1. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

(originally aired December 17, 1989)

So we start with season 1, which is basically like a 13-episode long experiment in figuring out what exactly this new breed of show is, from the rough animation, the developing characterizations, and the humor and tone. These episodes kind of put me off in the past, but I’ve grown fonder of them over time. I really like the wonkier animation style, especially compared to how stiff the show is now. I can remember seeing some of these in syndication (“The Telltale Head” showed up a lot for some reason), but the main place I saw a lot of these was on the old Simpsons video tapes. Long before DVD, we were stuck with these primitive devices known as VHS tapes. I remember there were two episodes a tape (along with a Tracy Ullman-era short), and I think they got to the beginning of season 3 before they stopped making them. This episode was on its own tape, dubbed “The Simpsons Christmas Special.”

So this is our first look at the show, as we follow our hero, Homer Simpson, in his efforts to create an idyllic Christmas for his family. It’s a Homer that’s sort of fallen by the wayside in later years: the well-meaning father. While he can be bumbling, thick-headed or just not too bright, he still does what he can for his family. However, he finds that life can be a bitch, as many obstacles stand in his way: he is denied his annual Christmas bonus, and is shocked to find that the money the family had saved for the holiday has been blown to remove a tattoo Bart impulsively bought. Making matters worse, Homer constantly finds himself in the shadow of his do-good neighbors, the Flanderses, whose over-extravagant Christmas lawn display is a stark contrast to his one working light bulb in a string of a thousand. None of these things are done upon Homer with malice; it’s life dealing him a bad hand, but he pushes forward with all the gumption he can muster.

Homer takes a position as a mall Santa, perhaps hoping working for the season will save his own, but with extraneous expenses, he is only paid a measly thirteen dollars. On top of that, his plight is exposed to Bart after he yanks at his Santa beard as a prank, not knowing it was actually his father. To raise Homer’s spirits, Bart invokes the hackneyed traditions of television sadsacks, that miracles always happen on Christmas to those in need. It’s a brilliant speech that in the very first episode forebears a hallmark in Simpsons humor, the recognition of classic TV norms and flipping them on their ass. In his last desperate act, Homer tags along with his drunk pal Barney to the dog track to see if he can win big. In keeping with his faith in cliche underdog stories, Homer bets it all on a last-minute addition, “Santa’s Little Helper,” but the dog is easily defeated.

Slowly but surely losing all hope, Homer scrounges the parking lot with his son for any discarded winning tickets. But then, his own brand of miracle happens as the dog he lost everything on jumps into his arms. He doesn’t recognize this as the answer to his problems; he takes sympathy on the dog because in a way, its undying determination in the face of inevitable defeat reminds him of himself. When he returns home and the family is enthralled by the perfect Christmas gift, he’s dumbfounded. Every mistake and pratfall he endured was all crucial to lead him to this unintended success. But that’s Homer Simpson, the accidental hero. The show delves into a fair level of schmaltz, but almost out of obligation in that it is a Christmas special, but with an intentional self-awareness the show would later become famous for. With its true slice-of-life scenarios, believable and likable characters and slightly off-brand humor, this episode was a sure sign for things to come.

Tidbits and Quotes:
– I love Homer’s line “Pardon my galoshes” while scooting past people to an empty seat at the Christmas pageant. It’s such a throwaway line, but it feels so classic Homer, especially in the early Walter Matthau-esque voice.
– Lisa’s list reading “A PONY” in giant letters six times, followed by “Thank you, Lisa” in small print is pretty adorable.
– The kids applauding Homer’s fall from the roof setting up the lights is pretty adorable too. As, of course, is Maggie’s star suit.
– What mall has a tattoo parlor? The scene with Bart and the tattoo artist is brilliant. (“One ‘Mother’ please.” “Wait a minute, how old are you?” “Twenty-one, sir.” “Get in the chair.”) The shot angled from below of the tattoo artist makes it all the better, seeing things from Bart’s POV. He ain’t no 21-year-old.
– An early look at impulsively emotional Homer, and my favorite line of the show: “We’re ruined! Christmas is cancelled! No presents for anyone!”
– The earliest of many great Simpsons store names: Circus of Values. It’s an absolutely perfect name for a Dollar Tree-like store.
– There’s a lot of great moments toward the end of the second act when Homer is really at his wit’s end. Tired from coming home from Santa training, he trudges upstairs only to have Marge tell him her sisters are here. Hunched over and clutching the banister, he shudders, knowing he must endure yet another unpleasantness. Responding to Patty and Selma’s murmuring of there being no Christmas tree, Homer goes out alone to find one. It’s a fantastic sequence, as Homer passes lot after lot of trees out of his price range, getting increasingly madder as “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” plays.
– A great line from Bart after Santa’s Little Helper loses: “It doesn’t seem possible, but I guess TV has betrayed me.”