Lisa the Treehugger Written by Matt Selman Directed by Steven Dean Moore ============================================================================== Production code: CABF01 Original Airdate on FOX: 19-Nov-2000 Capsule revision B (28-Dec-03) ============================================================================== > "TV Guide" Synopsis ============================================================================== [TV Guide] Joshua Jackson plays a committed---and cute---teen environmentalist who inspires Lisa to take up residence in a redwood tree to save it from destruction. Yeardley Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner. {sb} [TV Guide ad] "How Far Will Lisa Go To Save A Tree? Lisa risks it all to protect Springfield's oldest redwood!" Lisa is pictured high up in a tree, with Homer and Bart watching from below. Bart is holding up his slingshot saying, "Nah ... too easy." {bg} ============================================================================== > Title sequence ============================================================================== Blackboard: I AM NOT THE ACTING PRESIDENT I AM NOT THE ACTING PR at cutoff ============================================================================== > Did You Notice... ============================================================================== Steve Alpert: ... Maggie makes baby noises, which is rarer for her than saying a first word (she's up to 6 of those)? Don Del Grande: ... Maggie applauds when the "Simpsontubbies" enter? ... the fingerprint card had eight spaces? ... if "trees died" to make the menus, at least they're biodegradable? ... the Luftwaffe had a slightly better record than the Washington Generals? (Tell the ex-Soviets, or the French, otherwise) ... Lisa was "called" chicken by a turkey? ... Homer didn't say "why you little" before choking Bart? ... Lisa managed to wrap the rope around the branch three times in the time it took the Texan to say one line? Ahmet Deligonul: ... the weather seems like summer or spring in this episode, yet the Simpsons have a fire in the fire place? ... the Texan grew out from the carnival business and now has a company? Ben Fonter: ... that Maggie was clapping along with Marge's (bad) singing? ... Bart is reading issue #1 of "Itchy & Veronica"? Joe Green: ... Bart's Teletubby antenna is shaped like a trident? ... the apartment complex Bart canvasses resembles the Watergate complex? ... the innuendo of Moe saying "I never said no to a dead girl"? ... the giant bong in front of Hemp City? Darrel Jones: ... one of the Dirt First protestors looks like Kearney? ... Lisa can see the St. Louis Arch and the Statue of Liberty from the top of the tree? Joe Klemm: ... the parents are dressed as the male Teletubbies, while the kids (except Maggie) are dressed as the females? ... the branch Lisa is sitting at is facing west (St. Louis Arch, Eiffel Tower, and Statue of Liberty in that order can be achieved that way)? ... Maggie is the only one awake when Lisa rushes back to the tree? ... the "In Memory of Lisa" screen on the Simpson's TV? ... the flag at Springfield Elementary is at half-staff (the sign of mourning)? Andrew Levine: ... Bart's comment about Lisa "sitting in a tree," shortly before the tree even comes up for the first time? (foreshadowing) Ryan Mead: ... on the cover of "Itchy and Veronica," the title characters drink out of Archie's head? Benjamin Robinson: ... Homer's Teletubby antenna mimics his hair strand? ... meanwhile, Lisa's antenna looks like a "female" symbol? ... Maggie claps along to Marge's song? ... Shelbyville is labeled in Lisa's tree-top view? ... even though we don't see her wearing it during her tree vigil, Lisa brought along one of her red dresses? ... the runaway log goes past a Red Blazer Realty branch? ... the dolphins jumping over the runaway log? Jessy Scholl: ... if you look closely at Lisa's view from the tree, you will also notice the Hollywood sign? ============================================================================== > Voice Credits ============================================================================== - Starring - Dan Castellaneta (Krusty, Homer, Jake, Quimby, Tex, Sideshow Mel, Snake) - Julie Kavner (Marge) - Nancy Cartwright (Bart) - Yeardley Smith (Lisa) - Hank Azaria (Thai Man, Moe, Chief Wiggum, Lou, CBG) - Harry Shearer (Announcer, Kent, Man) - Special Guest Voice - Joshua Jackson (Cow/Jesse) - Also Starring - Pamela Hayden (Milhouse) - Tress MacNeille (252 [?]) - Karl Wiedergott (Caleb[?], "It's headed for the business district") ============================================================================== > Movie (and other) references ============================================================================== + "Teletubbies" (TV series) - Simpsons (except Maggie) dressed as the title characters + Florida vote recount {jk} - blackboard gag reflects the uncertainty of the outcome of the 2000 Presidential election + Julia "Butterfly" Hill (environmental activist) {al} - Lisa's plot echoes her famous tree-sitting [See "Comments" section for more -- Ed.] + Sony PlayStation (videogame console) - GameStation 25x series has a similar name and look + "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (TV series) {jg2} - Marge's line, "Here's a headline for Jay," refers to a popular bit called "Headlines", where Leno reads off amusing but true headlines sent in by viewers - "King of the Hill" (TV series) {ddg} - barber who's "not all there" - "Karate Kid" (movie) {bjr} - Bart's instruction by the Thai restaurant owner reminiscent of the Kid's instruction by the karate master ~ "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (movie) {rlv} - the training Bart receives from the Thai restaurant owner similar to that seen in this movie ~ "Dragon: the Bruce Lee story" (movie) {al} - the Thai restaurateur trains Bart with the hat-rack-like object in a similar way + "The Matrix" (movie) - music from the movie plays as Bart delivers flyers {jk} - Bart suspended as the camera twirls around him; a signature image from this movie + "Betty and Veronica" (comic book) {jg2} - "Itchy & Veronica" spins off this "Archie" spin-off - Bart comments on "Betty" while reading + McDonalds vs. British vegetarians {dj} - the protestors outside Krusty Burger [See "Comments" section for more -- Ed.] - "PCU" (environmental protest group) {jc} - protesting the serving of meat while wearing cow costumes + Earth First! (environmental activist movement) - Dirt First similar in name and attitude + the Harlem Globetrotters (stunt basketball team) {jg2} - their perennial victim was the Washington Generals; Homer likens the Luftwaffe to them + "9th Avenue" by Saul Steinberg (illustration) - Lisa's view from the tree, complete with unlikely foreshortening, is a parody of this cover illustration