'The Simpsons' Pay Homage to a Shocking 'Terminator 2' Scene

By Andrew Sanford | TV | October 9, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | October 9, 2023 |

My children are only two and a half years old. Some days, I wish they were older. A lot would be easier if they were older. On other days, I wish they’d stay this small forever. They’re so frigging cute, and the world is a gigantic, scary place that will have its effect on them no matter what. That’s one of the many struggles of being a parent, and Marge Simpson is going through it, too.

In a new episode of The Simpsons (because some things never die), Marge worries that Bart is outgrowing her. Despite my children’s young age, I’ve watched my wife live out this fear. I am not as good at texting or calling my mother as I should be, and my wife is nervous that my sons will be the same way. Marge Simpson takes that fear to the next level.

Despite the best efforts of her psyche, Marge can’t cope with her children flying the coop. Her imagination runs wild and eventually gives way to a disturbing mix of emotion and James Cameron. Marge rushes to a playground where Bart is looking at his phone, only to watch her son (and herself) get engulfed in a mushroom cloud, ala Sarah Conner.

Marge has depression because Bart is growing up. #TheSimpsons pic.twitter.com/fESg0aeHWY

— @badgerclops.bsky.social (@BadgercIops) October 9, 2023

Despite the years of performing leaving their mark, Julie Kavner makes this feel like more than a simple joke. It’s a fun, scary, sad scene that would belong in the strongest seasons of the show. It has been on the air for over 30 years and still finds ways to get at the core of its characters, all while doing the movie homages it loves. What a gift.