Season Analysis

The Simpsons

Season 24 Analysis

Season Woke Score

out of 10

Season Overview

No specific overview for this season.

Season Review

Season 24 of The Simpsons, airing in 2012-2013, displays a low-to-moderate presence of the themes being analyzed. The season operates predominantly within the classic Simpsons satirical framework, which targets American culture, incompetence, and institutions through a generally left-leaning, anti-establishment lens. The focus remains on the dysfunctional nuclear family and its relationship with the town. There is no major plot dedicated to an intersectional hierarchy or gender ideology. Cultural satire, as seen in the parody of hipster subculture in 'The Day the Earth Stood Cool,' critiques contemporary trends rather than demonizing the civilization itself. Episodes dealing with religion and family structure, such as 'Pulpit Friction' and 'Changing of the Guardian,' generally conclude by affirming the value of the traditional structure or character dynamic, albeit after satirizing their flaws. The show's established format of Homer as the bumbling male and Marge as the patient female is maintained, preventing a high score in the 'Girl Boss' category. This season is largely untouched by the high-intensity identity politics that become more visible in media years later.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics2/10

The narrative does not center on an intersectional lens or systemic oppression. The plot 'Black-Eyed, Please' involves a female substitute teacher bullying Lisa, but the conflict stems from the teacher's personal past as a victim of bullying, not an immutable characteristic of race or gender. The episode focusing on Carl Carlson's Icelandic heritage is a character-driven story about his past, not a lecture on hierarchy or vilification of white characters.

Oikophobia4/10

The series maintains its long-standing anti-establishment posture, satirizing Springfield as a flawed microcosm of American society. The episode 'The Day the Earth Stood Cool' critiques the new hipster subculture with equal measure, showing the absurdity of both Homer's traditionalism and the new, pretentious 'cool' culture. The satire is aimed at societal flaws and trends, not the fundamental corruption of Western civilization.

Feminism3/10

The season adheres to the long-established dynamic where Marge is the long-suffering, emotionally intelligent matriarch, while Homer is the bumbling, incompetent father. Episodes like 'What Animated Women Want' re-explore Marge questioning her marriage, a common plot, but do not portray her as a 'Girl Boss' or 'Mary Sue.' The plot that involves Marge wanting a baby directly works against an anti-natalist message.

LGBTQ+1/10

The main plotlines contain no focus on alternative sexualities, gender theory, or deconstructing the nuclear family structure for political purposes. The episode 'Changing of the Guardian' concludes with the children affirming their preference for their biological, nuclear family despite an initial attraction to a 'super-cool' childless couple.

Anti-Theism4/10

Religious institutions are satirized in episodes like 'Pulpit Friction,' where the traditional Reverend Lovejoy is temporarily replaced by a young, pop-culture-savvy new minister. The satire targets the dullness of traditional faith and the superficiality of modern faith. The plot ultimately validates the value of the traditional minister over the shallow, contemporary version when he solves a real community crisis, which is a surprisingly anti-woke message that supports a traditional institution.