for the New Yorker, March 29, 1976 + "Earth Angel" (1955 song) - Lisa "posthumously" awarded this title by the local news - [{jg2} says it's by Johnny Rivers, {al} claims it's by The Penguins -- Ed.] + "'A' Suicide" urban legend - Skinner offers Bart straight A's in consolation for his sister's demise [See "Comments" section for more -- Ed.] - "Dead Man on Campus" (movie) {ddg} {al} - movie where the students tried to kill a roommate to get automatic straight A's - "Lost in Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson (1988 song) - Homer calls Jessie a teen idol, then says, "I was lost in your eyes." Gibson was a teen idol in the late 1980's. + "Kentucky Fried Chicken" (fast-food chain) - "Kentucky Fried Panda" a spoof - their slogan, "It's Finger Ling-Ling Good!" an obvious parody of KFC's "It's Finger-Lickin' Good!" {dj} + Ling-Ling (panda) {jg2} - KFP's slogan, "It's Finger Ling-Ling Good," refers to the giant panda living at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. + "This Land Is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie (1940 song) - song at the end of the show is sung to this tune [{al} says its by Woody Guthrie -- Ed.] ============================================================================== > Previous episode references ============================================================================== - [7G07] Bart as a Ninja {cl} - [7F02] Springfield Unisex Hair Palace {jg2} - [7F23] Bart takes up martial arts {ddg} - [7F23] Bart takes an unsatisfactory, low-paying job to get extra cash {dj} - [8F01] Oval building Bart visits resembles Watergate {bjr} - [2F12] The Washington Generals are mentioned {jg2} - [3F04] Marge's song sounded a lot like the one Lisa and Paul Anka sang {rk} - [3F06] A Simpson is falsely presumed dead {jg2} - [3F07] Bart becomes desperate to obtain a video game {jg2} - [3F21] Drive-through (cf. walk-in) humidor {jg2} - [4F17] An environmentally hazardous facility is built in Lisa's honor {jg2} - [4F17] Lisa Land logo/Li'l Lisa logo {cl} - [4F17] Lisa frees a fish trapped in a six-pack ring (cf. the Thai hanging menu) {bjr} - [4F24], [AABF15] Rich socialite ("I certainly hope someone stabs him in the eye") appears. She's at the far right of the party Bart interrupts {bjr} - [5F02] Snake in the electric chair {cl} - [5F06] Red Blazer Realty seen {bjr} - [5F10] Jay Leno's "Headlines" segment is referenced {jg2} - [AABF09] Springfield's redwood forest is seen {jg2} - [AABF09] hemp leaf pants {cl} - [AABF21] Snake is sentenced to death {jg2} - [AABF22] Clowns pile out of a car {bjr} - [BABF11] Yo-Yo Ma's line "You die now!" parodied in You Thai Now {jc} - [BABF18] Marge doesn't bother to read sub-headlines {bjr} - [BABF21] Lisa frees a dolphin caught in a six-pack ring {mr2} ============================================================================== > Freeze frame fun ============================================================================== - First newspaper headline {cp} Ketchup Truck Hits Hamburger Stand ------------------ Six Dead - Barber shop sign {bjr} JAKE'S UNISEX HAIR PALACE - Restaurant {bjr} YOU THAI NOW - Protest banner {bjr} KRUSTY EARTH = BURGER MURDER - Lisa's mourning graphic {bjr} R. I. P. [head shot] [ of Lisa ] LISA SIMPSON - EARTH ANGEL - Interview graphic {bjr} JESSE GRASS 6 ----------- Eco-Hunk - Homer's bumper sticker {bjr} MY CHILD IS A DEAD HONOR STUDENT - Lisa Land sign {bjr} [Lisa's head] +--------+ \ LISA / \LAND/ +--+ - Texan's license plate {bjr} NO SHAME - Another restaurant {bjr} KENTUCKY FRIED PANDA FINGER LING-LING GOOD! - Second newspaper headline {bjr} LISA ALIVE! [ Lisa ] Hemp City Reduced [picture] To Stems And Seeds ============================================================================== > Animation, continuity, and other goofs ============================================================================== c Bart throws his game console into the fire, we hear, "I can still make you happy ... make you happy ... make you happy ..." The Closed Captioning reads, "Store in a cool dry place ... cool dry place ... cool dry place ..." {dh} + Bart says, "I don't have a cap." Has Bart forgotten about his Lucky Red Cap? {ml} c When Bart says, "moneys is funnies, sister," the CC reads, "I have to nourish the old noodle, Lisa." {bjr} * Jessie is a teenager, but he says he was doing yoga before it was popular. Yoga became mainstream-fashionable in the 70's and early 80's, so Jesse's sense of pop-culture history is skewed, or he's lying. {al} c When Homer does donuts in the car, we hear, "Mmmm, donuts." The Closed Captioning reads, "Love is a battlefield." {dh} + Jesse refers to the redwood as a sequoia in one scene. {jg2} c Lisa says "Not so fast!" when the loggers approach the tree, but the CC reads, "Yoo-hoo!" {bjr} c Kent Brockman calls Lisa a "crazy idiot." The CC reads, "crazy, crazy idiot." (Okay, that one's a nit-pick.) {bjr} = When Lisa closes her eyes in Marge's arms, her mouth becomes much less dark for some reason (as if there was a skin-colored film over her mouth). {ddg} = The burn marks aren't initially visible on the tree. [{sa} notes the wedge taken out of it is there, though -- Ed.] {bjr} = The split along the trunk appears to have moved between the time Lisa sees it, and the time it shows up on the news. {bjr} = When Kent Brockman says that it isn't Mr. Burns who died, an image pops up -- a picture of CMB, with "not dead" underneath. But if you notice, it's partly off screen, and then the "camera" pans a little bit until the picture is where it should be -- as if it materialized in the air behind Kent (for what sort of news broadcast thing would do that?). {mg} c Someone yells that Jesse is cutting the "guy wires" (the correct term, by the way), but the CC reads, "tree supports." {bjr} = When the "Lisa" log falls, the Lisa-head at the top should have been facing the ground, not outward. {cl} * If the Dirt Firsters are against the destruction of forests, why didn't they complain when the runaway log obliterated the trees in its path? {jc} * The tree falls into the Pacific Ocean. (Golden Gate) Therefore, it must be west of the Continental Divide to begin with. Which directly contradicts the view from the tree. {sa} c During the tree song at the end, we hear, "Now it's spreading love to you and me." The Closed Captioning reads, "But now it plagues society." {dh} c Also during the tree song, we hear, "Look now, it's heading out to sea," but the closed captioning reads, "Crushing nice folks like you and me." {bf} ============================================================================== > Reviews ============================================================================== Stephen Burks: While this it did have a moment or two of laughter, this episode as a whole was terrible. The ending especially left me with a bad