throwaway moments that became episodes/major plot points

[Disgruntled Goat]

But isn't it a throw away moment that tries to become a major plot point in the same episode?

That is called "writing an episode". Like when Lenny and Carl have better parking places and work chairs than Homer, then it turns out they are part of a secret society called the Stonecutters.

[Dark Homer]

also from springfield connection:

[Kiyosuki]

Apparently she was suffering from brain damage anyways considering she couldn't put lipstick on properly.

[Ray Jay Jonah]

Bart, Milhouse and Martin tell their parents they're going to the National Grammar Rodeo.
Bart on the Road

I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can


(I'm not sure if that works though...)

[zartok-35]

That is called "writing an episode". Like when Lenny and Carl have better parking places and work chairs than Homer, then it turns out they are part of a secret society called the Stonecutters.

Really? I am a bit confused as to how you came to that conclusion. You see, I always thought it was so very disposable that it deserved the status 'throw away moment' instead of actual plot.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

Two things.

1) What's the image Jamie posted that everyone thanked; doesn't work for me.

2) zartok-35... well... Do you think Bart telling Ralph not to touch his model rocket at the beginning of "This Little Wiggy" counts as well? I haven't seen the episode in question so I'm trying to understand why you think that by comparison.

[zartok-35]

Yes, in its ways. It's a minor detail that becomes more important to the episode later on. It, however, isn't a 'throw away moment' in the same context.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

Explain the dog one then? I haven't seen the episode. You know... because... season 21... Al Jean... nerd rage... etc.

[Real Melvin]

OFF takes SLH to an ugliest dog contest (whereupon it is discovered that Moe should go meet the cast of American Idol), and SLH wins because they dressed up his ass as his face. he looks sad for a split second.

later in the episode with a separate Marge/Homer plot, one shot zooms into the kitchen from the doghouse where SLH is laying all morose-like and such. (quarter-split-second)

a couple minutes later Lisa sees that SLH is sad and gives him a pep talk because they needed to fill up time and had no good act break with either of the plots they had hereto "developed", thus ending the new subplot.

[Diversity Pumpkin]

OFF takes SLH to an ugliest dog contest (whereupon it is discovered that Moe should go meet the cast of American Idol), and SLH wins because they dressed up his ass as his face. he looks sad for a split second.

later in the episode with a separate Marge/Homer plot, one shot zooms into the kitchen from the doghouse where SLH is laying all morose-like and such. (quarter-split-second)

a couple minutes later Lisa sees that SLH is sad and gives him a pep talk because they needed to fill up time and had no good act break with either of the plots they had hereto "developed", thus ending the new subplot.

lol, oh I see. Sorta sounds like a c plot then, yeah. But it sounds very weird.

[Dark Homer]

rehosted:

[Diversity Pumpkin]

Haha, nice!

[Charlie]

Yes, in its ways. It's a minor detail that becomes more important to the episode later on. It, however, isn't a 'throw away moment' in the same context.

This topic isn't about moments in single episodes that were referenced later on. The dog scene you posted was intentionally done by the writers to further what was a shallow plot anyway. What this topic is supposed to be about are moments in episodes that don't seem to mean much, but at a later date the writers decide to develop that idea into an entire other episode.

[Disgruntled Goat]

Yes, in its ways. It's a minor detail that becomes more important to the episode later on.

The point is that the "minor detail" is written into the episode specifically for the plot. It may seem like a throwaway gag at that moment, but it's not. Maude talking about heaven in The Springfield Connection was never meant to foreshadow her death.

EDIT: yeah, what charlie said.

[Ray Jay Jonah]

Lisa: Florida makes my butt look big.
$pringfield

Sleeping with the Enemy

[pocketfox]

References to Nelson's dad The Bart of War and Tis The Fifteenth Season

Sleeping with the Enemy

[Disgruntled Goat]

Flanders volunteers at a soup kitchen called "Helter Shelter"
Homer Loves Flanders
⬇
Episode title: Helter Shelter



Itchy & Scratchy added various characters including Uncle Ant, Ku Klux Klam and another one I don't remember
Itchy & Scratchy Land
⬇
The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show

[lionelhutz123]

Helter Shelter is a pun from the Beatles song "Helter Skelter".

I don't think the soup kitchen influenced the title.

[cinco]

Helter Shelter is a pun from the Beatles song "Helter Skelter".

I don't think the soup kitchen influenced the title.

Yeah, using that way of thinking you could state that Moe reading Little Women led to Eeny Teeny Maya Moe.

[Disgruntled Goat]

Helter Shelter is a pun from the Beatles song "Helter Skelter".

I don't think the soup kitchen influenced the title.

I know they're both based on "Helter Skelter". Similarly, the Artie Ziff moment and later plot are both based on "Indecent Proposal". Barely any of the ones posted so far actually influenced the later plot.

[lionelhutz123]

I know they're both based on "Helter Skelter". Similarly, the Artie Ziff moment and later plot are both based on "Indecent Proposal". Barely any of the ones posted so far actually influenced the later plot.

You're right. My mistake.

[Léo Pard]

"Bart, Sideshow Bob says he'll be seeing you real soon."

Pokey Mom

Day of the Jackanapes

[Mira]

Homer while watching "Robot rumble":

"Ah, homicidal Robots. So like us.

Bart vs Lisa vs The 3rd Grade

I D'oh Bot

[Spiff]

$pringfield, where Mr. Burns shows Mr. Smithers a model of the "Spruce Moose", a wooden plane.

Midnight Rx, where Mr. Burns flies with the "Plywood Pelican", a real wooden plane.

[Ray Jay Jonah]

Mr Burs drowns in the tub and almost dies.
Burns' Heir

Mr Burs drowns in the tub and almost dies.
Weekend at Burnsie's

[Kayla]

barts inner child: kent brockman says its about (bleep)ing time on the air

you kent always say what you want: kent gets in trouble for cussing on the air

[lionelhutz123]

Actually "Krusty Gets Kancelled" has a better throwaway moment for "You Kent Always Say What You Want", because Brockman says, "That'll hold them little SOB's" and then the next scene shows the front page of a newspaper that has a small article with the headline "Brockman Fired".

[Wavy Gravy]

"And I won't forget you, Manjula. I am so sorry our arranged marriage will not come to pass."

Much Apu About Nothing

The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons

[Sycophantic German]

rehosted:

Maude's lipstick seems to be hovering in mid-air below her mouth.

[Little Nellie Kelly]

I came here to post that, Wavy!

It's a big coincidence.