The Debarted - Cultural References

Cultural References

• The title and plot of the episode reference the 2006 film The Departed and the episode contains several elements of the film, including the use of the Dropkick Murphys song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", Donny's attire being similar to what Leonardo DiCaprio wears for parts of the film, Bart suspecting he is being sabotaged just as Jack Nicholson's character began to suspect he had a mole in his criminal crew, and a minor event in the story leading to someone figuring out who is betraying them, and Principal Skinner employing Donny in Bart's crew just as Martin Sheen's character does with DiCaprio's character. The scene where Bart is chasing Donny through the school and the playground was an exact replica of the scene in the movie where DiCaprio chases Matt Damon through the city streets. The episode also ends with the appearance of a rat, just like the film does.
• Bart also references the Diet Coke and Mentos eruption by doing the same stunt on a larger scale.
• Lisa is reading a book called The Joy of Sax, which is a parody of the book, The Joy of Sex.
• As Marge and Homer take a drive, D'Angelo's cover of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" can be heard.
• Homer improvises the song he sings to himself in the loaner car to the tune of "Owner Of A Lonely Heart".
• The character of Donny, voiced by Topher Grace, resembles the character Edward Brock, Jr. who Grace played in the film Spider-Man 3.
• When Willie and Skinner play basketball, Skinner refers to himself as "Air" Skinner, a play on Michael Jordan's sobriquet.
• Bart gives Donny Blue Vines, which are a reference to Red Vines.
• The table and cooler in Bart's treehouse are the same table and cooler used in Eric Forman's basement in That '70s Show, a reference to Topher Grace guest starring.