The Simpsons' fan-favorite "Treehouse of Horror" specials have been a long-running way for the Fox series to poke fun at the conventions of horror and sci-fi stories -- as well as rip into itself. The non-canon nature of the episodes allows for frequent character deaths and surprising transformations that highlight and subvert longtime elements of the core show. In 2022, that means creepy versions of Krusty the Clown.

But it also includes various versions of Ned Flanders, many of which are inevitably transformed into monstrous forms. This recurring theme is one of the most memorable in "Treehouse of Horror." By turning Flanders into a horror-themed monster, the series is able to take his traditional politeness that has even inspired other characters and use it as a means of making him into an especially scary character.

RELATED: How the Simpsons Evolved Patty and Selma Into Fascinatingly Complex Monsters

How Treehouse of Horror Turns Ned Flanders Into Monsters

The Simpsons Flanders Monster Treehouse 2

Within the regular context of The Simpsons, Ned Flanders is regarded as the nicest man in Springfield. The titular family's infinitely patient neighbor has provided assistance whenever he's called upon and has quietly become one of Homer Simpson's best friends. Although he's endured a series of hardships and become a more confrontational character at times, Flanders always seems to bounce back with his humility and humanity intact. But all of those traits that make him an appealing and agreeable character also make him perfect fodder for the "Treehouse of Horror" episodes.

The annual Simpsons Halloween specials have been a terrifying part of the show since the long-running series' second season, and very quickly featured Flanders. Often times, this involved giving him a brutal injury or death, such as the gremlin in one of Season 5's "Treehouse of Horror IV" segments ripping Ned's head off to show Bart. But more interesting are the occasions when the series subverts everything about Flanders and transforms him into a villain, monster, or demon -- who nevertheless never loses his polite affections.

In Season 4's "Treehouse of Horror III" and Season 9's "Treehouse of Horror VIII," Flanders is among the citizens of Springfield morphed into a zombie or a mutant, both times actively trying to kill Homer before being killed. Season 5's "Treehouse of Horror IV" also turned Flanders into an avatar of the devil, trying to manipulate an infernal trial to receive Homer's soul. Season 11's "Treehouse of Horror X" introduced a Flanders who'd been turned into a werewolf and only spared the Simpsons because they "killed" him with their car. Upon his eventual return, Werewolf Flanders attacked and presumably murdered Homer.

RELATED: Springfield Thinks Marge Is the Worst of the Simpsons - But Are They Right?

Why Ned Flanders Works So Well as a Monster

The Simpsons Flanders Monster Treehouse 3

Season 23's "Treehouse of Horror XXII" made Flanders into a murderer, with Homer tricking him into killing many of the family's enemies. His most disturbing variant was the one from Season 6's "Treehouse of Horror V," where a timeline altered by Homer's trips to the past turned Flanders into the undisputed master of the world, forcing rebellious citizens to go through "Re-Ned-Ucation" and get frontal lobotomies. Each of these horrifying versions of Flanders retained the typical friendly nature that usually defines him, but played it up against his darker intentions to great effect.

Devil Flanders is perhaps the most obvious example, his simple charms helping ease Homer into believing he could outthink the devil -- and almost getting him cast into hell itself as a result. But the Flanders from "Treehouse of Horror V" is one of the most unsettling concepts in the show's history, a version of Flanders who casually ordered people to their deaths and seemingly turned much of Springfield's population into his blissfully broken subjects. His polite attitude made his atrocious acts all the more frightening as he did them with a smile and a chuckle.

Flanders is usually one of The Simpsons' moral centers, so it makes perfect sense for the character to be transformed in the inherently subversive "Treehouse of Horror" specials. Because of his warmth and good-heartedness, the villainous acts he commits in the Halloween episodes make him the scariest possible antagonist.

The Simpsons airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on Fox and streams on Hulu and Disney+.