The Missed Bonding Opportunity
Grampa and Bart shared a great Golden Age adventure in The Simpsons, but Homer missed out on this bonding opportunity due to one throwaway joke. Throughout the 35 seasons of The Simpsons, Homer has spent a lot of screen time feuding and eventually working together with his irascible father, Grampa. Similarly, Bart and Homer have also shared plenty of storylines over the years, with one of their most heart-warming plots forming the through line of The Simpsons Movie. However, three generations of the Simpson family have rarely been involved in the same story.
An enraged Homer prepares to attack a worried Bart in the backyard in The Simpsons season 35 episode 10
While The Simpsons season 36 might change this, there are currently very few episodes that unite Homer, Bart, and Grampa as a unit. This is a shame, since their clashing personalities and unexpected similarities cause a lot of in-built conflicts that could make for great television. However, one classic episode from the show’s Golden Age did almost send the three Simpsons on an adventure together, and this plot ended up being Grampa and Bart’s best story. Despite this, it wouldn’t have worked if Homer joined them, meaning it was good that his involvement was written off in a throwaway joke.
Mr Burns and Grampa seen from behind in a rainy graveyard in The Simpsons
Homer's Missed Adventure with Bart and Grampa
In season 7, episode 22, 'Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish’,' Grampa and Bart battle Mr. Burns and retrieve the Hellfish bonanza from the ocean floor in a genuinely exciting adventure. This episode doubled as a rare chance for the unlikely duo to bond since, while The Simpsons never age, Bart rarely goes on solo adventures with his elderly Grampa in the seasons that followed. Homer could have joined Grampa and Bart on their best adventure if it weren’t for one (admittedly great gag), but him dropping out worked better.
When Homer heard that Bart and Grampa were looking for buried treasure, he immediately wanted to get involved. However, he just as quickly opted out of this story when Grampa warned him it would test his mettle, prompting a disinterested 'Pass' from Homer. It was a great character beat and on-brand for Homer, who would always rather take the easy way out than answer the call of adventure. Moreover, while Homer and Bart’s Simpsons relationship hasn’t always been steady, they have shared plenty of sweet scenes. As such, Homer dropping out of this storyline let Grampa bond with Bart.
Why Homer Opted Out of Bart and Grampa’s Adventure
Homer works for Burns so, while it would have been fun to see all three generations of the Simpsons working together, this conflict of interest would have ruined the storyline. While Homer has stood up to Burns in the past, he is understandably afraid of his immensely powerful, callous, and cruel boss, and he isn’t necessarily close enough to Grampa to take his side in their feud. In contrast, Bart had just discovered his grandfather’s war service and was impressed, so The Simpsons hero was ready to throw down against the richest man in town if it meant helping Grampa.
