As a fan who’s grown up with The Simpsons since its debut, I must say that “Thanksgiving of Horror” is undoubtedly my top pick among the series’ Thanksgiving specials. This episode, much like the family it depicts, manages to be both heartwarming and hilarious at the same time.
The Simpsons is an iconic TV series that’s been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years. It has significantly contributed to the development of adult cartoons by providing a sharp satire of American society, with this being particularly evident in its holiday specials which humorously scrutinize aspects like commercialism and family values.
It might come as a shock that The Simpsons doesn’t feature a large number of Thanksgiving specials. Nevertheless, some episodes do touch upon the celebration in passing. For instance, “The Telltale Bart” acknowledges the holiday, while “Holidays of Future Passed” and “‘Tis the 30th Season” both open with a Thanksgiving dinner scene. However, the former episode only includes a casual mention, whereas the latter two can be more accurately categorized as Simpsons Christmas specials. On the other hand, this list focuses on episodes that either have multiple Thanksgiving scenes or one significant scene where Thanksgiving plays a pivotal role.
7 “Mayflower Madman” From “The Wettest Stories Ever Told”
Season 17, Episode 18
In this rendition, while waiting for their meal at a restaurant, the Simpsons concoct tales to fill the gap. Lisa initiates, narrating the Pilgrims’ journey aboard the Mayflower to America. Here, Homer is pursuing Marge, yet Moe harbors secret affection for her too. Envious, Moe deceives Homer into getting inebriated and wreaking havoc during a tempest at sea. However, when it’s uncovered that Homer is the only one capable of steering the ship (and he performs even better under the influence), he’s entrusted with the helm and successfully navigates them through the stormy waters.
In this rendition, the Pilgrims swiftly reach New England shores where they hold the initial Thanksgiving feast. Later on, Flanders (referring to them in this case) acknowledges the kindness shown by the Wampanoag people and expresses sorrow for the hardships that will befall them in the future.
Watered Down Episode
The “Mayflower Madman” narrative primarily focuses on the journey to America rather than the first Thanksgiving itself. It’s one of three smaller stories within the larger episode titled “The Wettest Stories Ever Told,” which means it doesn’t have much time for development. Furthermore, compared to the other storylines, this one is less humorous and the humor derived from Puritan culture can become repetitive. While you might find it worth watching on Thanksgiving, it only barely makes our list of recommended episodes.
6 “Homer vs. Dignity”
Season 12, Episode 5
As a die-hard Simpsons fan, I’m recounting an episode where my family was out for dinner celebrating my first ‘A’, achieved by committing the planets to memory. Meanwhile, in school, Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were caught sharing a secret smooch in class!
Following an incident with the panda costume, Lisa advises him to halt his actions, and Homer chooses to use Burns’s funds to buy toys for underprivileged children instead. He purchases every toy in the store, prompting Mr. Costington, the shop owner, to propose that he take on the role of Santa Claus in the Thanksgiving parade. After agreeing, Burns sees this as an opportunity for a larger practical joke, but luckily, Homer concludes that Burns’s money isn’t worth compromising his dignity.
An Undignified Reception
This episode, titled “The Wettest Stories Ever Told,” doesn’t rank very high on our list as it only provides a brief exploration of Thanksgiving. While the parade and occasional decorations are included, they don’t significantly contribute to the main plot. Moreover, “Homer Vs. Dignity” is a contentious episode of The Simpsons, primarily due to the controversial panda scene. In essence, it’s not a particularly good Thanksgiving episode, or even a particularly strong one overall.
5 “Homer the Moe”
Season 13, Episode 3
If Moe grows tired of bartending, an old professor advises him to makeover his tavern instead. After contracting a construction firm, Moe’s Tavern undergoes a transformation, rendering it nearly unrecognizable. The upscale version of the bar doesn’t resonate with Homer and his companions, so he chooses to establish his own watering hole in his garage.
As I uncover the truth, I approach Homer to let him know that his so-called “club” is actually an illegal establishment. However, Homer contests this, claiming it’s not a bar but a hunting club that serves alcohol instead. Moe counters by stating that a legitimate hunting club must participate in regular hunts, and to my dismay and Moe’s consternation, Homer casually mentions his intention to hunt a turkey the next day. In the climax of this tale, Moe prevents Homer from carrying out the hunt, restores the “club” to its original state, and we all gather around for a Thanksgiving dinner with R.E.M., the band, in attendance.
Mo(r)e Thanksgiving, But Not Enough
It seems that in many episodes of The Simpsons during Thanksgiving, there’s a clear trend of only casually mentioning the holiday. This particular episode does a better job than the first two, but it still barely acknowledges the holiday. To put it another way, this episode is typical of most Simpsons episodes, offering some humorous moments, but its plot lacks cohesion and seems to wander aimlessly at times.
4 “The Fall of the House of Monty” From “Treehouse of Horror XXXV”
Season 36, Episode 5
In a town reminiscent of Victorian-era Springfield, the wealthy industrialist Mr. Burns runs a corn syrup manufacturing facility. Inviting his workers to a Thanksgiving banquet, he promises them unlimited food if they can outdo each other in a wishbone contest. However, when they manage to win, Mr. Burns reneges on his promise and sabotages the feast. Tragically, all of his employees later perish when a flood of burning corn syrup overwhelms the factory.
As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: My own staff, starved for acknowledgment and fair treatment, start to torment me in spirit form. Unable to bear their relentless haunting and protect my inner peace, I choose the grim end of suicide, only to find myself in the depths of Hell.
