Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Simpsons season 36, episode 17, “Full Heart, Empty Pool”
AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 36, episode 17 is a solid, fun outing, the episode does make one major inconsistency from the series particularly obvious. SinceThe Simpsonsis officially the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history, it is fair to say that few viewers are still expecting the cartoon to be bulletproof in terms of canon consistency. Executive producer Matt Selman even said in anXpost thatThe Simpsonshas “Elastic canon,” and the show’s character details, setting, backstories, and continuity changed with every episode.
Despite this,The Simpsonsstill hints at its canonrelatively regularly.The Simpsonsmocked its reliance on status quoas far back as season 14, episode 3, “Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade,” while a supporting character explicitly noted that one outing’s plot was shamelessly repetitive even earlier in season 11, episode 13, “Saddlesore Galactica.” AlthoughThe Simpsonsseason 37might change this trend, for decades, the show has alluded to earlier episodes and storylines. This makes one season 36 plot utterly inscrutable.
Homer Worries He Has No Legacy In The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 17
The Town of Springfield Sees Nothing Memorable About Homer’s Life
As season 36, episode 17, “Full Heart, Empty Pool,” begins, Homer is in the midst of suing a hardware store for renting him a backhoe. He caused major damage by trying to build a pool with no prior training, but Homer argues that this is really the hardware store’s fault for loaning him the equipment when he is clearly nothing more than a buffoon. After this legal gambit pays off, Marge points out to Homer that he has just ensured no one will ever see him as more than a fool in the future.
A dream inspired by Lisa’s Sunday evening viewing prompts Homer to fear that he will never secure a legacy while everyone else in Springfield has some accomplishments to pride themselves on.
This storyline is a cute plot shared by Grampa and Homer, but I couldn’t get past the initial setup ofseason 36, episode 17. Unless everyone in Springfield has major issues with their long-term memories, how on Earth could Homer fear that he doesn’t have a meaningful legacy? Homer Simpson has lived arguably the most dramatic and surreal existence in all of comic fiction, and certainly the most eventful life in Springfield’s entire history. His achievements and failures are legendary, massive in scope, and far-reaching in their impacts on the town and the wider world.
The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 17’s Story Hinges On Homer’s Legacy
Homer Only Sells Out Grampa To Solidify His Future Legacy
Crucially, Homer’s fears about legacy aren’t merely the interchangeable setup for a bigger storyline in “Full Heart, Empty Pool.”It is not uncommon forThe Simpsonsto devote the seven-minute Act 1 of a given episode to a silly subplot, only for the rest of the episode to center on a more substantial story. Season 12, episode 2, “A Tale of Two Springfields” devoted a chunk of screen time to a badger invasion in the Simpson family’s garden, but the episode was really about Springfield’s new area codes dividing the town.
Homer’s imagined legacy hangs heavy over the events of the entire episode, but the reality is that this makes no sense since he already has a huge legacy.
However, that is not the case in “Full Heart, Empty Pool.” Homer’s struggle with his perceived legacy is the entire reason he sells out Grampa at the episode’s ending, and deciding to prioritize family over legacy is the only reason he changes his mind. Homer’s imagined legacy hangs heavy over the events of the entire episode, but the reality is that this makes no sense since he already has a huge legacy.
Homer Obviously Has A Huge Legacy In Springfield And Beyond
Homer’s Adventures Are The Stuff Of Legend
A quick glance atthe history ofThe Simpsonsproves that Homer’s legacy truly cannot be questioned. Over the decades, Homer has gone to space, ended prohibition in Springfield, bowled a perfect game, won a Pulitzer Prize, became the masked vigilante superhero Pie-Man, invented a hybrid plant, succeeded as an unlikely outsider artist, climbed the Murderhorn, saved the town from a runaway monorail, and won a Grammy.
Homer both destroyed the glass dome that encased the town and was responsible for the dome being installed in the first place.
He saved the town from nuclear annihilation three separate times decades apart, twice at the power plant and then once at the hands ofThe Simpsons Movie’s villain. On that note, he both destroyed the glass dome that encased the town and was responsible for the dome being installed in the first place. As this last note implies,Homer’s legacy is arguably as embarrassing as it is impressive,depending on which achievements viewers find noble and which they find questionable. However, what is beyond doubt is the fact that Homer clearly has a huge legacy to contend with, not any lack of notable achievements to his name.
Homer’s The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 17 Plot Highlights A Series Mystery
The Town Of Springfield Sometimes Remember Earlier Episodes And Sometimes Don’t
What makes Homer’s problem in “Full Heart, Empty Pool” even more interesting is the fact thatthis isn’t the first timeThe Simpsonshas struggled with this inconsistency. In season 23, episode 14, “At Long Last Leave,” the 500th episode of the show saw the town of Springfield exile the Simpson family. The townspeople claimed Homer’s antics were reason enough to kick him out of town.
In contrast, in “Full Heart, Empty Pool,” they seemingly don’t remember anything he’s done. Admittedly, one episode ofThe Simpsonsseason 36ends with Bart and Lisa destroying the worldby accident. As such, I can acknowledge that careful consistency might be too much to demand from a show as self-consciously absurd as this one.
The idea that one of television’s most storied characters would be worried about his lack of a legacy really is a stretch.
However, of all the issues Homer Simpson could struggle with in a given outing, the idea that one of television’s most storied characters would be worried about his lack of a legacy really is a stretch. “Full Heart, Empty Pool” remained a fun, inventive outing, and one of season 36’s stronger episodes. That said, if Homer Simpson doesn’t feel like he has a legacy inThe Simpsons, there may be no hope for the rest of us.
