The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes From Season 30 Onwards

2. Bart's Not Dead

Treehouse Of Horror XXXI
20th Century Studios

Season 30, Episode 1

The episode is based on God’s Not Dead, a heavy-handed Christian movie series that has suckered in many ‘90s kids due to them starring Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Melissa Joan Hart), Superman (Dean Caine), and Hercules (Kevin Sorbo).

Despite the title, the episode gives room for many of Springfield’s citizens to have gags, particularly in the opening scenes. Bart is shunned, by kids and adults alike, for refusing a dare to ruin Lisa’s saxophone performance. A situation Homer describes as “worse than wetting your pants while on Santa’s lap, and I’ve been on both sides of that one”.

To wash off the shame, he jumps into the reservoir from Dead Boy’s Ledge, falling short, and winding up in a coma. Bart pretends to have been in heaven to avoid Marge’s nagging and disappointment. Homer, assisted by Ned Flanders, turns Bart’s bizarre off-the cuff-claims into a movie.

The episode is peppered with movie industry gags, although if these go over viewers’ heads, there are still plenty of laughs to be found. Emily Deschanel (playing “Movie” Lisa) and Gal Gadot (playing “Movie” Marge) are given brief cameos loaded with humour.

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