Draft:A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream

"A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream" is the second episode of the thirty-fifth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons, and the 752nd episode overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 8, 2023. The episode was directed by Matthew Faughnan and written by Carolyn Omine.

In this episode, Marge experiences dread for the impending end of Bart's childhood. The episode received positive reviews.

Plot
Marge buys a bubble gun toy at the grocery store checkout line and brings it home for young Bart and Lisa. As they play with the bubbles, Bart floats away. Marge then wakes up from her dream. She is feeling sick after eating hot dogs from a street vendor. Marge goes back to sleep and dreams of Bart at different ages. She encounters dream versions of Homer and Lisa, who tells Marge that she can control her dreams. She remembers that she had a meeting with Bart's teacher, Rayshelle Peyton, earlier in the day. At the meeting, she warned that Bart's childhood would soon end, which scares Marge.

Marge remembers that the school Bounce-A-Thon, where the schoolchildren ride on balls around a track, is the next day. In the morning, Marge wants to attend, but is too sick. She asks Homer to take pictures of Lisa and Bart giving the thumbs-up sign as they cross the finish line. Bart wants to perform a funny pose instead. Marge goes back to sleep and dreams of Lisa and Maggie growing up and leaving. This distresses Marge, which causes the house in her dream to explode.

In her dream, Homer tells Marge to remember back to that morning where she sees that Lisa was excited that Marge would attend the Bounce-A-Thon. Marge wakes up and goes to the school even though she is still sick. She arrives as Lisa crosses the finish line but only manages to take a distorted picture before she loses consciousness. In the medical tent, Marge learns from Peyton that she did not say that Bart's childhood would end, and it was only in her imagination. Marge goes outside where Bart is crossing the finish line. He poses with two balloons over his posterior, which causes Marge to laugh. Bart takes Marge's hand to go and throw balls at the dunk tank.

Production
Writer Carolyn Omine wrote this episode while she was sending her son away to college. Kerry Washington reprised her role as Rayshelle Peyton. Washington also voiced the public address announcer at the grocery store in Marge's dream.

Cultural references
The story is an homage to the "Funhouse" episode of the television series The Sopranos. The house exploding is also a reference to the 2010 film Inception. The nuclear explosion scene is a parody of a scene from the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Viewing figures
The episode earned a 0.39 rating with 1.17 million viewers, which was the most-watched show on Fox that night.

Critical reception
John Schwarz of Bubbleblabber gave the episode a 9 out of 10. He liked how the plot was relatable to any parent seeing their children leave home. He also wanted an extended episode to see the state of Home and Marge's marriage after the children leave.

Michael Boyle of /Film thought the episode was "a breath of fresh air." He liked how the characters were acting sincerely, especially with the portrayal of Marge's fears. He also praised the dynamic between Marge and Bart.

Cathal Gunning of Screen Rant thought the episode was "superb, poignant, and funny." He also commended Rayshelle Peyton's role in the story.

Awards and nominations
Writer Carolyn Omine was nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation at the 76th Writers Guild of America Awards for this episode.