taste in my mouth. While there was actually a plot in the episode, it seemed more like a front for the writers to display their views on the modern environmental movement. I am assuming that they really dislike proactive environmentalists (note: episode AABF09 Homer to the Max). If this is what they consider social commentary, then I recommend that they just go back to weird wild wacky jerkass Homer. [...] I was going to give this a C- until I saw the last minute. The magic log bit was just too extreme/stupid/overbearing for me: (D) Don Del Grande: This show had some laugh-out-loud moments in it, but there were too many holes to rate it anything near a "classic" episode -- for example, they never did do anything with the "Bart wants a new game system" subplot other than use it as an excuse to get to Krusty Burger. And why go with "Lisa spends time with her family, only to return to the downed tree"? While Lisa leaving telegraphed the tree's destruction, a quicker turnaround would have been funnier. Maybe it is time that "The Simpsons are going to Paris" needs to be considered ... (B+) Joe Green: This sounded like a "Lisa the PC Thug" episode from the beginning, but it was actually tolerable compared to others of its type. The Bart subplot had its funny moments, but unfortunately it was never wrapped up. (What is it with these gratuitous, unresolved tangents in so many episodes, anyway?) Sad to say, I've found Season 12 unimpressive so far. (C) Darrel Jones: GREAT episode! It's about time the show made fun of the environmental groups which can get just as obnoxious as the "let business do what it wants" anti-environmental groups. The Bart opening, though similar to "Marge Be Not Proud," was original and hilarious enough to be funny. The plot was well-done and not too contrived, and nearly all the jokes worked. The "This Log is Your Log" number almost had me ROTFL! Altogether, a superb 9/10 (A) Joe Klemm: The first thought of this was going to be that Lisa was going to be too political for her own good, one thing that bugs me. However, it turns out to be better than expected with a balanced storyline that is easily handled with three different acts with a different storyline (Bart becoming a flyer boy[something I can relate to]/Lisa meets activists, Lisa lives in a tree, Lisa is considered dead by most of Springfield). The only thing that needs to be changed though is if they got rid of Marge's song about saving money. (A) Andrew Levine: An episode that flags whenever the focus is on any Simpson but Lisa, CABF01 only underscores how jarring each respective Simpson becomes in the episodes where he or she is not at the center of attention. The focus here is more on drama than on humor, and for the most part it's good drama. It's a shame that nearly every joke deflates before the punchline is received. The members of Dirt First! (the group's name is easily the funniest part of the episode) seem pretty on-key, even if their real-life counterparts are occasionally more militant. (I personally can't wait to see how they respond to this episode.) In the end, the episode makes good on the essential message that Lisa is a little girl with sympathies for the environment, rather than a "hardcore" eco-revolutionary. There's not much on it but that. (B-) Adam W. Long: Matt Selman has never failed to impress me. Even if the writing is done in a "group setting" these days, Selman's episodes still seem to stand about above the rest, and CABF01 is no exception. Not once in this episode was I able to really complain, in fact, I found myself pleasantly surprised for most of it. The Simpsons were actually behaving like a *family*, the plot was reasonable, Homer was the lovable idiot we all used to know, and there was even somewhat of a sub-plot! The characterization was on, and there was plenty of humor in it as well. Being the first "official" episode of Season 12, I'd say it's off to a great start! (A) Michael Nusair: "Lisa the Treehugger" was probably one of the best episodes of recent memory. It almost makes one forget about such duds as "Kill the Alligator and Run" and "Missionary: Impossible". Almost. It had excellent writing, good characterization, and plenty of laughs. Homer was not a jerk, and he didn't get mortally wounded. In fact, I don't think I have *any* serious complaints about this episode. Sure, it wouldn't hold up if you compared it to an episode from the Simpsons' prime, but this late in the game ... I really don't think it gets too much better than this, and I loved every second of it. (A+) Chris Palm: Mike Scully must be dead. That's the only reason I can come up to explain the continually rising quality of season 12. For the second week in a row, we get an episode that feels like it was written back in season 6. The only thing I can think of to bash in this ep was, well ... the animation. Was it just me, or was Marge abnormally tall and skinny? Same with Homer. His head should NOT be smaller than his bearded area. But ah well! Plenty of hilarious lines that didn't feel insulting to my intelligence, an actual flowing plot, and great Lisa characterization. Her best ep since 5F17. (A) Abhi Ray: Basically, the writers had a whole lot of good ideas [...] and weren't able to construct it into a good story. I liked Lisa's characterization throughout, the way she's more human than the radical environmentalists who she admires. The jokes, while thin towards the middle, were pretty funny, such as Bart's martial arts techniques, the stockings/Easter joke, and Homer strangling Bart. But more could have been done. For example, Lisa's crush on Jesse seemed to exist merely to garner an "aww" reaction; it didn't really have any purpose. Also, the family wasn't involved enough with their own daughter embarking on such a dangerous mission. Finally, the ending, while it did have an amusing song, was manipulative, the way the log just destroyed Hemp City. (C+) Mike Reed: Matt Selman pulls off another above average episode with "Lisa the Treehugger." I didn't particularly care for the ninja-Bart thing at first, and at the end of the first act I became worried for the episode's quality. But, then the second act set things right with some great jokes, good characterization, and some actual emotion, which has been lacking in the Simpsons lately. The 3rd act was okay, I was ROTFL when the Lisa-tree thing went rolling down the hill. A little uneven maybe, but this is probably the best Lisa episode since [4F01] Lisa's Date With Density. My second (A) in a row ... this season is looking up. (A) Jessy Scholl: Another week, another winner. It seems that the writers are turning out only good episodes these days. Lisa the Treehugger is no exception. I thought it was great. From the beginning, with Bart's job, through the end with the Lisa tree fixture smashing into the