Why The Simpsons' Poorhouse Rock Episode Has Fans So Divided

Astonishingly, "The Simpsons" is on its 33rd season. While you would think any television series would begin to run out of steam by that point, it's clear the animated sitcom still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, and one way in which the show has maintained relevancy all these years later is by offering biting social commentary.

It's been a running theme throughout the most recent season as "You Won't Believe What This Episode Is About – Act Three Will Shock You!" centers on cancel culture while "Bart the Cool Kid" makes Bart become friends with an online influencer. So naturally, the Season 33 finale had to keep this streak going with one of the bleakest episodes of "The Simpsons" to date. 

"Poorhouse Rock" focuses on Bart, who begins to idolize Homer, but thanks to a singing janitor, voiced by Hugh Jackman, he learns that the middle class his parents grew up enjoying no longer exists for him. It's a scathing critique of class warfare, and fans have quite a bit to say about the latest installment.

Plenty of fans thought the most recent episode struck gold with its premise. Some even viewed it as the show commenting on itself, as one Reddit thread revealed. Redditor u/Mildly_Irritated_Max suggested, "I get that this episode is a reaction to the constant pointing out that The Simpsons lifestyle is totally detached from reality now." Others point out how this is the best "The Simpsons" has been in years. It should come as no surprise by this point that plenty of fans feel like the show's a long way from its golden years, but "Poorhouse Rock" appears to have brought the series back to its glorious roots. Redditor u/LiveFromNewYork95 pointed out, "The show that became iconic by speaking to the middle class admitting that the middle class doesn't exist anymore. This might be as biting as The Simpsons has been in years."

Professional reviewers have echoed such praise. In the episode's review for Den of Geek, Tony Sokol writes, "The season finale finishes a dance which started when Matt Selman began calling the tunes. Season 33 opened with a musical, 'The Star of the Backstage,' and ends with a mic drop."

Others thought the episode didn't quite work, especially seeing how disjointed the plot becomes. One user on Reddit wrote, "This episode is very weird. The plot went from Bart disrespecting Homer to a social commentary of the Middle Class." No matter where you fall on "Poorhouse Rock," it's clear "The Simpsons" still has some bite left in it after all these years.