The Simpsons Proves How Much The Show Has Grown In 35 Seasons With A Single Bart Scene

The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons Season 35 Episode 18, "Bart's Brain," now streaming on Hulu

Summary Bart's harsh comment in The Simpsons Season 35 finale shows the evolved character dynamics at Springfield Elementary.

Students at Springfield Elementary show surprising empathy towards teacher Ms. Peyton, contrasting with past insults to teachers.

The death of Mrs. Krabappel shifted dynamics at Springfield Elementary, highlighting evolving character relationships.

The Simpsons season 35 finale features a particularly harsh scene with Bart that quietly highlights the show's evolution. By virtue of being such a long-running series, The Simpsons has changed and evolved several times over the years. The show has maintained a core heart throughout the years, but the perception of certain characters, situations, and stereotypes has changed to reflect different trends and writers behind the scenes. It's a vital element of the show's enduring qualities, with characters like Homer and Marge showcasing their villainous sides at unexpected junctions.

This extends beyond the Simpsons family themselves, too. Certain groups of characters have changed to accommodate the times, with certain mainstays of the show being moved to the sidelines to accommodate the evolving politics of modern society. A big Bart scene from the surprisingly emotional The Simpsons season 35 finale "Bart's Brain" highlights this, showcasing how much a number of supporting characters have changed.

2:25 Related The Simpsons' Season 35 Finally Explains One Of The Show's Most Enduring Mysteries After 37 Years Season 35 of The Simpsons reveals exactly why the family always seems broke despite Homer's income, and how he makes the money back.

Bart's Outburst In The Simpsons Season 35 Finale Crosses A Line

Milhouse & The Other Students Make Up For It

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Bart's insult towards Ms. Peyton in The Simpsons season 35 is incredibly harsh but in line with previous snark directed to teachers in Springfield — but the other students highlight a major way The Simpsons has evolved in contrast. "Bart's Brain" focuses on Bart purchasing a human brain so he can prank people. Eventually, Bart develops a deep fondness for the brain. When Ms. Peyton tries to take the brain away, Bart flees the school. Bart also tells her off, saying she's putting too much effort into her students to make up for her own troubles conceiving a child.

It's a cruel comment from Bart, but very fitting with some of the blunt commentary the kids of Springfield Elementary have casually levied at their teachers over the years. When Edna Krabappel was around, there was a palatable lack of discretion from both the students and the teacher. Krabappel was often casually dismissive of her students and their potential, while the students were quick to poke fun at her personal life and clear failings. Although The Simpsons underlined her importance to their lives after her death, Bart's harsh comment to Ms. Peyton is reminiscent of the older version of Springfield Elementary.

How Springfield Elementary Treats Its Teachers Has Changed In The Simpsons

A Little Bout Of Empathy Goes A Long Way

However, Ms. Peyton and the modern version of the school is very different than what The Simpsons used to be. Ms. Peyton initially cries at Bart's verbal jab, but she's soon surrounded by the other students. They all offer moral support to Ms. Peyton, with Sherri telling to keep trying and Milhouse pointing out they've only started trying to have kids a few months ago. It's a moment of surprising solidarity from the other students and a far cry from the more blatant insults and jabs that used to occur more frequently in the show.

The Simpsons has always had a harsh edge to their commentary on modern society. This extends to the world of education. Even episodes that championed average educators like season 3's "Bart the Lover," season 6's "The PTA Disbands" or season 14's "Special Edna" were sardonic about teachers and typically portrayed the students and teachers with a certain level of antagonism. The class coming together to support Ms. Peyton is therefore a surprising but empathetic moment. The minor characters all come together in support of Ms. Peyton, in a way that the should didn't do regularly before Mrs. Krabappel's passing.

Related The Simpsons' Tipping Episode Underscores Season 35's Big Political Theme The Simpsons has always had political leanings, but season 35 has consistently showcased one big theme in almost every episode.

How The Death Of Mrs. Krabappel Changed The Simpsons

How The Simpsons' Classroom Moment Matters

Edna Krabappel was killed off-screen on The Simpsons to correspond with the passing of her voice actress, Marcia Wallace. Before then, Krabappel had a uniquely mixed relationship with the rest of the characters within her orbit. Every sweet interaction was countered with a dozen casual gags about her and the students bouncing off one another. An overt act of empathy on the part of the students, in direct contrast to the kind of cutting insult Bart has been capable of throwing around, is a sweet evolution of the characters and how they treat one another.

Since Krabappel's passing, several episodes have referenced the rest of the characters mourning her passing. Episodes like season 32's "Diary Queen." In a sweet moment with her full-time replacement Ms. Peyton, the characters seem to be actively treating their teacher with an overt kindness they didn't get the chance to do so with Krabappel. It's a cute natural evolution of the characters that speaks to the underlying heart that's always been at the core of The Simpsons, and highlights how the show continues to evolve over three decades since it began.