select buildings before going out to sea. If you missed tonight's episode, it is a must see in reruns. I just can't see why anyone would not laugh at this episode. Especially near the end. Grade: (A+) Robin Steinmann: Definitely one of the best episodes in years. It showed that they still can produce believable, coherent plotline, complete with emotional moments, three-dimensional characters (Jesse - partly activist, partly eco-snob), and hilarious comedy scenes (Chapeau to the Thai restaurant owner!). Sadly, Homer didn't seem to belong into this story. They really have to work on him to make him part of a (partly) realistic Springfield universe again. Still, after myriads of rather forgettable episodes, I dare to give it an (A-) Todd Willis: All in all, this episode had a nice plot for a Lisa centered episode (we haven't had one of those in a while). The first act had some funny moments, but seemed to be out of place within the rest of the episode. The transition between Bart's job and the main plot wasn't smooth at all. The second and third acts worked nicely within the story line, but didn't contain as many good laughs. I also liked that the characters seemed like their old selves, instead of some of the wackiness of late. This episode had a nice, thoughtful story, but could have contained some better laughs. (B+) Yours Truly: So far this season, it looks as though the writers are again going for the subtler and more rewarding humor that they used to in the recent past. We're not seeing (as often) the unlikable characters and cavalier meanness that threatened to turn "The Simpsons" into a higher-class version of "The Family Guy." Jesse Grass is well-realized, laughably self-righteous yet sincere enough in his beliefs that we understand why Lisa would have a crush on him. Lisa's motivation to save the tree, part puppy-love and part activist, nicely blends the two sides of her personality. It's a much nicer portrait than that of Lisa as the shrill force of good. The ending was weird, but a cute song made it much more palatable. In all, a well-balanced, likable episode. (A-) AVERAGE GRADE: B+ (3.32) Std Dev.: 0.8902 (22 reviews computed) ============================================================================== > Comments and other observations ============================================================================== >> Musical References Andrew Levine: "Spybreak" by Propellerheads (1997 recording) played while Bart hands out Thai menus, and also during the [end] credits. Andrew Krupowski: It was played during the memorable scene where Neo and Trinity shoot-up the lobby of the office tower where Morpheus is being held captive. It wasn't the movie's theme song [as the closed captioning said -- Ed.], but that scene was very well done, IMHO. >> Meta-reference corner Benjamin Robinson: Marge says, "This family has had nothing but bad luck when it comes to farce." 'Nuff said. >> Those never-ending threads - Where is Springfield? Jessy Scholl: Depends on where you think redwood trees grow. Tonight's episode gives evidence that the Springfield is in either California or Virginia. Based on tonight's evidence, we can rule out Virginia as a location. This is because the view of Springfield when Lisa is in the tree is to be viewed as a joke. Based on Info from "You Only Move Twice", and "Who Shot Mr. Burns" Part two, we can state that the Simpsons live in California Steve Alpert replies: But California is mentioned on a highway sign, which proves that it can't be there. And the two-letter postal abbreviation is NT, so they live in the Northwest Territories. So does Gerard Motola: Uhh, no, they DON'T live in California in this episode. In the end, the log started went to Mt. Rushmore, then the Rocky Mountains, then San Francisco & Lombard Street then into the Pacific Ocean, which is going west. So they live east of Mt. Rushmore if you believe that ... Darrel Jones: Springfield is near a redwood forest. In the US, one only finds those on the Pacific Coast regions of Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Lisa can see St. Louis and New York City to the east. The giant log, at the end of the ep, appears to have headed west through desert before reaching the Pacific Ocean at San Francisco (Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge are quite visible). So Springfield in apparently in the Midwest, probably Missouri or Kansas. Steve Alpert rebuts: It's not east. If it were east, NY would appear in front of Paris - or actually not at all, since the three cities aren't in a straight line. She must be looking west, and she must be east of St. Louis. >> Nerd alert! Benjamin Robinson explores the frontier of nit-picking: The numbering of the GameStation is a bit odd. Normally the number refers to the generation of the unit (e.g. "PlayStation 2" is the second-generation PlayStation), or the bit-width of the processor (e.g. "Nintendo 64" uses a 64-bit processor). Unless they started making GameStations in the Colonial era, we aren't on the 256th generation today. On the other hand bit-widths normally comes in powers of two, so the expected predecessor to 256 (2^8) is 128 (2^7), not 252. Yeah, yeah, it's just a cartoon ... "The Webmiester" writes: Don't forget that you can add processors to get a total, i.e. the Neo Geo is usually counted as a "24 bit" system because it has a 16-bit and additional 8-bit processor ... so -- 128-bit + 64-bit + 32-bit + 16-bit + 8-bit + 4-bit = 252-bit! Now that's a lot of processors! Tim Smith adds: Bit-widths aren't always a power of two, though. The Mattel Intellevision used a GI1600 processor, which was a mix of 10-bit and 16- bit. The RAM was 16-bit, as was the registers, but the ROM was 10-bit, and the instructions were all 10-bit. (10 bits were called a decle, and 5 bits were called a nickle). >> Car Watch First! Joe Green: Lisa walks past a driveway containing an orange VW Beetle festooned with hanging Thai lunch menus. >> At McDonalds, we love to see you clear-cut Benjamin Robinson: Reportedly, one of the reasons for the massive clear- cutting of South American rainforests is the need to create ranchland for cattle. Beef, of course, is a staple of the United States' fast-food diet so the thinking goes that as Big Mac consumption grows, the rain forests shrink. In actuality, I don't think that McDonalds' is paying off the South American ranchers directly, but the export market is nevertheless a powerful incentive. In fact, I once heard that a good percentage of the beef was going to the Japan, as that country picked up the American's taste for beef, but lacks the real estate necessary to support large-scale grazing. Darrel Jones provides another perspective: In the 1980's, a group of British vegetarians, in an attempt to get people to eat less meat, protested outside of McDonald's that the