Wow. This episode is quite frankly... well made. Right off the bat, Bart sets a unique mood by switching the church performance to the ever-awesome "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly. The people attending church... along with Reverend Lovejoy realize this, but only after singing to the tune. The woman playing the piano at church gets extremely tired and sickly from the track due to its rapid speed. The song is awesome, the scene is awesome, the episode automatically starts off awesome. Then, Milhouse and Bart are seen chatting about Bart's prank... one thing leads to another... and Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for a cheap price... by writing it on a piece of paper and handing it to him. Milhouse is rather overjoyed. Well... Bart begins to go about his business... and rather interesting, yet scary things begin to happen to him. For example... people don't notice him anymore... and he seems to bang into automatic doors a lot (which no longer open for him)... his presence seems to go unnoticed. Whether this is due to some supernatural element or Bart's own conscience is a mystery... but it makes the episode ever-stronger. Bart ends up seeing dreams of children rowing boats beside their own souls... but Milhouse is carrying his soul... leaving Bart without one. Later, Bart asks Milhouse for the paper which supposedly contains his soul... and Milhouse admits to selling it. Bart tries to track down the paper... but to no avail. Bart gives up hope... until Lisa reveals that she bought him his soul back... gracefully handing it back to him in order to satisfy his desire. Bart quickly gobbles the paper up... and he sees a dream where he is once again reunited with his soul... and is seen rowing the boat with joy. Very vivid and imaginative episode. There's lots of morality, as well as awesome moments and unique scenery. This episode is definitely a great one.
11 Reviews
"Bart Sells His Soul" is a grand example of imagination, unique scenery, and a very strong and moral plot
Zabon8 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best simpsons episodes
watchdogsfight6 March 2018
Sold My Soul To Rock'n'Roll
Gerardrobertson612 April 2018
Love this episode, my favourite so far from Season 7, (except WSMB part 2).
The prank Bart pulls at the beginning of the episode at the church is priceless, and the relationship between Lisa and Bart again shows they will fight like brother and sister, but in the end, they really do love each other. One of my top 20 episodes.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
safenoe29 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I remember this one and it was Simpsons peak for sure, this episode Bart Sells His Soul. The opening where Bart pranks his Church to sing In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is not the kind of opening you would expect for a very soulful (no pun intended), spiritual and theological look at the human soul and not wanting to take it lightly.
Anyway, one gets really drawn into the story and one feels for Bart after he sells his soul to Milhouse. Has Bart really lost his soul I guess, and it makes one think. It's amazing how often this episode is used in theological studies such as the impact of this episode of The Simpsons.
Anyway, one gets really drawn into the story and one feels for Bart after he sells his soul to Milhouse. Has Bart really lost his soul I guess, and it makes one think. It's amazing how often this episode is used in theological studies such as the impact of this episode of The Simpsons.
Memorable Bart and Lisa story
snoozejonc27 November 2022
Bart sells his soul to Millhouse.
This is a very strong episode that is quite philosophical in an entertaining way.
The writers tackle the concept of the soul from several perspectives and do it will some brilliant visual sequences, especially the children and their souls playing together.
Several characters are used well, particularly Bart, Lisa, and Millhouse. I love the sequence in church and the ending is a great way to complete a memorable arc between Bar and Lisa.
Generally I find the episode to be darker and more cleverly written than it is funny, but it is a memorable one nonetheless.
This is a very strong episode that is quite philosophical in an entertaining way.
The writers tackle the concept of the soul from several perspectives and do it will some brilliant visual sequences, especially the children and their souls playing together.
Several characters are used well, particularly Bart, Lisa, and Millhouse. I love the sequence in church and the ending is a great way to complete a memorable arc between Bar and Lisa.
Generally I find the episode to be darker and more cleverly written than it is funny, but it is a memorable one nonetheless.
Brilliant episode !
farrelsw17 October 2023
To add context I was having one of the worst days of my life. The evening I watched this episode. I would say it was my favourite opening scene , with Bart stealing Homer's coin jar. I didn't know iron butterfly but my dad said this is an old rock song. The rest of the episode was well paced and brilliant. Uncle Moe's was also funny but the life lesson of Bart selling his soul was just great. So many quotables and good jokes that land. That episode simply lifted my spirits. Alf Pogs and Millhouse just being classic. When I watched it recently I thought of how bad my day was and how Simpsons simply gave me a reprieve from that day and how grateful I am that my life turned out good after that day.
