Pinchy: Homer Simpson's lobster
776 mots | Temps de lecture : 3 minute(s)
CharacterHomer SimpsonPinchy
Bought cheap to be fattened up and then eaten, a little lobster ends up adopted, named and mourned: this is Pinchy, seen only once, in "Lisa Gets an 'A'" (season 10, 1998). The article tells the story of Homer's attachment, the too-hot bath that scalds the animal by accident, Marge's discovery of a devastated husband, then dinner that same evening, eaten in tears — a scene largely improvised by Homer's voice actor. A tragicomic high point explained from start to finish.
Homer wanted a feast on the cheap; he ended up with a friend. Pinchy's story is that of a lobster bought to be eaten, adopted out of love, then devoured in tears.
A look back at one of the series' tragicomic high points.
Contents
Who is Pinchy?
Pinchy is the lobster Homer adopts as a pet, in the episode "Lisa Gets an 'A'" (1998). A single appearance, but an unforgettable one, born from a subplot — the main story following Lisa and her school troubles.
From a feast to a friend
At the start, it is all about appetite: Homer buys a cheap little lobster with the idea of fattening it up to enjoy it better. But as he cares for it, he grows tenderly attached, names it Pinchy and now refuses to eat it. And so it becomes the family's most improbable pet.
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An accidental death
The tragedy is as silly as it is heartbreaking. Wanting to give his friend a bath, Homer runs water that is far too hot and scalds him by accident — with no intention of cooking him. Marge finds a devastated Homer in front of his lifeless lobster.
The cult scene
Then comes the peak of the sequence: that very evening, Homer devours Pinchy at the table... in floods of tears, torn between grief and appetite. A perfect tragicomic scene, largely improvised by Homer's voice actor, and now one of the series' great moments of emotion (and laughter).
The owner
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35 cm of the man who raised a lobster, named it, then ate it in tears.
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Summary table
| Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Identity | The lobster Homer adopts as a pet |
| Episode | "Lisa Gets an 'A'" (season 10, 1998) |
| His story | Bought to be eaten, then adopted out of love |
| His death | Scalded by accident in a bath that was too hot |
| The cult scene | Homer eats him in tears |
FAQ
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Who is Pinchy?The lobster Homer adopts as a pet, in the episode "Lisa Gets an 'A'" (1998).
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How does Pinchy die?By accident: Homer runs a bath that is too hot to wash him and scalds him without meaning to.
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Does Homer eat Pinchy?Yes, that same evening, in tears — torn between grief and appetite.
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Does Pinchy come back in other episodes?No: it is a single appearance.
Conclusion
Touching, absurd and heartbreaking, Pinchy is proof that The Simpsons can make you laugh and cry with a simple lobster. The story of an impossible love, between two courses.
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