Homer vs. Patty and Selma (S06, E17-120)

For a guy who just became indebted to his sisters in law, he sure is happy.

Plot Summary
Homer invests in pumpkins, noticing that its stocks go up during October, but doesn't realize exactly why that is.  Upon failing to sell his shares before Halloween, Homer loses his investment and goes broke.  With a mortgage payment due up, Homer's misery only grows when Patty and Selma visit his house, each celebrating a promotion at the DMV.  Homer quickly throws them out, but later hears a conversation between them and Marge where Marge defends Homer under the belief he'll always be able to take care of the family.  Desperate for money, Homer tries multiple avenues to either get money or extend his mortgage payment, but gets absolutely no help.  With no other options left and in danger of losing his house, Homer swallows his pride and goes to his last-ditch option: asking Patty and Selma for money, which they happily - and sinisterly - oblige.

In a subplot, Bart takes his sweet time getting to school, not knowing that today is P.E. signup day, with the best sports being filled up quickly.  By the time Bart finally gets to school, only one activity is left for him to join: ballet.  Bart is less than thrilled, but learns he has a bit of talent towards ballet, and quickly grows to appreciate it.  However, he learns that his ballet group will be performing for the school (and a bunch of detention kids from this and other schools).  Attempting to avoid being laughed at by girls and beat up by boys, Bart dons a ski mask to hide his identity during the show.  His moves are a big hit with the crowd, and Bart is celebrated.  Believing the crowd to be with him, Bart reveals himself, which brings Jimbo, Nelson and the like to quickly turn on and chase after Bart.  Bart runs to a ditch that he can't jump over, but decides to try ballet to make the leap.  He fails, and hurts himself bad falling into the ditch, which the bullies are okay with.

Now in debt to Patty and Selma, Homer is forced to follow their orders so that Marge doesn't learn about his financial failings, flaunting an I.O.U. paper to ensure his obedience.  However, Homer attempts to either burn or acquire the paper, and Marge is able to find out Homer owes them money.  Patty reveals Homer's failed investment, and Homer angrily throws them out, saying he doesn't want to see either of them again.

Despite that, he still owes them money for the mortgage payment.  He sees a commercial for a limousine driver gig which requires no experience, so Homer takes that up.  With his first passenger being Mel Brooks, Homer is pulled over for a tail light that was blinking when Homer made a turn.  Revealing he has no chauffeur's license, Wiggum directs Homer to get one at the DMV, specifically via Patty and Selma, much to Homer's horror.

With Marge accompanying him, Homer attempts to take the chauffeur's license test.  However, as expected, neither Patty nor Selma are the least bit lenient with Homer, and he's unable to pass the test, much to their pleasure.  Smoking cigarettes in celebration, the two are busted by their supervisor for smoking in a government building.  Homer takes glee in their newfound misery, but notices Marge distraught and sad over this turn of events.  Swallowing some more pride, Homer decides to take the fall, and declares both cigarettes to be his (he is in flavor country, its a pretty big country).  The sisters are spared punishment, and though Homer only did it for Marge, Marge points out that this is the kind of Homer the sisters never get to see.  To thank Homer, the sisters are willing to let Homer pass the license test, but Homer "convinces" them to drop the debt instead.

Quick Review
Encounters between Homer and his two sisters in law usually make for good television, and having an entire episode dedicated to that struggles would make for an excellent episode, and that's the case here.  The ballet subplot had its moments, particularly in how it ended, but it was otherwise unremarkable.  Meanwhile, Homer's mannerisms throughout the episode, which go through a variety of changes depending on the situation, really make this a good episode.  Patty and Selma were particularly devious this time around which only enhanced the episode's quality.

Final Score: 9.0