house that Ronald built did some pretty gruesome things. Among others, they claimed McDonald's chopped down trees in the Brazilian rain forest to provide grazing land for their beef cows, like the Dirt First group on the show. The heckling apparently hurt their sales so much, McD's sued the vegetarians for libel. After a record-long trial that the British media gave the same treatment as American media gave the O. J. Simpson case, in the early 1990's the court ruled in McDonald's favor. >> The original treehugger Andrew Levine relates her remarkable story: In 1997, a 1000-year-old redwood tree in Homboldt County, California, was slated to be hewn by Pacific Lumber, a logging company owned by Texas-based Maxxam Corporation. On December 10 of that year, 25-year-old Julia "Butterfly" Hill of Fayetteville, Ark., a member of the environmental activist movement Earth First! and also co-founder of the Circle of Life Foundation, volunteered to climb 180 feet up into the tree, which she named Luna. Tree sitting is a common tactic used by Earth First! participants and other anti-logging activists, but few could have expected the astonishing resilience that Hill displayed. Living on a platform constructed 180 feet off the ground, and communicating with the outside world through a cell phone and walkie-talkie, Hill endured threats from Pacific Lumber, which used floodlights and airhorns in attempts to extract her from the tree, as well as reportedly sending the police to disrupt Hill's associates on the ground, who supplied her with water and food. Nevertheless, Hill claimed that she promised the tree its survival, and in December 1999, just over two years after Butterfly first ascended Luna, Pacific Lumber agreed to spare the historic redwood and a 20-foot buffer zone. Since leaving the tree, Julia Hill has published a coffee-table book, The Legacy of Luna, with all profits benefiting her Circle of Life Foundation, and continues to speak out for the security of the redwoods. Hill's two- year-long-plus tree sit is listed by the Guinness Book as the longest such feat in U.S. history. It's very easy to dismiss "Butterfly" as a treehugging kook -- she claimed that she communicated with Luna through the Universal Spirit -- but it's difficult to deny that her personal courage is staggering. [Michael Psycho reports that Luna was vandalized by person or persons unknown. By coincidence, this happened a couple of weeks after this episode aired.] >> "The Washington Generals of the History Channel" Martin Langeveld: The Luftwaffe bombers on the History Channel appear to be Stuka dive bombers. These planes dove at a 90 degree angle, let their bomb go, and pulled up. The bomb kept on going as the plane pulled up. They were a great menace to troops retreating from France, but many of them were destroyed during the Battle of Britain. >> "A" for effort Benjamin Robinson: Did you know that, in most universities, if your roommate dies, you get straight "A"s for that semester? Of course you did; everyone knows that. Unfortunately, everyone's wrong: The story is just an urban legend. Other variations on the theme require the roommate to commit suicide, not just die, or give you a refund on your dorm fee. You won't find any of these variations in any real college's regulations, though. It's probably just as well, since I can just picture some desperate student somewhere plotting to bump off his roomie ... [James Allen provides a URL: ] Speaking of snopes.com, Haynes Lee has this to add: Snopes added the Simpsons reference to their site that same night so they follow the show too. >> Fun with Promotions Chris Palm: Krusty's "We're not hurting Mother Earth ... we're just giving her a bikini wax." line, featured in commercials for this episode, wasn't actually in it. And rightfully so, considering he had nothing to do with cutting the trees down. >> Miscellaneous, Etc. According to Fox (by way of Bill LaRue), this episode scored a Nielsen rating of 8.5 (13 share). This works out to 14.9 million viewers. Among adults aged 18 to 49, the rating was 7.3 (17 share). ============================================================================== > Quotes and Scene Summary {jp} ============================================================================== % The Krusty the Klown Show Krusty: [counting down on his watch] Five, four, three, two, one! Well, that's all the time we have. So long kids! [Krusty laugh] [kids cheer] Announcer: "Krusty the Klown" is brought to you by the new Gamestation 256: It's slightly faster ... to the max! Bart: [watching on TV] 256? [groan] And I'm stuck with this useless 252? [he drop-kicks the system into the fireplace, where it slowly melts] 252: Don't destroy me! I can still make you happy ... to the max! -- Bart decides he needs a new game console, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % In the kitchen, Marge is reading the newspaper and Maggie is in her high % chair. Marge: Here's a headline for Jay: "Ketchup Truck Hits Hamburger Stand"! [laughs and cuts out the article, which also says "Six Dead"] Bart: [enters] Mom, can I have 200 bucks for a 256k Gamestation? That's less than a dollar a K! Marge: Oh, I might be able to help you ... [reaches for purse, but takes out a pitch pipe] ... with a song about thrift! [blows pipe] [singing:] When you get a penny from a chum, Don't just buy some bubblegum, Put it in your cap, put it in your cap. When you find a nickel in the snow, Don't just blow it on a picture show, Put it in your cap, put it in your cap. Bart: I don't have a cap. Marge: [singing:] When you spy a quarter in a pie .... [Bart groans] -- Bart's first attempt to get money, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Next, Bart tries Homer, who is lying on the family room couch. Homer: You want money? Get a job -- like your old man. Bart: Well, maybe I should. Homer: So, now you're smarter than your old man, eh? Bart: I guess. Homer: I like your attitude. [takes out wallet] Take what you need. [it's empty; Bart groans] -- Bart's second attempt to get money, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Bart walks down the sidewalk and notices a Help Wanted sign at Jake's Unisex % Hair Palace. He goes in and the sign is removed. Later, Bart is emptying % a dust pan of hair into a garbage can. Jake: Nice day's work, kid. This is for you. [hands Bart an envelope] Bart: [opens the envelope, which is full of hair] You're paying me in hair? Are you insane? [Jake nods and laughs, Bart backs out] -- Bart's third attempt to get money, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Bart continues to walk down the sidewalk. Bart: Man, I need a job. [passes the You Thai Now restaurant] Thai Man: [comes out of restaurant] You need job? I have job for you. [they both enter the restaurant] You take these. [hands Bart a stack