Rome-Old and Juli-Eh

Plot

Homer unveils a newly finished basement recreation room, leaving Marge puzzled about the cost. He reveals a plan and files for bankruptcy, thinking it will wipe out his debts. Judge Constance Harm explains that updated bankruptcy laws require full repayment. To cut expenses, Homer moves Grampa out of the retirement home and into the house, where Grampa converts the recreation room into his bedroom.

With that space gone, Bart and Lisa, inspired by Ned ordering boxes, request free cardboard delivery boxes to build a fort. The deliveryman demands the boxes back and threatens them when they refuse. A group of deliverymen attacks the fort, but Nelson helps Bart and Lisa fight them off. Eventually, the kids grow bored and melt the fort with a garden hose.

Later, Homer and Marge go out, asking Grampa to babysit. Marge also recruits Selma to supervise Grampa and the children. That evening, Grampa and Selma connect and share a kiss just as Homer and Marge return. Marge approves, but Homer and Patty conspire to split them up.

At the mall, Patty, disguised as Selma, kisses a disguised Homer while Grampa watches. Grampa feels heartbroken until the real Selma appears and reveals the trick. Angered by the manipulation, Grampa proposes to Selma, and she accepts. They marry and move in together.

Selma works as a DMV manager while Grampa stays home caring for her daughter Ling. One day, Grampa gets confused with kitchen appliances and starts a fire. This makes Selma realize their bond cannot survive on love alone. As she worries about being alone forever, Grampa reassures her that she will find someone reliable, and they share one final dance.

Reception

The episode earned a 3.1 rating and was watched by 8.79 million viewers on its first broadcast on Fox, making it the 33rd most-watched show that week. Robert Canning of IGN gave the episode a 6 out of 10. Adam Finley of AOL TV wrote that the episode had some good laughs but he was not too impressed. On Four Finger Discount, Guy Davis and Brendan Dando thought the episode was weird and did not find it believable, knowing the relationship between Grampa and Selma would not last.

Did You Know?

• To save gas, Homer says he is Flintstone-ing the car, a reference to The Flintstones.
• The battle sequence with Bart, Lisa, and the box deliverymen is a parody of battles from The Lord of the Rings film series.
• The battle scene utilizes music from The Return of the King.