The Simpsons go back to their heritage and what they find is both surprising and liberating.In an episode that touches upon slavery and the family tree of a long beloved fictional family, tv-shows have to be extra careful in handling the matter. Not that anybody will be furious about 'The Color Yellow', because racism is not dealt with in a controversial matter. But the episode does shine a certain light on the topic without ever preaching or stereotyping, which is admirable.
Lisa is forced to look back at her ancestors for a school assignment. To her dismay she finds that no one in the Simpson family is worth telling about, except for maybe a certain Elyza Simpson, who lived in the 19th century, and had a slave.
Do not worry, this is not a sad story where someone is treated horribly and injustice has to be overcome. The episode is lighthearted, romantic, honest and, as animation shows tend to do on Fox, sharp as a needle, certainly when it comes to the generation of grandpa Simpson.
After twenty-one seasons, there is still a lot to learn about the Simpson family, and what there's to see is worth sticking around for. If only every episode was as smart, objective and poignant as this one, it would force every critic to admit that the yellow folks of Springfield are ever more relevant.
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