Everyone talks about how “Bart the genius” has amazing adhd rep in it (which it 100% does), but I’ve never seen anyone talk about the scene in “The Itchy and Scratchy Movie” where Bart was pulling up the carpet (among other similar things previously in the episode) and Marge asked him why he was doing it and he just shrugged and said “I dunno” and then went back to pulling up the carpet .
Obviously, it’s not better adhd rep or even comes close to it compared to “Bart the Genius”, but tbh I still feel like this scene (in a most likely unintended way) also shows what adhd can be like for (some) people. (Not the disorder as a whole.)
Here is the continuation of my assessment/analysis/recap of Mr. Burns' scenes in Blood Feud.
Part 1:
💬 0 🔁 1 ❤️ 6 · Mr. Burns in "Blood Feud" - 2x22 (Part 1) · ---
This is my assessment/recap of the episode.
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Episode Summary: Mr. Bur
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Mr. Burns: Simpson, why there's a letter here from you. I'll just read it right now.
(He loves a true gentleman, it tickles him pink. He really is so receptive to kind gestures -- as long as he feels they're genuine. He despises false kindness, yes-men who grovel and compliment out of fear or just to "curry his favor".)
(So much for a true gentleman!)
Mr. Burns: "You stink! You are a senile buck-toothed old mummy with bony girl arms and you smell like an elephant's butt"!
Next scene, Homer is being removed from the power plant by one of Mr. Burns's hired goons.
Mr. Burns: But it would be too easy. No, revenge is a dish best served cold. I'll bide my time until... Oh, what the hell. I'll just crush him like an ant.
(Burns has every reason to want to destroy Homer Simpson. He sent a thank you letter out of the kindness of his heart. And his repayment? Blatant mockery and disrespect. Anybody would be pissed. It's unwarranted.)
(I do find it interesting that this is the first time in the episode Burns behaves "wickedly". Homer himself triggered this change in Burns. Burns is very sensitive and reactive. He feels emotions, good and bad, very strongly.)
Mr. Burns: Senile, eh? Buck-toothed, am I? Bony arms, are they? Liver spots, did I?
(He can't stop thinking about everything Homer said. It's making him feel bad about himself, and he doesn't know how to deal with it other than by hurting the person who hurt him first.)
(Homer also never mentioned Burns's liver spots -- that's coming from Burns's own mind. Which further proves that he's secretly insecure and self-conscious about all of the things Homer listed.)
Smithers: This pink slip awaits your signature, sir.
Mr. Burns signs Homer's pink slip. He's FIRED!!! (Beautiful signature.)
Mr. Burns: Now, that's odd. I've just robbed a man of his livelihood and yet I feel strangely empty. Tell you what, Smithers, have him beaten to a pulp.
Smithers: But sir --
Mr. Burns: But what?!
Smithers: Nothing, sir.
(I love when Burns BARKS!)
(The lighting and the attention to the fire in this scene is also spectacular, so devilish.)
(Victor would've jumped to the beating in five seconds.)
Skip ahead, Smithers is having trouble.
Does he obey Mr. Burns and have Homer beaten? Or does he disobey Burns to protect Homer, the man who saved Burns's life?
Smithers: You know Homer Simpson?
Goon: Yeah, nice guy. Play poker with him once in awhile.
Smithers: Mm-hmm. We need him beaten up.
Goon: You got it.
Smithers: Wait.
Goon: What is it?
Smithers: Uh... nothing.
Smithers: Wait.
Goon: What?
Smithers: Beat, but.. don't kick.
Goon: Hold the kicks.
Smithers: Wait.
Goon: What?! What did Homey do, anyway?
Smithers: *sobs* He saved Mr. Burns's life!
(I find this dilemma fascinating. Why NOT have Homer beaten? It's not like Homer encouraged Bart to give his blood out of the kindness of his heart. He did it because he wanted money. Homer was a jerk. Like, yes, he is the reason Burns is alive, technically, but he didn't actually care to be. And Burns is ALIVE now, he's fine, so what's the hold up? Is it an ethical thing? Does he believe in karma? "Good deeds deserve good rewards"? Even if those good deeds were done out of greed? I'll admit this is difficult for me to understand and I'm assuming Smithers simply feels it's immoral.)
Skip ahead, Burns is at home in his study working on his book.
Mr. Burns: No, it's not a misprint. For you see, I enjoyed writing this book as much as you enjoyed reading it. The End.
(I wish I could read this book so bad.)
Mr. Burns: Ah, Smithers, how did the beating go?
Smithers: Sir, there was no beating.
Mr. Burns: What? Well that's a hell of a thing. Why?
Smithers: Because I... I called it off.
(Judas Iscariot was, according to Christianity's four canonical gospels, one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. In modern times, his name is often used synonymously with betrayal or treason.)
