What is The Simpsons’ 666th episode? Everything you need to know

If you read the title and the first thing that came to your mind was "The Simpsons are still around?" then you're not the only one asking the question. But, now come to think of it, maybe there is a force behind the successful longevity of the show, and that force is the Devil himself. When a show's episode count reaches 666, it has to be an invitation for a party in hell.

Fittingly, The Simpsons Season 32, Episode 666 is called 'Treehouse of Horror XXX,' which was the 30th installment of their Halloween Special and aired on October 20, 2019. America's favorite yellow family brought yet another spooky special for their fans with satire, thrice the horror, and enough pop culture references that fans don't need to watch the original.

The Simpsons team had been extra creative with their Halloween Specials, and by the 30th installment, they had mastered the art. Let's dive into the episode and get to know what made it so special.

What is The Simpsons’ 666th episode?

The Simpsons writers went all out on this one. They mugged up every pop culture reference, horror, and sci-fi flick that they could to parody in this episode. The episode was part of Season 31 and was directed by Timothy Bailey and written by J. Stewart Burns (no connection to Montgomery Burns).

The fun part is that the timing of the episode is no accident; it was a deliberate attempt to get it in tune with Halloween. How clever. The episode was divided into three segments, with each parodying many movies and pop culture references. Now, without further ado, hold on to your Bible, folks, because it's time to dig into the devilish side of The Simpsons.

Opening Sequence: Demonic Babies and Corporate Hell

Every Treehouse of Horror special opens with a unique intro, and this time they parodied The Omen with Maggie being the Antichrist. The viewers then hear Latin chanting coming from somewhere, and a nanny mysteriously falls off the roof, but not before writing 'The baby is the devil' on the wall with blood.

Soon, the town is completely under Maggie's influence, with evil pranks rampant everywhere. Things take a turn for the worse when a bloodbath breaks out during a shareholder meeting of Fox Network (of course).

In the end, the devil himself appears in Mickey Mouse's ear, who declares that the show is a part of the 'Disney Evil Universe.' This bit was a dig at Disney, which had acquired the Fox Network at the time.

First Segment: "Danger Things"

Just by the name of the segment, can you guess which hit TV show they parodied in this segment? Yep, it was Stranger Things. The segment stars Lisa as Eleven, Milhouse as Will, and Bart as Mike. The story starts with Milhouse vanishing after a trip to a government laboratory and getting stuck in the Simpsons' version of the Upside Down, called the Over Under.

The rest of the kids take it upon themselves to save Milhouse and discover Lisa's telekinetic powers in the process. They soon realize that her powers are the key to bringing Milhouse back and saving Springfield. The segment nailed the Stranger Things '80s vibe and horror and added a few Simpsons-level twists.

By the end, Ned Flanders is revealed to be the shady government scientist, and Homer gets comfortable in the Over Under because the donuts there are tastier. Milhouse ends up becoming a monster, and Lisa has a breakdown after suffering from waffle withdrawals. Finally, Marge comes to everyone's rescue and sets everyone right with her angry mom tone, and everyone is happy again.

Second Segment: "Heaven Swipes Right"

If you thought the first segment was the peak, then you haven't watched enough Halloween Specials by The Simpsons. As the second act came to play, you see the writers taking it up a notch by parodying Heaven Can Wait and all body-swap movies. In this segment, Homer dies unexpectedly due to an error in Heaven and is forced to inhabit a new body.

After the heavenly mishap, Homer is allowed to return to Earth in a body of his choosing. His choices include an ubercool athlete, Superintendent Chalmers, and Moe. Each body has flaws and a short life, and then finally, he ends up in a woman's body.

It is fun to watch Homer being Homer in each of those bodies. After realizing the lifestyle differences between men and women, Homer gets in touch with his inner feminist, only to die again. If you are a fan of sudden death, stupid locker-room jokes, and heartwarming family moments, then you will love this segment.

Third Segment: "When Hairy Met Slimy"

Don't be fooled by the title; it has nothing to do with When Harry Met Sally. Instead, it is a parody of Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning monster romance film, The Shape of Water. This time, The Simpsons took a dig at monster movies during the Cold War and modern rom-coms.

In this segment, Selma falls in love with Kang the alien after finding him in a government laboratory. They bond over cigarettes and sarcasm, and from then on, everything is in fourth gear for them.

The only problem, besides one being human and the other being an alien, is that the government won't let them be together. So, Lisa and Bart take it upon themselves to unite the two unconventional yet perfect-for-each-other lovers. With Flander, still an evil government scientist, on their tail, the couple flee to the sea, just like the ending of The Shape of Water.

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Besides being a satirical jackpot with impeccable cultural commentary and parodies presented in hilarious Simpsons-style comedy, The Simpsons' 666th episode included some Easter eggs as well, like Antichrist Maggie, who was also featured in Treehouse of Horror IX. Also, Lisa's Eleven bit was perfectly copied right down to the smallest details, like from her costume to her nosebleeds.

Stranger Things' '80s synth music and title font replaced The Simpsons' couch gag. At the end of the episode, Marge breaks the fourth wall, subtly hinting that the real horror is the show's longevity.