When Bode, a young charismatic new preacher, comes to town and shakes things up at church, Reverend Lovejoy investigates his mysterious past.
This is a two-part episode. Part 1 first aired on April 26, 2020, Episode Code Number ZABF12. Part 2 first aired May 3, 2020, ZABF13.
Church attendance in Springfield seems to have hit an all-time low, and Revered Lovejoy is as unwilling as ever to break from his monotonous routine. The arrival of Bode Wright, a young and highly intelligent divinity graduate looking to serve as youth pastor, instantly draws in more parishioners and even makes Lisa Simpson a regular attendee.
While much of the town embraces Bode's fresh take on doctrine, Ned Flanders and Lovejoy himself have nothing but contempt for the young man and his "liberal" ways. The church council eventually dismisses Lovejoy, who out of sheer pettiness travels all the way to Michigan just to dig up dirt on Bode's past.
As church attendance continues to balloon, Ned Flanders finally snaps and calls out Bode's un-traditional ways in the middle of a service. The two later square off in a challenge over scripture, which Bode wins and finally deflates Ned's prudish sense of superiority. Everything seems to be on track for Bode when Lovejoy returns with evidence that Bode was sacked from his last position for burning a Bible.
Although the situation was far more nuanced than the accusation made it seem (Bode wanted people to stop being so rigid/discriminatory in their beliefs and open themselves up to real divine love), the citizens of Springfield still decide to kick him out, though the Simpsons insist on treating him to dinner before he leaves town.
This episode contains examples of:
- Always Someone Better: Everyone finds Bode a better reverend than Lovejoy, who is considered boring by most of the other parishioners.
- Armor-Piercing Response: In Part 2, when Ned tries to ditch a church sermon given by Bode, he's stopped by his two sons telling him that "we can't leave until the pastor says so". Ned asks who told them that, and their response quickly shuts him up.Rod: You did.Todd: You call it "Homer Simpson-ing."
- Art Shift: During Lisa's meditation sequence, she appears in different art styles, ending with a title card reading "Animation budget exceeded".
- The Bad Guy Wins: Lovejoy and Flanders basically get what they want when Bode is kicked out of Springfield after his secret's revealed, even though Bode is a much better preacher who genuinely cares about what he's saying unlike Lovejoy and isn't judgmental like Flanders.
- Both Sides Have a Point: Bode burned a Bible in an effort to make a point plenty of Bible-believing Christians would agree with. While lamenting the inability of Springfielders to understand subtext, Lisa wonders why he didn't simply say what he meant.Bode: I saw how people were using the Bible to divide and exclude. People were so busy worshipping a road map instead of trying to reach the destination. You know what I mean?Lisa: Well, why didn't you just say that? That was fine. No fire.Bode: I was nineteen.Lisa: I'm eight and I get it.
- Broken-Window Warning: As Lisa explains to Bode how unforgiving the people of Springfield are, a brick flies through his window. Bode hopes the brick actually has an encouraging message written on it, but no such luck.
- Continuity Cavalcade: Lisa's vision board chronicling past disappointments and losses includes pictures of her with Mr. Bergstrom ("Lisa's Substitute"), Princess the horse ("Lisa's Pony"), and Jesse Grass ("Lisa the Tree-Hugger"), jamming in the hospital with Bleeding Gums Murphy ("Round Springfield"), and cleaning up a beach with Mr. Burns ("The Old Man and the Lisa").
- Dark Secret: Bode left Michigan to preach in Springfield as he ended up burning a bible.
- Dude, Not Funny!: Everyone at the pancake brunch doesn't react very well to Lovejoy's Jewish joke. As a result, he gets fired and replaced with Bode.
- Even the Dog Is Ashamed: Among Bode's protestors outside the church is an Stampy the elephant, holding a sign that says "An elephant never forgets or forgives".
- Everyone Has Standards: While Lisa is a Buddhist, even she gets that bible-burning (whatever the reason) is a bad thing and she's only 8.
