Ep 20. The Boy Who Knew Too Much
- TV-PG
- May 5, 1994
- 22 min
-
8.3 (3,302)
Bart Simpson is quite the troublemaker, but in this episode, he finds himself in a predicament he can't get out of. He cuts school with his best friend Milhouse to see the new McBain movie, but during the movie, Principal Skinner shows up and catches them in the act. During a chase sequence through the theater, Bart witnesses a shifty-looking man in a trenchcoat give a secret envelope to Mayor Quimby.
The next day, Bart is called in to testify against Quimby in court, but he is afraid to do so because he thinks someone will come after him if he tells the truth. He decides to skip town and goes on the lam, living as a wanted fugitive in Downtown Springfield. Along the way, he is aided by various citizens of Springfield who have their own grudges against Quimby.
Meanwhile, Lisa sets out to clear her brother's name and prove that Quimby is guilty of accepting a bribe. She discovers that the mysterious man in the trenchcoat is actually a courier named Freddy Quimby hired by the real culprit to frame Quimby. Lisa enlists the help of her father and a few others to find evidence to clear Bart's name and incriminate the real criminal.
Throughout the episode, there are several nods to classic films such as The 39 Steps, North by Northwest, and The Fugitive. The Boy Who Knew Too Much is a comedic take on the classic film noir genre, with Bart as the unwitting hero caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
In the end, justice prevails and Quimby is exposed as a crook. Bart is exonerated and returns to his normal life, with the added bonus of newfound fame as the boy who knew too much. The episode ends with Bart basking in his newfound notoriety and Principal Skinner warning him to stay out of trouble.