The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes From Season 30 Onwards

5. Bart the Bad Guy

Treehouse Of Horror XXXI
20th Century Studios

Season 31, Episode 14

Spoilers are a minor inconvenience that have become a scourge in modern society. They hurt the spoilt only slightly less than a personal insult.

The episode opens with Avengers’ parody, The Vindicators: Crystal War. The Vindicators, including Magnesium Man and Airshot, battle to save the Marbel Cinematic Universe from the Doomsday App. The naming conventions lack any subtlety. However, the spoof has its moments and can be built upon as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues its seemingly unstoppable expansion.

Bart inadvertently injures Milhouse and steals his hospital visit from alcoholic Airshot actor Glen Tangier. When an intoxicated Tangier reveals he carries a laptop featuring the sequel to show terminally ill children, Bart takes advantage of the actor’s drunken stupor. An old-school, oddball Simpsons episode setup.

Bart uses his sequel knowledge to blackmail the citizens of Springfield. He is profitable and gets toys, comics, and Skinner’s toupee. However, he morphs into a supervillain fit for The Vindicators to oppose. The episode’s creative team find a fresh way of exploring Bart’s questionable actions, impulsivity, and inner sense of right.

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An English Lit. MA Grad trying to validate my student debt by writing literary fiction and alternative non-fiction.