Smithers: I'm sorry, sir, but I just couldn't hurt Homer Simpson. He saved your life.
Mr. Burns: I see.
Smithers: I know you're mad at me but I think it's only fair to warn you I'm going to stand outside the gate until you forgive me.
Mr. Burns: As usual, you've been the sober yin to my raging yang.
Smithers: Sir, while I wish this handshake would never end, I'm afraid we still have the Simpson matter to attend to.
(I've said this before but Burns CAN be persuaded into acting differently if he feels it makes sense and you speak to him politely. This is a good example of that. He thought to himself, hmm Homer DID save my life, perhaps I'm being too harsh. He seems to even be grateful to his old pal Smithers for showing him "the error of his ways".)
(Burns swings like a pendulum, from one extreme to the other. He is the epitome of dichotomy. It's one of my favorite things about him.)
(And he's actually very easily triggered into a specific state based on how those around him behave. Homer is cruel and he wants to have him beaten to a pulp. Smithers expresses concern and he wants to go buy Homer a gift. He's easily emotionally influenced by others. Reactive.)
Mr. Burns: A frabulous, grabulous, zip-zoop zabulous present!
Mr. Burns: I'm not going to turn his home into a saloon!
Mr. Burns: We've found it.
Smithers: But, sir, it's $32,000.
Mr. Burns: Don't you dare sully this moment with your price-taggery. It's perfect.
Burns ends up having his special gift delivered to the Simpson residence.
Homer: Mr. Burns, you brought us a present!
Mr. Burns: What did you think I was going to do? Have you beaten to a bloody pulp? *winks knowingly at Smithers*
Mr. Burns: To show there's no hard feelings, please take an advance copy of my book.
(He has five fingers on the book cover.)
Mr. Burns: And now young fellow, I haven't forgotten you. Here.
Bart: Wow! A crowbar.
Lisa: It's to open the crate, stupid.
Bart: Wow! A big, ugly head!
Mr. Burns: Actually, son, it's a big, ugly, Olmec Indian head. It was carved by Mesoamerican Indians over 3,000 years ago. This gruesome customer is Ixtapolapoquetl -- the God of War.
Mr. Burns: I'll let you get acquainted with Señor Ixtapolapoquetl.
(The God, Ixtapolapoquetl, is made up, but based on truths.)
("The Olmec appeared to practice ritual bloodletting (haha fitting) and played the Mesoamerican ballgame, hallmarks of nearly all subsequent Mesoamerican societies. The aspect of the Olmecs most familiar now is their artwork, particularly the colossal heads.")
A lot of people say that The Simpsons seasons 1-8 were the golden era and there are absolutely no episodes that makes no sense or that a character acts out of character. I honestly beg to differ and there is one episode that is so bizarre that I don't consider it canon. And that episode in question is season 8 episode 10 The Springfield Files.
Reasons:
The original plot was that Homer encounters an alien, but it was left in mystery whatever or not it was a real alien. It honestly shows in the episode that they changed their mind in halfway through (not one of it's kind, episode Homer's Triple Bypass did the same) and the reveal that it was just Mr. Burns is kind of an ass pull.
Speaking of Mr. Burns, there is no fucking way that he would ever trust a quack doctor. No he is not that stingy when it comes to his own health and it was established in Blood Feud that he hates quacks. + If he is ready to move heaven and earth to save Smithers, can you imagine what he would do to cheat Death?
Speaking about quacks, who are you and what have you done to Dr Nick? Dr Nick could care less about the money, that's why he is so cheap. The doctor who does care about the money is Dr Hibbert.
In summary, this episode would have been perfectly fine if they went with the original plot. Or if with Burns route just swap Nick with Hibbert.
Episode Summary: Mr. Burns falls ill and desperately needs a blood transfusion. Homer discovers Bart has Burns' rare blood type and urges him to donate, thinking the Simpsons will be handsomely rewarded. After receiving the blood transfusion, Burns sends them a thank-you card with no money. Marge convinces Homer not to send an insulting reply to his boss, but when Bart mails the letter anyway, Burns is livid. He later forgives Homer and sends the Simpsons a giant Olmec carving to show his gratitude.
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Mr. Burns has a sign made that'll tell the citizens of Springfield what to do in case of a nuclear meltdown. But, when Mayor Quimby announces Burns's arrival, Burns is nowhere to be seen. Concerned, Smithers says "Mr. Burns is never late. Something must be terribly wrong."
Next scene, we find Burns lying on the floor of his bedchamber.
(Dignitary = a person who has an important position in a society.)
(He really is so conscientious, he's in the middle of dying and he's more concerned with doing his duty and making a good impression. And Smithers said he's NEVER late -- he takes this sort of thing very seriously. His work ethic is off the charts -- predictably.)
