Simpsons-The Star Wars Connection

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed May 18, 2005 2:38 am

So I watched The Simpsons last night. Not a huge surprise, chances are if the TV's on, it's tuned to The Simpsons. Anyway, the episode where Bart becomes Mr. Burns' heir was on. I've seen the episode a thousand times, but now, with Star Wars Mania runnin' a bit wilder than usual, I noticed something. The episode shows Bart more or less following the path of Anakin Skywalker. At first he's a cute little annoying kid. After Bart sees what he thinks is proof of his family (the Jedi?) betraying him, he agrees to become Burns' son (even going so far as to to call him "Dad"). Bart and Burns go on a firing spree (Jedi killing rampage, perhaps?) until Bart is faced with the dillema of destroying his own family member or doing what's right. Bart turns on Burns and even disposes of him in the same way that Vader does in Return of the Jedi, by dumping him down a bottomless pit. Finally, father and son are reunited.

I'm sure this was unintentional, but I thought it was a cute little coincidence none-the-less.

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed May 18, 2005 6:31 am

Well, bearing in mind the whole fall-from-grace bit used in Star Wars is a very common (classical) theme. The idea of a young man who's very great being estranged from his heroic destiny to follow a path of evil only to seek redemption at the end is by no means a new one. It crops up quite often.

Post by **Best First** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:53 am

yes, it happened to me last tueday.

on a side note Palpatine clasps his hand sin a most Burns like manner in Clone Wars vol 1.

Post by **Kaylee** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:28 am

Best First wrote:yes, it happened to me last tueday.

Well I see the path of evil bit, but what about all the stuff about heroic and redemption?

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:30 am

Karl Lynch wrote:Well I see the path of evil bit, but what about all the stuff about heroic and redemption?

These journeys just don't happen over night!

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:06 pm

Once upon a time I subscribed to the Star Wars Insider, and they did a whole cover story on the connection, and that was six, seven years ago now...before Ep 1 came out. So I'm sure it has grown since...I don't really watch the Simpsons anymore.