| Revision as of 18:31, 15 October 2009 editAdolphus79 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers35,357 edits →Relationship with the Simpsons: that sentence needed work...← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:47, 18 October 2009 edit undo94.172.27.70 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| Ned Flanders's parents were ]s, as seen in the episode "]". Adherents of permissive parenting, they refrained from disciplining or punishing him during his childhood, resulting in his becoming an unholy terror. Seeking professional help, Ned's parents turned to Dr. Foster who tried an experimental procedure on Ned, which rendered him unable to express any anger at all. | Ned Flanders's parents were ]s, as seen in the episode "]". Adherents of permissive parenting, they refrained from disciplining or punishing him during his childhood, resulting in his becoming an unholy terror. Seeking professional help, Ned's parents turned to Dr. Foster who tried an experimental procedure on Ned, which rendered him unable to express any anger at all. | ||
| The Flanders family have a very large extended family, as seen in their family reunion in the episode "]". They have relatives all over the world, including a Mexican relative named Jose Flanders, and a British relative named Lord Thistlewick Flanders. Ned also has at least one sibling, a sister who lives in Capitol City, as mentioned in the episode "]". | |||
| In the episode "]" a Commander Flanders is mentioned as being the superior of Sergeant ] and Private ], then soldiers in ]. | In the episode "]" a Commander Flanders is mentioned as being the superior of Sergeant ] and Private ], then soldiers in ]. | ||
| In the episode "]" Ned introduces "Grandma Flanders", who is either Ned's mother or grandmother. | In the episode "]" Ned introduces "Grandma Flanders", who is either Ned's mother or grandmother. | ||
| And ] is coming to the simpsons | |||
| == Relationship with the Simpsons == | == Relationship with the Simpsons == | ||
Revision as of 16:47, 18 October 2009
The Flanders family is a family in the animated television series The Simpsons. The nuclear family consists of Ned, Maude, and their two sons Rod and Todd, although Maude died in the season eleven episode "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily". They live at 744 Evergreen Terrace, next to the Simpson family.
Family
Ned
Main article: Ned FlandersNed Flanders is the father in a devoutly Christian family, and is often used to satirize Christian fundamentalism, as well as the cloying "niceness" of doggedly upbeat born-again evangelicals. Ned is the Simpson family's neighbor and as such is a frequent target of Homer's abuse and a party to Homer's antics and schemes. Homer usually hates Ned, although he has referred to Ned as "Stupid best friend Flanders!" He owns a small shop in The Springfield Mall called "The Leftorium".
Maude
Maude Flanders was the wife of Ned Flanders, and the mother of Rod and Todd. Maude was voiced by Maggie Roswell and also by Marcia Mitzman Gaven, from 1999-2002 while Roswell was involved in a pay dispute. In 2002, Roswell returned to the show and the character.
Maude Flanders was the happily married wife of Ned Flanders. With Ned, she had two children, Rod and Todd Flanders, in whom she instilled her unwavering piety. Maude was a woman with many qualities: faith, chastity, charity. She campaigned strongly against Itchy and Scratchy with Marge. While she was not employed outside the home, Maude was a busy homemaker and a tireless advocate for the children, whose innocence is so often sullied by the "evils" of cartoon violence, liberal education, and the insidious influences of popular culture. Even though she spent much of her free time in prayer and reading the Bible and helping out her husband at the Leftorium, Maude was known to let her hair down for the occasional dinner party at the home of her neighbors, the Simpsons. Homer often made statements insinuating his attraction to Maude, thereby literally coveting his neighbor's wife. Also, in the second season episode "The War of the Simpsons", Homer ogled at Maude's very low-cut dress at a dinner party, which resulted in him and Marge going to marriage camp.
In "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily", Maude was killed when Homer ducked to pick up a barbie pin. She was knocked off the grandstand by a t-shirt cannon at the Springfield Speedway, her rescue was prevented as Homer had parked in the ambulance zone, impeding their rescue attempt. Her fall was precipitated by Homer jumping out of the way of a fast-flying T-shirt. Her death crushed Ned who, though used to some measure of hardship, assumed that they would always be together. Maude has since appeared in a few episodes, with Roswell returning for the voice. During the credits of "Bart Has Two Mommies" she is seen in heaven with Bob Hope and God wondering how her boys are doing. Her ghost also appears in the opening sequence for "Treehouse of Horror XIII". Maude appeared as a primary character in a flashback in season 20's episode, Dangerous Curves. Maude was also seen in the season 20 episode "Take My Life, Please" as a high school student asking if Homer had a date to the dance. Maude's name has also appeared in a Simpsons-branded video game, on a treehouse when Bart and Lisa are in heaven.
Rod
Rod Flanders is voiced by Pamela Hayden. Rod is Ned's 10 year old son. Rod prays often; first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. He prays for God to watch over him and his younger brother, Todd, as well as for the success of his father's business. He also prays for all of the other children like his neighbor Bart Simpson, who do not pray for themselves. Aside from praying, Rod enjoys playing wholesomely with his brother and eating "nachos, Flanders-style" (cucumbers with cottage cheese). Rod has described being quiet during trips as one of his favorite hobbies, as well as clapping during songs. He is also diabetic. In the episode "Future-Drama", it is revealed that Rod is very attractive as an adult. In the episode "Hurricane Neddy", after the Hurricane that destroys the Flanders' house, he is smashed through a tree and exclaims that his head hurts. He is pulled out by his father and appears to be fine.
Rod's largest role was in "Bart Has Two Mommies", where he obtains new climbing skills and rescues Bart from a chimpanzee atop a church. This episode also reveals that Rod thinks of Marge as the most fun they've had since Maude died.
