Review: The Simpsons “Manger Things”

 

 

Overview:

This flashback episode turns the clocks back to a special Christmas six-years-ago. After Homer gets drunk at the office holiday party, Marge is fed up and kicks him out of the house. Leaving the kids wondering where he is, and Homer left to find sanctuary. 

Thankfully, Homer has a welcoming neighbour in Ned, although Maude is not as friendly. Though with baby Todd Flanders on the way, Homer may be able to help her and get back in Marge’s good books.

 

Our Take:

The Simpsons continues its never-ending run by hitting the milestone 700th episode. 

There are no signs of this beloved series ending anytime soon either. Two more seasons have already been confirmed that will stretch The Simpsons through 750 original episodes. Beyond that, as long as the world doesn’t fall apart around them, 1000 no longer feels that far off.

I have been lucky enough to professionally review this series for several years now. And despite what other sites may have you believe; everyone doesn’t hate The Simpsons. Episodes like last week’s canon tampering “Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars” gain minor criticisms for altering the timeline. Hilariously enough, the episode itself was making light at the very trolls who would take offence at such a thing.

This new episode is guilty of the same sins of altering the timeline. The flashback to six years ago includes modern references to Wi-Fi and Tom Brady.

Only this time the show is not playing around. Likely why they released the previous episode ahead of this one, to burden much of the storm. 

Although it is time that Simpsons fans get used to the idea that each episode is free to explore the timeline as is necessary for each individual plot.  The Simpsons is not stuck to one year, decade, or generation, it is a new episode each week.

Reversely, this episode does manage to straighten out some other problem’s fans have found in the series. 

Specifically, why there are more windows on the outside of the Simpson’s iconic home than we have seen from the inside. This episode features a never-before-seen room revealed after 32 seasons of exploring this suburban house.

The milestone episode has plenty of bonuses for fans like that. We find out that Todd’s middle name is none other than Homer. We discover why the Simpson’s kitchen has such hideous corncob curtains. And as an added bonus, there is an Itchy and Scratchy segment – always a treat.

Kicking off the 700th episode is a special couch gag animation care of Bill Plympton. The same incredible artist who has delivered six unique Simpsons openers starting as far back as season 23 in 2012. Plympton is currently developing his own crowdfunded full-length animated feature, Slide.

Probably the strangest part of this episode is that it is themed around Christmas. The holiday theme is almost unnecessary as it doesn’t add much to the plot, other than raising the stakes of bringing the family back together. Or maybe the magic was there, and I missed it because the Christmas spirit left me a couple of months back.

It is always exciting when The Simpsons hits these milestone numbers. The series delivered a fun piece that explored their world and relationships a little closer. Although, it would sure be nice to see the franchise go all-out on one of these centennial episodes. We would love to see the record-setting show celebrate itself occasionally. We will just have to keep our fingers crossed for episode 750.