Black Widower 2006

The Simpsons have dinner with Selma and her new boyfriend Bob. The evening quickly triggers unease in Bart and Lisa as Bob’s presence uncovers a troubling backstory: while in prison, he nurtured a growing hatred for Bart after Bart exposed his crime of framing Krusty the Clown, and he began plotting revenge. Yet, after Selma responds to his “Prison Pen Pal” ad, Bob falls in love with her and resolves to become a model prisoner, earning an early release.

Bob proposes to Selma, and she accepts. He even makes an appearance at a Krusty the Clown telethon, and for a moment the couple seems to have found common ground. Lisa encourages Bart to forgive him, but Bart remains unconvinced, unsure if Bob has truly changed.

When Selma learns that Bob loathes MacGyver, the wedding appears to be in jeopardy, until Homer suggests a plan: let Selma watch it alone while Bob takes a walk. This hiccup adds to the tension as the wedding moves forward.

Amid the wedding preparations, Selma reveals a surprising childhood accident that left her with no sense of smell or taste after a bottle rocket mishap. At the reception, she also reveals she has cut back on cigarettes, smoking only after meals and episodes of MacGyver. Later, Selma sends the Simpsons a tape from their honeymoon that captures Bob’s tirade about the lack of a gas fireplace in their hotel room.

One night, while watching MacGyver with Patty, Bart realizes Selma may be in danger and the family races to the hotel. Selma retreats to watch MacGyver, and the hotel room explodes. Bob returns, expecting Selma to be dead, but she is unscathed, and the Simpsons—along with the police—apprehend Bob.

Bart explains how he uncovered Bob’s scheme: Bob opened the gas valve in the hotel room, counting on Selma not to smell the leak and to light a cigarette after watching the show, triggering the explosion. Although Bart foiled the plot, Chief Wiggum later empties a celebratory cigar into the room, inadvertently fueling the blast. With Bob in custody, he vows revenge on Bart. Selma blames herself for the danger, while Marge praises Bart for exposing Bob and for maintaining his wary stance toward him.