Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror Presents Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes”
AlthoughThe Simpsonshas mined thirty years of drama and comedy from one recurring feud, season 36 ended this storyline with a hilariously unexpected twist.The Simpsonsseason 37’s renewalmight not have been announced yet, but the show’s future still seems pretty positive. FromVulturetoYouTube, critics across the Internet have dubbedThe Simpsons“Good again” thanks to the uptick in writing quality found throughout seasons 34 and 35. WhileThe Simpsons’ worst changessaw the show’s decline begin as far back as season 11, seasons 34-36 have earned praise for their renowned focus on character.
The Simpsons Season 36’s Parody Of Margot Robbie’s Barbie Repeats An Annoying Problem
The Simpsons season 36 parodied Margot Robbie’s blockbuster Barbie, but the show’s spoof of the huge hit ran into an all too familiar problem.
This has been aided by a growing number of experimental episodes that try to do new things with the show’s familiar setup.The Simpsonsseason 36 episode 6, “Women in Shorts,” comprised thirteen interconnected short stories that highlighted supporting characters from Springfield who don’t usually get a share of the spotlight. While the episode functioned as a sequel of sorts to season 7, episode 21, “22 Short Films About Springfield,” “Women in Shorts” had enough originality to succeed as a standalone outing. The next episode, “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” continued this trend.
Skinner Killing Chalmers Paid Off A Golden Age Twist
Chalmers Fired Skinner In Season 5 Episode 19
“Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” was a tribute to the work of the late sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury, but the episode waited until its final segment to parody his most famous novel,Fahrenheit 451. The episode’s opening segment was a spoof of “The Screaming Woman,” a radio-play-turned-short-story. Bart played an unlikely hero in this ‘50s-set mystery tale, whileThe Simpsonsseason 36 made Luann Van Houtenthe villain of this outing. The next plot, a loose adaptation of “Marionettes, Inc,” succeeded by taking an existing storyline from earlier episodes of the show and making it sci-fi.
“Treehouse of Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” saw Chalmers purchase an identical robotic clone so he could avoid meetings with Skinner.
Skinner and Chalmers’ story worked thanks to their pre-existing feud, as their storyline from “Treehouse of Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” saw Chalmers purchase an identical robotic clone so he could avoid interminable meetings with Skinner. This was all well and good until Chalmers saw Skinner while the pair were meant to be in a meeting together and realized Skinner had done the same. Soon, the two clones were advocating for more liberal approaches to schooling, encouraging children to refer to their teachers by their first names. Naturally, the two educators felt they needed to intervene.
The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 7 Changed Skinner and Chalmers
The Episode Revealed Skinner Couldn’t Stand His Boss Either
Skinner and Chalmers attacked the robots but, in the ensuing melee, Skinner ended up holding a ray gun to two versions of Superintendent Chalmers without knowing which was his real boss. This sequence paid off thedynamic between Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmersthat was set up decades ago in season 5, episode 19, “Sweet Seymour Skinner’s Baadasssss Song.” Although the principal has always tried to please his boss, Skinner has always secretly hated Chalmers as much as Chalmers can’t stand himfor years.
This twist was revealed in “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” when Chalmers was shocked to discover Skinner avoiding their dreaded meetings just like him. In an ironic and surprisingly sweet turn of events, Skinner ended up shooting the wrong clone precisely because he and Chalmers struggled to see eye to eye. Faced with Chalmers and his clone, Skinner assumed the apologetic, understanding Chalmers was the clone and the impolite jerk was the real Chalmers. When he shot him, Chalmers forgave Skinner as he died and admitted that the pair probably could have been friends all along.
The Simpsons Ended Skinner and Chalmers’ Feud With A Classic Sci-fi Gag
Skinner Shot The Wrong Chalmers
What made the ending of this segment so fitting was thatSkinner and Chalmers have been stuck in the same power struggle for three decadesin a loop. Like many power dynamics inThe Simpsons, this storyline eventually became strange as the show’s longevity continued to grow.The Simpsons’ biggest plot holesare caused by the central family remaining the same age for decades, but this has a knock-on effect on the denizens of Springfield at large. As season 36, episode 1, “Bart’s Birthday,” proved, Springfield can’t change too much lest this alter the show’s status quo.
This episode’s non-canon status allowed the show to provide the characters with the catharsis and resolution thatThe Simpsonsusually refuses them
Thus, Barney always ends up becoming an alcoholic again, Smithers always remains a loyal manservant to Mr. Burns, and Skinner and Chalmers can’t make peace. This makes the segment all the more satisfying, as its non-canon status allowed the show to provide the characters with the catharsis and resolution thatThe Simpsonsusually refuses them. Although future episodes ofThe Simpsonswill likely see the duo revert to their old toxic ways, it is still fun to see a version of Chalmers and Skinner get along.
