Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Donnie Fatso
I have seen this episode before when it first aired on TV. It is actually one of my favorite, so I was glad I got the chance to watch it again. In the episode, Homer is charged with fines for ridiculous reasons which I think is a funny mock of the governments excuse to make money. After meeting with Moe and trying to bribe his way out of paying the fines, Homer is caught and sent to prison where he then gets the opportunity to work with the FBI. One of my favorite scenes is when Homer is in the FBI agent's office and after just explaining to Homer the extensive research that was done on the case, Homer knocks all of the charts and photos into the paper shredder. It is often hard to decide if Homer understands the importance of the case, or if he understands exactly what he is doing. I found from both episodes thus far, that is the way the writers portray Homer a lot of the time. At the end of the episode, Homer finds he indeed like the mafia head and is upset that he died even though Homer brought the case to a close. Donnie Fatso's brother refrains from killing Homer because he realizes that Homer was indeed a friend of Donnie. It is a nice satire on the way that normal undercover operations work, to suggest that innocence and being truthful will often times work better.
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I also was a big fan of the episode and thought the seen with Homer shredding the paper was funny. We never really know if his actions are out of stupidity or just ignorance. I agree with your point on the episode being a satire of undercover operations. There are many movies that involve this type of plot and it’s great that The Simpsons decided to feature it. In these movies there is always some sort of close relationship formed, and this episode used that same idea, even though not to the extent that Homer “loved” Fat Tony. I also agree with the point you made about fines and the government making money out of it. I think a lot of fines are just a way for them to try and generate revenue.
ReplyDeleteQuick note for you, the character of the mobster is actually known as Fat Tony. Donnie Fatso is a play on the real life person known as Joseph Dominick Pistone, whose alias was Donnie Brasco, when he infiltrated the Bonanno Crime Family. One of the big five in NY. See, Donnie Brasco, Donnie Fattso (Homer.)
ReplyDeleteI honestly did not think the episode was good at all. The entire thing was simply a satire of Donnie Brasco and Goodfells. Movies that came out in 1997 and 1990 respectively. The writing and overall story was weak.