Lisa needs a new saxophone reed for a school performance; Homer goes to buy her one, but is distracted by beer! Feeling guilty after letting his daughter down again, Homer decides to make it up to her by buying her a pony. The plan works, but the pony is so expensive that Homer now has to get a second job - in Apu's convenience store. The almost complete lack of sleep pushes him to the edge of collapse. This episode is both funny (Homer to Marge: "First you didn't want me to buy the pony, now you want me to give it back. Make up your mind!") and heartwarming (both Homer and Lisa have to make big sacrifices, but this only strengthens their bond; Lisa: "There is a big animal that I love even more than the pony" - Homer: "What is it? A hippopotamus?"). It also contains a very imaginative dream sequence, with Homer half-asleep on the wheel of his car, which later transforms into a bed. *** out of 4.
8 Reviews
Rather Heartwarming Episode!
g-bodyl13 August 2014
This is the eighth episode of the third season of the Simpsons and it is funny and heartwarming. There is a sweet message about how love for one's child can make a parent do anything they can. I found it hilarious that towards the end, Homer was essentially acting like a zombie. There are a few sad moments here as well, but they go hand-in-hand with the heartwarming.
In this episode, "Lisa's Pony," Homer fails to bring Lisa a new sax reed in time for her talent show and she is upset. Homer buys her a pony to cheer her up, but now the family is running short of money. That makes Homer take a second job at the Kwik-E Mart in order to help pay things off.
Overall, this is an excellent episode. Not only because of the underlying themes, but because of the movie references. I loved the references to both 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Godfather. This is one of the best episodes this season. I rate this episode 9/10.
In this episode, "Lisa's Pony," Homer fails to bring Lisa a new sax reed in time for her talent show and she is upset. Homer buys her a pony to cheer her up, but now the family is running short of money. That makes Homer take a second job at the Kwik-E Mart in order to help pay things off.
Overall, this is an excellent episode. Not only because of the underlying themes, but because of the movie references. I loved the references to both 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Godfather. This is one of the best episodes this season. I rate this episode 9/10.
One of my favourites!
JigglypuffGuy29 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of The Simpsons has always been up there with one my favourites of The Simpsons, I like the message that this episode delivers on how a parent's love for their child will make them do anything they can, even if it kills them.
Many of the scenes in this episode were funny such as Bart impersonating Principal Skinner, the kid singing "My dingaling!" and Homer ending up falling asleep at random occasions due to his exhaustion. There were also funny parodies of movies here, such as the part where Lisa finds her horse next to her in bed much like the scene from The GodFather, and the beginning which is a literal parody of the Dawn of Man scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Some scenes were also emotional such as the parts where Lisa has to make the decision to either keep the pony or to give up the pony, she decides to give up the pony mainly because as much as she cares for the pony, she still cares very much for her father.
This episode is an absolute classic and a must-watch for Season 3 of The Simpsons.
Many of the scenes in this episode were funny such as Bart impersonating Principal Skinner, the kid singing "My dingaling!" and Homer ending up falling asleep at random occasions due to his exhaustion. There were also funny parodies of movies here, such as the part where Lisa finds her horse next to her in bed much like the scene from The GodFather, and the beginning which is a literal parody of the Dawn of Man scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Some scenes were also emotional such as the parts where Lisa has to make the decision to either keep the pony or to give up the pony, she decides to give up the pony mainly because as much as she cares for the pony, she still cares very much for her father.
This episode is an absolute classic and a must-watch for Season 3 of The Simpsons.
A classic with a bit of everything
snoozejonc13 July 2022
Homer attempts to win Lisa's affection with a pony.
This is a great episode with a strong plot and brilliant humour.
The first part is the set up for the Pony to be introduced and it's done with some sharp observations of family life, particularly parents who largely ignore children or have the wrong priorities in life.
When the Pony arrives it does so with a spectacularly funny homage to a great cinematic moment. From then onwards (for me) the dialogue and general interaction between characters is consistently hilarious. There are also some excellent visual gags relating to Homer's tiredness.
It all ends perfectly with a dilemma and decision one character has to make for the good of the family.
This is a great episode with a strong plot and brilliant humour.
The first part is the set up for the Pony to be introduced and it's done with some sharp observations of family life, particularly parents who largely ignore children or have the wrong priorities in life.
When the Pony arrives it does so with a spectacularly funny homage to a great cinematic moment. From then onwards (for me) the dialogue and general interaction between characters is consistently hilarious. There are also some excellent visual gags relating to Homer's tiredness.
It all ends perfectly with a dilemma and decision one character has to make for the good of the family.
Gone to the ponies
safenoe14 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Doris Grau voices Lunchlady Doris in Lisa's Pony, which is quite touching as it draws upon Homer wanting to do everything within his power and finances to make Lisa like him, and so he does by buying her a pony, and it really weighs down on Homer quite literally because he's struggling way and in an incredibly poignant moment, Homer falls asleep to a Little Nemo in Slumberland parody which is pure genius, where the accompanying music was amazing and really captured the moment.
Anyway, in my humble opinion the first 10 seasons of The Simpsons is the golden era with some episodes after that worth watching.
Anyway, in my humble opinion the first 10 seasons of The Simpsons is the golden era with some episodes after that worth watching.
Sometimes Homer Is Just Plain Stupid
Hitchcoc16 April 2022
When Homer realizes that Lisa has not received enough attention from him, he goes into hock to buy her a pony. From then on the family is beset with bills for stables, riding lessons, etc. Home begins to work at the convenience store for Apu. It's just sad at times.
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