The Simpsons Christmas Particular is a return to a traditional Ned Flanders episode

“The Simpsons” is an establishment. It is a collection that modified animation and tv, influenced numerous different collection, and created a normal for sitcom cities that really feel like actual places populated by dozens of supporting characters. Although it is not the cultural phenomenon it was within the ’90s, there is a motive “The Simpsons” not solely nonetheless exists after 35 years, however can be thriving, I even propose a false series finale – one that would have labored because the true collection finale – as a easy season premiere.

Regardless of how a lot time passes, “The Simpsons” stays a sitcom. It is also a collection the place actual change is not possible, glad endings are fleeting, and penalties by no means final as a result of there all the time needs to be extra of the collection. The characters stay static, whilst time passes round them, which means the previous can’t be introduced again. Bart continues to be 10 years previous, even when meaning he was now not born in 1979 however relatively in 2014 and even when Maggie is now a post-lockdown child. Certain, there have been marriages, infants born, and deaths, however these are very hardly ever (if ever) talked about once more after the actual fact. In any other case, it could imply that point actually has handed and that point by no means passes in Springfield.

Besides that is finally what occurred in “O C’mon All Ye Trustworthy,” the brand new Disney+ Christmas particular that celebrates the collection’ thirty fifth anniversary. In it, British mentalist Darren Brown involves Springfield to attempt to improve the city’s vacation spirit with intelligent psychological magic tips. Within the course of, he by accident makes Homer imagine he’s Santa Claus (which ends up in a hilarious joke about the Grinch which had, admittedly, already been made on “Family Guy”), and in addition makes Ned Flanders lose his religion in God.

This isn’t only a spontaneous disaster of religion provoked by a Brit; relatively, it is the fruits of, as Ned places it, “issues transferring in my noodles,” like the truth that God took him not one, however two wives. That is proper, “The Simpsons” lastly made a reference to Edna Krabappel and Maude Flanders, and it resulted in essentially the most emotionally highly effective Flemish episode in practically 30 years.

Ned Flanders has had crises of religion earlier than, most notably within the 1996 episode “Hurricaine Neddy”. On this episode, a hurricane solely destroys Flanders’ home, inflicting him to lose his religion in God and launch right into a livid, foul-mouthed tirade of profanity (properly, by Ned’s requirements anyway). It is a implausible episode, and one that does not want a follow-up or remake, which is what makes the strategy taken in “O C’mon All Ye Trustworthy” so efficient.

As a result of it is not simply that Flanders is in a disaster of religion or that it’s going towards its picture by hurling insults at folks. What makes this explicit disaster highly effective is how emotionally vivid it’s. Harry Shearer delivers his finest vocal efficiency in years, making Flanders extremely susceptible in the best way he speaks to Marge in regards to the injustice of dropping Maude and Edna, regardless of not solely following the ten Commandments, however even proposed two further ones of his personal. There’s additionally the truth that Flanders doesn’t assault town; as a substitute, he falls right into a deep melancholy and replaces all spiritual photos in his home (together with taking a Bible out of his drugs cupboard and placing actual drugs in it).

“The Simpsons” is a hilarious, foolish and inventive collection, however it will also be very heartfelt and transferring. It is becoming {that a} celebration of the collection’ thirty fifth anniversary offers us not solely an important Homer Christmas story, but in addition one of the best Ned Flanders story in many years – when he already had a beloved non-canon episode parodying the great TV show “Fargo.”

“The Simpsons” is broadcast on Disney+.