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Treehouse of Horror XXXI is a sharp reminder that The Simpsons works best when a ridiculous idea is treated as a real emotional problem. First aired on 1 November 2020, it places Lisa and the Simpson family inside a story concerned with politics. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ A useful strength is the way the episode connects spider, don't and miss to the immediate concerns of Lisa

Now Museum, Now You Don't begins from a familiar Simpsons impulse: take a recognisable frustration, exaggerate it, and watch the family reveal itself. First aired on 11 October 2020, it places Homer and Marge inside a story concerned with school life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ The central setup links Homer and Marge with stays, home and school. It is a flexible idea, allowing t

I, Carumbus is a sharp reminder that The Simpsons works best when a ridiculous idea is treated as a real emotional problem. First aired on 4 October 2020, it places Homer and Marge inside a story concerned with work. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ Rather than relying on a long explanation, the episode builds its conflict through museum, exhibit and ancient. Homer and Marge give that

Undercover Burns begins from a familiar Simpsons impulse: take a recognisable frustration, exaggerate it, and watch the family reveal itself. First aired on 27 September 2020, it places Mr. Burns and Homer inside a story concerned with work. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ At the centre of the story are fred, nuclear and power, with Mr. Burns and Homer carrying most of the consequenc

The Way of the Dog begins from a familiar Simpsons impulse: take a recognisable frustration, exaggerate it, and watch the family reveal itself. First aired on 17 May 2020, it places Santa's Little Helper and Marge inside a story concerned with family life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ At the centre of the story are bites, family and explores, with Santa's Little Helper and Marge c

The strongest idea in The Hateful Eight Year Olds is not simply the plot itself, but the way Springfield encourages every bad decision around it. First aired on 10 May 2020, it places Homer and Marge inside a story concerned with money. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ The plot brings Homer and Marge into a situation shaped by friend, loves and horses. That combination gives the episo

Warrin' Priests Part Two has the comfortable rhythm of a family story that keeps finding stranger and more revealing places to go. First aired on 3 May 2020, it places Reverend Lovejoy and the Simpson family inside a story concerned with family life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ At the centre of the story are michigan, uncovers and reason, with Reverend Lovejoy and the Simpson fam

Warrin' Priests has the comfortable rhythm of a family story that keeps finding stranger and more revealing places to go. First aired on 26 April 2020, it places Reverend Lovejoy and the Simpson family inside a story concerned with faith. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ At the centre of the story are bode, young and charismatic, with Reverend Lovejoy and the Simpson family carrying m

There is an appealing directness to The Incredible Lightness of Being a Baby, an episode that knows what its central problem is and wastes little time setting it loose. First aired on 19 April 2020, it places Marge and the Simpson family inside a story concerned with family life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ The story uses cletus, helium and tycoon as more than decoration. They be

Highway to Well begins from a familiar Simpsons impulse: take a recognisable frustration, exaggerate it, and watch the family reveal itself. First aired on 22 March 2020, it places Homer and Marge inside a story concerned with work. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ The central setup links Homer and Marge with decides, dispensary and school. It is a flexible idea, allowing the story to

Better Off Ned feels less interested in a tidy lesson than in the uncomfortable choices its characters make while chasing one. First aired on 15 March 2020, it places Ned Flanders and Homer inside a story concerned with family life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ At the centre of the story are bonds, leaves and jealous, with Ned Flanders and Homer carrying most of the consequences.

What makes Screenless immediately inviting is the confidence with which it turns an ordinary Springfield worry into comic trouble. First aired on 8 March 2020, it places Marge and the Simpson family inside a story concerned with family life. The premise is easy to grasp, but the value comes from the reactions, hesitations and poor decisions that gather around it. ⁠ The plot brings Marge and the Simpson family into a situation shaped by implements, screen and limit. That combi