The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 18: «Stranger Things» Spoilers Alert
WARNING: Spoilers of The Simpsons Season 36, episode 18, «Stranger Things». After decades of The Simpsons exploring numerous stories, season 36 managed to delve into Marge’s character from a fresh perspective in one of its most memorable episodes. The season finale is an episode filled with time jumps, a concept that has been explored throughout the franchise’s history, focusing on how the relationship between Bart and Lisa evolves in the future. This innovative idea could pave the way for exciting developments in The Simpsons Season 37.
Marge Takes Center Stage
When fans debate the golden era of The Simpsons, specific episodes from seasons 1 to 14 often come up. These early seasons gave us iconic jokes and stories, some more memorable than others. However, the portrayal of Marge in the season 36 finale feels refreshingly out of place, making it surprisingly effective.
Bart and Lisa’s Future
Season 36 of The Simpsons delves into secondary characters to keep the show’s narrative fresh. Nonetheless, the season finale stands out as one of the strongest episodes by focusing on the central family dynamics. The episode explores how Bart and Lisa drift apart in the future, centering on their estrangement after abandoning watching Itchy and Scratchy together.
Marge’s Stance on Cartoon Violence
In a surprising twist reminiscent of the best modern The Simpsons episodes, Marge inadvertently disrupts her children’s enjoyment of cartoon violence. After indulging Maggie with an excessive amount of Itchy and Scratchy merchandise, Marge is dismayed when Bart and Lisa forsake watching TV together, deeming the show «for babies.» She views the characters not as violent influences but as a source of shared joy among her children, a sentiment many parents can relate to.
Marge’s Activism Against Violence
Marge’s perspective on cartoon violence has evolved since The Simpsons Season 2, Episode 9, «Itchy & Scratchy & Marge.» In this episode, Marge leads a protest against the violent content of the show, successfully altering its format to a dull version that drives children outdoors. This transformation underscores Marge’s complex relationship with cartoon violence over the series’ history.
