The Simpsons Season 35 Episode 7, titled ‘It’s a Blunderful Life, surprised fans by breaking one of the show’s oldest unwritten rules. This Thanksgiving special earned praise as the best holiday episode in years. The decision to tackle the show's tangled continuity was what made it unique.The episode used future scenes where characters looked back on past events and growth. This bold move challenged the series’ famous elastic canon, which allows stories to change without warning. The show defied its own tradition by giving historical events significance.Viewers welcomed the risk and enjoyed seeing continuity play a role in the story. The episode proved that breaking rules can sometimes create the most powerful television moments.Read more about the controversial rule-breaking of The Simpsons.Acknowledging the Elastic Canon View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe Simpsons has always used the concept of elastic canon, allowing the series to adjust story specifics as needed. Showrunner Matt Selman explained that this flexible approach is important because the characters never grow older. ‘It's a Blunderful Life’ broke with convention by publicly acknowledging prior incidents.In the story, Lisa shares the future with her children, and the blackout incident is treated as something that truly matters. Normally, the show disregards or rewrites history without hesitation. This time, the characters remembered the past with real emotion. The episode showed that adopting continuity can strengthen the storytelling and give the series a new dimension.The Blackout story & character development in The Simpsons View this post on Instagram Instagram Post‘It’s a Blunderful Life’ places Homer at the center of a town-wide crisis when he is blamed for a massive blackout. For once, The Simpsons allowed the fallout to carry real weight. Homer struggled to prove his innocence while Marge’s doubts added emotional tension that shaped the story. Unlike the customary reset at the end of an episode, this blackout had a long-lasting impact.The family continued to light candles in memory of the event, showing a strong sense of continuity. The truth was revealed, making Mr. Burns the real offender, and Homer’s name was cleared. Then Margaret made a feast for the town and transformed forgiveness into festivities. The episode proved that lasting consequences can deepen storytelling.Why does breaking rules make for better television? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe Simpsons has never prioritized conservatism over creativity, although this episode from Season 35 showed that breaking tradition can be a rewarding experience.The story of Thanksgiving in 'It's a Blunderful Life' turned emotional because it recognized the past. This choice gave the characters real stakes and made the audience care more deeply. Fans and critics alike praised the episode for its unique take on the genre. One IMDb user said,“Genuinely great! The joke pace was reminiscent of the classic era. It was one after the other, and 90% of them were great.”Typically, the show incurs no repercussions and regenerates character development, but on this occasion, it gave rise to continuity. Follow Soap Central for more entertaining updates!