10 Serious Moments From Sitcoms
7. The Simpsons - And Maggie Makes Three
Years and years ago, before The Simpsons was this monumental, never-ending force that might just outlive us all, it was simply the best comedy show on television. As little as the shows characters have progressed (admittedly not every show needs this, with South Park adopting a similar strategy) the antics of Homer and his family always made us laugh. The rebellious Bart, straight-A Lisa and grounded Marge form a brilliant circle to surround the madcap adventures of fan favourite Homer. But what about the smallest Simpson? Maggie barely has any lines in the over-twenty year history of the show, so how do we spotlight her when the inevitable flashback episode rolls around in the form of And Maggie Makes Three?
In heartbreaking fashion, it would seem. When Bart and Lisa ask why Maggie isnt in the family photo album, we flashback to Homer and Marge safely and happily raising two kids. Homer has paid off his debts and quits his job at the nuclear power plant to have his dream job working in a bowling alley. It isnt much, but Homer relishes it. So what happened? How did the perfect family dissolve into the worlds favourite dysfunctional one? Maggie was born.
Once Maggie comes along, Homer cant support a family with three kids. Hes forced to quit the bowling alley and go back to his old job at the power plant, where Mr. Burns forces him to crawl through a cat flap and places a large plaque in front of his work place reading Dont forget: youre here forever. Its a tremendously sad moment where, for all intents and purposes, Homers life has been ruined. Is this why Maggie isnt in the photo album? No. Its because all of Maggies pictures are at Homers workplace, blocking out sections of the plaque to now read Do it for her.