Disclaimer: I do not own the Simpsons or it's characters.
Chapter 15, Shipping: Simbel (seasons 1-5),
In the last section, I talked about why I am shipping these two, but because the Stalker pages makes it so easy for people to skip chapters, I should probably repeat myself. Bart gets pairs with many, many people, and I can see many reasons why some would pick one over the other. Most people would do a same-sex relationship, or one of the twins. Edna is not really someone that gets shipped with Bart, but I think most people would agree that they are very similar. And even though opposites attract, it is nice to meet someone who see the same world you do. I think a lot of this ship will be about how similar they are. But mostly this pairing is dedicated to 'Bart the Lover', since it seems to be such an emotionally defining moment for both of them. I doubt that this pairing will be the next 'It Couple' but heartache and love can come to define us. It should not be the only thing we are known for, but I still think that sticks with us, regardless. So, I think so will call this pairing 'Simbel' like Symbol. And here are some examples of Simbel throughout seasons 1-5.
1. [Bart gets an F]
When Bart fails his exam, after trying so hard to focus on studying, he starts crying his eyes out. Edna is shocked at his tears, and this is probably the most honest and genuine, and emotional Bart has ever been in front of her. I know this is a private moment between the two of them, and I appreciate that; for Bart's sake if nothing else.
She tries to comfort him as best as she can, but it's no good. And with all the studying Bart has done, he shows that he understands what he read. But Bart impresses Mrs. Krabappel so much that she decides to give him an extra credit point. She has made him the happiest boy in the world. He even gives her a kiss on the cheek, which I love because he did it without thinking. This means that Bart is comfortable enough with Mrs. Krabappel to kiss her. Plus, it's the first time you see him kiss a girl, even if it's not on the lips. But if these were going to get together, then this would certainly before that one or both of them thought of regularly.
2. [Bart the Lover]
As I mentioned earlier, this episode is the whole reason for this chapter to begin with. So we start out this episode with how lonely Mrs. Krabbel actually is. Now we do get hints before this episode. She hooks up with the chef from The Happy Sumo, she flirts with the Substitute teacher Lisa has a crush on, and she has even flirted with Homer. We have seen her being promiscuous since her husband left her, but this is the first real moment where you see the loneliness.
Not to mention the fact that her ex husband put sugar in the gas tank. Hm, I wonder if that would make him a bit more immature. After all, if her ex was silly then she could he attracted to Bart being that way as well. And not only that, but Bart threatened to put sugar in the gas tank in the 'Bart's Dog gets an F' episode.
Not to mention the reality that there is not a lot of choices for Mrs. Krabappel. They show the difficulty she had finding someone because there were not a lot of suitable bachelors in Springfield. Now they show this again when Apu gets married. And actually I think that Bart is a pretty suitable choice. I mean he worked very hard for Mrs. Glick when he wanted money for Radioactive Man #1. He worked hard and only gave a little bit of grief while he worked. And here you see him in detention, and he fixes things, and cleans, and anything else she asks. Take away the pranks and jokes and Bart is just a down to earth guy that Edna would love forever.
And when we see Edna's personal Ad, she says that she wants a man age 18-60. So if she were willing to wait 8 years for Bart, then he would be in her wheelhouse. I wonder what Bart thought would happen when he sent that first letter. Maybe he wanted to piss her off, like she pissed him off? I don't want to go into this now, I can always rant when I do Bart's next evaluation.
Now, as for the picture that Edna sent Bart, I can understand that she expected to send that to a legal adult, but we don't see that picture again. Sure Marge took it away, but I'm sure Bart could have found it again if he wanted. And when Bart first sees it, he tells us that he plans to copy it. So even if Marge took away the original, there is reason to think that there are several copies of it. But Bart doesn't show it off to everyone, like the photo in "Homer's Night Out". I can imagine that Bart keeps this in a very private place where he can look at it whenever he wants. Bart was kind enough to keep this dirty picture private, and I think that speaks volumes.
Now I realize that Bart is probably talking to Edna so that he can get some good material for his letters, but it does show that Bart is a good listener. And since Edna was open and honest with Bart, it does show a form of trust, or a subtle bond if you will.
