Blood Feud is the twenty-second and final episode of the second season of the animated sitcom The Simpsons. It first aired in the United States on the Fox network on July 11, 1991. The episode combines broad cartoon comedy with a small domestic drama: Mr. Burns falls gravely ill and requires a blood transfusion, and the Simpson family becomes involved when Bart turns out to have Burns's rare blood type.
Plot summary
When the wealthy and callous billionaire C. Montgomery Burns collapses, Dr. Hibbert announces that Burns needs a compatible donation. Homer discovers that Bart shares Burns's rare blood and persuades him to give blood by promising an extravagant reward. Bart donates and the transfusion saves Burns's life. The family's expectation of a large payoff is subverted when Burns sends only a perfunctory thank-you card. Homer, outraged, composes a scathing reply; Marge prevents him from mailing it, but Bart secretly posts the letter anyway, producing a final comic twist.
Production and creators
The episode was written by George Meyer and directed by David Silverman, both influential contributors to the early style and tone of the series. The script balances sharp one-liners with character-based humor—Homer's greed, Bart's mischievousness, Marge's moral caution—and follows the show's pattern of using Springfield's social hierarchy to lampoon real-world values.
Themes and style
"Blood Feud" explores themes of gratitude, entitlement, and the clash between public benefactors and private donors. The episode uses exaggerated character traits—Mr. Burns's aloofness, Homer's impulsiveness—to create satire about social class and patronage. The unexpected stinginess of Burns plays as both a punchline and a commentary on transactional charity. The episode also deploys physical comedy and visual gags typical of the series, while maintaining an emotional core in the Simpson family's reactions.
Reception and significance
As a season finale, the episode is remembered for its concise structure and memorable final image of Homer’s offended dignity. Critics and fans often cite it as an example of the series's early strength: tight plotting, economical jokes, and effective character work. While not usually singled out as the most famous episode, it has remained part of the show's formative run and is frequently included on collections of standout early episodes.
Notable scenes and legacy
- Homer convincing Bart to donate by promising a reward—an instance of Homer’s recurring opportunism.
- Mr. Burns saved by Bart’s rare blood, reinforcing Burns’s role as a figure who both controls and disdains Springfield.
- The curt thank-you card and Homer’s offended reply, which encapsulate the episode’s satirical edge.
For readers seeking background on the medical element used as the plot device, the episode hinges on the idea of compatible blood types and transfusion practices; a general overview of those concepts can be found through resources on blood transfusion. The episode remains a compact example of how The Simpsons used family dynamics and social satire to find comic and sometimes pointed stories in ordinary situations.