The Simpsons Season 36 quietly resolved a tragic subplot that had been on the show for 27 years

The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons Season 36 Episode 2, “The Yellow Lotus,” now streaming on HuluThe Simpsons Just gave a surprising subplot some unexpected closure after twenty-seven years. The total size of The Simpsons Supporting cast has always been one of the benefits of the long-running nature of the show. This allows The Simpsons To draw from a massive list of supporting characters for various episodes and storylines. Although there are dozens of creatives who have shaped the characters over the past three decades, there are several plotlines that have played in the background of The Simpsons’ adventures.

One of these subplots comes to the forefront of the show in “The Yellow Lotus,” The second episode of The SimpsonsSeason 36. Starting out as a direct contrast to the more dysfunctional titular family, one couple has spent 27 seasons steadily revealing a more troubled relationship. The storyline reaches a boiling point in season 36, and plays into some of the show’s most emotional themes. Here is how the plot of The Simpsons Season 36 continues to explore the show’s long-running storylines.

As the Simpsons teased Dr. Hibbert and his wife Bernice drama for decades

Dr. Hibbert and his wife were with him for seasons

The Simpsons has quietly unpacked the drama between Doctor Julius Hibbert and his wife Bernice for over two dozen years, and brought it into the spotlight in season 36. Beginning as a parody of The Cosby ShowDr. Hibbert was a frequent supporting character in The Simpsons. Despite his tic of chuckling at inappropriate times, Dr. Hibbert has been one of The Simpsons’ primary physicians since the early seasons of the show. At first, his relationship with his wife Bernice was picture-perfectOften in contrast to the rougher aspects of Springfield. However, some episodes hinted at more dramatic elements.

The pair is shown arguing in several episodes, with their insults coming off as far more biting than what Homer and Marge say to one another. Episodes like season 8’s “Homer vs. The Eighteenth Amendment” heavily implied that Bernice is a person with alcohol use disorder, folding in the discovery that the town had begun prohibition. “The Yellow Lotus” confirms this, revealing that Bernice was in recovery. Hibbert, in turn, seems to be quitting his job, something that has been a running joke in recent seasons and a point of conflict with Bernice.

The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 2 openly acknowledges the Hibberts’ problems

The Hibbert family drama is a major subplot of “The Yellow Lotus”

Although they don’t take control of the entire episode, the story of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​productive-off​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​front party them them them them them they their episode episode is season 36, the second episode of Season 36, “The Yellow Lotus” The White LotusFollowing the titular family as they sneak into a high-end resort for a vacation. Among the many rich guests at the resort are the Hibberts, who spend the entire vacation unhappily. Bernice may have stopped drinking, though Her increased use of prescription drugs further drove a wedge into their marriage.

It all builds to one of the final scenes of the episode, with the pair sharing a hot air balloon. Hibbert takes the opportunity to confront Bernice about her drug use. took her bag and emptied it over the side of the balloon, Julius professes his enduring love for his wife. It’s a surprisingly proactive move by Hibbert, who has usually been a character who moves at a more deliberate pace, and gives the long-running subplot about their troubled marriage a happy turn.

The Hibbert drama speaks to a core element of The Simpsons

The hiberts come together speaks to a major theme of The Simpsons

One of the main elements of The Simpsons There has always been a theme of the importance of family. This is most often seen in the titular grouping of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie overcoming the dysfunctional elements of themselves, each other and the world at large. However, this is a theme that has been explored in several other places with other families, such as Ned’s struggles after the death of his wife or the drama surrounding the Van Houten relationship. While it is largely played in the background, The relationship between the Hibberts has always been a harsh contrast to the Simpsons.

This gives Julius and Bernice’s apparent attempt to give their relationship another chance a deeper meaning. Like countless other relationships in the bittersweet world of The SimpsonsTheir lives are ridiculous but their emotions are grounded. Julius and Bernice may have their confrontation in a hot air balloon during a parody of an HBO drama, but their fight comes from a very real place. The length of The Simpsons Adds weight to the beat, turning decades of frustration into a celebration of enduring love. It fits the overarching themes of The Simpsonsand highlights the central emotional core of the show.