of doorknob signs] You hang Thai menu on door. I get more business. Send daughters to small liberal arts college. Swarthmore, maybe Sarah Lawrence. Call professors by first name. Ha -- dynamite! Bart: Hang 'em on the door. Got it. -- Bart gets another job, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Bart, whistling comes upon Moe's house and is about to put a menu on the % door. Hey, Hey! No menus, or I'll cut you like a box -- along the flaps! -- Moe, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Bart runs from Moe and throws his menus in a dumpster, where the Thai % restaurant owner finds him. Thai Man: You quitter! [sing-song:] Quitter boy! Quitter boy! Bart: I'm sorry. Thai Man: Now restaurant fail. Children go to state college. Serious students powerless against drunken jockocracy. Baseball hats everywhere. Bart: Hey, man, this job is too dangerous. Thai Man: Menu boy no be coward, like shrimp; menu boy be brave, like prawn. -- Bart gets challenge, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % In You Thai Now, the owner trains Bart. Thai Man: Menu boy must move silently, like ghost. Leave no footprint, only lunch specials. [hands Bart some menus] Hai! [Bart flips around, covering a wing chun dummy with menus] -- Bart trains for hanging doorknob menus, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % At Mr. Burns's mansion, Bart, dressed in black ninja clothes, swings down % from over the door and places a menu on the knob. He returns to above the % door as Mr. Burn opens the door to find no one there, yet a menu on the % door. He crumples the menu angrily and presses the button labeled "the % hounds". The hounds come out snarling, but find they have menus on their % collars. In a large building, Bart jumps up, and, in a single leap, places % a menu on every doorknob in a hallway. In a mansion, Bart covers a room of % ladies with menus. % % Lisa walks down the sidewalk and is disgusted to find that there are menus % everywhere. In a drain, she finds a fish caught in a menu. She frees it % back to the sewer. % % Lisa finds Bart on the living room couch swinging a menu around his finger. Lisa: Bart, do you know how many trees died to make those menus? Bart: I don't know. A million? Lisa: You're ruining the Earth! Bart: True, but I gots to get paid. Money equals funnies, sister. [picks up an "Itchy and Veronica" magazine] Oh, Betty. -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The family goes for a trip in the car. Marge: Bart, it's so sweet of you to take the family out to Krusty Burger. Bart: Hey, some people in this family are doers, and some are don'ters. [looks at Lisa] Lisa: [points at Bart] Don't you call me a-- [a menu is placed on her finger] Homer: Take that, Lisa's beliefs! [Homer, Bart, and Marge laugh] -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The Simpsons arrive at Krusty Burger and get out of the car. Marge: Oh, how cute! Kids, look who's on the roof! [people dressed as cows] Homer: I knew this day would come. The cows are taking back what's theirs! Lisa: No, I think they're protesters. -- The family meet the environmentalists, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % A limousine pulls in and Krusty gets out. Krusty: Hey, there *are* cows on the roof! I though my pager was busted. [a bunch of clowns file out of the car] Get back in. It's only funny with the small car. [they do] -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The protesting cows unfurl a banner over Krusty Burger which reads "Krusty % Burger = Earth Murder". The police arrive. Cows: [chanting:] Take down the clown! Take down the clown! Krusty: Listen, I'm on your side. Let's get a dialogue going. [to the cops:] Take out the mother cow. The rest will follow. Cow: Your corporation cuts down the rainforest to create grazing land for cattle. Krusty: Oh, for the love of .... Gimme that! [takes Eddie's rifle and starts firing] [Lou also starts firing] Lisa: No! You can't! Wiggum: Don't worry, honey. They're just firing bean bags. Cow: You can't silence the truth with bean bags. [gets knocked off the roof with a barrage of bean bags and lands on a pile on the ground] Wiggum: [to Lou:] That's nice work with the bagzooka. Lou: Gotta love what you do, Chief. -- The bean bag war with the cows, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Lisa runs over to the cow that was just knocked off the roof with bean bags. Lisa: [gasp] Are you alright? Cow: [takes off cow head mask] I've had worse. In New Orleans they hose us with Tabasco. Lisa: [wistfully:] Oh, you're so heroic. Wiggum: Alright, cow-boy, I'll see you in moo-nicipal court. [handcuffs him] Lou: Ha! Good one, Chief. Wiggum: What? What'd I say? Marge: I can't believe how young he is. He'd be cute if he weren't so idealistic. [the cow is taken into a police car. He smiles at Lisa] Homer: [in Krusty's car, honks horn] Look, Marge! I'm in a limo! The Simpsons are going to Paris. -- Lisa's hero is arrested, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % [End of Act One. Time: 5:44] % % All the Simpsons watch the news. Kent: The eco-radical group, Dirt First, staged a daring protest today at Krusty Burger. Krusty the Klown has issued the following statement: "This I don't need." [footage of the man previously in a cow suit getting his fingerprints taken] The group is led by teenage activist, Jesse Grass, a dreadlocked dreamboat who's Birken ... stock is on the rise. [Lisa sighs] Homer: Bor-ing! [changes the channel] Ah, the Luftwaffe -- the Washington Generals of the History Channel. Lisa: Dad, change it back! Marge: Yeah, that was the boy Lisa likes. Lisa: No I don't. Bart: [sings:] Lisa and Jesse sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Lisa: Shut up! Homer: First comes love, then comes ... um ... dammit, I know this! -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Lisa rides her bicycle to the police station to visit Jesse. Inside, Chief % Wiggum gives her permission to do so. Lisa wants an escort, but Wiggum says % "I get enough flaming toilet paper thrown on me at home." So, Lisa finds % her own way to Jesse's cell, where he's sitting with his legs behind his % head. Lisa: You do Yoga? Jesse: Yeah, but I started *before* it was cool. Lisa: My name's Lisa Simpson. I think your protest was incredibly brave. Jesse: Thank you. This planet needs every friend it can get. Lisa: Oh, the earth is the best! That's why I'm a vegetarian. Jesse: Heh. Well, that's a start. Lisa: Uh, well, I was thinking of going vegan. Jesse: [chuckles] I'm a level 5 vegan -- I won't eat anything that casts a shadow. Lisa: Wow. Um ... I started an organic compost pile at home. Jesse: Only at home? You mean you don't pocket-mulch? [takes out pocket stuff for Lisa to feel] Lisa: Oh, it's so decomposed! Do you think I could join Dirt First? Jesse: