One of the hallmarks of a lot of great fiction, no matter what the medium, is that it can provoke an emotional response. Even though you know it isn't real, you become invested in the story, empathise and sympathise with the characters, and feel happy, uplifted, angry, sad, triumphant, defeated, and so many other emotions along with them. At its best, The Simpsons has done that masterfully.
I posted some reflections on "The Front" in its old R&R thread earlier, specifically about the meanness of Dondelinger's actions. It got me thinking, what are some of the meanest moments in the history of the show, for better or worse? Some have been great for the story, while others have been handled poorly and been too mean-spirited for the characters to be sympathetic and the story enjoyable, A few examples that come to mind include...
Dondelinger's Revenge
The aforementioned example from "The Front". As I said, upon happening to catch this one today, the meanness and pettiness of Dondelinger really jumped out at me on this particular re-watch. There's really no reason to be going through the permanent records in the middle of a reunion, and it's clearly just done to spite and embarrass Homer. It's taken a step further by taking away Homer's awards, which were basically for fun anyway.
It's well done, though. It makes you feel for Homer, and get behind him as he's determined to finally graduate and earn his diploma. It's also amusingly absurd that they're taking awards like "Most Improved Odour" so seriously, to the point that they're taking them away from Homer just because he didn't technically graduate. It's satisfying to see him finally succeed, and it sets up a good joke to end the episode on with a flash forward. Jerk move though, Dondelinger. Jerk move.
Bart is Woodrow
With a little help from former President Woodrow Wilson and hockey legend Gordie Howe, Bart invents a persona called Woodrow and answers Mrs Krabappel's personal ad. After leading Edna on, he stands her up on a date, after which he finally feels guilty about what he's done. Rightfully so as it's one of his cruellest pranks, and done pretty much just because Edna confiscated his yo-yo.
I think this story resonates even more these days than it did in the early 90s. With online dating losing its stigma and gaining popularity, a lot of people have been taken in by fake profiles, some created by scammers who have swindled them out of money, others by people simply pulling nasty pranks. What Bart does is terribly mean, but it's because he's too young and immature to think ahead and realise the impact of his prank, so he's not irredeemable. When he realises the consequences of his actions and that he's gone too far, he does feel bad, and finds a way to make amends. It's a mean and heartbreaking moment, though.
Homer Simpson in: Kidney Trouble
Of course, meanness doesn't always result in well-written conflict that makes for a good story. Sometimes, it results in an off-putting tale, with the characters veering into downright unlikeable territory. Such was the case with this infamous episode, wherein Homer runs out on Grampa twice, rather than donating one of his kidneys.
The focus of the vitriol towards this episode tends to be on that part of it - Homer running away and his shame - but to me, it's the setup which comes across as being a lot meaner. Putting aside the liberties the episode takes from a medical perspective (Grampa would have simply wet himself before his kidneys failed, let alone exploded), it all happens because Homer refuses to wait or pull over so that his father can use the bathroom; even when they're making great time, and just so that he can catch a TV show. You could chalk up running out on his father to fear and obviously he felt ashamed about it, but how they got in the first place was through the epitome of Jerkass Homer.
Milhouse's Friend Gets Jealous
Can't leave out this one from my favourite episode, "Bart's Friend Falls in Love". Bart's snitching to get Milhouse and Samantha in trouble and kept apart is not one of his finest moments to say the last. It's petty, mean, and he absolutely deserves to feel guilty.
I've always been able to sympathise with him though, because his jealousy is understandable. Milhouse also pushes his luck by asking if he can keep using Bart's treehouse, while also telling him he doesn't want to hang out with him as much. Bart crosses the line, but he's kind of pushed over it, too. It's not justified, but you can still feel for Bart and understand why he did what he did. The story stands as a good example of how meanness can come out of feeling very hurt. It doesn't make it right, but it's relatable, and you can see both sides.
What are some of the moments where you've been struck by the meanness of the story/characters, for better or worse?
I posted some reflections on "The Front" in its old R&R thread earlier, specifically about the meanness of Dondelinger's actions. It got me thinking, what are some of the meanest moments in the history of the show, for better or worse? Some have been great for the story, while others have been handled poorly and been too mean-spirited for the characters to be sympathetic and the story enjoyable, A few examples that come to mind include...
Dondelinger's Revenge
The aforementioned example from "The Front". As I said, upon happening to catch this one today, the meanness and pettiness of Dondelinger really jumped out at me on this particular re-watch. There's really no reason to be going through the permanent records in the middle of a reunion, and it's clearly just done to spite and embarrass Homer. It's taken a step further by taking away Homer's awards, which were basically for fun anyway.
It's well done, though. It makes you feel for Homer, and get behind him as he's determined to finally graduate and earn his diploma. It's also amusingly absurd that they're taking awards like "Most Improved Odour" so seriously, to the point that they're taking them away from Homer just because he didn't technically graduate. It's satisfying to see him finally succeed, and it sets up a good joke to end the episode on with a flash forward. Jerk move though, Dondelinger. Jerk move.
Bart is Woodrow
With a little help from former President Woodrow Wilson and hockey legend Gordie Howe, Bart invents a persona called Woodrow and answers Mrs Krabappel's personal ad. After leading Edna on, he stands her up on a date, after which he finally feels guilty about what he's done. Rightfully so as it's one of his cruellest pranks, and done pretty much just because Edna confiscated his yo-yo.
I think this story resonates even more these days than it did in the early 90s. With online dating losing its stigma and gaining popularity, a lot of people have been taken in by fake profiles, some created by scammers who have swindled them out of money, others by people simply pulling nasty pranks. What Bart does is terribly mean, but it's because he's too young and immature to think ahead and realise the impact of his prank, so he's not irredeemable. When he realises the consequences of his actions and that he's gone too far, he does feel bad, and finds a way to make amends. It's a mean and heartbreaking moment, though.
Homer Simpson in: Kidney Trouble
Of course, meanness doesn't always result in well-written conflict that makes for a good story. Sometimes, it results in an off-putting tale, with the characters veering into downright unlikeable territory. Such was the case with this infamous episode, wherein Homer runs out on Grampa twice, rather than donating one of his kidneys.
The focus of the vitriol towards this episode tends to be on that part of it - Homer running away and his shame - but to me, it's the setup which comes across as being a lot meaner. Putting aside the liberties the episode takes from a medical perspective (Grampa would have simply wet himself before his kidneys failed, let alone exploded), it all happens because Homer refuses to wait or pull over so that his father can use the bathroom; even when they're making great time, and just so that he can catch a TV show. You could chalk up running out on his father to fear and obviously he felt ashamed about it, but how they got in the first place was through the epitome of Jerkass Homer.
Milhouse's Friend Gets Jealous
Can't leave out this one from my favourite episode, "Bart's Friend Falls in Love". Bart's snitching to get Milhouse and Samantha in trouble and kept apart is not one of his finest moments to say the last. It's petty, mean, and he absolutely deserves to feel guilty.
I've always been able to sympathise with him though, because his jealousy is understandable. Milhouse also pushes his luck by asking if he can keep using Bart's treehouse, while also telling him he doesn't want to hang out with him as much. Bart crosses the line, but he's kind of pushed over it, too. It's not justified, but you can still feel for Bart and understand why he did what he did. The story stands as a good example of how meanness can come out of feeling very hurt. It doesn't make it right, but it's relatable, and you can see both sides.
What are some of the moments where you've been struck by the meanness of the story/characters, for better or worse?