Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington

Plot

Lisa enters an essay contest in Reader's Digest and wins a all expenses paid trip for the whole family to go to Washington, D.C. While staying there she explores the building she sees a congressmen taking a bribe for cutting down the Springfield National Forest.

She is stunned and starts to lose faith in democracy. She shreds her old essay and prepares a new one exposing the scam to the public during the contest. Everyone is surprised and of course she doesn't win but she goes home feeling she has done the right thing.

Memorable quotes

Homer: I had a feeling it was too good to be true. Every time you get a million dollars, something queers the deal.
Lisa: I don't think real checks have exclamation points.

Mr. Burns: Who is that bookworm, Smithers?
Smithers: Homer Simpson, sir.
Mr. Burns: Simpson, eh? How very strange. His job description clearly specifies an illiterate!

Homer: Oh, Marge, cartoons don't have any deep meaning. They're just stupid drawings that give you a cheap laugh.

Steward: Yes, sir, can I get you something?
Homer: Playing cards, note pad, aspirin, sewing kit, pilot's wing pin, propeller-shaped swizzle stick, sleeping mask, and anything else I've got coming to me.

Homer: Ooh, I love your magazine. My favorite section is ''How to increase your word power.'' That thing is really... really.. really.... good.

Tour guide: Folks, we print more than 18 million bills a day. Oh, and in case you were wondering, no, we don't give out free samples.
Homer: Lousy cheap country...

Congressman: I'd like to give you a logging permit, I would. But this isn't like burying toxic waste - people are going to notice those trees are gone.

Moe: Aw, isn't that nice. Now there is a politician who cares.
Barney: If I ever vote, it'll be for him!

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Notes

• This episode marked the first time The Simpsons used Dolby Digital Surround Sound.
• Lisa scored 39 out of 40 for her essay originally, however, after the judge talks with Homer, she gives her and extra 5 points, making her score 44/40.
• Blinky, the three eyed fish, is in the corner of the map of Springfield.
• Articles in Readers' Digest include: ''Motoring Ms.-Haps,'' ''Can we trust Bermuda?'' and ''They Call Me Dr. Soybeans.''
• According to the mail Homer received, the Simpsons' address was 59 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, T.A. On the map of America, however, the state intials are N.T.

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References

• The episode title and general plot for this episode is derived from ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.''

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