At a science museum the family is visiting, Bart runs into Ralph Wiggum, who is in the process of being pushed into a giant ear by Kearney, Jimbo, Nelson, and Dolph.
Ralph and Bart enter the prison to retrieve the key, and in the process stumble onto a room housing an old electric chair.
At the Simpsons' home, Bart and Ralph discover that the penitentiary will once again be used by the town, and remember that they forgot to disable the power.
After failing to call the penitentiary due to the elderly guard being on the phone with his wife, Ralph then tells Bart that Lisa can probably figure out a way to warn the Mayor.
Show runner Mike Scully had pitched an idea to Dan Greaney on Marge forcing Bart to become Ralph Wiggum's friend.
Scully gave the idea to Greaney due to his ability to write Ralph's lines and actions well, and his overall liking of the character.
[5] Affleck was also praised for his ability to create three new elaborate settings in the episode: the science museum, the Springfield penitentiary, and the large toy store.
[6] The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, enjoyed the episode, remarking: "Marvellous fun as Bart comes to realize there's more to Ralph, or at least his daddy, than he realised.