The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful

"O C'mon All Ye Faithful", also known as "A Derren Brown Christmas", is a special two-part episode from the thirty-sixth season of the beloved animated series The Simpsons. This marks the 778th and 779th episodes in the show's long history. They made their debut on the streaming service Disney+ on 17 December 2024. Directed by Debbie Bruce Mahan and Matthew Faughnan, the episodes were penned by Carolyn Omine.

The storyline revolves around famous illusionist Derren Brown, who visits the fictional town of Springfield to film a Christmas special aimed at lifting the town's holiday cheer. In a twist of fate, Brown accidentally hypnotizes Homer Simpson into believing he is Santa Claus. Meanwhile, Ned Flanders grapples with his faith in God. The episodes feature guest appearances from Derren Brown, musician Patti LaBelle, and the a cappella group Pentatonix, all playing themselves. The reception has been generally positive, with many praising its heartfelt message and humor.

Plot Summary

The plot kicks off when Derren Brown arrives in Springfield with the intention of rekindling the Christmas spirit among the residents. Marge Simpson, hoping to help Homer become a better gift shopper, allows Brown to hypnotize him. However, the hypnosis backfires when Homer believes he is the Santa Claus from a cupcake package. This delusion spreads throughout the town, with Ralph Wiggum becoming his elf. At a town meeting, Brown reveals his true goal and attempts to restore reality to the townsfolk. But when they ask him to fix their perceptions, he explains they weren't actually hypnotized; rather, they were caught up in a cult-like belief in magic. This moment leads Flanders to question his faith.

Flanders confides in Marge about his struggles after losing two wives, prompting her to encourage him to maintain his faith. The next day, he decides to store away his religious items, which worries Marge. Meanwhile, Bart expresses his lack of holiday spirit to Lisa, who reminds him that Christmas becomes more meaningful when it focuses on giving rather than receiving. Marge, hoping to help Flanders further, asks Brown to hypnotize him into believing in God, but he declines. Bart's attempts to frighten Ned into faith backfire, though Marge appreciates his intentions.

As Homer grapples with his identity loss as Santa, he teams up with Ralph to create gifts for the townsfolk. However, after getting caught sneaking a gift into Rainier Wolfcastle's house, Homer ends up in jail. Ralph helps him escape, and Homer ultimately decides to focus on giving gifts to his family instead. On another front, Marge seeks to support Ned, who is wandering through town. After hearing Lisa share a poignant story about an ox yoke in the ocean and a turtle, Ned finds a new sense of purpose. He goes on a submarine adventure with Professor Frink, which culminates in a harrowing experience that leads him back to faith as he resurfaces with the help of the ox yoke.

In the end, Brown admits that the submarine incident was part of his plan to help Ned, although the ox yoke's arrival was pure coincidence. The episode concludes back at the Simpson household, where Homer surprises Marge with a book of "Sexy Sudokus."

Production Insights

In August 2024, it was announced that four original episodes of The Simpsons would exclusively debut on Disney+. This two-part Christmas special was strategically scheduled to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the show's premiere. The executive producer, Matt Selman, indicated that this episode would be longer than usual, with no abrupt breaks that typically mark episodic television. Writer Carolyn Omine noted that the opportunity to release on a streaming platform allowed for a more leisurely storytelling pace without worrying about commercial interruptions.

The creators chose to craft a Christmas episode given that earlier seasons avoided holiday themes beyond Halloween due to lower rerun popularity. Omine drew from her personal challenges over the past year and aimed to weave magic into the narrative. The character of Flanders questioning God's existence reflects Omine's own doubts she experienced in her life. The plot incorporates a touching story about a woman finding inspiration in ocean life, which ultimately serves as a pivotal moment for Flanders' faith restoration.

In terms of casting, Derren Brown's participation was significant, marking one of the largest guest roles in the show's history. His inclusion was inspired by Omine's enjoyment of his performances. Patti LaBelle and Pentatonix also contributed their talents, with LaBelle offering a unique rendition of "Silent Night." The episode's premiere was held at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on 13 December 2024, followed by its release on Disney+ four days later.

Critical Reception

The reception for "O C'mon All Ye Faithful" has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics praised its thoughtful storytelling and humor, highlighting the significant character development for both Homer and Flanders. Rafael Motamayor from IGN rated it 8 out of 10, praising it as “the best Ned Flanders story in decades.” Similarly, John Schwarz from Bubbleblabber awarded it a 9 out of 10, commending Carolyn Omine’s writing and Brown’s performance. The blend of humor and a heartfelt message about faith resonated with audiences, making this episode a memorable addition to the series' holiday tradition.