- I'll Take Two Beers Too: Homer enters at Moe's with Bode, ask for two beers, and add: "Nothing for the reverend".
- Insane Troll Logic: Dr. Nick claims to Dr. Hibbert that he is learning from his mistakes; appearantly malpractice makes malperfect.
- Jerkass: Reverend Lovejoy reveals Bode's Dark Secret and manipulates Springfield into banishing him just because people liked Bode's sermons more than Lovejoy's boring droning and Holier Than Thou attitude.
- Kangaroo Court: A makeshift one happens in town hall after Bode's Dark Secret is revealed by Lovejoy. It ultimately ends up as one due to Lisa, appointed head of the trial, letting the town act like they usually do without letting Bode or Lovejoy do much of anything to back their arguments.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Bode leads grace at the Simpsons' house by saying, "Dear God, please let the Simpsons never end."
- Multi-Part Episode: The third two-parter in the entire series, after "Who Shot Mr. Burns" and "The Great Phatsby".
- Nice Guy: Bode is a mellow guy who never raises his voice and avoids conflict.
- Noodle Incident: Past victims of Springfield's Powder Keg Crowd tendency included a guy who wore mismatched socks.
- Not-So-Well-Intentioned Extremist: Lovejoy and Flanders both want Bode gone because they think he's making a mockery of the church and his bible burning means he's unfit to preach. The episodes make it clear Lovejoy's really jealous everyone prefers Bode over him, and Flanders is an uptight prude who can't stand the idea Bode is making church fun.
- Offscreen Inertia: Milhouse is still hanging from the flagpole at the end of the first part. Lampshaded after the "To Be Continued" title card.Milhouse: Is the second part about my rescue?
Title Card: NO, IT ISN'T - Once Done, Never Forgotten: Springfield won't forget (or forgive) someone, no matter how sorry the person may be. They admit they're unforgiven for things less severe as bible-burning.
- The Omnipresent: Bode's intended message when he burned the bible was this trope. That God isn't just in a book or in a church, but in everyone. Lisa appreciates the nuance but laments that Springfielders aren't smart enough to understand the symbolism.
- On the Next: Instead of a humorous stinger, the first episode ends with dramatic clips from the next installment.
- Place Worse Than Death: The welcome sign to Michigan questions the traveler's sanity.NOW ENTERING MICHIGAN. REALLY? YOU'RE SURE ABOUT THIS?
- Powder Keg Crowd: Springfield, like always, after Bode is called to trial. Moe Lampshades this during the trial.Moe: We've mobbed for less, people.
- Spit Take: Homer’s reaction to Bode asking if Flanders was annoying. So much so that he guzzles down more beer to keep going.
- Status Quo Is God: Lampshaded in part two as Marge warns Lisa not to get attached to Bode as “Springfield has a habit of running out new things.”
- "Stop Having Fun" Guy: Flanders can't stand the idea that Bode's turning church into a "Preachy love-in."
- Story Arc: This is a two-part story arc, the first one since "The Great Phatsby" and the third overall. It is also the first one where Mr. Burns isn’t a major character.
- Undying Loyalty: Ned shows this to Lovejoy through the episode.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Bode's past secret was that for a sermon he burned a bible, which did not go over well with anyone in the clergy or congregation of his previous church. His intention was to show that the power of religion was inside of the people and not on the page, but destroying religious icons is not a way to get people on your side. He shows some regret for what he did but it's hard to tell if he actually learned his lesson since he keeps defending his action.
- What Beautiful Eyes!: Chief Wiggum gushes that Bode has the "gentlest eyes [he's] ever seen" when they first meet.
- Wingding Eyes: When Bode and Flanders have their showdown, Flanders’ eyes form into the Christian cross. Bode’s does the same, then other religious symbols. Then it shows the Flanders' puppy with dog bones in his eyes.
