I think Homer just got his best legal defense ever in The Simpsons' 36th season

Even if I have enjoyed The Simpsons over the years, from its prime to its uneven later years, I’ve enjoyed watching Homer Simpson figuratively and literally (yes, explism) blow everything up without suffering consequences.

Season 36, episode 17, titled “Full Heart, Empty Pool,” came as a surprise to me when the writers gave Homer a legal loophole that is so outrageous his unexplainable escapes make sense for once

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The buffoon defense

The premise is vintage Homer: He resolves to build a swimming pool on his own, which, of course, results in catastrophe. Not only does he demolish his backyard, but he also manages to ruin Springfield’s underground sewer, water, and power lines. At this point, he should be either mobbed by a furious crowd or, for some reason, inexplicably forgiven, but this episode puts a twist on the narrative.

Instead of running or apologizing first, Homer opts to sue the rental equipment store, Builder’s Barn, for renting out dangerous construction tools to him in the first place. And his reasoning? Obviously, he cannot be trusted with such intestines, and it is their negligence for not realizing that.

It is absurd. It is funny. And it works, surprisingly enough.

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Declared legally incompetent—by popular demand

This episode’s brilliance stems from Homer’s monologue and how it exploits Springfield’s city-wide disappointment to manipulate the town's collective grief against Homer. Homer’s lawyer rounds up townsfolk –friends and foes—along with his online persona, From the Bench 69, to prove just how stupid, reckless, and mind-bogglingly irresponsible he is. Their goal? To legally enshrine him a “buffoon,” which is exactly what occurs.

That very “gag” isn’t just a gag. They recalibrated a recurring feature of bickering into a narrative focal point. Homer, for example, uses over thirty-six seasons' worth of scorn from the town and turns the town’s mockery into a legal defense. And miraculously, he wins.

That’s correct: Homer, the man who single-handedly oversaw a power outage, submerged half the city, and left a tangled mess of urban conduits in his wake, doesn’t just escape, unscathed. He emerges, paradoxically, as the champion.

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A surprisingly smart move from Springfield's biggest fool

This idea is remarkable in a unique way. While The Simpsons has always thrived off reframing reality, this episode actually offers a reason within the show - why Homer never seems to suffer permanent repercussions. It’s no longer just cartoon logic—it’s a reason.

The show still maintains its emotional impact, and that is even better. After the court riot, Homer is genuinely downcast about how the townspeople perceive him until he has a nice moment with Grampa, followed by "Noodle Ball," bringing him back to heartwarming territory. It’s a harmony that the show does not seem to achieve as often nowadays, and yet it really works here.

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What this could mean going forward

With Homer now having the legal designation of an idiot, the show has ample opportunity to exploit this for humor or even as a narrative device. Does he need to avoid a lawsuit? He’s a legal imbecile. Did he need to destroy something and get away with it? The “buffoon clause” can take care of that too.

Comically and narratively, it is a step in the right direction. For Homer fans like me, it is another reason to chuckle while appreciating the show’s legacy.

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Final thoughts

The Simpsons episode Full Heart, Empty Pool implements another outrageous excuse for Homer’s mindless antics, even though the show has been running for 36 seasons. It is a funny and contradictory episode where one of Homer’s flaws is turned into a strength. And you know what? I think that is the best reason I’ve ever heard to give him.

Let the next lawsuit come through. Homer is prepared.