7F23 - When Flanders Failed (October 3, 1991)

Summary: Homer wishes for Ned Flanders's new business to fail while Bart doesn't learn karate.

Episode Timeline:
Saturday, February 16, 1991:
- Homer mows his lawn with a weed whacker
- The family discusses Flanders and his BBQ tomorrow.
Sunday, February 17, 1991:
- The family minus Homer attends the BBQ
- The aroma draws Homer over to the BBQ
- Kids play tag
- Flanders announces that he has quit his job at the pharmacy and will open up the Leftorium
- Homer wishes on the wish bone that Flanders's store will fail
- Bart sees a commercial for karate on TV and decides to take lessons
Monday, February 18, 1991 (Washington's Birthday):
- After dropping off Bart at karate, Homer checks out the Leftorium
- Bart leaves the class after learning that they won't be fighting right away
- Bart plays "The Touch of Death" at the arcade
- At dinner, the events at the mall are discussed
Tuesday, February 19, 1991:
- Bart skips class again and Homer visits Flanders again
- At Moe's bar, Homer deliberately doesn't tell left-handed Moe of the store
- Bart makes Lisa change the channel under threat of Touch of Death
Wednesday, February 20, 1991:
- Homer doesn't tell Burns about the store. Burns will keep apples in the vending machine.
- Flanders sells his possessions
- Homer and Bart enjoy the new stuff
- The bill collector accidentally comes to Homer's house looking for Flanders
Thursday, February 21, 1991:
- Flanders goes out of business
Friday, February 22, 1991:
- The bullies steal Lisa's sax and Bart can't defend her
- Bart suffers
- Flanders is kicked out of his house
- Homer calls left-handed people to come to the store
Saturday, February 23, 1991:
- Burns sees a new suggestion
- Flanders comes to the bustling store

References to Time:
- Akira's karate class is holding a Washington's Birthday Sale.
- Last month, Homer paid Jerry a loan

SLH Presence:
- SLH is present
- Flanders starts the Leftorium
- Dr. Monroe is alive

Minimum Time Spanned: 8 days, although it makes more sense to last 15 days.

Canon: February seems like a weird time to have a BBQ.

Favorite Moments:
- Akira breaking a board with his face, claiming it didn't hurt very much
- Dolph stealing Lisa's sax and shouting, "I'm Elvis, man!"
- A random Springfield citizen who hates Homer yet loves Flanders. "Ned Flanders is in trouble?!"

Review: The story is fairly simple and doesn't really aim to be anything big. I like this version of Flanders and his family when he was still just a normal guy who was optimistic and well-off. But it doesn't lend itself well to repeated viewings, due to the lackluster jokes. Once you know the story, there aren't many surprises. C+