The Simpsons Season 36 Tackles Longstanding Plot Hole

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 5, “Treehouse of Horror XXXV”

Just when it seemed like The Simpsons couldn’t poke any more fun at the show’s premise, season 36, episode 6 demonstrated that the series is acutely aware of one prevalent viewer complaint. The Halloween special, The Simpsons season 36’s Treehouse of Horror, showcased the long-running series’ ability to humorously critique its own formulas and clichés. While the renewal for The Simpsons’ season 37 remains unconfirmed, the initial episodes of season 36 indicate that the writers and creators are not afraid to take creative risks and explore fresh narratives, even if the outcomes are met with mixed reviews. This willingness to innovate keeps the series lively, engaging, and relevant even after decades on the air.

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The Simpsons Season 36’s Treehouse Of Horror Episode Reignites An Iconic Tradition From 29 Years Ago

The Simpsons season 36’s “Treehouse of Horror XXXV” brought back a classic animation tradition seen in earlier Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials.

The Simpsons season 36 premiere was a clever, self-aware “Series finale” that satirized the show’s stagnant narrative patterns, while another episode featured a standalone adventure focusing primarily on Lisa, effectively sidelining the rest of the iconic family. The results of these explorations were both fresh and humorous, showcasing an inspired approach despite the series’ long history. Although not every segment in the special resonated with viewers, the standout piece of “Treehouse of Horror XXXV,” which parodied Edgar Allan Poe, cleverly honored the show’s legacy by referencing many beloved and classic episodes from its Golden Age. This balance of nostalgia and innovation is a hallmark of the series, keeping both new and long-time fans engaged.

The Simpsons Unveils the Surprising Timeline of Maggie’s Conception

Explore How Maggie’s Conception Was Inspired By A Jake From State Farm Commercial

Meanwhile, season 36, episode 6, “Women in Shorts,” continued this successful momentum with another self-aware narrative. Serving as a sequel to season 7, episode 21, “22 Short Films About Springfield,” this female-centric episode sheds light on the often-overlooked supporting female characters of Springfield. In doing so, the final segment hilariously highlights The Simpsons’ self-awareness regarding the characters’ inconsistent ages. A trailer for a superhero-style movie titled “Maggie: Origins” features a mid-credits scene that humorously details the night Homer and Marge conceived their youngest child. While Homer’s shifting age was humorously referenced in season 36, episode 4, “Shoddy Heat,” this gag further complicates the already intricate timeline of the series.

In “Maggie: Origins,” The Simpsons revealed that Maggie was conceived after Marge confessed that Jake from State Farm ignited her passions, leading Homer to seize the moment with an invitation to get intimate. Jake from State Farm emerged as a character in commercials around 2011, which implies that Maggie’s conception could not have occurred prior to this date. This clever gag brings to the forefront the ongoing debate about the characters’ ages. “Shoddy Heat” depicted Homer as a 10-year-old in the early ‘80s, a narrative that, for once, aligns with the events presented in “Women in Shorts.” This playful inconsistency is part of the charm that defines the series, continually engaging audiences with its humor and wit.

The Timeless Enigma of Maggie Simpson’s Age: One Year Old Since 1989

Discover Why Maggie’s Age Is One Of The Silliest Plot Holes In The Simpsons

According to the narrative of the two episodes, Homer was presumably in his early 40s at the time of Maggie’s birth. While this estimation seems plausible, the ages of Homer and the rest of the family remain notoriously inconsistent throughout the series. The fact that Maggie is perpetually one year old makes this age discrepancy especially notable; depending on the episode, she was either born in 2023 or 1988. The Simpsons is filled with such mysteries, including the precise birth dates of its characters. Showrunner Matt Selman has explained on X (formerly Twitter) that these inconsistencies arise from the show’s concept of “Elastic canon.” The ages of the characters are fluid, allowing for humorous gags like “Maggie: Origins” to flourish within the show’s narrative framework.

Source: X

Release Date

December 17, 1989

Seasons

35

Network

FOX

Franchise(s)

The Simpsons

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