A clip from the next episode of The Simpsons season 36 showcases Milhouse Van Houten in the final episode for voice actor Pamela Hayden. In the long-running animated series, Milhouse is Bart’s best friend, as well as his sidekick and accomplice in pranks. Milhouse is also in love with Lisa, with many episodes showing that the two will eventually get married in the future. Earlier this week, it was announced that Hayden (who also voices Jimbo Jones and Rod Flanders) is retiring from the show, and that Sunday’s episode will be her last.
In the clip that was released by Fox (via EW), Bart and Milhouse talk to each other through cans attached by string, which Milhouse is also using as a cup-and-ball toy. Bart tells Milhouse that he needs his help to dig up a “screaming woman” who is buried in the woods. However, Milhouse is unable to help him because he is staying at his grandmother’s house. An angry Bart then slams down his can, causing Milhouse to lose all his high scores in the cup-and-ball game he was playing. The clip can be found below:
What The Clip Means For The Simpsons
Pamela Hayden’s Last Episode Will Be Part Of The Fan-Favorite Treehouse of Horror Series
In the clip, Bart and Milhouse are dressed differently than normal, Bart’s room looks different, and they can’t rely on smartphones to communicate. That’s because next week’s episode will be this season’s second “Treehouse of Horror” installment. The upcoming episode, titled “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” will parody the work of author Ray Bradbury. While it is rare, The Simpsons has recently started having multiple “Treehouse of Horror” episodes in a season, including a parody of It in 2022 and a Thanksgiving-themed episode in 2019.
Even though Sunday’s episode will be significant for being another “Treehouse of Horror” and Hayden’s last episode, the clip shows that it won’t stop Milhouse from being as pathetic as viewers have come to expect. Throughout The Simpsons, Milhouse is often shown having bad luck, and having him lose the high scores in a game he was playing by himself is the latest example of it.
Our Take On The Clip Featuring Milhouse
The End Of An Era For The Simpsons
Although it has been confirmed that her characters will be recast, Hayden retiring from the show does mark the end of an era for The Simpsons. Throughout the show, Milhouse has been an important character for both Bart and Lisa. He’s also one of the most memorable residents of Springfield who isn’t a member of the Simpson family. The clip showcasing Milhouse’s friendship with Bart, as well as his reaction to losing his game, are reminders of why Milhouse is such a great character.
The “Treehouse of Horror” episodes are also generally considered one of the highlights of each season. Since Hayden’s last episode will be a “Treehouse of Horror,” that should help make it more memorable, and hopefully give the voice actor a well-deserved sendoff from The Simpsons.
Source: Fox (via EW)