The Simpsons S19E03 Midnight Towboy

Feeling that Maggie is getting too clingy, Marge hires a counselor to teach her the "C.R.I.E. Method," a counseling program that helps parents raise their children to be very independent at an early age. But the method works a little too well, leaving Maggie with no need for Marge at all. Meanwhile, Homer goes in search of milk for Maggie in Mookington and ends up having his car towed by a tow truck driver named Louie (Matt Dillon) who introduces Homer to the joy of towing cars for a living. Louie invites Homer to be the tow truck driver for Springfield on one condition: that Homer stay off of Louie's turf in Mookington. When Homer gets a little too "tow happy," the residents of Springfield set Homer up to look like he's towing in Louie's territory, and Homer must suffer the wrath. With Homer missing, the newly independent Maggie is spurred to action.

FAN DESK VERDICT An all-timer. This is the episode you show someone to explain why The Simpsons matters — clear the evening and watch it properly.

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Matt Dillon AS LOUIE (VOICE)

Dan Castellaneta AS HOMER SIMPSON Julie Kavner AS MARGE SIMPSON Yeardley Smith AS LISA SIMPSON Nancy Cartwright AS BART SIMPSON Hank Azaria AS MOE SZYSLAK Harry Shearer AS CHARLES MONTGOMERY BURNS