The Simpsons Season 36 Just Gave A 35-Year Background Character A Proper Storyline

The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons season 36 episode 17, "Full Heart, Empty Pool," now streaming on HuluThe Simpsons has finally given a largely nameless 35-year-old character an actual storyline in an episode. From the very first season on, The Simpsons has always had a deep bench of charming and comedic supporting characters. Over the years, the show has proven more willing to focus on the people in the Simpsons' orbit instead of just telling stories about the titular family. This has transformed potentially one-note characters like Ned Flanders into some of The Simpsons' most interesting characters.