episode, one with such a serious life-or-death theme, still find a way to be so funny?  Even with all the tense, emotional moments this episode provides throughout, there are still enough jokes and such where, from a strictly humorous standpoint, it's as funny as most other Season 4 episodes?  Its just another example of the magic this season has provided thus far.

In the episode, years of eating poorly finally catch up to Homer, and his heart is beginning to give out, though Homer pays it no mind (even mistaking it for a bad transmission at first).  At the plant, though, Mr. Burns finally has enough of Homer's lazy antics and fires him in person, the act of which gives Homer a heart attack.  Ultimately pulling through, later tests reveal that Homer requires open heart surgery to clear a blockage near his heart.

The cost of the procedure - $40,000 - is far too high, though, and Homer is left looking for alternate options.  Homer has no work insurance - the plant workers having given it up for a pinball machine - and attempts to get some elsewhere fall through.  After failing to get money from a few religious denominations, Homer sees a commercial from Dr. Nick Riviera, who offers to do any surgery for under $130.  With no other options in sight, Homer decides to take this route.

As Homer stays in the hospital to prep for surgery, Dr. Nick tries to do a crash course on open heart surgery only to find the tape he was watching on it has been taped over.  As friends and family show great concern over Homer's condition, the day of the operation finally arrives.  Ill-prepared, Dr. Nick struggles at a certain point of the operation.  Lisa, attending the operation and having studied up on the surgery since learning of Homer's condition, is able to guide Dr. Nick along, and the operation ends up being a complete success.  Homer's heart has been helped and its even able to beat to the tune of the Simpsons' theme (or a part of it, anyway).

Quick Review
As I've said, this episode turns out to be very funny despite the serious nature of the episode.  The whole "Cops: In Springfield" bit was excellent, and Homer's various friends and associates provide laughs throughout their appearances.

Final Score: 9.2