Moaning Lisa (The Simpsons)
| "Moaning Lisa" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| File:Moaning Lisa episode.jpg | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 |
| Directed by | Wes Archer |
| Written by | Al Jean & Mike Reiss |
| Original air dates | February 11, 1990 |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "I will not instigate revolution" |
| Couch gag | The Simpsons pile on to the couch, Maggie pops up in the air and Marge catches her. |
| Commentary | Matt Groening Wes Archer Al Jean Mike Reiss |
"Moaning Lisa" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons. The episode deals with Lisa's depression and her attempts to sublimate it by playing her saxophone.
Plot
Lisa awakens one morning with a potent case of the blues. She attempts to exorcise some of her sadness with a burst of "creativity" which is unwelcomed by band teacher Mr. Largo. Her gym teacher, also unsympathetic, has a note sent home to Lisa's parents regarding her refusal to participate in dodgeball. Homer and Bart, meanwhile, are playing a video boxing game. Undefeated with 48 wins, Bart takes only one round to knock off the head of Homer's boxer. While Homer is down for the count, Marge gives him the note from Lisa's teacher. Lisa's existential anxiety puzzles Homer's simple emotional sensibilities, and Marge attempts to administer the advice she was given by her mother regarding happiness. Nothing her parents say can bring Lisa out of her depression.
Hearing distant music one night, Lisa sneaks out of her room to follow it. She finds a soulful saxophone player, Bleeding Gums Murphy, playing some hard blues. Murphy teaches Lisa how to express her sadness on the sax and plays with her until Marge finds her and exclaims, "Lisa! Get away from that Jazz Man!" Afterwards, Marge drops off Lisa at school and tells her to smile no matter what she feels inside. She sees Lisa hiding her true feelings and classmates taking advantage of her and becomes mad. Just then, Mr. Largo comes out and denies Lisa her creativity. Realizing that that is reason why Lisa is sad, Marge becomes furious, floors the pedal, takes Lisa back, and drives away in an instant. Marge tells Lisa that it is best to be herself. When Lisa hears this, she feels happy again.
Meanwhile, Homer takes lessons from a local video game wizard named the Champ for a rematch with Bart. Just as he starts to win, Marge unplugs the TV to announce Lisa's recovery. Seizing the opportunity to maintain his undefeated status as boxing champ, Bart gleefully announces retirement from the ring, much to Homer's disappointment. Afterwards, the Simpsons visit a jazz club to hear Bleeding Gums Murphy sing a blues number written by Lisa.
Triva
- Bart in the backround raises his fist while Homer is beating him Very close to the end.
- In the commentary Matt Groening said "If you turn unplug a game like that at a dramatic moment, they will whimper like that."
Debut Appearances
Characters making a first appearance in this episode are:
- Bleeding Gums Murphy
- Ralph Wiggum
- Jacqueline Bouvier (during Marge's childhood flashback)
Cultural references
- The episode title is a play on Leonardo da Vinci's painting the Mona Lisa.
- "The Jazz Hole" may be a reference to New York City jazz club "Birdland" which is in a basement, named for saxophonist Charlie Parker. It may also be a play on words; the archaic spelling for "jazz' is "jass" ("The Jass Hole").
- The background noise of the arcade is the music from the Tetris arcade machine.
- Lisa's school band is practicing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", the patriotic American song, based on the melody of the British national anthem "God Save the Queen". Mr. Largo says to Lisa, "There's no room for crazy bebop in My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
- The controllers being used on Bart's video game system resemble Atari 2600 joysticks, but the graphics on the TV would suggest a newer model console. Also the game being played, Slugfest, is quite similar to the Nintendo game Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!.
External links
