The Simpsons’ Abe Simpson flashback brings back one of the show’s quietest tragedies

The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 4, ‘Shoddy Heat,’ now streaming on Hulu

The SimpsonsSeason 36’s flashback episode includes the reappearance of one of Springfield’s most quietly tragic figures. The Simpsons‘Sliding timeline means it can be difficult to place characters in specific years. However, there has always been a consistent series of character connections that flesh out the world around Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Although the time period-specific elements of these flashbacks change with each new episode, the relationships and personal stories have remained largely intact throughout the series’ various stories. This carries over into the series’ final flashback episode, season 36’s “Shoddy Heat.”

The episode explores a brief turbulent romance between Abe Simpson and Agnes Skinner decades ago, as well as a conspiracy involving Mr. Burns and Abe’s missing partner. The flashbacks are a quick series of flashes of Springfield’s early years, highlighting how the town has stayed the same or evolved over the years. A secondary character who has long since died due to the current events of the series appears in these flashbacks, reinforcing a tragic story that gives a bit of unexpected humanity to one of the characters. The Simpsons‘more consistent villains.

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How Waylon Smithers Sr. Appears in Season 36

Season 36’s “Shoddy Heat” flashbacks let The Simpsons to briefly bring back Waylon Smithers Sr.who remains one of the show’s most understated tragic figures. “Shoddy Heat” is largely focused on a cold case from decades earlier when Abe Simpson was a private investigator hired by Agnes Skinner. The investigation centered on Mr. Burns, who Agnes was dating at the time. After his partner Billy O’Donnell disappeared, Simpson feared that Burns had killed him. This prepares Abe to confront Burns and set the stage for Homer’s eventual employment under Burns.

Given the time period within the show’s ever-evolving continuity, Burns is accompanied by his loyal assistant Waylon Smithers Sr. Waylon Smithers Sr. doesn’t have much of a role in the episode, appearing mostly as a cameo rather than a full-fledged member of the plot. However, his presence, even as a cameo, connects the different eras of The Simpsons and gives “Shoddy Heat” a direct connection to past stories that delve into the origins of Springfield’s many residents.

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Mr. Smithers’ father sacrificed himself to save Springfield

Waylon Smithers Sr. was formally introduced on Season 13 of “The Blunder Years.” A flashback in that episode confirmed that he had once worked for Mr. Burns much as his son eventually would, although their relationship was apparently more positive and respectful than the relationship Burns eventually developed with Waylon Jr. Plant, a near-meltdown destroyed the entire city. Desperate to save his little son, Waylon Sr. voluntarily rushed to the core and shut it down – albeit at the cost of his own life.

Although a saddened Burns recognized the sacrifice his friend had made, he still decided to hide his death from authorities and hid the body of Waylon Sr. The body would eventually be discovered by a teenage Homer, which traumatized the young man. The mystery wouldn’t truly be discovered until Homer became an adult and had the memory forced back into his mind. Since then, Waylon Sr. appeared in other flashbacks, but his death remained a secret sacrifice from much of the city.

Shoddy Heat Connects Season 13 and Season 36 in More Ways Than One

Season 13 and Season 36 of The Simpsons Play with the same type of story

Waylon Sr.’s presence in “Shoddy Heat” actually highlights the thematic similarities between the Season 36 episode and “The Blunder Years.” Both episodes are mysteries centered around an unidentified body, leading the titular family to investigate further. Both mysteries draw attention to Mr. Burns, which makes sense given his role as The Simpsons‘most enduring villain. In both cases, Burns participates in a cover-up, although he turns out to be less malicious than one would expect.

In “Shoddy Heat”, he does not kill O’Donnell and instead bribes him and Abe to keep their secrets. In “The Blunder Years”, Burns seems genuinely saddened by his friend’s sacrifice, and it is implied that he was an important figure in Waylon Smither Jr’s life, partly as a thank you to his late partner. It’s an interesting connection that highlights how The Simpsons can return to certain genres, themes, and time periods while still feeling consistent with how Springfield has previously developed.