Mr. Burns: Absolutely not! No quack sawbones is going to apply his leeches to me as long as there's an ounce of strength left in me...! *passes out*
Smithers ends up calling Dr. Hibbert.
Dr. Hibbert: Mr. Burns is suffering from what we medical men call hypohemia. In laymen's terms, it's quite simply a lack of blood.
(Hypohemia is not a known illness. I'm not sure if they were making it up on purpose or if they just accidentally got the name wrong. But it seems Burns has the real-life illness known as Hypovolemia.
("Hypovolemia is a condition that occurs when your body loses fluid, like blood or water. Fluids are essential to keep your organs functioning. Symptoms of hypovolemia include weakness, fatigue and dizziness. Treatment with IV fluids rehydrates and replenishes the fluid your body lost."
(Symptoms: Dizziness when standing. Dry skin and dry mouth. Feeling fatigued or weak. Muscle cramps. Unable to urinate or the color of your urine is darker than normal.
Severe symptoms of hypovolemia that could indicate life-threatening hypovolemic shock include: Confusion. Difficulty breathing or fast breathing. Excessive sweating. Losing consciousness. Low blood pressure. Low body temperature. Pale skin tone or a blue tone to the skin and lips.
(Causes:
Injury: An external cut, burn or wound.
Illness: A condition with symptoms of persistent vomiting and diarrhea.
Internal bleeding: An underlying condition that causes blood loss within your body.
Dehydration or malnutrition: A lack of water and salt/electrolyte intake decreases blood volume. (This is likely the cause for Burns. He is definitely malnourished.)
Excessive sweating: Participating in strenuous activities where you sweat for a long time or a condition that causes you to sweat more than normal.)
Smithers: Damn it, doctor, I'm no idiot. I know what hypohemia is! What I want to know is what can we do about it!
Dr. Hibbert: At this point, our only hope is a transfusion.
Smithers: How long does it take to sterilize a needle?
Dr. Hibbert: A few seconds.
(A moment of respectability.)
Dr. Hibbert: *laughs* I'm afraid it's not that simple. His blood type is double-o-negative. It's quite rare.
(This isn't a known blood-type in our world, but I like that he has a rare blood-type in his world. It's fitting, given how unique he is.)
Smithers: But I'm B-positive. Damn my common gutter-blood in my veins!
(This is such a wholesome moment. Burns is over here dying and he's the one telling SMITHERS not to feel bad. And he even smiles. I think he's slowed down enough and aware enough of his mortality in this moment that he's able to stop and feel appreciative of things he usually takes for granted.)
Later, Smithers is speaking over the intercom at the Power plant. He says if anyone has double-o-negative blood to report to the bloodmobile outside. Nobody wants to help, except Homer -- but Homer only wants to help because he thinks Burns will give him money as thanks for saving his life. He goes home and asks Marge what his blood type is, but it's A-positive. Marge then goes on to mention that Bart's blood-type is double-o-negative, the same as Burns. Homer ends up convincing Bart to give his blood, Smithers hugs him. The blood is collected and delivered to Burns.
Mr. Burns: I want to dictate... my epitaph.
Smithers: *sniffs* Go ahead.
Mr. Burns: Charles Montgomery Burns. American. And patriot American. Patriot...
(The close up of his hand curling into a fist is one of my favorite little sequences, it's such a powerful moment. Also, his hand is beautiful. I like how they put more detail into it, showing all his knuckles and even the tendons in his wrist.)
(So good to see him get his energy back. And immediately he remembers his POWER! I love how he's always talking about himself like he's Jesus. EVIL JESUS)
(Hehe his spotted derriere!)
(Burns feels like a new man! Or perhaps a ten year old boy. Ah, yes, I love the side-character, You!)
Mr. Burns: How about that local sports team?
(This was one of the reasons I thought Burns might forget Homer's name simply because he doesn't usually care about his employees enough TO remember haha. "They're all just a number/cog in the machine". But he's really feeling lively, here, and making an effort. Almost dying makes you appreciate things more, plus the blood of a young boy is just oh so revitalizing.)
(He's amazing!)
Oswaldo: Ay caramba!
Mr. Burns: Well, that's game! Hasta mañana, Oswaldo! Heheheh!
(Hasta mañana is Spanish for "see you tomorrow!" "Until tomorrow". Burns knows so many languages, he's incredibly impressive. Off the top of my head, I know he's fluent in at least 4 different languages. English, German, French, and Spanish. So intelligent.)
Mr. Burns: Smithers, I'm back in the pink! Full of pith and vinegar!
Smithers: Just remarkable, sir.
(In the pink = in very good health/condition.
