“I'd like to propose a toast to the coming together of the Simpsons and the Flanders. If this were a more perfect world, we'd all be known as the Flimpsons”
"Homer Loves Flanders" is the sixteenth episode of Season 5. It aired on March 17, 1994. The episode was written by David Richardson and directed by Wes Archer.
Synopsis
Homer reluctantly goes to a football game with Ned. After Ned shows Homer a good time, they become close friends. Little to Homer's realization, Ned actually starts to have negative feelings toward him.
Full Story
Homer attempts to get tickets to the Pigskin Classic football game between the Shelbyville Sharks and the Springfield Atoms. Sadly, despite being second in line for the ticket booth, Homer is unable to get a ticket. The one man in front of him turns out to be a scalper and buys all 30,000 tickets available. Homer then tries to win tickets on the radio, 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. However, they have a great time at the game, and 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. Soon Ned is pulled over by Chief Wiggum for speeding. Wiggum suspects Ned of being on drugs, or "goofballs," and gives Ned a sobriety field test, which humiliates Ned when the church bus drives by. The Flanders reluctantly go to church on Sunday, where they are shunned. After a huge outburst, Homer comes 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. While in the house, Homer scoffs, "See? I told you there's nothing to worry about. This place isn't --" but he's cut off when the lights go out, which is followed by the family screaming.