Well ... we *might* have an opening at the poser level. Lisa: Oh, thank you, thank you! -- Lisa joins Dirt First, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Homer drops off Lisa at a Dirt First meeting. Homer: Have a good time at your hippie club. Lisa: You're welcome to come, too. Homer: No, I like to save the environment my own way. [drives in circles] Mmm ... donuts. -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % At the meeting, Jesse announces that they successfully stopped a St. % Patrick's Day parade that had threatened to cause several lizards to be % squished underfoot. But it's not time to celebrate yet. Jesse turns on a % tape showing the mayor's secret tree auction. % % On the tape: Quimby: What am I bid for the logging rights to Springfield's oldest redwood tree? Man: $30,000 to make cages for animal experimentations. Thai Man: 50,000 for Thai menus. Daughter on wait list at Bennington. Tex: 100,000 simoleons to make the world's first drive-through humidor. Quimby: Uh, sold to the rich Texan! Tex: [runs onstage and dances] Yee-ha! Yippi-i-ki-yi-yay! [etc.] -- The mayor's tree auction, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Jesse stops the video. Jesse: Thanks to Caleb for the tape. How'd you sneak that camera in? Caleb: [wearing a large hat; slyly:] I've got my ways. [pats a wrapped present with a lens sticking out of it] Jesse: They can't cut down that sequoia if one of us is living in it. Any volunteers? [many members clamor for the position] Whoa, hold on! Once you're up there, you can't come down. Not for a Phish concert, not even for Burning Man. [the members retract their volunteers] Well someone will hear the call, and whoever does will have a place in my heart. [Lisa nods and sighs] -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The Simpsons, minus Lisa, eat in the kitchen. Homer reads the newspaper and % complains that the refugees aren't smiling in their picture. Marge points % out that they've been through rough times, but Homer insists that moping % doesn't help. Lisa enters the room. Lisa: Mom, Dad, there's something I have to do. You're not gonna like it, but I really believe it's the right thing. [leaves] Homer: [sotto:] Marge, she's gonna narc on our stash! Marge: We don't *have* a stash. Homer: [shifty eyes] No, of ... course not. -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Lisa walks through the forest and finds the giant redwood tree -- more giant % than she had expected. She momentarily considers circulating a petition as % an alternate method of saving it, but a nearby turkey clucks like a chicken, % egging her on. % % Lisa straps on spiked tree-climbing shoes, puts on gloves, adjusts her % visor, and gets to climbing the tree. Once high up, she finds a fairly % level branch and decides to set up camp. From this high point, she is able % to see many of the world's major landmarks. % % Tex arrives with two men sent to cut down the tree with chainsaws. Tex % hears Lisa's taunting and orders her to come down. Lisa: I won't come down till you spare this tree! Jesse: [arrives on bicycle] Hang in there, Laura! Lisa: It's "Lisa"! Jesse: Right -- Lisa! You're hardcore! Lisa: [giddily, to self:] Oh, he said I was hardcore! [she falls off the branch, but thankfully, she thought to tie herself to it with rope] -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Marge and Homer pull up in the car. Marge: Oh no! My baby's up there! Lisa: It's okay, Mom! [holds up rope] I have a safety line! Homer: [to Jesse:] This is your fault, with your non-threatening Bobby-Sherman-style good looks! No girl could resist your charms! Jesse: This was her choice, Mr. Simpson. Homer: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. I was lost in your eyes. -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Later, Lisa pulls up a care package in a metal bucket. In it is some Thai % soup and a note: Dear Lisa, you rock! Mom is calling rescue agencies, Dad is building a giant ladder, but it is of poor quality. We miss you, Bart. -- Bart's letter to Lisa, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The news reports the situation. It's day four for Springfield's li'lest tree hugger. [chuckles] Excuse me, that's *littlest* tree hugger. And whether you love or hate her politics, you've got to go gawk at this crazy idiot. -- Kent Brockman, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The next night isn't as kind to Lisa, and she huddles under a blanket in a % rainstorm. She looks home through binoculars and sees the silhouette of % Homer hugging Bart through the window (although it was actually Homer % *strangling* Bart for a botched grace). Lisa sees Marge making popcorn in % the fireplace and Bart hanging Christmas stockings over it. Homer and % Maggie color Easter eggs at the kitchen table. % % Lisa decides that it wouldn't hurt anything if she went home for just an % hour. She climbs down the tree and promises it that she'll be right back. % She kisses the tree and finds that an animal has marked it. % % She runs home an finds everyone peacefully asleep in front of the fireplace. % She slides in next to Marge to rest for a minute. % % Morning comes and Maggie wakes up Lisa playing with her nose and eyelid. % Surprised that it's now morning, she runs out of the house, through the % forest, and finds the redwood tree no longer upright. % % [End of Act Two. Act Time: 7:56, Running Time: 13:40] % % With no more tree, Lisa resorts to living at home again. She feels guilty % for letting the loggers cut down the redwood. Marge tries to comfort her by % turning on the news. Kent: Springfield's oldest resident has died. [chuckles] No, it wasn't Mr. Burns, it was this majestic old redwood, which was brutally cut down last night ... Lisa: Ugh .... Kent: ... not by loggers, but by lightning. Lisa: Lightning? Oh, at least it wasn't my fault! Kent: Lightning attracted by this metal bucket. [Lisa's care bucket] Lisa: Yech .... Kent: Still unknown is the fate of tree-sitter Lisa Simpson. Wiggum: I'm afraid it doesn't look good, Kent. We found her sleeping bag right here. [holds a zipper and ash] Our working theory is that the lightning exploded her. Back to you, Kent. Kent: You don't get to say that! -- The news report on Lisa's death, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The TV station puts up a memorial image for Lisa as Homer walks in the room. Homer: [dismayed:] Oh no! Lisa's gone, and nothing will bring her back! [slyly:] Unless .... Lisa: Dad, I'm not dead! Homer: [relieved:] Oh, praise God you're alive! [slyly:] Unless .... -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The news goes on to show that Jesse has made a shrine for Lisa. On the % redwood tree stump is places a portrait of Lisa and several candles. Jesse: I loved Lisa Simpson -- loved her like