The Simpsons' long-running tradition of "Treehouse of Horror" episodes has seen a recent resurgence in quality, and "Treehouse of Horror XXXVII" continues this trend, though it falls short of being a standout installment. Following the critically acclaimed "Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening," this episode returns to the classic format of a claymation intro—a parody of "The Nightmare Before Christmas"—followed by three distinct spooky segments.
Segment Breakdown
The first segment, "Bride's Shed Revisited," sees Marge taking charge after assembling a backyard shed that inexplicably swaps husbands. The episode humorously explores Marge's newfound power to cycle through Springfield's eligible bachelors, even culminating in a brief pairing with "Survivor" host Jeff Probst. The non-canonical nature of these episodes allows for such playful diversions.
"Dog Boy Afternoon" offers a loose parody of Stephen King's "Pet Sematary." In this segment, Homer accidentally kills both Santa's Little Helper and Bart, leading to a body-swap scenario when their corpses are reanimated. The segment includes a surprising amount of gore, particularly in a scene where Homer is attacked by dogs, and leans into the comedic potential of the premise, bolstered by Homer's recurring struggle with morning and afternoon libations.
The final segment, "Vehicular Dad Slaughter," shifts forward in time. Bart and Lisa discover their father imprisoned in DMV training video purgatory by Patty and Selma, who serve as antagonists in this installment. Writer Tim Long's decision to explore the characters at different life stages adds a unique dimension to the segment.
Notable Improvements
"Treehouse of Horror XXXVII" notably emphasizes the Simpsons clan at various life stages and places a spotlight on Marge and her sisters. A significant improvement noted is the vocal performance of Marge Simpson, voiced by Julie Kavner. Despite past concerns about vocal degradation, Kavner's performance in this episode sounds closer to her earlier, iconic delivery, possibly due to enhanced production techniques or sheer dedication.
While "Treehouse of Horror XXXVII" doesn't produce segments that will rival the series' all-time Halloween classics, it avoids weak links and delivers enjoyable, spooky content. The episode's main drawback is its proximity to the superior "The Revengening," making it feel somewhat overshadowed. Nevertheless, as a contemporary "Treehouse of Horror" entry, it provides ample humor and Halloween-themed scares, solidifying its position as the second-best Halloween episode of Season 38.