Season Analysis

The Simpsons

Season 21 Analysis

Season Woke Score

out of 10

Season Overview

No specific overview for this season.

Season Review

Season 21 falls within the later-era of The Simpsons, which maintains a general tone of irreverent satire against all elements of American culture, preventing any one ideological category from reaching the high-score levels of later, more overtly political media. The season is characterized by classic Simpsons tropes: Homer's incompetence, Lisa's brief, passionate alliances with fringe groups, and Marge's periodic efforts to civilize Springfield. The 'woke mind virus' themes are present primarily in the feminist and anti-theist categories, where female characters are written to be instantly superior to their male counterparts, and the traditional religious community is framed as an ignorant, persecutory mob. Identity politics and LGBTQ+ themes are present at a low level, reflecting the period's cultural focus, which was not yet centered on intersectional hierarchy or gender theory as defined in the high-score criteria.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics3/10

The narrative features Lisa addressing 'dumb blonde' jokes by temporarily dyeing her hair and an ancestor plot where she searches for a relative who helped a slave escape. Character value is not defined primarily by race or immutable characteristics, and the few identity-related storylines are presented as a small arc for Lisa.

Oikophobia4/10

One episode depicts Springfield's small-town majority as a superstitious, persecutory force against a group of Wiccans, framing home-culture institutions (the town's legal system, the mob mentality) as backward and chaotic. Homer's ignorance of Western/Mideastern religious history in Jerusalem is a plot point, though it ends with him gaining a sliver of appreciation.

Feminism6/10

Krusty the Clown's show is mandated to include a female co-star who is instantly flawless and 'immediately overshadows' him, demonstrating a clear 'Mary Sue' or 'Girl Boss' dynamic over the male lead. Marge becomes a 'Girl Boss' by successfully fighting an ultimate fighting league promoter. Homer is comically emasculated when his wife's rediscovered sexuality is met with his debilitating tiredness from work.

LGBTQ+2/10

The season lacks explicit narratives centering on alternative sexualities, gender ideology, or deconstructing the nuclear family beyond the show's baseline satirical depiction. The subtextual elements of classic characters, such as Smithers' crush on Mr. Burns, remain a comedic constant, but they are not the thematic focus of any new episode.

Anti-Theism5/10

An episode centers on Lisa befriending a group of Wiccans who are subsequently arrested and persecuted by the traditional, Christian-influenced citizens of Springfield. This portrays traditional religion's influence on the community as leading to ignorance and hostility. The Jerusalem episode satirizes Christian and Jewish holy sites through Homer's irreverence but stops short of framing faith as a root of evil.