The Simpsons' showrunner loves one of the saddest episodes of the series

The current showrunner of The Simpsons, Matt Selman, has revealed his favorite episode of the series. According to ScreenRant, Selman has picked an episode about Homer Simpson feeling unappreciated. The episode, titled “Go Big or Go Homer,” shows Homer dealing with the fact that his co-workers do not respect him.

The storyline focuses on Homer trying to mentor a younger employee who looks up to him. Selman explained why this episode stands out to him. He said,

“I think the best Homer episodes are when he has something that he emotionally cares about that you at home can actually relate to emotionally caring about.”

According to Selman, these emotional connections make the show’s stories more meaningful. He pointed out that Homer wants respect, which is a simple but powerful feeling many people understand.

Selman’s comments have highlighted an important theme in The Simpsons. Homer and Lisa, despite their differences, both deal with feelings of being unseen. This idea has been reflected in various episodes, including “Go Big or Go Homer.” Selman’s choice also shows how the show combines humor with serious topics.

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Why Go Big or Go Homer is important to The Simpsons

Matt Selman called “Go Big or Go Homer” his favorite episode because of the emotions involved. According to ScreenRant, Selman said,

“There’s an episode that I love that is not as famous, but I think it’s terrific, called ‘Go Big or Go Homer,’ where Homer cares about the fact that he’s not respected.”

The story begins with Homer realizing his co-workers ignore his efforts. In one scene, they forget to thank him for planning Lenny’s office birthday party. In the episode, Homer finds respect from Mike Wegman, a younger employee. Mike views Homer as a hero. Selman explained,

“All it takes is one person for Homer to throw everything he has into trying to be a mentor to the one person in the world that actually looks up to him.”

This plot highlights Homer’s desire to feel valued.

The episode also shows how one person’s respect can make a big difference in someone’s life. It reflects how Homer is more than just a comic character. According to Selman, episodes like this bring out Homer’s emotional side, which makes the character relatable to viewers.

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The shared theme of invisibility between Homer and Lisa

The story of “Go Big or Go Homer” shows a theme that applies to both Homer and Lisa. According to ScreenRant, Homer and Lisa both feel unseen in their lives, though in different ways. Homer wants respect from his co-workers, while Lisa often feels unnoticed at home.

Psychology Today describes this feeling using the term “Lost Child.” According to Psychology Today, this role involves

“the one just trying to survive unnoticed, because getting noticed means getting in trouble or being in the limelight.”

This role often leads to feelings of low self-esteem and invisibility.

Homer’s feeling of being unseen is connected to his childhood. He was abandoned by his mother, Mona, and had a difficult relationship with his father, Abe. According to ScreenRant, these early experiences are part of why Homer craves respect.

Lisa’s situation is different. She is often overshadowed by Bart, who plays the “Scapegoat” role in the family. This dynamic leads Lisa to feel invisible despite her intelligence. Both characters struggle with being overlooked, making their stories emotionally connected.

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How The Simpsons could explore this theme in future episodes

Matt Selman’s comments open up opportunities for The Simpsons to explore deeper family themes. According to ScreenRant, many of the show’s best episodes are about Homer and Lisa bonding. Episodes where they discover their shared feelings often connect well with viewers.

Future episodes could directly show Homer and Lisa understanding their similar experiences. This could happen through a flashback episode or a new father-daughter storyline. By focusing on their shared emotions, The Simpsons could add more depth to their characters.

The show has already touched on these themes in past episodes. For example, in “You Only Move Twice,” Homer wants respect from a boss who values him. In other episodes, Lisa deals with feeling ignored by her family. A future episode could bring these themes together and show a stronger connection between Homer and Lisa.

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The Simpsons is available to watch on Disney+.