Ep 21. The Old Man and Lisa

The Simpsons Season 8 Episode 21 'The Old Man and Lisa' depicts Lisa's unlikely friendship with Mr. Burns, the wealthiest man in Springfield. Lisa is a principled girl who fights for issues close to her heart, and she sees an opportunity to make a difference in the world when she teams up with Mr. Burns. The episode explores the unlikely bond between the two, as well as the repercussions of such a connection.

At the beginning of the episode, Lisa becomes the proud owner of a new pony. She feeds and cares for it, but when Homer accidentally leaves the gate open, the pony escapes and ends up in Mr. Burns' possession. Lisa is heartbroken, but when she goes to Mr. Burns' mansion to retrieve her pony, she discovers a new side to the old man. She sees him for the first time as a human being, rather than a caricature as everyone in Springfield views him and learns that he has a softer side.

Mr. Burns is fascinated by Lisa's intellect and wit. He enjoys their conversations and seeks her opinion on different matters. He offers to fund any charitable cause that Lisa chooses, and Lisa sees an opportunity to do good in the world. She chooses to invest in a recycling plant which, in turn, provides jobs for locals, and saves the town's environment. Mr. Burns finds validation in Lisa's approval and basks in her admiration. As their friendship blossoms, Mr. Burns even plays the piano for Lisa.

However, Lisa's friendship with Mr. Burns does not sit well with everyone. Bart is upset that Lisa would even consider befriending a man as greedy and selfish as Mr. Burns. He believes that Mr. Burns is up to no good, and tries to expose his real motivation behind the generous funding of the recycling plant. Marge is also concerned that Lisa's relationship with Mr. Burns will take her down a dark path of greed and materialism. Lisa assures them both that she knows what she's doing and that she won't be corrupted by Mr. Burns' money or power.

As the episode reaches its climax, it becomes apparent that Mr. Burns' interest in Lisa wasn't as sincere as it first seemed. In a heart to heart conversation with Simpson family, Mr. Burns admits that his interest in Lisa was purely selfish, and in fact, he was motivated solely by her adoration. He confesses that he has no real friends and has led a lonely, loveless life. Marge and Homer, sympathetic to Mr. Burns' plight, invite him over for a game of poker with their friends. Mr. Burns, for a moment, is happy to be included in a group, but when he realizes that they are not impressed by his wealth, he leaves in a huff.

In the end, Lisa continues to work at the recycling plant and makes a difference in her community without Mr. Burns' involvement. She comes to terms with the fact that no amount of money can buy genuine friendship, and that wealth and status do not necessarily equate to happiness.

The Old Man and Lisa is a classic episode from The Simpsons featuring a beautiful exploration of human nature and friendship between two unlikely characters in Springfield. The episode highlights the idea that sometimes people you least expect might have a kind heart if you only give them a chance. Moreover, it shows how greed and materialism is not always the path to real and lasting happiness. It is a powerful message wrapped in humor and memorable scenes, making it a must-watch episode of the entire series.