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I’m just going to call this episode “$pringfield,” though I appreciate the extended title riffing on Dr. Strangelove. As you will note, I didn’t write out that entire subtitle, either. I didn’t write out any of it, in fact. “$pringfield” is already tricky enough because I have to put the dollar sign in there. Fortunately, it’s worth it, because this is a great episode.
Legalized gambling comes to Springfield! These days, that feels less remarkable. In 1993, access to legalized gambling was less common. This paved the way for an entire different side of certain characters. A casino being dropped into Springfield really proved a narrative driver in a good way.
Mr. Burns gets to have another business venture, but also become a riff on Howard Hughes. Homer gets yet-another job, this time as a blackjack dealer. Then, of course, there is the primary story in “$pringfield,” which is Marge’s story. Marge becomes a compulsive gambler. So much so she begins to neglect the family, which is usually Homer’s purview.
Since she’s Marge, by the end of the episode she realizes her problem and vows to change, which the Simpsons writers undercut to keep it from being too sentimental. Within that framework, though, there are all the great jokes. Boogeyman. Gamblor. “I’m Idaho.” The Spruce Moose. All I really need to do is drop some shorthand on these jokes and they come right to mind.
Plus, while it did not factor in a ton in the ensuing years, Mr. Burns’ casino remained part of the city for a little while. Marge’s issues with gambling popped up occasionally as well. A funny episode with a fresh plot that didn’t reset back to zero at the end? That’s some excellent Simpsons television for you right there.
