In the TV series The Simpsons, there are several unbreakable rules. One of them is that family head Homer Simpson has a lifetime job at the Springfield nuclear power plant, even though he repeatedly causes accidents. The 36th season of the animated series finally reveals why Homer still has his job.
Why is Homer Simpson a danger at his job? Homer Simpson works as a safety inspector at a nuclear power plant. By name, he should actually ensure that the nuclear power plant becomes even safer or at least maintains its status.
However, there are repeated accidents caused by Homer:
- In the infamous intro, Homer Simpson drops a rod containing radioactive substances into his neck when the break or closing bell rings.
- In the 5th episode of the 3rd season, “The Emergency”, Homer sprays some donut liquid on the core temperature regulators of the reactor core. He provokes a meltdown but is able to avert it in time.
- One episode in which Homer was actually fired for a short time is the 3rd episode of the 1st season. Homer crashes into a pipe, releasing toxic gas. He is fired but protests and gets his job back as a safety inspector.
Although Homer has caused 742 accidents according to Mr. Burns, which could have been fatal, his job is a lifetime guarantee. The new episode from season 36 of The Simpsons finally explains why Homer never loses his job.
You can see the trailer for the TV premiere of the previous 35th season of The Simpsons here:
Mr. Burns made a deal with Homer’s father
Why is Homer never fired? In the 4th episode of season 36, “Shoddy Heat”, it is finally clarified why Homer always keeps his job. The episode reveals that Homer’s father, Abe Simpson, worked as a detective in the 1980s.
His partner, Billy O’Donnell, disappeared while investigating a case involving Mr. Burns. When Abe follows the trail and confronts Mr. Burns, he says that Billy has gone to paradise.
Mr. Burns offers Abe a deal: he should forget about the issue with his partner and end the search, in return Mr. Burns would give his son, Homer, a lifetime job at the nuclear power plant. Abe realized that Homer desperately needed this help and agreed.
Where can I watch the episode? The 36th season has just premiered on the American TV network FOX. Accordingly, it is not yet possible to watch the new episodes in Germany.
So far, Disney+ offers the opportunity to watch the 35th season. It will probably take a few more months until the 36th season comes to Germany.
The Simpsons have been around for 35 years. The 36 seasons include numerous references to other franchises. In season 30, there is even an episode where a MOBA like League of Legends is the topic: The Simpsons collaborated with the LoL developers on an e-sports episode
