It’s rumoured that once you receive a transplant from a person, no matter what organ it may be, you take on some of the traits of that person. Whether or not this is true it has been a staple of the horror genre for a while, even so recently as The Eye. There is little scientific proof of this, of course, but it does make great fodder for both horror and comedy as in this great Treehouse of horror episode, “Hell Toupee.”

Snake is arrested for lighting a cigarette in the Kwik-E-Mart, even though the sign is clearly posted–and surrounded by cigarette ads. Wiggum arrests Snake for this minor offence, but under the three strikes laws it’s his third offence, the penalty for which is death. Snake swears that all witnesses to his arrest will suffer: Apu, Moe (who was just looking for a breakfast cereal for people with syphilis) and Bart Simpson, who Wiggum kindly informs Snake has been hiding around the arcade the whole time.

Snake’s execution is broadcast dynamite, hosted by Ed McMahan for the bloodthirsty citizens of Springfield. Snake has drawn the electric chair,–to Homer’s disdain, “How come they only do crucifixions durning sweeps?”– and before pulling the switch Wiggum quips “So long, Snake. You’ll never harm another person with second-hand smoke,” as the fumes choke the audience. It’s announced that now Snake’s organs are up for donation–Barney has “dibs on the liver”–and Homer’s phone instantly rings. “Marge, they found a donor!” he happily tells her.

Homer goes to Dr. Nick instantly–Snake’s hair is still smoking–and all questions of legality aside, Dr. Nick gives Homer what he’s always wanted: a lush, full head of hair. After showing off the new-do to his family Homer enjoys a full nights sleep with his hair. But Snake, who still possesses his hair, has other plans.

Later that night he goes to the Kwik-E-Mart and though Apu thinks Homer’s showing off his new hair, it’s actually Snake ready to kill him. Apu hear’s Snake’s voice from Homer, “Snake? But you’re dead?” “I know you are but what am I?”

News the next morning shows that ever faithfully bumbling Springfield police force. Wiggum, enjoying a Squishee, “I’m afraid we have no leads, but I can safely say Apu did not suffer.” Lou, indicating Apu’s legs sticking out of the top of the Squishee machine, “Looks to me like he suffered a lot, Chief.” Wiggum looks over, “Aw, Jeez, Lou, how long were you going to let me keep drinking this thing?” Wiggum then continues to drink the soiled Squishee.

Snake’s spree continues as he kills Moe the next night–it looks like he found his breakfast cereal, Pencil-O’s–and the news spreads. Bart finally expresses concern that he was next on Snake’s list, so Homer boards up his door leaving only him and Bart–and Snake. Snake takes over and is attacking Bart, eventually Marge and Lisa barge their way in Lisa announces, “Of course — the transplant! Somehow Snake’s hair must be controlling …” but Marge cuts her off, everyone’s figured that part out by now.

From there’s it’s a showdown where Homer must decide between his luscious head of hair or the safety of his son. Homer violently rips out his hair and hugs Bart, but the hair still has a mind of its own and tries to escape before the police break in a shoot it. There’s something inherently funny about a hairpiece with a personality, as Snake’s hair begrudgingly raises its fist towards the sky after being shot. Wiggum quips “Now that’s what I call a bad hair day!” Everyone laughs, but the ever concerned Marge pipes up, “May I remind you that two people are dead and … oh, wait, I just got it.”

This episode is a classic because it’s all out zany. Public executions broadcast live obviously comments on Springfield’s insatiable desire to see death on Television, even better that it’s convicted felons, and to further make it a spectacle with a host like McMahon and glitzy lights and a live audience really comments on the growing trend of reality television in 2002. And how could The Simpsons know that they were also commenting on the growing trend of plastic surgery and appearances? It was years before Fox’s own travesty Bridalplasty was to appear on the network. Appearances change people. Now, using the horror trope makes this a more comedic event, but the point can still be taken that people will do anything for what they want–Homer only mildly questions Dr. Nick about the legality of the hair transplant with “genuine human hair,” as his need to have the hair outweighs any social responsibility he may have to report Dr. Nick.

It isn’t about how appearances change people, it’s about how people will change for their appearance–again, shows like The Swan or Bridalplasty are all about people willing to do whatever they can to maintain this high standard of “beauty.” “Hell Toupee” didn’t mean to touch on those themes, but it sure did in the end. After all, after the hair was removed from Homer’s head it still went after Bart, and without the hair, Homer realized his love for his son was more powerful than the hair.

Next Up: The Monkey’s Paw

See the previous segments here: Send in the Clones, Citizen Kang, Bart Simpsons’ Dracula, Time and Punishment, The Homega Man