Ep 1. Clown in the Dumps

As the long-running animated sitcom, The Simpsons, enters its 26th season, viewers are introduced to the first episode, titled "Clown in the Dumps." In this episode, the Simpson family deals with the passing of Krusty the Clown's father, Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky. At the same time, Krusty is grappling with his own feelings of grief and regret over his complicated relationship with his father.

The episode begins with the Simpson family gathered around the TV, watching a news report about the passing of Rabbi Krustofsky. Unusually, Krusty is absent from the funeral, having had a falling out with his father years earlier when he decided to become a clown instead of following in his dad's footsteps and becoming a rabbi.

Meanwhile, Krusty is seen moping around the studio, unable to shake his sadness. He visits a therapist, Dr. Marvin Monroe, who is shockingly (and inexplicably) still alive despite having died in an earlier episode. After their session, Krusty emerges feeling somewhat better, but still conflicted about his relationship with his father.

As the episode progresses, the Simpsons attempt to console Krusty and help him through his grief. Meanwhile, Lisa is grappling with her own existential dread after seeing a news report about the "heat death" of the universe, a concept that terrifies her. In the end, the family comes together to support one another despite their own struggles.

"Clown in the Dumps" is a poignant episode that explores themes of loss and regret while still maintaining The Simpsons' trademark humor. The show has never shied away from tackling serious topics, and this episode is no exception. Viewers get a deeper glimpse into Krusty's character and backstory, which is especially poignant given the death of his father.

As always, the cast of voice actors delivers excellent performances, with Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Krusty) and Hank Azaria (various) in particular standing out. The animation and writing are on par with what fans have come to expect from the show, with plenty of sight gags and references to pop culture.

Overall, "Clown in the Dumps" is a strong start to the 26th season of The Simpsons. While the show may have lost some of its original spark over the years, it's clear that there's still plenty of life left in these characters and their stories. Fans of the show will find much to enjoy in this episode, which balances humor and heart in equal measure.