Homer Loves Flanders

Homer Loves Flanders
Episode Number	97
Production Code	1F14
Original Airdate	March 17, 1994
Blackboard Text	None
Couch Gag	The family split themselves in half so they can sit on two couches at once.
Special Guest Voices
Written By	David Richardson
Directed By	Wes Archer

"Homer Loves Flanders" is the sixteenth episode from the fifth season of The Simpsons.

[edit] Plot

Homer attempts to win a radio contest for tickets to the Pigskin Classic football game between the Shelbyville Sharks and the Springfield Atoms, only to have Ned Flanders win the tickets. Ned offers him a ticket to the game, and asks Homer to join him, which he does reluctantly. After the game, Ned succeeds in getting a signed football for Homer.

Homer responds by being overly grateful, annoying Flanders and his family to no end. Bart and Lisa become afraid that Homer's change in attitude could mark the end of the family's "wacky adventures". The Flanders family and the Simpsons go on a roadtrip to Lake Springfield, where antics by Homer cause problems (such as causing a food fight and destroying Ned's boat and car).

Ned realises that he hates Homer Simpson. In order to get away from Homer, Ned and his family try to escape in their car, while Homer chases them Terminator II style. Afterwards Ned is humiliated in front of the church bus when he is pulled over by Chief Wiggum and suspected on being on drugs, or "goofballs". The Flanders reluctantly go to church on Sunday, where they are shunned. After a huge outburst, Homer steps to the aid of Ned, and all is resolved.

Lisa expresses her concern that this may be a lasting change, but one week later, all is seemingly back to normal. Homer hates Ned again, and the Simpsons end up spending the night in a haunted house.