Summary
The Simpsons season 35 trailer promises new adventures that will remind viewers of the show's glory days, but revisiting classic episodes can be risky.
In an upcoming episode, there will be a reversal of roles as Lisa takes on the task of eliminating Sideshow Bob instead of the typical scenario. This plot twist is expected to occur in a Halloween-themed episode.
While revisiting previous episodes can often lead to differing opinions among viewers, The Simpsons has effectively breathed new life into classic episodes in the past without tarnishing their original quality. Therefore, there is a possibility that the same success can be achieved with the episode "Cape Feare".
The upcoming season 35 of The Simpsons is poised to evoke nostalgia for the show's golden era, although this approach has had varying degrees of success in the past. During the 1990s, the series boasted immensely popular comedic writing that was highly acclaimed. However, this period of excellence known as the Golden Age of The Simpsons was bound to end, resulting in a decline in perceived quality and subsequent backlash.
Nevertheless, the first trailer for The Simpsons season 35 hints at a return to the show's glory days. It teases an array of new escapades for Springfield's beloved family, including a captivating and surreal story from Marge's perspective, as well as an episode that delves into the fan-favorite villain, Mr. Burns. However, there is an outing that brings The Simpsons back to its origins but may not be met with universal praise. In fact, this particular episode has the potential to be divisive among viewers.
The Simpsons Season 35 Flips A Famous Dynamic
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A moment in The Simpsons season 35 trailer seems to be directly lifted from a classic episode in the series, complete with 1990s animation. "Cape Feare," which is from season 5, episode 2, is a well-known parody of Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear, and it meticulously recreates the original film shot-for-shot. This episode showcases the relentless pursuit of Bart by the eloquent psychopath Sideshow Bob, who is bent on murdering his nemesis. However, the trailer suggests that there will be a role reversal in the new episode, with Lisa appearing to be preparing to kill Sideshow Bob instead of him targeting Bart.
It is highly likely that this scene will be part of a Halloween episode, as The Simpsons often deviates from its regular storytelling rules in these experimental annual installments. Even if it is not a Treehouse of Horror segment, the episode itself remains risky. The reason for The Simpsons' reluctance to celebrate major milestones is that the show cannot take itself too seriously without seeming self-important. Similarly, in season 35 of The Simpsons, the show cannot dwell too long on revisiting its best early episodes, as it would remind viewers of how long ago the Golden Age of the series was.
Why The Simpsons Revisiting Golden Age Episodes Is Risky
The contrast between the show's early episodes and recent ones highlights the decline in quality. Although The Simpsons is still decent, the current writing falls short of its prime. The show used to have groundbreaking and influential writing that shaped the adult animated comedy genre. However, that was a long time ago. Other shows like Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Bojack Horseman, Rick and Morty, and Big Mouth have taken over. Even the creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening, moved on to other projects, indicating the end of its innovative era. It is questionable whether revisiting old episodes is a wise move, as it may annoy fans who want to see new adventures. This could ultimately lead to failure, as it would be nearly impossible for a new episode to surpass a classic like "Cape Feare."
The Simpsons Successfully Revived Classic Episodes Before
That being said, The Simpsons has successfully revisited previous episodes without damaging its reputation. A significant twist in the plot occurred in season 28, episode 16, titled "Kamp Krustier," where the disastrous children's summer camp from the season 4 premiere was revitalized and reopened. This storyline was well-received. Additionally, in season 34, episode 9, titled "When Nelson Met Lisa," the show revisited the short-lived romance between Nelson and Lisa, which turned out to be similarly successful, taking place decades after it initially began.
Moreover, the "Simpsonsworld" segment from season 34, episode 6, titled "Treehouse Of Horror XXXIII," was a tremendous achievement. The episode cleverly incorporated moments from earlier episodes to playfully satirize the show's devoted fanbase. Although these episodes may not be considered classics, they effectively built upon the stories from the Golden Age of The Simpsons without tarnishing their predecessors. Therefore, despite the inherent risks involved, there is a possibility that in The Simpsons season 35, revisiting "Cape Feare" will not result in unfavorable comparisons to the original version.