Todd
Todd Flanders is voiced by Nancy Cartwright. Ned Flanders 8 year old son. He is the most impressionable member of the Flanders family. When exposed to profanity, Todd himself starts to curse ("Hell, no" and "I said I don't want any damn vegetables"). When Moe Szyslak loses his temper at Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag restaurant, Todd responds with "Ow, my freaking ears!" Whether due to immaturity or relentless sheltering by his parents, whenever Todd comes into contact with anything outside his family and their pious ways, such as the time he was tricked into eating a Pixie Stick by Bart Simpson, he turns nasty, calling his brother a "zitface", much to the delight of Bart. Todd can play the violin quite well, and is a part of the Springfield Elementary band. He also plays golf quite well.
Other family members
Ned Flanders's parents were beatniks, as seen in the episode "Hurricane Neddy". Adherents of permissive parenting, they refrained from disciplining or punishing him during his childhood, resulting in his becoming an unholy terror. Seeking professional help, Ned's parents turned to Dr. Foster who tried an experimental procedure on Ned, which rendered him unable to express any anger at all.
The Flanders family have a very large extended family, as seen in their family reunion in the episode "Lisa the Vegetarian". They have relatives all over the world, including a Mexican relative named Jose Flanders, and a British relative named Lord Thistlewick Flanders. Ned also has at least one sibling, a sister who lives in Capitol City, as mentioned in the episode "When Flanders Failed".
In the episode "Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish"" a Commander Flanders is mentioned as being the superior of Sergeant Abe Simpson and Private Montgomery Burns, then soldiers in World War II.
In the episode "Lisa's First Word" Ned introduces "Grandma Flanders", who is either Ned's mother or grandmother.
Relationship with the Simpsons
The Flanders live next door to the Simpsons, and these two families could not be more different. The Flanders are fastidious, pious individuals, and Ned often seems concerned about Bart, Lisa and Maggie's well being. Constantly being harassed by the Simpsons, they have surprisingly gone through a lot together. In one episode Homer was good friends with Ned, but became obsessed with spending time with him. At the end of the episode, everything was back to normal. Homer always makes a remark about Flanders when they are near each other, including "Stupid Flanders", which Homer says in inappropriate situations. However, Homer does tend to view him as a good friend, after Ned gave him a cup of coffee, Homer replied "Stupid best friend Flanders." When Bart and Lisa were taken into protective custody by child services from their 'unfit' parents, the Flanders were their foster parents, and almost went through with baptizing them, if Homer had not stopped them. In the season 2 episode Dead Putting Society, Ned and Homer engage in a bet revolving around Bart and Rod's mini golf tournament, where the losers father must mow the winning fathers lawn wearing the losing fathers best dress. The tournament ends in a draw, resulting in Homer wearing Marge's best dress while mowing the Flander's lawn, and Ned mowing the Simpsons lawn wearing Maude's best dress. Ned and Homer took a wild trip to Las Vegas, where, in their inebriation, married waitresses. Also, Ned does not refrain from calling the police if the Simpsons (especially Homer) are causing a ruckus, although when reporting he does remain anonymous. However, whenever Chief Wiggum responds to the call, he unknowingly gives Ned's identity away by saying "We got a tip from an anonymous 'neighbourino'." Even with all the crazy things that happen to them, the Flanders and the Simpsons have managed to live as neighbors for all these years. Since the very first day that the Simpsons moved next door to the Flanders, they have kept a TV Tray that Homer still uses.
Characters
Creation
Ned Flanders, as well as Todd first appeared in the season one episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", which was the series premiere. The first episode in which the Flanders family were prominent is season two's "Dead Putting Society", which also contained the first appearance of Maude and Rod Flanders. The Flanders' were named after Flanders St. in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
Voices
Todd's voice is based on Sherman's from Peabody and Sherman. For Ned, Harry Shearer used "such a sweet voice" that the character was broadened to become a Christian and a sweet guy that someone would prefer to live next to over Homer. Maude was voiced by Maggie Roswell from seasons two to ten and one episode in season eleven. However, for "Brother's Little Helper", "Treehouse of Horror X", "Little Big Mom" and "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily" she was voiced by Marcia Mitzman Gaven while Roswell was involved in a pay dispute. Roswell would return for season thirteen and would voice Maude for her brief cameos since.
Development
The Flanders' religion in their first few appearances was only mild. Ned's primary role was to be so "cloyingly perfect as to annoy and shame the Simpsons" and have a perfect family. There has been a consistent effort among the shows writers to not just make him "goody good and an unsympathetic person".
References
- ^ Jean, Al (2002). The Simpsons season 2 DVD commentary for the episode "Dead Putting Society" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - Blake, Joseph (2007-01-06). "Painting the town in Portland". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
- Larry Carroll (2007-07-26). "'Simpsons' Trivia, From Swearing Lisa To 'Burns-Sexual' Smithers". MTV. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
- Jean, Al (2003). The Simpsons season 3 DVD commentary for the episode "When Flanders Failed" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - McCann, Jesse L. (2002). The Simpsons Beyond Forever!: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family ...Still Continued. HarperCollins. p. 116-117. ISBN 0-06-050592-3.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Turner, Chris. Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation. p. 270-271. ISBN 0-679-31318-4.
See also
External links
- Todd Flanders at TheSimpsons.com
- Rod Flanders at TheSimpsons.com
- Maude Flanders at TheSimpsons.com
- Ned Flanders at TheSimpsons.com
Template:Simpsons characters Template:Religion in The Simpsons
Categories: