The Simpsons Season 28: 7 Things It's Got Right (So Far)
3. A New Christmas Special
A little disclaimer to start:
The Nightmare After Krustmas is not an instant classic.
That said, it doesn't need to be. The original Simpsons Christmas special, and first episode of the show, Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, hasn't aged particularly well. It's a fun episode and great to go back and watch to remember the show's starting point (discounting the Tracey Ullman shorts) but it's not an episode you're likely to sit down and watch year after year come the holidays.
Skinner's Sense of Snow, now fondly remembered for lines like "Nibbles, chew through my ball sack!" wasn't an instant classic either. It was derided for its nonsensical ending (a hallucination of hybrid camel-Lisa), and had the misfortune of coming out during season twelve, when most felt the show had started to go down hill.
That said, some episodes age better than others, and after repeat viewings,
The Nightmare After Krustmas is likely to hold up. Why? A story that matters. The Nightmare After Krustmas brings back a couple of Krusty's family members (namely his daughter, and father (in spirit form), voiced once again by Jackie Mason), makes Krusty question his faith, and neatly avoids being too stereotypical in doing so.
The subplot of a Christmas elf toy that terrifies Maggie is also reminiscent of the Happy Little Elves, and good for a few laughs also.