The episode features a guest appearance from Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz as Thelonious, while Joe Mantegna reprises his role as recurring character Fat Tony.

At the hospital, Dr. Hibbert claims that their finger insurance will not cover the cost as thumbs are not included, so they drive off for Dr. Nick's clinic.

His thumb is almost completely shriveled up now, and he is about to throw it in a garbage can when an explosion blasts Linguo's head in the air and it lands next to Homer.

However, Mr. Teeny mistakenly takes her to West Springfield Elementary School, where after walking into a French class, she has a whirlwind romance with Thelonious, a student who shares her interests.

She spots Chief Wiggum and asks for a ride, but he is too busy tracking down Fat Tony with the help of an undercover informant with a wire.

Bart and Milhouse hide in a building, but are caught by the police due to the fake address Marge gave them.

The police ask the boys to help them find the fireworks smuggler in exchange for avoiding juvenile detention.

Bart distracts him by lighting firecrackers before running off, so he chases the boys through the sewers until they emerge near Marge and Lisa.

Marge remarks that it has been "one crazy day", causing everyone to laugh, but a distraught Mr. Teeny fears that the episode's plot made no sense and implores the audience to "Tell the people".

"Trilogy of Error" was written by Matt Selman and was directed by Mike B. Anderson as part of the twelfth season of The Simpsons (2000–2001).

[1] In the original draft, the second act would have portrayed Lisa traveling on the short school bus and meeting children with amusing disabilities, but it was deemed "too radical" at the time.

Staff members Matt Groening, Mike Scully, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Rob Lazebnik, Matt Selman, Tim Long, Max Pross, David Mirkin, and Mike B. Anderson participated in the DVD audio commentary for the episode.

[8] In its original broadcast, "Trilogy of Error" finished with a Nielsen rating of 8.4, equivalent to approximately 14.4 million viewing households.

In a 2008 Flashback Review, Robert Canning of IGN called the episode "outstanding" for its several sight gags and pop culture references.