The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons season 36 episode 3, “Desperately Seeking Lisa,” now streaming on HuluThe Simpsonsseason 36 gives a surprising trio of minor characters a dramatic arc that highlights how underutilized one of them has been for almost the entire length of the show. Part of the long-running appeal ofThe Simpsonsis the sheer size and scale of Springfield. The animated town can be anything and everything it needs to be for an episode to work, withThe Simpsons' massive cast of supporting characterscapable of filling many roles. Over the last three and a half decades, the show has expanded the setting in inventive and unexpected ways.
This carries on intoThe Simpsonsseason 36, which finds a way to slip in a surprisingly adult storyline amid Lisa’s adventure into the art scene of Capital City. Two of the three characters featured in the drama get some solid lines and pieces of characterization in the process, highlighting their unique space withinThe Simpsonsalongside Lisa’s solo adventure. However, the third character is less distinct and fleshed out, which has actually been a problem with the character since the early days of the show.
The Simpsons Season 36 Has A Wild Subplot About Springfield Elementary Teachers
An Unexpected Love Triangle Is Surprisingly Important In “Desperately Seeking Lisa”
The Simpsonsseason 36introduced a wild love triangle between three supporting characters from the Springfield Elementary corner of the show’s expansive supporting cast,including one that’s long been begging for more focus in the show. “Desperately Seeking Lisa” largely follows Lisa as she spends the night out and about amid Capital City’s art scene. However, the episode also has Lisa bump into Superintendant Chalmers. Introduced as a comical straight-man in contrast to Principal Skinner, Chalmers has steadily been more developed as the series has gone on and has become a widower, father, and surprisingly multi-layered man.
It’s a fun beat that builds off long-running gags about Doris' romantic prospects and deepens Chalmer’s character, but it doesn’t do much with Hoover — which is a real shame.
This plays into the plot of “Desperately Seeking Lisa,” which reveals that Chalmers is currently in a love triangle with Lunchlady Doris and Lisa’s teacher, Miss Hoover. Lisa hides from an irate crowd of artists with Chalmers and Hoover, and witnesses the love triangle explode into a chaotic fight. By the end of the episode, everyone has returned to Springfield, with the two women coldly brushing past a dejected Chalmers. It’s a fun beat that builds off long-running gags about Doris' romantic prospects and deepens Chalmer’s character,but it doesn’t do much with Hoover — which is a real shame.
The Simpsons Season 36 Highlights Why Ms. Hoover Is So Underutilized
Ms. Hoover Deserves A Space InThe Simpsons' Spotlight
Referenced in season 1 before debuting in season 2’s “Brush With Greatness,“Miss Hoover is one ofThe Simpsons' most underutilized characters. Lisa’s disaffected teacher never got the level of character depth or exploration that Mrs. Krabappel did. Instead, she’s always been a cynical example of how teaching is underappreciated and and undervalued in society. There have been hints at interesting unseen characteristics, such as her struggles with depression and frustration with Lisa. However, she’s never gotten a full spotlight like she deserves, and it’s a shame “Desperately Seeking Lisa” didn’t do that.
Maggie Roswell has played Miss Hoover since season 2 ofThe Simpsons, but was briefly played by Marcia Mitzman Gaven while Roswell was in a salary dispute with Fox.
Given her connection with Lisa and personal experience with her,it would have been more fulfilling to see Hoover interact with Lisa than Chalmers. It could have been a good chance to see Hoover outside of the classroom and in a more compromised position, even potentially setting up a new understanding between the characters. It could have even played into the episode’s themes, with their shared dissatisfaction with their relationships and futures reflecting one another. Miss Hoover is one ofThe Simpsons' most underutilized characters, and deserves a proper showcase.
The Simpsons
Cast
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
