The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes Focusing On Minor Characters
5. Much Apu About Nothing
In recent seasons, Apu has faded even more into the background. Maybe its because the show has run out of ideas for him after marrying him off and giving him octuplets. Maybe its because they realize he is sort of an Indian caricature, and one voiced by a white guy to boot. However, caricature or not, Much Apu About Nothing makes the Kwik-E-Mart proprietor the hero of the story. After Mayor Quimby decides to use immigrants as a scapegoat, which is fortunately a completely absurd notion in real life, folks like Apu, who are not in America legally, find themselves scorned and facing deportation. Fortunately, the Simpson family come to his aid to help him gain his citizenship before its too late. The opening of this episode, with bear panic and its satire of political overreaction, is tremendous. "Much Apu About Nothing" is the episode that really made a catchphrase out of "Won't somebody please think of the children!?" which makes it top notch in and of itself. Beyond that, though, we get a very funny, sharp episode that is even handed about immigration in America. Apu loves this country like Homer loves a cold beer on a hot Christmas morning. He deserved as much.