("Why pink has been chosen to epitomise the pinnacle of quality is more likely to do with the Dianthus flower, many varieties of which are called Pinks. It is known that society in the reign of Elizabeth I admired the flowers, hence the first uses of pink with the ‘excellent’ meaning in that period."
(Full of pith and vinegar = full of energy. It's the more polite way of saying "piss and vinegar".)
Mr. Burns: You know, it's funny, Smithers. I tried every tincture and poultice and tonic and all I really needed was the blood of a young boy.
(And this kicks off his cannibalism HEHE)
Mr. Burns: What was the lad's name?
Smithers: Bart Simpson, sir.
Mr. Burns: Who?
Smithers: He's the son of Homer Simpson-- one of your stiff's in sector 7-G.
Mr. Burns ends up sending the Simpsons a nice letter.
(You can't make out which state it's in haha it's funny how everything is perfectly clear BUT the state and zip code. It almost looks like it could be "IL" for Illinois? But I know it's meant to be ambiguous. I like to pretend they live in Springfield, Massachusetts, especially since there used to be a nuclear powerplant there.)
Homer thinks the envelope is going to have money in it. But it's just a card that says:
"Dear Bart, Thank you kindly for the blood. Yours truly, Montgomery Burns"
It was very polite and charming for Burns to send Bart a thank you letter. He didn't have to, it was a nice gesture. But Homer got upset that Burns didn't send them money, so he and Bart wrote Burns a rude letter in return.
(Homer dreamt of this, that night. I love the style, but Homer must be annihilated. I drew Victor punching Homer's dream-self to death:
💬 1 🔁 3 ❤️ 19 · Even in Dreams. · Simpson, you utter FOOL.
Mr. Burns: I want the whole world to hear the story of my harrowing struggle with hypohemia!
Smithers: Mr. Roman is one of the finest ghostwriters in the business. He's written Like Hell I Can't, Up From the Muck, The Unsinkable Sadruodin Mahbaradad.
Mr. Roman: All right, first question. Have you slept with anyone famous?
Mr. Burns: Well, Countess Von Zeppelin and I -- What in blazes?! Now you listen to me, you bargain-basement Baudelaire! I'm not some dizzy starlet who can't string two words together. I can write this myself! You're fired!
(I love how he realizes right away that this is NOT the person he wants writing his story, asking THAT as his initial question!)
(Countess Von Zeppelin was a British woman who married into the Zeppelin family and was known as a translator of philosophical works from German to English. During the war, she was closely associated with Lisa von Pott of the Von Pott Group of Nazi spies in Vienna in the pay of Dr Robert Wagner, an S.S. or S.D. officer, but the exact degree of Zeppelin's involvement in the spy group, if any, is unknown.)
(Bargain Basement: an underground room in a store where things are sold at reduced prices.
(Baudelaire = Charles-Pierre Baudelaire. A French poet, essayist, translator and art critic. His poems are described as exhibiting mastery of rhythm and rhyme, containing an exoticism inherited from the Romantics, and are based on observations of real life.
(So he's basically saying "you cheap knockoff" but in a more colorful way.
(And now I imagine Burns must have read Baudelaire's work to be familiar with it, and therefore I must also read it. Given he's calling Mr. Roberts a cheap knockoff, that automatically implies he thinks Baudelaire is superior. Perhaps we could say Burns enjoys Baudelaire's work. Let me find an example of Baudelaire's poetry:
("Like angels with eyes of tawny fire, I shall return to your alcove, And silently glide toward you With the shadows of the night; And I shall give you, my dark beauty, Kisses cold as the moon, And serpent-like caresses, Crawling round a grave. When the livid morning breaks, You will find my place empty— A spot that will remain cold until evening. While others rule through tenderness, Over your life and over your youth, I—I choose to reign through terror. — Charles Baudelaire"
(Beautiful. Haunting. Of course he likes it.)
Mr. Burns: *writing his book* Chapter the 5th-- the trip to the infirmary with most unexpected results.
(Ha, in this episode the plaque on the door says "President".)
Homer sneaks in to take his rude letter back before Burns reads it, thinking Burns isn't there because Burns usually comes in at 7:30AM, and it's 7:02.
But he's there. Oooh, he's there!
Mr. Burns: Can I help you?
Homer: *screams*
Mr. Burns: Oh, don't be frightened of this! It's nothing but a letter opener! Who are you?
Homer: *thinking* Don't tell him. Give him a fake name. *speaks* Homer Simpson. *thinking* Doh!
Mr. Burns: Simpson, huh? Simpson... Why, there's a letter here from you! I'll just read it right now.
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(EPISODE ASSESSMENT TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2, WHICH IS COMING SOON. BLAST TUMBLR'S 30-IMAGE LIMIT!)
