The Simpsons Season 35 Reveals the Shocking Truth Behind a Long-Kept Mystery

Summary

The Simpsons season 35 episode 2 addressed the confusion around the age of the characters, hinting that they might start aging.

In the episode titled "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream," Bart's transition into adolescence is explored, hinting at the potential for the show to evolve its ensemble. Despite its typical gimmicks and Halloween-themed episodes, The Simpsons demonstrates its ability to effectively portray genuine family narratives by addressing the inevitable growth of children.

The second episode of The Simpsons Season 35 finally tackled the issue of the show's "Elastic canon," where character details like backstory, age, country of origin, or name can change unexpectedly for comedic effect. This narrative style can be confusing for viewers trying to make sense of the show's universe. For instance, previous episodes have shown Marge and Homer attending high school in both the 1970s and the late 1990s. However, in Season 35's episode 2, titled "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream," Marge confronts her empty nest syndrome, shedding some light on the inconsistency in the family's timeline.

The Simpsons Addressed Bart’s Unchanging Age

During a meeting with Bart's parents, his teacher, Rayshelle Peyton, mentioned that he would be moving on to fifth grade. This news triggered an unusual drinking binge for Marge, followed by a spiral of anxiety about her son growing up. In the latest episode, it was revealed that Bart would age by a year in season 35, which raises the possibility of The Simpsons exploring canonical aging.

However, implementing this might pose a challenge as the show would need to establish the birthdates of its main characters to allow for their gradual aging. In season 34, The Simpsons playfully mocked this idea through a scene where Homer pondered whether he was born in the '60s or the '80s. Nevertheless, season 35 has already successfully revisited Homer's backstory, indicating that the show is ready to provide viewers with more solid and consistent details. While The Simpsons doesn't necessarily have to transition entirely to serialized storytelling, occasional birthday celebrations for the characters could be incorporated.

The Simpsons Season 35 May Change One Of Its Oldest Rules

It appears improbable that the characters of The Simpsons would begin to undergo the aging process after being in stasis for so many decades. Nevertheless, the episode "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream" demonstrates that it is indeed possible for the series to introduce the aspect of aging to its cast. This particular episode, which is among the show's most touching outings in recent years, revolved around Bart's progression into an older age, suggesting that The Simpsons may finally embrace the idea of its characters growing older. Despite the show's frequent ventures into the realm of fantasy and its numerous Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials, it shines brightest when it explores the simple stories of family life and addresses realities such as the growth of children.