Over the last thirty-six seasons,The Simpsonshas steadily transformed Milhouse from a minor character into one of the show’s most important supporting figures in the show. Played by Pamela Hayden since the very first full-length episode of the show, Milhouse started out as Bart’s friend and has steadily evolved into the ideal example of a character in Springfield. Capable of shifting from pathetically hilarious to surprisingly emotional between episodes and even from scene to scene, Milhouse steadily became one ofThe Simpsons’s most memorable and enduring side characters, with an appealing optimism that reflects the show at its best.
Beyond the comical potential of a silly sidekick for Bart, Milhouse’s unrequited love for Lisa and neglectful upbringing due to a troubled home life made him a surprisingly flexible and adaptable character.Milhouse episodescan shift from tragic to hilarious and back again. It makes him an ideal example of the elastic qualities that elevateThe Simpsons. Milhouse helped prove it remained a truly adaptable series. WithPamela Hayden officially retiring fromThe Simpsonsas of season 36’s “Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes,” it’s worth looking back at her greatest achievements with Milhouse, and how he evolved into his current form.
How Milhouse Went From Basic One-Note To Surprisingly Complex
Milhouse Became More CompellingAsThe SimpsonsWent On
Milhouse has evolved over the course ofThe Simpsonsinto one of the show’s best supporting characters, all while retaining the simple but sweet elements that defined the character in the earliest seasons of the show. WhenThe Simpsonsbegan, Milhouse filled out a fairly standard role at Springfield Elementary. It took until season 2’s “Three Men and a Comic Book” for the character to really stand out, while other kids like Martin were quickly developed into direct contrasts to Bart. However, things started shifting in season 3, thanks to episodes like “Homer Defined” and “Bart’s Friend Falls In Love.”
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Those episodes set up a surprising amount of sadness for the character, building upon the comical wimpiness and dorky personality that became consistent elements of the character. Milhouse started being portrayed as a well-meaning dope whose pathetic efforts to seem cool always undermined him. However, he also steadily became more likable as a result, picking up a resilient optimism that became a hallmark of the character.This became the defacto approach to the character, with highlights like season 7’s “Bart Sells His Soul” and “Radioactive Man” exploring his morality. However, season 8 shifted things dramatically for Milhouse and his family.
Milhouse’s Divorce Storyline Took Years To Play Out
The SimpsonsBecame A Drama When The Van Houtens Took Center Stage
Season 8’s “A Milhouse Divided” was an example ofThe Simpsonsshifting into family drama as it depicted the collapse of the Van Houten marriage. While the episode itself was largely centered around the fallout of Kirk andhis mother Luann’ssplit,Milhouse became increasingly defined by the contrastbetween his comically pathetic father and his confident mother. Milhouse still remained Bart’s best friend and a frequent source of silly comedy, but episodes with Milhouse at the center (like season 15’s “Milhouse Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and season 19’s “Little Orphan Millie”) underscored the strife caused by his parent’s divorce.
After divorcing in season 8’s “A Milhouse Divided,” Kirk and Luann got back together in season 17’s “Milhouse of Sand and Fog.” They formally remarried in season 19’s “Little Orphan Millie.”
Milhouse became a fascinating examination of children of splintered families, with several episodes focused on his attempts to reinvent himself to cope with his struggles at home. It gave a more grounded dramatic aspect to his repeated failings and enduring resilience, and quietly made him a surprisingly aspirational character who, as Pamela Hayden explained toThe New York Times, is “having a rough time a lot of times, but he doesn’t take it personally. It doesn’t ruin his life. He wakes up the next day and he still feels like things are going to be better, even if they’re not.”
Milhouse’s Relationships Make Him One Of Springfield’s Most Relatable Characters
Milhouse Wants A Better Life And Keeps Trying Even When He Doesn’t Get It
One of the things that makes Milhouse so compelling is the way he’s contrasted so heavily against the main cast of the show. His friendship with Bart has been the source of plenty of heartwarming turns, but it’s also been used to explore toxic friendships and their effect on people.Milhouse falling in love with Lisa was an important turn for the character, giving him an aspirational element that could never fully pay off due to Lisa’s consistent lack of a similar romantic interest. Season 22’s “Homer Scissorhands” is perhaps the best example of the surprising weight of this dynamic.
Milhouse never stopped being a silly character whose dorky attitude could be the source of a joke, but he also gained an admirable desire to love and be loved in return.
Despite her genuine feelings for Milhouse and appreciation of his sweet side, Taffy recognized he couldn’t get over Lisa and ended things on her own terms. Milhouse never stopped being a silly character whose dorky attitude could be the source of a joke,but he also gained an admirable desire to love and be loved in return— which was given an even sadder element after his parents became increasingly neglectful of him. Milhouse became an ideal character onThe Simpsons, easily able to work in comedic and dramatic beats alike and showcased the flexibility that has always benefited the show.
Milhouse Is One Of The Simpsons' Best Characters
Why We Love Milhouse
The Simpsonshas been improved by Milhouse’s presence, with the character providing a great deal of emotional resonance to the show over the years. This stems from the impressive roster of writers who’ve taken on the character over the years, but it can’t be overstated how important Pamela Hayden has been to Milhouse. Hayden’s earnest delivery of Milhouse’s lines gave him a wide-eyed sweetness that was always perfectly deployed for comedy. More than that, Hayden brought a vulnerability to her performance as Milhouse. While he could often cry for comedic effect, plenty of scenes relied on Milhouse growing effectively vulnerable.
Despite the constant hits though, Milhouse always bounces back. That’s partly due to the elastic elements ofThe Simpsonsas a whole, constantly resetting the status quo. However, with Milhouse that element took on a more emotional and earnest element. Milhouse always tried to come back from his losses and failures and remained as hopelessly hopeful as ever. Milhouse is one of the best characters inThe Simpsons, far beyond the memorable dialogue and pathetically hilarious antics. At his core, Milhouse’s hopeful approach to a bittersweet world speaks to the core themes ofThe Simpsonsin a sweetly memorable way.
The Simpsons
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The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
