Episode 2F32
Written by Joshua Stemin and Jeffrey Ventimilin
Story by Mike Reiss and Al Jean
Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Doris Grau
Special guest voices: Marcia Wallace (as Ms Krabappel), Phil Hartman (as Lionel Hutz), Steve Allen (as himseli), Ron Taylor (as Bleedin' Gums)

Premise: Life loses its meaning for Lisa when, as Bart recovers in hospital, she finds Bleedin' Gums Murphy close to death in the next room. She tries to make sense of her grief and loneliness.

Features: Krusty, Sideshow Mel, Ms Krabappel, Principal Skinner, Chalmers, Android's Dungeon Guy, Dr Hibbert, Milhouse, Martin Prince, Richard, Lunchlady Doris, Groundskeeper Willie, Dr Nick Riviera, Kent Brockman, Scott Christian, Moe, Barney, Ralph, Chief Wiggum, Grampa, Lou, Eddie, Rev. Lovejoy, Lionel Hutz, Hans Moleman.

Couch: The relative size of the family is reversed, so that Homer is a tiny child and Maggie a giant.

Trivia:

• The Springfield Elementary School Charter explains that 'teachers cannot be held accountable if Bart Simpson dies or if Milhouse van Houten is eaten by the school snake.'
• We see a flashback to Moaning Lisa, Bleedin' Gums Murphy's first appearance.
• There is a suggestion that Julius Hibbert and Bleedin' Gums Murphy are long-lost brothers - perhaps they are both related to the orphanage director who brought up Herb Powell (see Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?).
• Bleedin' Gums Murphy released only one LP, Sax on the Beach, and his hobby was collecting Faberge eggs.

Notes for the Uneducated: The title refers to jazz legend Thelonious Monk's Round Midnight.

Look out for: Homer explaining about the 'Do Not Feed the Bears' sign. And one of the show's absolute classics - Grampa seeing the Grim Reaper everywhere - 'Ahhh! Death!'

Notes: A real tear-jerker as a semi-regular character dies and the impact on Lisa is gut-wrenching. A nice study of the various reactions to death and a moment of true delight as Bart buys Lisa Sax on the Beach for no other reason than it'll make her happier than him.