What is the plot?

The episode opens with Chief Wiggum starting to use a new weight-loss drug that parodies Ozempic. He quickly becomes enthusiastic about the drug's effects, boasting to his colleagues Lou and Eddie about his rapid weight loss and renewed energy. Wiggum also mentions that his sex life has been reignited and hints that he and his wife Sarah might have another child because of it.

Meanwhile, the drug's popularity spreads throughout Springfield, and many residents become obsessed with losing weight quickly. Homer initially resists taking the drug despite the town's craze. Marge encourages Homer to consider it, expressing concern for his health and their future together, wanting him to be around to see their children grow up.

As more Springfieldians use the drug, their behavior changes noticeably. They become fixated on their new body shapes and start acting differently, with some even pressuring Homer to continue taking the medication so they can use his body fat for cosmetic procedures. This creates social tension and a shift in the town's dynamics.

Homer eventually tries the drug and experiences rapid weight loss, which affects his personality and interactions. However, as the episode progresses, Marge realizes that her love for Homer is not dependent on his weight or appearance. She supports him regardless of his body changes.

Homer delivers a monologue reflecting on society's obsession with food and body image, pointing out the contradiction of being surrounded by food culture while feeling pressured to lose weight quickly. This moment serves as a turning point for the characters, prompting them to reconsider their approach to health and body image.

The townspeople begin to recognize the potential dangers of the weight-loss drug, understanding that quick fixes are not always the best solution for health and wellness. Homer decides to stop taking the medication, choosing to embrace his original self and prioritize his family's love and acceptance over conforming to societal expectations.

The episode concludes with Homer returning to his original body shape, surrounded by his loving family who accept him as he is. Chief Wiggum continues to enjoy the benefits of the drug, still boasting about his improved life, while the town moves away from the fad, reflecting on the episode's themes of body positivity, health risks of unregulated treatments, and self-acceptance. Throughout, the show uses humor to address these serious topics and social pressures in a lighthearted manner.

What is the ending?

Short, Simple Narrative of the Ending

In "The Last Man Expanding," Homer, after initially embracing a miracle weight-loss drug that transforms Springfield, ultimately decides to stop taking it, realizing his family loves him as he is. Marge, who at first pushed Homer to lose weight for health reasons, comes to accept him regardless of his size. Meanwhile, Barney, who also took the drug and became sober, relapses after a traumatic event, showing the complexity of addiction. By the end, Homer returns to his original self, surrounded by his accepting family, while the town grapples with the consequences of chasing quick fixes.

Expanded, Chronological, Scene-by-Scene Narrative of the Ending

As the episode nears its conclusion, the town of Springfield is in the grip of a weight-loss frenzy, nearly everyone having taken the experimental drug Othinquik--a clear parody of real-world medications like Ozempic. The drug has not only caused rapid weight loss but also, in Barney's case, eliminated his desire to drink, rendering him sober almost overnight. The streets are filled with newly svelte citizens, and the mood is one of collective euphoria and superficial transformation.

Homer, however, begins to feel the strain of this new reality. At first, he is swept up in the excitement, enjoying the attention and the physical changes. Marge, initially supportive of Homer's weight loss out of concern for his health and their future together, starts to notice that Homer's personality is changing along with his body. He becomes more image-conscious, distant, and less like the man she fell in love with. Marge's internal conflict grows--she wants Homer to be healthy, but she misses the warmth and humor of the husband she knows.

A pivotal scene unfolds in the Simpson living room. Homer, now noticeably thinner, sits with Marge as she tentatively expresses her feelings. She tells him that while she wanted him to be healthy, her love for him was never about his weight. Homer, touched and confused, listens as Marge's voice wavers with emotion. The room is quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator. Homer's face shows a mix of relief and guilt--relief that he is loved unconditionally, guilt for having doubted that love.

Meanwhile, Barney's storyline reaches a crisis point. Having embraced sobriety thanks to Othinquik, he is suddenly thrust into a life-threatening situation--a plane crash that leaves him stranded in freezing conditions. The stress and trauma of the event overwhelm him, and in a moment of weakness, he relapses, taking a drink. This scene is stark and tense: Barney, shivering and alone, stares at the bottle in his hand, his face a mask of shame and resignation. The episode does not shy away from showing the raw, painful reality of addiction, even in the face of medical intervention.

Back at the Simpson house, Homer makes his decision. In a quiet, reflective moment, he looks at a family photo on the wall--a reminder of who he truly is. He decides to stop taking Othinquik, accepting that his value is not tied to his appearance. The next morning, Homer wakes up to find his body returning to its original shape. Marge, seeing this, smiles warmly, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. The children, Bart and Lisa, hug their father, their embraces genuine and full of affection.

