The Simpsons Season 36 Continues The Surprising Transformation Of A 33-Year-Old Character Into A New Villain

Although The Simpsons season 36, episode 7 brought back a villain from a standout season 35 episode, it is not a supporting character that viewers are likely to expect. The Simpsons season 37’s renewal has not yet been announced, but things look good for the show’s future. From Vulture to YouTube, critics across the Internet have started to argue that the long-running series has been in something of a creative renaissance since season 33. Seasons 34 and 35 enjoyed substantially better reviews and fan reception than seasons 30-33, which were largely derided as the show’s new nadir online.

Since the downfall of The Simpsons began back as far as season 12, it is notable that so many viewers and reviewers alike are tuning in again. The Simpsons may not age, but the show inevitably has. As such, it is surprising and inspiring to see a series that has beaten numerous records due to its longevity feeling inventive and original again. Much of this comes down to experimental outings like The Simpsons season 36, episode 6, “Women in Shorts,” which told over a dozen female-centric short stories set in Springfield, and the following episode’s anthology plot.

Luann Van Houten Buried Kirk Alive In The Simpsons Season 36

Bart Saved Milhouse’s Father In A Ray Bradbury Parody

Season 36, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” is a tribute to the late great author Ray Bradbury, and the outing includes a trio of short stories that affectionately spoof Bradbury’s writing. Of all people, Luann Van Houten is the villain of the first story in The Simpsons episode. Bizarrely, this isn’t the first time that The Simpsons has utilized Milhouse’s mother as a surprise villain in an acclaimed outing since the show’s creative revival started. Luann was also the villain of season 35, episode 13, “Clan of the Cave Mom,” where she faced off against Marge.

While “Clan of the Cave Mom” used a different animation style to illustrate the inner workings of Marge’s mind, this first storyline in “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” transplanted Bart, Marge, and Homer to the ‘50s. Like many earlier Treehouse of Horror stories, the plot included a genuinely creepy premise. Bart heard a woman buried alive in the woods but couldn’t convince his parents to act. Eventually, he confided in Luann Van Houten, only for Milhouse’s mother to lull him into a nap by feeding him warm milk. Bart almost fell asleep before escaping.

Luann Was The Simpsons Season 35 Episode 13’s Main Villain

Marge Fought Milhouse’s Mother In “Clan of the Cave Mom”

Upon his return to the woods, Bart discovered that the screaming woman buried underground was really Kirk Van Houten. Luann had buried him alive after he accidentally revealed that she dyed her hair, an absurd twist that made this segment one of season 36’s less scary Treehouse of Horror stories. “Clan of the Cave Mom” ended less outlandishly, but the earlier episode did humanize Luann by revealing Marge was arguably overreacting in her fight with Milhouse’s mom. Thus, The Simpsons season 36 hasn’t quite made Milhouse’s mother a true villain yet, despite two episodes using her as their unlikely antagonist.

Source: Vulture

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