Love is a Many Splintered Thing is the twelfth episode of Season 24, which aired on February 10, 2013, as a Valentine's Day themed episode. It guest starred Zooey Deschanel as Mary Spuckler, who has appeared in two episodes, including "Moonshine River" earlier in the season. Mary returns to Springfield to see Bart, but he doesn't pay her enough attention, which strains their relationship. Political biographer Robert A. Caro and former Conan O'Brien bandleader Max Weinberg guest starred as themselves.