The Trouble with Trillions
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The Trouble with Trillions is the 20th episode of the ninth season of The Simpsons. Its title is a spoof of the classic Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The Trouble with Tribbles"
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[edit] Plot summary
On January 1st, Ned completes his yearly taxes. Later that year, just before midnight on April 15, Homer realizes he did not do his own taxes. He rushes and provides false information before driving like mad to the post office. The IRS discovers Homer's fraud and arrests him. Held by the government, Homer says he will do anything to stay out of prison. Agent Johnson of the FBI decides that Homer can be useful. With a hidden microphone under his shirt, Homer uncovers that his co-worker Charlie plans to overthrow all government officials.
With his superiors impressed, Johnson sends Homer on a secret mission. They reveal that in 1945, President Harry Truman printed a one trillion dollar bill to help reconstruct post-war Europe. He handed the vital cargo over to Montgomery Burns to transport to the Europeans. However, the money never arrived and the FBI suspects Burns still has the money with him. Arriving at Burns' estate, Homer searches for the money before Burns, who believes Homer is a reporter from Collier's magazine, reveals that he kept the money on his person. Johnson and Agent Miller burst in and arrests Burns for grand-grand-grand-grand-larceny. Burns shouts how the US government oppresses the average American and tells Homer to write "don't let the government push you around". Moved by Burns' speech, Homer knocks out the FBI agents and frees Burns.
Burns takes Smithers and Homer in his old plane, setting off to find an island and start a new country. Over the Caribbean, Burns finds a fine island although it already has a name and is a country - Cuba. Going before Fidel Castro, Burns fails to buy the island: Fidel asks to see the trillion dollar bill, and Burns hands it over. Then Burns asks for it back, to which Castro responds: "Give what back?". Cut to scene where Burns, Smithers and Homer are on a make-shift raft. Burns announces he will merely bribe the jury when he is put on trial.
[edit] Trivia
- The top secret film is rated TV-PG. It can also only be viewed by entering a photo booth and saying the top-secret password... 'Cheese'.
[edit] Cultural references
- The title "The Trouble with Trillions" is a play on the classic Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".
- The museum Burns has in his house has a painting showing Burns or an ancestor in a kilt. It may be play on Scrooge McDuck as the typical Scottish miser.
- When Homer says "It goes all the way to the president" is a reference to All the President's Men.
- There is a caricature of Che Guevara on the Cuban Duff ad.
[edit] Quotes
- Todd: Daddy, what are taxes paying for?
Ned: Ohoho... everything! Policemen, trees, sunshine, and let's not forget the folks who just don't feel like working, God bless 'em!
- Homer: But Mr. Burns gave me my job, and he hasn't fired me even after three meltdowns and one China Syndrome! I can't betray him!
- Homer: Would you look at those idiots? I paid my taxes over a year ago!
- Burns answering the door: Now what, Smithers? I-- You're not Smithers!
Homer: Uh... I'm Homer Simpson, your trusted employee.
Burns: Ahehe, employee, eh? What a pleasant surprise.(repeatedly taps a button labeled "The Hounds") Hm... a pack of vicious dogs should be ripping you to pieces.
Homer: Uh... I don't know what to tell ya.
Burns: Very well, come on in. Perhaps I have something I can scald you with.(Burns and Homer head inside)
Burns, now heating water on the stove in his kitchen: It'll, uh, be a few minutes. So, what brings you to my home?
Homer: Well, Mr. Burns, you always come off as kind of a gruff, crotchety loner but we both know that deep down inside--
Burns, grabbing the pan of water and throwing it on Homer: Ya ha!
Homer: Still cold.
Burns: Hm... Well, let me get you a towel.
- Choices for Cuban purpose of visit: Business/pleasure; smuggle cigars; assassinate Castro (Homer checks all three)
- Burns: Let me show you around! I hope you don't mind a little walking!
(Homer holds up his suicide pill to his mouth)
- Burns: (After seeing an antique American car in Havana) Ahh, the new Packards are out.
- Fidel Castro: Comrades, our nation is completely bankrupt. We have no choice but to abandon communism. (his aides groan) I know, I know. But we knew from Day 1 this mumbo-jumbo wouldn't fly. (aides make sounds of agreement) I call Washington and tell them they won.
Aide: But Presidente, America tried to kill you!
Fidel: Ah, they not so bad. They named a street after me in San Francisco. (another aide whispers something in Fidel's ear) Is full of whaaaa?!
- Burns: Oh, you'll find this amusing. It's the suit Charlie Chaplin was buried in.
- Burns: (showing Homer the Burns Hall of Patriots) That man is my great grandfather, Franklin Jefferson Burns, tossing that tea without a care...for what the caffeine would do to the Fenway flounder.
Homer: Is that a fish?
Burns: It was.
- Homer: I can't go to prison! They pee in a cup and throw it at you, I saw it in a movie.
Johnson: You won't be seeing any prison movies where you're going - prison!
- (Scrambling to complete his taxes)
Homer: Marge, how many kids do we have? Oh, no time to count, I'll just estimate! Uh . . . nine!
Marge:Homer, you know we don't have--
Homer: Shut up! Shut up! If I don't hear you, it's not illegal! Okay I need some deductions. Deductions... Oh, business gifts!(hands Marge the sailboat painting from above the couch)Here you go, keep using nuclear power.
Marge: Homer, I painted that for you.
Homer: Okay, Marge, if anyone asks, you require twenty-four hour nursing care, Lisa's a clergyman, Maggie is seven people, and Bart was wounded in Vietnam!
- Homer: If I don't see it, it's not illegal! (refering to himself "obliviously" running a red light)
- British Delegate (after the money fails to arrive): Well, this is really a kick in the knickers.
German Delegate: Should we complain to someone?
French Delegate: No. I say we act snooty toward the Americans forever! (they shake hands in agreement)
Film Narrator: This film will self-destruct . . . if not properly stored.
- Burns in a biplane over the Caribbean: Any of these islands would make a fine new country.
Homer: I call president!</br>Burns: Vice president!
Smithers (disappointedly): Oooh...
Burns: Ooh... There's a big one, and it has freedom written all over it!
Smithers: Sir, that's Cuba.
Mr. Burns: Cuba, eh? Take her down, Smithers!
Smithers: Uh... You're flying the plane, sir.
Mr. Burns: Excellent.
- Homer (talking on a pay phone): You're gonna love it here in Cuba, Marge. There's shredded pork everywhere. (takes a piece of meat from a tray being held by a young boy)
Boy (translated from Spanish): It's donkey meat.
Homer: Nice to meet you too.
- Homer: Does this make me look fat?
Lisa: No, it makes you look like a tool of government oppression.
Homer: But not fat?
[edit] External links
- "The Trouble with Trillions" episode capsule at The Simpsons Archivefi:Biljoonan dollarin seteli
