Principal Charming
| "Principal Charming" | |
|---|---|
| The Simpsons episode | |
| File:Principal Charming.jpg | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 |
| Directed by | Mark Kirkland |
| Written by | David M. Stern |
| Original air dates | March 7, 1991 |
| Episode features | |
| Chalkboard gag | "I will not belch the national anthem" |
| Couch gag | The couch springs out like a bed. |
| Commentary | Matt Groening Mike Reiss Mark Kirkland |
"Principal Charming" is the fourteenth episode of The Simpsons' second season, airing on February 14, 1991.
Synopsis
Patty and Selma visit a wedding, of a man that could have easily been Selma's husband had Patty got in the way. Selma realises that she needs to find a husband and begs Marge to help her. Marge enlists the help of Homer to seek one out, however, Homer has trouble finding anyone suitable.
Meanwhile, Bart pulls a big prank by pouring the fictional chemical sodium tetrasulfate onto the grass. In the principal's office, he is told to call his father, who is currently at Moe's Tavern. After asking for Homer Sexual, Principal Skinner takes the receiver as Moe verbally assaults who he imagines is his long-time tormentor. Moe gives Homer the phone when he realizes it is Principal Skinner on the other end of the line. Homer goes to the school and decides that Skinner is the perfect man for Selma. He invites the Principal to meet her, but he falls for Patty instead.
Skinner starts to go out with a slightly unwilling Patty, much to Selma's increasing chagrin. Meanwhile, Bart takes advantage of the opportunity to take control of the school. Skinner enlists Bart's help to get Patty to marry him, while Homer fixes a date between Selma and Barney.
Skinner takes Patty to the top of the Bell Tower to propose. Following Bart's lead, he has written "Marry Me, Patty" in 40-foot letters using the sodium tetrasulfate that got Bart in trouble. Patty is flattered, but declines. Patty admits to Skinner that she shares a common bond with the emotional grief of her twin sister, which Seymour immediately picks up on and says it is best she go support her sister. Patty appreciates Seymour's understanding of all this and appreciates him being a gentleman and if she ever did settle down with a man, she would want it to be with him. In his grief, Principal Skinner sees what has happened to the school, and takes back control. Patty informs Selma of the events, so she breaks up her own date. Things then return to normal.
Significance in later episodes
- This episode marks the first appearance of Groundskeeper Willie (whose first line is "Save your strength, lad. There's a whole field for you to resow yet.").
- It also marks the first appearance of Hans Moleman, known in this episode as Ralph Melish (a reference to the Monty Python sketch entitled "The adventures of Ralph Melish: Hot Dog and Knickers" from The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief).
- This is the first episode to address Selma's fear of dying alone (though her plan to get married and have children doesn't become a main focus until Selma's Choice).
- Bart has an entire filing cabinet of mis-deeds in school. In Grade School Confidential, Bart has an entire filing cabinent consisting of everything bad he's ever done in school and in the episode, The Wandering Juvie, he has three police filing cabinets.
- In later seasons it is revealed Patty has been a lesbian since she was a teenager. Her affair with Skinner is not mentioned, however.
Cultural references
- The "Tomorrow is another school day" scene is a hybrid of two scenes from Gone with the Wind
- Skinner's climb of the bell tower when he searches for the sodium tetrasulfate and chlorophyll smell is a reference to Vertigo.
- Homer's HUD while searching for a potential mate for Selma parodies The Terminator.
- Stanley calls Martha "Martha my dear" and "Martha my love", a possible reference to The Beatles' "Martha My Dear".
- The title is a reference to the fairy tale character Prince Charming.
External links
