Homer's half-brother Herb Powell returns, but this time not as a successful businessman. After Homer wrecked his car company, Herb has become a bum, but with a little help from Maggie, he thinks he has come up with a shoo-in invention that will put him back on top. Herb wants to build the first baby translator, a device that will interpret babies' cries and mumbles into plain speech. Homer agrees to fund the research and when Herb's business takes off, he buys Homer and the whole family lavish gifts to thank them.