Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?
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- "Thanks for nothing! My mommy's dead and she's never coming back, and I don't believe in God anymore."
- ―Todd Flanders
"Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?"
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Episode Information
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"Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?" is the ninth episode of broadcast season 31 of The Simpsons and the six hundred seventy-first episode overall. It originally aired on December 1, 2019. The episode was written by Tim Long and Miranda Thompson and directed by Chris Clements. It guest stars Glenn Close as Mona Simpson. Archive audio of Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel is also used.
Contents
Synopsis[edit]
- "At church, Todd blames God for the death of his mother and rejects his faith, causing great distress for Ned. Ned sends him to live with the Simpsons in an attempt to scare him back into God's arms."
Plot[edit]
Maude appears in a dream to Ned as a ghost, calling him. He thinks she has come back and asks her to kiss him one last time, before revealing it is his dog Baz kissing him instead. Ned cries, and Todd enters asking him why. He says it is because he dreamed about Maude and asks Todd if he ever dreams about her.
Todd recalls his dream, where he's in a happy land, dragged by Maude. The cart holding him trips, and when Maude turns around, she's faceless, scaring him and the bear that comes to his rescue. Todd doesn't remember what his mother looked like, and Rod enters with a mask on, making him appear faceless in the shadows too, which scares Todd.
They then watch a Christmas recording of their family decorating the tree. Grampa interrupts, thinking it is his house, and they invite him to stay for dinner. Todd begins to believe there's no point in believing something without proof, especially when Ned admits he has no proof that Maude is in a better place.
At the church, Reverend Lovejoy invites the kids to say what they would ask baby Jesus if they could speak to him. Todd says he would thank him for nothing because his mom is dead and that he doesn't believe in God anymore, shocking everyone.
Ned is deeply shaken and reprimands him, but Todd continues questioning God's actions. When not even the Reverend can help, Ned prays to God to punish his son. The next morning, Todd refuses to say Amen at breakfast, and Ned wonders what will put the fear of God back in Todd. He finds a solution at the Simpson house, when Bart tricks Homer into staying outside in his underwear.
Lisa tries to introduce Todd to Buddhism but fails. She asks Buddha who he reincarnated David Bowie as, and a mosquito with Bowie's face appears, asking for help. At breakfast, Bart complains that Todd has cleaned his room, while Todd talks directly to Grampa—a feat not even Amazon Alexa would attempt, despite Grampa having one. At night, Marge refuses intimacy with Homer, fearing Todd might hear them. Todd confirms he would, prompting Homer to say they need to get rid of him.
The next morning, Homer tries to convince Todd that God drew Jesus on a piece of bread as a sign, but Todd still refuses to believe. Bart then takes him to where the bullies are throwing rocks down a cliff, but even Kearney's beliefs fail to help, as he says the bullies are all going to Hell.
Todd tells Homer the reason he doesn't believe is because his mother is never coming back and asks Homer if he understands how that feels. Homer remembers his own mother, Mona, and starts crying too. He goes to Moe's to forget and is surprisingly joined by Ned. They bond over drinks before being hit by Hans Moleman's car.
In Heaven, they are greeted by Edna Krabappel, Maude, John the Baptist, and God. After a movie argument with Abraham Lincoln, God gives them visitor passes, indicating their bodies aren't dead yet. Their families are seen at their hospital beds. Springfielders arrive to support the lives of those who touched their hearts—Homer only has Moe, Lenny, and Duffman on his side.
After being convinced by Marge and seeing even Bart pray, Todd also prays to God, Jesus, and Buddha to bring his dad back—and it works, as Ned returns to his body. Homer is then met by Mona, who finally has a chance to say goodbye and give him closure.
They wake up and are reunited with their families. Afterwards, Lisa visits Buddha, having failed to convert Todd to Buddhism, and asks for another chance. She brings Ralph Wiggum to him, whose bizarre knowledge blows Buddha's mind. That night, Maude tucks Rod and Todd into bed, while Edna shouts "Ha!" to Ned.
Production[edit]
Gallery[edit]
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