- After being released from prison on parole, Sideshow Bob plots to murder Bart.
- An anonymous letter writer makes ominous threats to Bart. The Simpsons discover they were sent by Sideshow Bob who, when released from prison, harasses the Simpsons and then attempts to kill Bart with a machete. But Bob's vanity foils him yet again.—Tiff Banks
- Bart Simpson receives hate mail from an unidentified sender who threatens to kill him. Though his father, Homer, seems apathetic, Bart's mother is very concerned and takes the mail to Springfield's police chief, Wiggum, demanding that they investigate.
Meanwhile at the Springfield Penitentiary, Sideshow Bob, imprisoned after framing his old boss Krusty the Clown and the attempted murder of Bart's Aunt Selma, is revealed to be the letter writer, lancing his finger to write his threats in his own blood.
Bob is granted a parole hearing and is given release, despite a large chest tattoo reading "DIE, BART, DIE!" -- he cheerfully tells the jury that it's actually German for "The, Bart, the!", meant to be an appraisal of his mortal enemy. Bob returns to Springfield and begins to torment Bart, taunting him with further death threats.
Bart runs to his parents, telling them that he saw Bob on the streets. At a movie theatre, Bob sits in front of the Simpson family, obnoxiously blowing cigar smoke in their direction and laughing loudly at the movie -- Homer's own behavior mirrors Bob's.
The Simpsons decide to go into witness protection until Bob is sent back to prison. The relocation agents name the family the Thompsons and tell them they'll leave Springfield to begin a new life in Terror Lake. After a long session convincing Homer that his new name is "Mr Thompson" the family drives to Terror Lake, believing they are safe from Bob. They move into a houseboat. Bob, however, has belted himself to the bottom of their car. In Terror Lake, Bob resumes his threats of Bart.
One night, Bob silently boards their boat and cuts it loose from the dock with a machete. He ties up everyone except Bart and stalks him around the boat until he corners the boy. Bart, seeing a shore sign that says Springfield is close, flatters Bob's singing talent and convinces him to sing the entire score from The HMS Pinafore. Bob happily agrees and performs the score entirely, buying just enough time for the current to carry the boat further downstream and catch on the rocks near a shore-side brothel where Wiggum & some of his officers are cavorting with prostitutes. Bob is promptly arrested and the family returns to Springfield.
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