The Simpsons season 36 finale turns its earlier spoof of a childhood classic into something heartbreaking

A creative satire of Pixar’s Toy Story 2 took an emotional turn in its “Estranger Things” parody.

Out of every segment in The Simpsons, the one built around sharp satire and cultural parodies might be the only one that attempts to have a semblance of emotion. In season 36, they did something different. After deep-diving into the show's rich history, they blend some of their earlier jokes into thoughtful moments that work well with themes of growing up, growing apart, and memories that start to fade over time.

Bart and Lisa begin reminiscing alongside Itchy & Scratchy, furiously associated with merchandise for younger kids. It captures one of those adorable little moments that constitute a sibling bond.

But when Marge gets Maggie some Itchy & Scratchy merch, the older kids are horrified to learn their beloved show is now “for babies.” Their response is absolute disgust. They stop watching it entirely. Marge is fretting, however. What happens if her children drift apart because there are no more shared family traditions?

A familiar song, a new meaning

In an unforeseen plot twist, the episode pays tribute to Toy Story 2 in a rather startling way, featuring Sarah McLachlan’s sob-inducing “When She Loved Me" McLachlan’s. However, this version shifts focus away from forgotten toys, choosing instead to depict two siblings losing touch with each other.

The sequence captures the emotional impact of the original, but this time focuses on Bart and Lisa’s shared childhood fading away. Unlike the show’s usual satirical tone, this scene contains no punchlines—only silence and sorrow.

And then the real punch to the gut: Marge dying before getting the chance to see her children reconcile. This reveal, simple yet tragic, unforgivably deepens the impact of a show famously known for its crude humor and pop culture references.

A bittersweet ending

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Even so, The Simpsons does not leave fans entirely heartbroken. In one last attempt to redeem themselves, Lisa and Bart have to join forces to save their dad, who is mistakenly being sent away on a bus to a retirement home. They ingeniously use an old Itchy & Scratchy episode to fool the gullible old people for a medical emergency that ends up making the bus pull over. Their childhood show, which acted as a source of connection in the past, now becomes the catalyst for their reunion.

Ultimately, The Simpsons doesn't only parody Toy Story 2. They give a deeply personal spin (while still retaining the emotional core) to the movie in a way that is shocking and honest. For a show that has spoofed pretty much everything under the sun, this one hits different—and for once, it wasn’t attempting to make anyone laugh.

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