a shrub, and I would give *anything* to see her sweet face again. [Lisa laughs giddily] But, in death, she will do more for our cause than she *ever* could have done in life. Tex: Uh-huh. In Texas, we do tragedy right, that's why in memory of that poor little girl, I'm turning this entire forest into the Lisa Simpson Wilderness Preserve. Jesse: We won, Lisa. We finally won. [cuts off a lock of hair] This ... is is for you. [places it on the shrine] Lisa: [in awe:] He cut off his favorite dread. -- What a guy, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Marge picks up the phone to alert the authorities that Lisa's alive, but % Lisa puts her finger on the receiver, realizing that her being alive % jeopardizes the memorial forest. You are not pretending to be dead, young lady! This family has had nothing but bad luck when it comes to farce. -- Marge, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Just then, the doorbell rings. Homer looks out the window and sees Ned % Flanders. He has baked something to help the family deal with the loss of % Lisa. Homer panics and hides Lisa by putting a cloth over her and putting a % pacifier in her mouth, turning her into Maggie. % % At Springfield Elementary, the flag flies at half mast. Bart is in the % principal's office, even though he's not in trouble. Principal Skinner % informs Bart that it's the school's policy to give students in Bart's % situation straight As. Bart is overjoyed and asks what the catch is. % Skinner answers, "The tragic loss of your sister", to which Bart calmly % comments on its ghastliness. % % Homer drives to Moe's with a brand-new bumper sticker. He walks into the % bar wearing a Lisa angel shirt. Moe gives Homer free beer since Lisa is % "riding the midnight train to Slab City." Homer thanks him and pulls out a % tape recorder containing a message for Moe. Lisa: [on tape:] Dear Moe, if anything should ever happen to me, I want you to tear up my dad's tab and pour cocktail onions-- Dad, I can't! Homer: [on tape:] Read it! Lisa: [on tape:] ... pour cocktail onions down your pants. Moe: Well, I ain't never said "no" to a dead girl yet. [does the thing with the onions] -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The town meets at the stump. Mayor Quimby is about to have Branford % Marcellus play Lisa's saxophone, but Milhouse runs up and yanks it, hoping % to clone Lisa from the spit. Quimby: And finally, an exciting announcement from our good friends at Omni-Pave. Tex: Folks, last night, the dear departed Lisa came to me in a dream. She told me her fondest wish was that this forest would become the rootin'est, tootin'est, pollutin'est amusement park! [The curtains part, revealing the redwood log with a Lisa head on top and an electric sign that reads "Lisa Land"] Jesse: You promised us a nature preserve! Tex: Now don't you fret, we're sensitive to all your eco-concerns. [The two chainsaw men start their chainsaws] That's it, boys. The gift shop will go right there. Yee-haw! Cut it down! Ha ha! Lisa: Noooooo! [The crowd parts, revealing Lisa, who marches towards Tex] CBG: A g-g-g ... girl! Lisa: [on the stump] I'm not dead, and neither is my sense of moral outrage! Homer: Oh, here we go .... Lisa: [to Tex:] Sir, have you no shame? Tex: Clearly I don't. [gestures to his car parked on a beaver's tail and bearing the license plate "NO SHAME"] Now get your heinie off of Lisa Land! -- Lisa returns, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % Jesse complains about the use of a redwood for promotion, and cuts the % guywires holding up the log, as Sideshow Mel observes. % % The Lisa-headed log falls over and rolls down the hill, crashing through a % pair of lumber trucks, to the joy of Dirt First. Jesse compliments the % tree, then orders it to return. The Dirt First members are confused, and % Jesse remembers he doesn't have superpowers ... yet. % % The log continues sliding, and goes into the business district. It % destroys the Omni-Pave building, to which Tex says "Gaahhh!" Next, the log % strikes Kentucky Fried Panda, which Homer laments, "It was finger-Ling-Ling % good!" The log doesn't stop yet, it demolished Hemp City, to the dismay of % Dirt First. % % Lisa visits Jesse, who is back in jail. Jesse: I'm still fighting for the earth. I even got 'em to install a solar-powered electric chair. Snake: [in the solar electric chair] Dude, we've been here all morning! Could you at least remoisten my head sponge? Lisa: Well, I'll write you letters ... on rice paper ... with a soy pencil! Jesse: Aw, you're sweet. [kisses Lisa, who sighs] Did they ever stop that log? Lisa: Not yet. Jesse: What's up with that? -- "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % The log continues sliding across the country: past Mt. Rushmore, through % tornado-infested plains, racing against a train (the conductor waves to the % log and blows the horn), and down the wavy part of San Francisco's Lombard % Street, before heading into the ocean under the Golden Gate Bridge. Singers: [to the tune of This Land] This log is your log. This log is my log. When lightening struck it, It kicked the bucket. Moe: I poured some onions Inside my trousers. Singers: This log -- it used to be a tree. Now it spreads love to you and me. Hey, look, it's headed out to sea. -- This Log, "Lisa the Tree Hugger" % [End of Act Three. Act Time: 6:31, Total Time: 20:11] % % "Spybreak" by Propellerheads (as heard in act one as well as The Matrix) % plays over the end credits. ============================================================================== > Contributors ============================================================================== {al} Andrew Levine {bf} Ben Fonter {bg} Bruce Gomes {bjr} Benjamin Robinson {cl} Chad Lehman {cp} Chris Palm {ddg} Don Del Grande {dh} D Howlett {dj} Darrel Jones {jc} Jeff Cross {jg2} Joe Green {jk} Joe Klemm {jp} Jerry P {mg} Matt Garvey {ml} Martin Langeveld {mr2} Mike Reed {rk} Richard Kim {rlv} Rose or Lisa Voorvaart {sa} Steve Alpert {sb} Stephen Burks ============================================================================== > Legal Mumbo Jumbo ============================================================================== This episode capsule is Copyright 2003 Benjamin Robinson. It is not to be redistributed in a public forum without consent from its author or current maintainer (capsules@snpp.com). All quoted material and episode summaries remain property of The Simpsons, Copyright of Twentieth Century Fox. All other contributions remain the properties of their respective authors. The Quote and Scene Summary itself is Copyright 2002 Jerry P. This capsule has been brought to you by Dirt First! This work is dedicated to Raymond Chen, James A. Cherry, Ricardo Lafaurie, Frederic Briere, and all of those who made episode capsules what they are today.