The final scenes show Springfield's citizens beginning to question their own choices. The initial excitement over the drug fades as some experience side effects or miss their old selves. The episode closes with the Simpson family gathered around the dinner table, laughing and eating together, a picture of imperfect but unconditional love. Homer, back to his usual self, cracks a joke, and the room erupts in laughter. Marge looks at her family, her face serene, having learned that health and happiness are not found in quick fixes but in acceptance and support.

Fate of Each Main Character at the End

  • Homer Simpson: Stops taking the weight-loss drug, returns to his original weight, and is embraced by his family. He learns that his worth is not defined by his appearance and that his family's love is unconditional.
  • Marge Simpson: Realizes that her love for Homer is not contingent on his weight. She supports his decision to stop the medication and is visibly happy to have her husband back, flaws and all.
  • Bart and Lisa Simpson: Show their love and acceptance for their father, hugging him and participating in the family's return to normalcy. They are relieved to have their dad back to his old self.
  • Barney Gumble: After achieving sobriety through the drug, he relapses following a traumatic event, highlighting the ongoing struggle with addiction. His fate is left uncertain, but the episode portrays his journey with empathy and realism.
  • Springfield Citizens: Many initially embrace the drug and the changes it brings, but by the end, some begin to question the cost of these quick fixes, setting the stage for a more nuanced view of health and self-acceptance in the community.

The episode's ending is a quiet affirmation of family, self-acceptance, and the dangers of chasing societal ideals at the expense of personal happiness. Each character's journey is treated with specificity and emotional honesty, avoiding easy resolutions in favor of a more authentic, bittersweet conclusion.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The Simpsons season 36, episode 13 titled "The Last Man Expanding" does not have any publicly documented post-credit scene based on available sources. The detailed episode summaries and previews focus on the main plot involving Springfield's obsession with a weight loss drug and Homer remaining unaffected, but no mention is made of a post-credit scene or extra content after the credits.

While earlier episodes in season 36, such as the season premiere, have featured extended credit sequences with parodies and additional content, there is no specific information indicating that "The Last Man Expanding" includes a post-credit scene. Therefore, it appears this episode concludes with the standard ending credits without an extra scene afterward.

What is the significance of Chief Wiggum's use of the weight-loss drug in the episode?

Chief Wiggum begins using a weight-loss drug that parodies Ozempic, which leads him to boast about his renewed sex life and vitality to his colleagues Lou and Eddie. This subplot also hints at the possibility of Wiggum and his wife Sarah having another child, adding a personal dimension to his character's storyline in the episode.

How does the episode address Homer's weight loss and its impact on his character?

Homer considers taking the weight-loss drug but ultimately does not undergo a real transformation. The episode explores society's obsession with quick weight loss and diet culture through Homer's experience, showing how his family initially encourages him to lose weight for health reasons but later realizes their love is not dependent on his appearance. Homer delivers a monologue critiquing societal pressures around food and body image, leading to a resolution where he stops the medication and embraces self-acceptance.

What fan theory about Ralph Wiggum's parentage is implied in this episode?

The episode seemingly confirms a dark fan theory that Eddie, one of Chief Wiggum's police colleagues, might be Ralph Wiggum's biological father. This is suggested through Chief Wiggum's suspicious looks when noting the resemblance between Eddie and Ralph, though the show's 'elastic canon' means this is not a definitive or permanent change to the storyline.

How does the episode parody or reference other animated shows?

The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 13 borrows from South Park's plot involving fathers using Ozempic and their hometowns running out of the drug. This is part of a broader tradition where The Simpsons acknowledges and parodies storylines from other adult animated comedies, including South Park, Family Guy, and Bob's Burgers, often as a nod to their shared influences and cultural interplay.

What role does Moe's Tavern play in the episode's plot?

At Moe's Tavern, the regulars notice Barney's absence and are surprised when a skinny man who looks like Barney enters the bar. This visual gag highlights the episode's focus on weight loss and body changes among Springfield's residents, serving as a setting where the community's reactions to the weight-loss drug trend are observed and commented on.

Is this family friendly?

The Simpsons Season 36, Episode 13, "The Last Man Expanding," is generally family-friendly but contains some content that might be sensitive for children or very sensitive viewers. The episode satirizes weight loss drugs and the pharmaceutical industry, featuring humor around body image and medication use, which could be a delicate topic for some viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Mild to moderate humor about body weight and weight loss, which might be sensitive for children or those affected by body image issues.
  • Some mild language and typical Simpsons-style irreverent humor, including occasional mild sexual innuendos and references common in the series.
  • Scenes involving characters taking a weight-loss drug parodying real medications, which might include visual or verbal jokes about bodily changes.
  • Occasional mild tension or conflict, but no intense violence or graphic content.
  • The show overall has a history of mild cartoon violence (e.g., Homer strangling Bart as a running gag), but this is portrayed humorously and non-violently.

The episode does not contain strong language, graphic violence, or explicit content, making it suitable for older children and family viewing with parental guidance for younger or sensitive children. The series is typically rated TV-PG, with some episodes rated TV-14, but this episode aligns with the milder end of that spectrum.