You know, after this episode, Edna is sure to keep the letters that Bart sent to her. And I would hope that Bart kept the letters Edna sent him. For nostalgia reasons if nothing else. Hm, I bet you could do a story between them where Edna finds the letters and her picture and figure out the truth for herself.
Here comes the heartache, I have a few friends who have never dated, and never been in love, so they treat romance similarly to Bart. It's no big deal to them. It drives me crazy when I read a story from them with a complicated love angle, but they just don't understand real love and real pain from a broken heart. And that's what you see here with Bart. Before the movie, Bart is proud of what he did and afterwards, he sees Mrs. Krabappel crying and he finally gets it. Because he does end up caring for Edna, and it always sucks to see someone you care for, be in pain.
And in Detention when Bart hears that Edna is still upset, he tries to make her feel better; and perhaps even point her in the direction of someone new. Instead Edna admits that Bart is the closest thing to a man in her life. And you know, if Barr was of age in this moment, can you imagine how Edna would react if he just kissed her then and there?
At the end of the Episode, Edna feels better and even suggests that they go outside. I just love that Bart says 'It's a date' and politely offers his arm to Edna. This shows that Bart can be a gentleman when he wants to. But more importantly it shows an attraction he might have for Edna now.
3. [Kamp Krusty]
Ok, so you can't really control what you dream, especially at a young age. But we started out this episode with Bart dreaming about his last day of school. And he dreams that Edna changes his grades, and he is so happy that he calls her doll and hits her on the butt. This could indicate an attraction towards Edna that he isn't fully aware of.
4. [New Kid on the Block]
Ok, now when Milhouse likes Samantha, Bart couldn't understand why Milhouse liked her. But the second he sees Laura, he instantly thinks that she's beautiful. Bart likes Laura because she is smart, witty, and doesn't fall for any of his jokes. And this does sound a little like Edna, perhaps she even behaved like Laura before her husband left her.
Heh, Bart tries to act sophisticated to woo Laura, and it is cute. I bet that Bart really would do all he could to win over a girl. Heck, after feeling so betrayed by her husband. Maybe Edna deserves a little of Bart's charm.
And Laura taught Bart how to Waltz. Can you imagine the way Bart and Edna could dance with each other? Bart knows how to waltz and Bart did take a free tango lesson on his birthday, and he seemed to do well. That instructor, Rosarita, seemed to be in love with Bart and sad when he left. I would love it if Bart and Edna danced together. Even if it's some stupid student-teacher fundraiser, I would love to see them dance.
Bart does get upset when Laura tells Bart that she has a boyfriend. And even though this sucks, I suppose technically it would help Bart to understand the pain he put Mrs. Krabappel through when he was pretending to be Woodrow. I mean, you could use this as something they could bond over. Even if you don't have Bart admit the truth, they could talk about heartbreak now.
5. [Bart's Inner Child]
Here, a lot of people start behaving like Bart and being more impulsive. So when you see the classroom and everyone is shouting jokes instead of answers, you can see Edna laughing when traditionally she would have gotten upset. So with thatin mind, there is probably a good chance that Edna finds Bart funny. Which, a sense of humor, is something that two men look for in a man.
6. [Bart gets Famous]
Seeing Edna and Bart in this episode is quite amusing. They both are disappointed about going to the box factory. They both press up against the window when they see how much fun the other schools are having. They walk off the bus, already bored as they can be.
And later, after Bart is famous, we see his entire class staring at him, just waiting for him to say 'I didn't do it' and everyone cheers. This shows that Edna is just as obsessed about Bart that everyone else is. Plus she could afford to buy all of the Bart merchandise she wanted.
7. [Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song]
Aw, Edna loves Santa's Little Helper. She was impressed that Bart did a good job, but hey. There are times when everyone is against Santa's Little Helper. But Edna likes him. Heck, it would be cute if these two adopted a puppy together.
I know that there wasn't much to this couple, but I hope that you can at least respect why it's here to begin with. Well, that's the end of that, for now. Our next chapter is going to be all about sweet little Maggie in season 2.