The Simpsons episode "The War of the Art" is a great Season 25 episode beyond most later-era Simpsons stories. The plot forces the titular family into a surprisingly tricky moral quandary involving a potentially valuable painting. But by the end of the episode, that ends up creating drama for the entire town of Springfield.
The thematically rich storyline is both a comedic showcase for the town and surprisingly dramatic arc about art, relationships and the conflict of personal morals against financial security. There's so much packed into "The War of the Art" that it might have been even better with an extended run time -- like being the very long-awaited sequel to The Simpsons Movie.
How "The War of the Art" Divides The Simpsons
Season 25, Episode 15, "The War of the Art" was directed by Steven Dean Moore and written by Rob LaZebnik. After Lisa's new pet hamster tears through the painting of a boat that's hung over the family couch almost all series, the Simpsons decide to replace it with a piece they buy from the Van Houtens during a yard sale. The family is shocked to discover that it is seemingly an authentic painting by Johan Oldenveldt and could be worth upwards of $100,000 at auction. They're elated at the windfall -- but Homer and Marge soon disagree over involving the Van Houtens in the deal. Marge's guilt over the situation failes to sway Homer's desire to give the family true financial security.
Inevitably, the Van Houtens find out the truth from their son Milhouse (who overheard Homer and Marge discussing the painting), and soon the entire town of Springfield finds itself fundamentally divided. Some citizens side with the Van Houtens and believe the Simpsons have stolen a fortune from them, while the other half of the town argues the Simpsons now rightfully own the painting and have no obligation to share any money made. The controversy even ends up reopening wounds from Kirk and Luanne's previous separation, threatening their marriage once again.
Hoping to prove his ownership, Homer stumbles upon Klaus Ziegler -- a gifted forger who reveals he actually produced the secretly worthless painting. Although neither family gets rich, Homer's decision to recruit the forger to paint new pieces for the Simpsons and the Van Houtens helps reunite the families.
Why "The War of the Art" Could've Been The Simpsons Movie 2
The ideas in "The War of the Art" easily justify more than a half-hour episode. At its core is the kind of absurd but cutting commentary that has long elevated The Simpsons, highlighting the hard choices between providing for one's family while holding onto one's personal morals. Homer's arguments to Marge may come in silly forms, but his historically dour analysis of life does include a harsh kernel of truth. Homer explains that the Van Houtens may not be their friends, just fellow parents they know by chance whom they owe nothing to. That's a believable beat to splinter the town over, giving everyone a role to play in a fundamentally personal tale about two marriages. Springfield's division over the painting -- especially when it appears to be authentic -- is a surprisingly mature conflict that could cause real discourse in the community.
The episode's third act delves further into questions about ownership of art and its true worth not coming from its value but the way it impacts others. That's another direction that would have benefited from the extra screen time of a film. "The War of the Art" would have forced the Simpsons to confront a surprisingly grounded and personally dramatic conundrum that would build upon the themes of the first film. Homer would've been prompted to re-examine his selfish side, especially when he justified casual cruelty under the pretense of doing right by his family. The episode is a keeper, yet the cleverness seen in The Simpsons Movie would've made it better.
The Simpsons is now streaming on Disney+.