Diggs (The Simpsons)

Plot

After a visiting minister from Indonesia asks for donations for sick children, Bart asks Homer for $20. Homer lends the money but immediately pressures Bart to repay it. Bart confides in Milhouse, then a costumed devil offers Bart a way to earn the money by eating anything except money. Bart accepts offers from classmates to eat used chewing gum, orthodontic wax, cinnamon, St. John's wort, and a preserved frog, despite Lisa's warning.

Eating the frog lands Bart in the hospital; he repays Homer, who had forgotten the debt, but the hospital bill is $4,000. Bart's friends shun him, and school bullies prepare to attack him. A transfer student named Diggs rescues Bart with his falcon, Freedom, and shows him a hidden Falconry Club headquarters. Bart spends time with Diggs, learning falconry and using Freedom to snatch belongings around town.

Diggs dives from a high tree branch, injuring himself and requiring hospitalization. Bart asks why he did it; Diggs says he wanted to fly and believes all people can fly if they try.

Dr. Hibbert and another doctor tell Bart to leave, and he overhears that Diggs will be transferred to a mental hospital. Marge explains that Diggs has serious problems. Homer suggests Bart resume his friendship with Milhouse, and Lisa comforts Bart.

Production

The couch gag was directed by animator Sylvain Chomet, invited by Matt Groening. Production took place at th1ng in London. The drawing was done by hand on paper, then photographed, with color added digitally and final composite and effects completed on computer. To reconcile Chomet's style with the Simpsons' round eyes, all characters wore glasses.

Daniel Radcliffe's guest role was reported in June 2013 by Entertainment Weekly. Executive producer Al Jean described Diggs as a mix of Holden Caulfield, Finny from A Separate Peace, and the children in Lord of the Flies. Radcliffe had previously appeared in the twenty-second season episode Treehouse of Horror XXI.

Reception

Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave the episode a C+, stating that Bart does not fit affecting stories as well as Lisa does and that no connection is made between Bart's generosity and his loyalty to Diggs, causing the episode to fade in memory. Gonzo Green of Bubbleblabber gave a 7.5 out of 10, calling the episode forgettable but with unexpected laughs. Animation historian Jerry Beck praised the couch gag directed by Sylvain Chomet as sublime. The episode received a 1.2 rating and was watched by 2.69 million people, making it the third most watched show on Animation Domination.