#mainly because I'm a neurotypical bitch and I don't consider it my place to analyze this specific facet of the episode.

[lilcupio]

I watched the episode “Diggs” and I have thoughts

While enjoying The Simpsons completely legally and not through one of those endless Twitch streams, I came across this episode. In my country, more recent episodes (read “recent” as “from season 20 onwards”) are not often aired. So, this is the first time I've seen this episode which is now ten years old since its premiere. And, wow, this episode is gay, like GAY.

I can't find another word to describe it. It's impossible not to believe that Bart has feelings for this Harry Potter-voiced guy.

It's not the first time it's been hinted that Bart might be queer (jokes about it have been present in the series since its inception), but it's the first time it's been perceived as almost…. authentic? realistic? not just a superficial joke?

This episode exudes a strange vibe overall. I feel it more serious and melodramatic than the Bart-centric episodes and it tackles topics that are rarely explored in depth in his life. Usually Bart's serious episodes revolve around school issues, making amends for pranks, dealing with the guilt of his actions. Although there are exceptions, such as “Barthood” (one of the best in my opinion) and when he strikes up a friendship with that old lady. However, this episode focuses on the helplessness Bart feels at not being able to understand or help his new friend.

It is odd to see Bart take a more passive role in the plot. Normally he is the one who draws people in with his strong personality, but here he is pulled into someone else's world. He doesn't exercise leadership this time around; he simply follows Diggs.

Unlike other episodes where Bart is pushed or manipulated to act according to the convictions of others (as in the episode where he escapes from the prison with that girl who constantly beats him; or when he falls in love with the reverend's daughter; or the episode where he befriends Rafa, in which, at the end, Bart manages to regain control about halfway through the episode), here he is the one who chooses to follow Diggs.

The structure of the script is also peculiar. I wouldn't say it's bad, but one senses that the plot they wanted to develop required more time and they had to cut out many parts. The distribution of the scarce 20 minutes available was not good; the first part goes on too long and lacks a clear connection with the rest of the episode, leaving little room for the real development of the plot and the intention of the episode.

It was necessary for Bart to feel left out from the other kids, but I'm sure there were other ways to accomplish this. Also, the scene where Bart begs Homero (that's what it's called in the Latin dub, okay?) to donate to the church seemed out of character to me. I know Bart is not a bad kid and can be empathetic when he wants to be, but it just doesn't quite fit for me. Maybe it's just a me thing, so don't read too much into it.

Enough talk and let's get to the point: Bart seems to have a crush on Diggs.

While you might not interpret the relationship between these two romantically, it's inevitable to notice Bart's peculiar behavior in this episode.

Arguably, he's somewhat out of character, but this series has a very malleable continuity, adaptable to the specific needs of each episode, so this change isn't all that unusual.

Bart's behavior makes more sense if we assume he has feelings for this boy. At the time Bart meets Diggs, he was alone and about to be attacked by bullies. Diggs, a mysterious new boy, shows up to save him. Diggs shows Bart a side of the school isolated from the rest by introducing him to the falconry club. Bart enthusiastically joins, perhaps motivated by how cool falcons are or by the company of someone who doesn't reject him at the time, or perhaps for both reasons.

Diggs and Bart share a moment together at school late into the evening, watching the hawk fly, or rather, waiting for his return.

When Bart comes home late on taco day (Marge says Bart is never late for tacos) and his family asks him where he was, he replies:

"I met this kid, a little old, kinda strange. I don't think other people get him, but I just wanna hang out with him all the time."

Have you ever heard Bart refer to someone else that way? It sounds strange, especially coming from someone he just met.

What makes Diggs so different from the other guys Bart has befriended? Why does he only refer to him this way and not others?

Bart's sincerity in that sentence is remarkable, no sarcasm or irony, just honesty with his family and himself. He doesn't mention falconry or how he feels about it. Instead, he talks about Diggs and his desire to be with him all the time.

You can argue that it's bad writing (which I neither confirm nor discount at this point, hoy no me mojo el potito), but haven't you met someone older with a particular interest that you thought was amazing? Someone you'd want to emulate? It's a common thing, especially at the stage when you're searching for an identity of your own or getting to know yourself.

Later, we're shown a montage of small moments where these two share time together (including a walk on the beach and lounging on top of a tree in the woods while Diggs recites poetry). Bart seems fascinated in every instant, and we are never explicitly told why.

Although they use the hawk to perform pranks, Bart has done similar things before or could do them in other ways. We are not shown how much time they have actually spent together, nor is there a clear evolution. This scene exists solely to establish the friendship between them. It's not clear why Bart is so interested in falconry or spending time with Diggs. He just does it.

One could argue that Bart simply likes falconry, it wouldn't be the first time he's had an affinity for an animal or bird. But, the plot doesn't focus on Bart's relationship with the falcon or falconry itself, but rather the relationship between these two boys.

Falconry seems like an added element to highlight how quirky Diggs is compared to the other kids. It could have been any other sport or club, and the episode wouldn't have changed much. It's an extraneous element, as Bart's emotional attachment doesn't lie in that; it could be the starting point, but it has no bearing on the conclusion.

In the third act, after Diggs, you know, tries to fly in a moment of delirium and is taken to the hospital, Bart visits him and questions his behavior. Diggs' answers seem to disturb Bart, but he remains silent.

When Diggs is admitted to Twisted Meadows Psychiatric Hospital, Bart seeks information and asks permission to visit him the next day. Concerned, he continues to research “The Life of a Crazy Kid” (things Bart does, informing himself and reading). He wants to cure Diggs, but Lisa tells him it can't be done. Then he goes back to school with melancholy music playing in the background.

At the end, when they release all the hawks and it's time for Diggs to leave, Bart takes the bike to stop his friend. He asks him sadly when they will see each other again, to which Diggs does not respond. Instead, he hands Bart the presidency of the falconry club, thanks him for being his friend and disappears into the sunset. As the melancholy music plays again in the background, Bart sadly watches him walk away.

The story has no satisfying ending for Bart; he just stands there, getting no real goodbye and watching his new friend leave, never to return.

This looks like a fanfic. The whole story seems like a love story, especially the second act which has coming of age overtones. Bart seems to have developed romantic feelings for Diggs, but he is too young to understand or question these feelings.

I've always found it curious that it was Lisa who was confirmed as bisexual. I mean, this whole family is incredibly bi/pan, that's indisputable. But in my perception, I've always felt that Bart has been the character to whom the most same-gender tendencies or behaviors considered more “feminine” have been hinted at.

I remember when he taught Lisa to walk in heels, when even Homero came to think that Bart might be gay, or when he himself admitted to feeling some attraction for Milhouse (the only person in this family with good taste in men is Homero, you won't be able to convince me otherwise). Also, at the end of the episode where he befriends Nelson, his hugging his jacket tightly and how he caresses it also gave me pause.

I don't know, has Lisa ever had similar moments with any woman before confirming her bisexuality? At least not that I've noticed. But anyway, I'm not an expert on The Simpsons, much less the queer police. It's not for me to decide when someone qualifies to identify as part of the community.

Can you tell much that I need to read fanfics of these two? I searched like crazy and could only find one. I read it twice btw.

I guess I'll have to write it myself. Todo yo, todo yo.

Also, I really liked this screenshot c: