S2·E4 Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish

Episode recap

The episode begins with Bart fishing in the river that runs downstream from the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. While angling, he lands an unusual three‑eyed fish, a clear sign that the plant’s waste is contaminating the water. The discovery quickly draws the attention of state regulators, and an inspection of the plant is ordered. Faced with the prospect that the plant could be shut down, Mr. Burns decides that the only way to protect his business is to enter the political arena. He announces a candidacy for governor of Springfield, positioning the election as a referendum on the plant’s future.

Burns launches a vigorous campaign, traveling across the state and delivering speeches that emphasize his experience and the importance of keeping the plant operational. Although initially reviled by the public, his message begins to resonate, and the race tightens. By the time the campaign reaches its climax, Burns is shown to be neck‑and‑neck with the popular incumbent, Mary Bailey, who had previously seemed secure in her position.

In a strategic move designed to humanize his image, Burns arranges to share a dinner the night before the election with a randomly selected employee from the power plant. The selection process results in Homer Simpson being chosen as the dinner guest. The decision provokes a strong reaction from Marge, who expresses clear displeasure at the prospect of her husband spending the evening with the notoriously selfish plant owner.

The episode follows the buildup to the dinner, the tension surrounding the impending vote, and the interplay between the political maneuvering of Burns and the personal concerns