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Try to, for a moment, wrap your head around a show doing 700 scripted episodes. Creating 700 stories. Writing 700 narratives. With the same characters, mind you. Outside of soap operas, that simply does not happen. Also, have you see the writing on a soap opera? They are all about the churn. I provided this prompt because The Simpsons just aired its 700th episode, entitled “Manger Things.” No primetime scripted show comes to close to having done this many episodes. The Simpsons is in a class all its own when it comes to sheer content. This is a milestone I do not imagine any show in the future possibly hitting. It just won’t happen. This is a show that has been on for over 30 years!
As an episode, “Manger Things” wasn’t remarkable. It didn’t seem like a “special” episode. It was a Christmas episode, weirdly, and that’s kind of noteworthy. This was also the second flashback episode in a row, and the backstory and history of the characters on The Simpsons is forever changing. A lot of people can’t stand that, but at this point I have come to accept it. These are characters who barely age on a show that debuted in 1989. Homer and Marge can’t have grown up in the ‘70s forever.
“Manger Things” told another story of Homer and Marge having a fight, Homer being booted from the house, and then redeeming himself. This time, by delivering Todd Flanders. Apparently Todd’s middle name is “Homer.” Also, Maggie’s middle name is “Lenny.” It was a B-/C+ level episode. Totally decent, but nothing special. If it weren’t the 700th episode of the greatest show of all time it would be a shrug. The Simpsons’ greatest accomplishment now is its longevity as opposed to its quality. Although, to have as much quality as it does at this point is impressive in its own way.
The Simpsons is my favorite show. I will never stop watching it. I will be there for any future milestones and be excited for them to occur. Rarely does an episode excite me for its quality these days, but each episode of the show is an accomplishment in its own right. “Manger Things” probably isn’t even in my top 500 episodes of The Simpsons. The fact I can say that, though, speaks to how truly special and unique this show’s legacy is.