Toward the conclusion of the episode, Smithers and Sideshow Mel inspect Burns’s remains. Subsequently, they declare that from now on, the day will be referred to as Black Friday, serving as a cautionary tale against maltreating employees.
Thankful for the Scares
In contrast to “The Telltale Bart,” this episode centers around a chilling and humorous Thanksgiving theme, similar to “Mayflower Madman.” Since it shares its duration with two other tales, it doesn’t have as much time for development like regular episodes. Nevertheless, within the given timeframe, it effectively delivers thrills, chuckles, and a unique perspective on Thanksgiving folklore.
3 “It’s a Blunderful Life”
Season 35, Episode 7
In an upcoming episode of the Simpsons, they gather for Thanksgiving dinner. During mealtime, Lisa shares a tale about a town-wide blackout that came close to ruining their home. She reminisces on how Mr. Burns’ actions led to a nuclear plant meltdown, which the town mistakenly pinned on Homer. This enrages the residents, who threaten to move the Simpsons’ house to a distant cliff. Meanwhile, Marge grapples with whether or not to trust and stand by her husband (who is known for his fibbing).
Over time, Marge comes to accept that Homer was truthful about a different matter – instead of consuming their Thanksgiving turkey, he had preserved it by burying it in snow for freshness. As a result, she chooses to trust him regarding the power outage. The family then collectively conclude that Mr. Burns must be responsible for the recent events, so they challenge him and he’s taken into custody. However, these occurrences remind the town of several careless actions by Homer, leading Marge to extend an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner as a gesture of apology, on the condition that everyone assists in moving their house back.
It’s a Wonderful Episode
All in all, this installment is a delightful blend of Thanksgiving warmth and classic wit from the world of “The Simpsons.” To be fair, it’s somewhat implausible that Marge would trust Homer about the power outage just because he was truthful regarding the turkey. Furthermore, there are hints that this scenario is reminiscent of past episodes in the “The Simpsons” series. Nevertheless, the way this episode recalls elements from “The Simpsons Movie,” almost as if setting up a continuation, adds an interesting twist to the storyline.
2 “Bart vs. Thanksgiving”
Season 2, Episode 7
Following the destruction of Lisa’s Thanksgiving display and learning that he spoiled the holiday, Bart decides to flee home. Two vagabonds encounter him and provide him with sustenance; this leads to his appearance on the news. Meanwhile, back at home, the family watches the news report in dismay and initiate a search for him. At the same time, Bart starts to comprehend that he has a comfortable life with his kin and yearns to return, but hesitates because he fears they won’t forgive his transgression.
As he’s on the verge of departing once more, he catches Lisa sobbing. Up on the roof, they engage in a deep conversation where Lisa questions his behavior, to which he responds honestly that he doesn’t understand himself. She then urges him to locate the part within him that he regrets having, the part that understands he upsets Lisa. Upon reflection, Bart acknowledges her wisdom and apologizes, and the duo make amends. Meanwhile, Homer, eavesdropping, informs Marge that they’re excellent parents.
A Thanksgiving Centerpiece
The message is a little complicated in that Bart admits he’s going to continue his misdeeds. However, the moment on the roof is genuinely heartwarming, and the episode as a whole gives insight into Bart’s character, showing that he doesn’t always mean to hurt others. It’s also fun seeing the general dysfunction of the larger Simpsons family, followed by the sweetness of the main characters coming together for make-up Thanksgiving sandwiches.
Kicking off the initial Thanksgiving specials from “The Simpsons”, this particular episode nearly made it to the top of our list, yet fell slightly short.
1 “Thanksgiving of Horror”
Season 31, Episode 8
Initially, this three-episode series appears to be more in line with a Halloween special titled “Treehouse of Horror“, rather than one focusing on Thanksgiving. However, it skillfully uses imagination, gruesome scenes, and wit to portray the darker aspects of the holiday.
The first short, “A-Gobble-Ypto,” parodies Apocalypto and shows how terrifying Thanksgiving must be from a turkey’s perspective. The next short, “The Fourth Thursday After Tomorrow,” plays on several Black Mirror episodes and focuses on an AI version of Marge who must prepare Thanksgiving dinner and prevent real-Marge from deleting her. The final short, “The Last Thanksgiving,” parodies several movies, including The Blob, and features a sentient cranberry sauce monster attacking the characters in space. The longest episode in the series yet, these three shorts leave viewers with a lot to think about, as well as great rewatch potential.
Three Times the Holiday Cheer (and Criticism)
It might seem unusual for a terrifying episode to take the number one position, but it’s clear that “Thanksgiving of Horror” deserves this spot. Among the finest modern episodes of The Simpsons, it nails everything perfectly – from its references, jokes, and overall tone. Furthermore, in other episodes, The Simpsons subtly pointed out some scary aspects of Thanksgiving by emphasizing the mistreatment of Native Americans, both historically and currently, as well as the plight of homeless people who are ignored while others feast. Here, this criticism is more direct and impactful.
Fundamentally, Thanksgiving is intended to foster unity among friends and relatives through expressions of gratitude. However, if examined closely, the holiday can be as unsettling as it is comforting, or even more so. In typical fashion, The Simpsons has never avoided expressing its political and cultural viewpoints, and this is particularly evident in its Thanksgiving episodes, where humor and reminders that not everyone experiences Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude coexist beautifully.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-23 23:42