Little Big Girl

"Little Big Girl" is the twelfth episode of the eighteenth season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 11, 2007. The episode was written by Don Payne and directed by Raymond S. Persi.

In this episode, Lisa claims to be Native American for a school presentation while Bart gets a driver's license and starts a romantic relationship with a girl. Natalie Portman guest starred as Darcy. The episode received positive reviews.

Plot

Lisa cannot find anything interesting in her family heritage for a school presentation, so she decides to claim to be partially Native American after Bart makes a joke with one depicted on a box. After impressing Principal Skinner with her presentation, she is chosen to represent the school for a performance at City Hall, making her feel guilty. Meanwhile, Bart steals the school fire extinguishers to propel a wagon he is riding while a series of events causes a wildfire in town. As Bart rockets through town, the foam released from the extinguishers puts out the wildfire. Bart is cheered by everyone, and Mayor Quimby offers to fulfill one wish for him as a reward. He chooses to get a driver's license.

Lisa gives a presentation about her fake heritage, and a Native American reporter questions her story. Meanwhile, Homer forces Bart to drive him around and perform errands for him. When he tires of Homer's requests, he drives out of town where he meets Darcy, 15-year-old girl, and pretends to be much older. They begin a romantic relationship, and Darcy pressures him to get married. At the courthouse, Bart reveals his age, but Darcy reveals that she is pregnant.

Darcy says that Bart is not the father because they have not consummated their relationship. She says the biological father is an exchange student, but she wants the baby to have a father. Darcy begins to cry, and Bart comforts her by saying he will find a way. The courthouse clerk suggests they go to Utah, where the marriage laws are less strict. Meanwhile, Lisa makes another speech about her fake heritage, but she loses her resolve and admits she lied. As Homer takes Lisa off stage, Homer confesses that one of his ancestors was Native American. When they get home, Marge tells them that Bart he went to Utah to get married. They go with Darcy's parents to stop the wedding. Darcy's father accuses Bart of taking advantage of Darcy, but she tells him that Bart is not the father and that she did not want her parents to be disappointed. Darcy's mother confesses that she is also pregnant, and they agree to raise the babies as twins. Darcy and Bart end their relationship. Later, Bart admits to Homer that he looked forward to being a father, and Homer cheers him up by having Bart drive him around town.

Production

Natalie Portman guest starred as Darcy.

Reception

Viewing figures

The episode earned a 2.9 rating and was watched by 8.18 million viewers, which was the 51st most-watched show that week.

Critical response

Robert Canning of ''IGN'' gave the episode a 7.2 out of 10 rating, stating "the episode was enjoyable and featured a decent guest voice appearance from Natalie Portman. It was a half hour that felt more like a classic Simpsons episode than the series has given us lately, both with story structure and references, which was bound to make any longtime fan happy."

Adam Finley of ''TV Squad'' said the episode had "plenty of smart dialogue and enough hidden gags" to watch multiple times and "felt like two episodes in one".

Colin Jacobson of ''DVD Movie Guide'' said the episode was "above-average" and enjoyed Bart's plot, but he thought the episode had "less than inspired plot choices."

On ''Four Finger Discount'', Guy Davis and Brendan Dando enjoyed the episode, especially Bart's part, but thought Lisa was out of character in the episode

References

External links

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{{The Simpsons episodes, 18

The Simpsons season 18 episodes
2007 American television episodes
Television episodes about teenage pregnancy
Television episodes about weddings
Television episodes about child marriage
Television episodes written by Don Payne (writer)
Television episodes directed by Raymond S. Persi