It’s difficult to imagine how The Simpsons could ever come to an end, but the perfect finale has always existed - and it’s in the show’s very first episode. The Simpsons, which first premiered in 1989, has undergone a lot of changes for the Simpsons in the past 30 years. While some of these changes have been for the better, others have been for the worse, and many believe that its finale is long overdue. However, saying goodbye to the Simpsons family is easier said than done.
Given the show’s longevity and impact on pop culture, finding a way to end the show that satisfies every fan is near impossible. But while the showrunners are facing an uphill battle, the best possible ending does exist within the show’s pilot episode. When the show debuted in December of 1989, it was with the Christmas special “Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire.” Although it wasn’t The Simpsons' original first episode, it was a perfect introduction to the Simpsons family, and it remains a fan favorite. After Homer gets denied a Christmas bonus and all the money saved over the year is spent on removing Bart’s impulse tattoo, Homer tries to save the holidays by buying cheap gifts and taking on a job as a mall Santa. In a last-ditch attempt, he takes Bart to the dog track and bets all of their money. They lose it all, but bring home something better: a greyhound appropriately named Santa’s Little Helper. The Simpsons' first episode is equal parts funny and heartwarming, perfectly balancing a critique of Christmas consumerism in working-class America and the timeless message of the importance of family.
Ending The Simpsons with a holiday episode has long been considered a possibility by audiences and creative team alike, as many of the episodes are audience favorites, even in the subpar later years. Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving specials have been a beloved element of the show from the very beginning, and spending one last holiday with America’s favorite family would serve as the perfect send-off. Not only would this bring the show full circle, but it could serve as an answer to the “floating timeline” that the show's world adheres to. Putting the residents of Springfield in a never-ending time loop might not satisfy everyone, but it would give the show a sense of immortality, making it easier for fans to say goodbye. While other proposed endings, such as a flash-forward episode or the death of Homer are more likely to result in controversy, paying tribute to where The Simpsons began would be seen as a love letter to the show and its fans.
This sentimental factor is the greatest strength of returning to the pilot for the series finale. “Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire” is focused on the Simpsons family and their realistic struggles, as opposed to the constant stream of guest stars and outlandish, repetitive plots that would drag down later seasons. By making the end goal of the series to tie it back to the very beginning, it forces the writers to prioritize the focus of that first episode - the core characters of the show and their relationships with one another. Even showrunner Al Jean pitched it as his ideal ending, suggesting that The Simpsons should end with the Christmas pageant they attended in those first few minutes.
Theories on how The Simpsons will end have existed as long as the show itself, and the unpredictable nature of the series means that just about anything could happen. While the show doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon, the writers are undoubtedly aware of how difficult it will be to pull off when that day does come. Whatever direction they decide to go in, their most important task will be to remind audiences of what The Simpsons once was: a show that could turn something as simple and normal as a Christmas pageant into a series of clever jokes, and make something as ridiculous as a father and son spending Christmas Eve at the dog tracks into a heartwarming tale of love and acceptance.