LogFAQs > #928779865

76. Halloween of Horror (13 points)
Nominated by: Xeybozn (4/5 remaining)
https://www.simpsonsworld.com/video/770425923947

Importance: 3.5
Fear: 2.5
Snake: 7

It only took The Simpsons 27 seasons to do a Halloween episode outside of the typical Treehouse of Horror format. Not that I think it ever needed to, but still, it's a welcome addition to the show and a strong episode despite The Simpsons not being what it used to be. It's as scary as a Simpsons episode needs to be, acutely focusing on Lisa, specifically her facing her childhood trauma and fears, letting go of the past, and even facing the truth that parents aren't always the brave figures they can pretend to be. The three main antagonists, employees Homer gets fired from Apu's Halloween pop-up shop, are purposely shallow but act as appropriate conduits for developing Lisa's character and for lampooning traditional slasher tropes. I especially loved the gag of the blood writing on the walls, and both Homer and Lisa whistling the Halloween theme.

A b-plot involving Bart and Marge trying to have Halloween away from home is a little weaker, but there's still some emotion to it. As someone who misses trick-r-treating, that pain of Bart narrowly missing his window of oppurtunity hit close to home. However, it's followed-up with a painful parody of Rocky Horror's Time Warp, which isn't funny in the slightest. All's well that ends well though; I like the idea of using a combination of holidays the win the day, and seeing Lisa let go of Taily and conquer her fears is just universally inspiring. If you squint hard enough, you might see some commentary on over commercialization of holidays here, but the main ideas of facing your up to your fears as both a child and an adult come through strong and it's something I always love seeing, boiling down to what I love about the horror genre the most.
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I've decided to put my fears behind me. I'm not going back.
https://i.imgtc.ws/2Q88rI4.gif - https://i.gifer.com/E07R.gif