A Tree Grows in Springfield

"A Tree Grows in Springfield" is the sixth episode of Season 24. (originally going to be the last episode of the season 23 in production order).
==Synopsis==
Homer becomes obsessed with a Mapple MyPad he won in a silent auction at school, but when he breaks it, he loses all hope — then finds it again when he discovers that his backyard tree has spelled out the word "HOPE" in sap.
==Full Story==
Homer is heavily depressed over his life, and Lisa plans to cheer him up by purchasing a raffle ticket at fundraiser at Springfield Elementary School. Homer wins a MyPad and soon becomes obsessed with it until he falls and breaks it. Feeling even more depressed, Homer feels hopeless until Flanders makes a discovery, finding the word "Hope" written on the Simpsons' backyard tree in sap. Everyone, especially Homer, sees it as a miracle. However, reporter Kent Brockman, determined to expose the truth and shatter everyone's hopes, finds a thermal video that shows someone wandering onto the Simpsons' backyard and writing "Hope" onto the tree with maple syrup. Homer is distraught once again until Marge reassures him that since someone wrote the word on the tree, it meant that someone was watching and that the message was for him when he really needed it. Homer agrees and goes back into the house with her. The following night, someone approaches the backyard tree and continues writing "Hope" onto the tree. It is revealed to be a sleepwalking Homer. The episode finishes with a vignette inspired by the French animated short film Logorama.
==Behind the Laughter==
Robert David Sullivan from The A.V. Club gave the episode a B-, saying "'A Tree Grows In Springfield' turns out to be a throwback to early Simpsons in a season that’s been heavy on mean-spirited humor."
Stephanie Gillis received an Annie nomination for Writing in a Television Production.
==Citations==
fr:L'Arbre miraculeux
pl:A Tree Grows in Springfield
pt:Cresce uma Árvore em Springfield
Category:Homer episodes
Category:Ned Flanders Episodes
Category:Religion-themed episodes
Category:Episodes showran by Matt Selman
Category:Episodes named after a film or TV Show
Category:Kent Brockman episodes
Category:Maintenance
Category:Whitney Spuckler episodes
Category:Episodes named after Springfield
Category:Episodes where Bumblebee Man speaks English
Category:Sherri and Terri episodes
Category:History
Category:Film Roman