The Simpsons New Bart & Lisa Story Missed A Perfect Opportunity For A Golden Age Episode Sequel

While The Simpsons season 35, episode 12 could have revisited a classic Golden Age episode’s storyline, the show missed this opportunity. In seasons 34 and 35, The Simpsons has gained critical acclaim for refreshing its familiar formula. Even though the show has produced over 760 episodes, the stronger outings of seasons 34 and 35 felt interesting and original. In some cases, the series relied on new characters and storylines for these episodes. However, some of the show’s best recent outings riffed on classic episodes of The Simpsons, revisiting iconic moments in new contexts and updating them in the process.

It is always risky for a long-running TV show to revisit its glory days and only time will tell whether The Simpsons season 36 can keep this trend alive. However, outings like season 34, episode 9, “When Nelson Met Lisa,” and season 35, episode 7, It’s a Blunderful Life,” built on relationships and character details established in classic episodes without feeling like exercises in hollow nostalgia. These episodes expanded on storylines from the Golden Age of The Simpsons instead of simply rehashing them, which made it surprising when season 35, episode 12, “Lisa Gets An F1,” avoided this approach.

The Simpsons Missed A Chance to Revisit Season 6’s “Lisa On Ice”

Bart’s betrayal doesn’t really matter

In “Lisa Gets An F1,” Lisa’s anxiety over Homer’s driving leads her therapist to recommend go-karting. Lisa becomes a champion go-kart racer, resulting in a clash of loyalties for Bart. When a group of wealthy Kids Formula 1 drivers descend on Springfield for a rally in The Simpsons season 35 episode 12, Bart cozies up to one of these pampered kids in exchange for money. This sets up an obvious conflict of interest, as Bart has to choose between cheering for his sister or his new rich friend. However, this issue never results in any meaningful conflict between them.

It seemed like “Lisa Gets An F1” set up a remake of season 6, episode 8, “Lisa On Ice,” wherein another sporting rivalry got between the duo until they buried their differences and ignored the competition between them. In that classic Golden Age outing, Bart and Lisa spent days at each other’s throats when a high-stakes ice hockey match pitted the siblings against each other. In the end, the pair realized their friendship mattered more than a game and ended up ignoring the all-important match. However, in “Lisa Gets An F1,” Bart’s betrayal never impacted Lisa’s storyline in any way.

The Simpsons Season 35, Episode 12 Ignored Bart’s Betrayal of Lisa

The storyline’s potential was ignored

Bart schmoozed Lisa’s rival for money, and he pretended that he didn’t even know his own sister when asked about her. Not only did this not affect Lisa’s story, but she never even found out about it. Since The Simpsons never age, the show’s main characters have revisited the same familiar lessons many times over the years. As such, it would have made perfect sense for Bart’s lucrative new friendship to cause a crisis of conscience as his competitive streak did in “Lisa On Ice.” Thus, it was jarring when The Simpsons season 35, episode 12 ignored the potential of this storyline.