Probes into Philosophical, Issues but maintains Simpsons humor
blueparadox-4795823 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Simpsons is certainly a series that isn't afraid to satarize religion--among other social issues. In this episode, the writers explore the philosophical existence of a soul, and Bart is on a quest to regain his soul, after selling it to Milhouse for $5.00.
The opening church scene is absolutely hilarious, especially the fact that Mulhouse snitched on his best friend, after fearing that it would be poked at by ravenous birds.
The jokes are excellent. For example, I love how Lisa conducts an experiment (utilizing Homer's subpar intelligence) to see if Bart really lost his soul. I also love her sarcastic prayer at Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag.
Then there's the scene with Bart going to Milhouses' grandmother's apartment to recover his soul and that exchange with Kirk, Milhouse and the grandmother is hilarious: "Dial 9-1, and when I say, dial 1 again!"
Overall, this is one of my all time favorite episodes!
The opening church scene is absolutely hilarious, especially the fact that Mulhouse snitched on his best friend, after fearing that it would be poked at by ravenous birds.
The jokes are excellent. For example, I love how Lisa conducts an experiment (utilizing Homer's subpar intelligence) to see if Bart really lost his soul. I also love her sarcastic prayer at Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag.
Then there's the scene with Bart going to Milhouses' grandmother's apartment to recover his soul and that exchange with Kirk, Milhouse and the grandmother is hilarious: "Dial 9-1, and when I say, dial 1 again!"
Overall, this is one of my all time favorite episodes!
Redemption
Mark_Shine19 August 2023
I don't know if the Simpsons had a heyday, or if they are separate episodes that deserve a special mention, this is definitely one of them. When, despite its revolutionary tenor, the Simpsons had powerful values at its heart, this episode of contempt, fall and redemption of Bart Simpson appears. The rebel meets his limits, recognizes that there is something superior to him (perhaps only metaphorically), but in any case that something is good. The fall must be paid, the error must be retraced with sweat so that the lesson is learned. We will not see this esotericism 10 years later, nor will we return to this spirit of limited revolution... My God, how I miss the 90s.
Fantastic, Touching Episode
I_Am_The_Taylrus29 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS
When Bart gets disciplined by Reverend Lovejoy for making the people sing Da-Gadda-Da-Vada, he gives Milhouse his soul for five dollars. He spends those five dollars on a toy, which doesn't work the way he wanted to. He then tells Lisa he gave his soul to Milhouse and she is shocked.
He goes to the Kwik-E-Mart and the automatic door won't open for him, and worst of all, it works for Rod and Todd! Then he tries to breathe on the ice cream freezer, but his breath won't show up. When he gets home, he watches Itchy and Scratchy, but doesn't laugh! Lisa runs a test on him to see if he really did lose his soul. She puts a skateboard in front of Homer while he's walking, he trips, and his face gets trapped in the stair railing, then Santa's Little Helper bites him. Lisa has come to the conclusion that Bart lost his soul.
Meanwhile, Moe turns his bar into a family restaurant, and the Simpson family comes and order food, but Lisa insists they say Grace, saying the word soul a lot. Finally, Bart snaps and runs out. Then Moe snaps from being too friendly and everyone leaves. His restaurant is out of business.
Meanwhile, Bart goes to Milhouse's Grandmother's house because thats where Milhouse is. Milhouse says he had traded his soul for for buttons, Alf buttons. He said he traded it to Comic Book Guy.
Bart sleeps next to the Comic Store until it opens. When it does, Comic Book Guy says he sold Bart's soul to a kid. Bart finally gives up.
He goes home and prays for his soul. Then his soul floats into his room. It turns out that Lisa had bought Bart's soul back. He thanks her and it's a happy ending.
Overall, this is a touching Bart episode.
9/10
When Bart gets disciplined by Reverend Lovejoy for making the people sing Da-Gadda-Da-Vada, he gives Milhouse his soul for five dollars. He spends those five dollars on a toy, which doesn't work the way he wanted to. He then tells Lisa he gave his soul to Milhouse and she is shocked.
He goes to the Kwik-E-Mart and the automatic door won't open for him, and worst of all, it works for Rod and Todd! Then he tries to breathe on the ice cream freezer, but his breath won't show up. When he gets home, he watches Itchy and Scratchy, but doesn't laugh! Lisa runs a test on him to see if he really did lose his soul. She puts a skateboard in front of Homer while he's walking, he trips, and his face gets trapped in the stair railing, then Santa's Little Helper bites him. Lisa has come to the conclusion that Bart lost his soul.
Meanwhile, Moe turns his bar into a family restaurant, and the Simpson family comes and order food, but Lisa insists they say Grace, saying the word soul a lot. Finally, Bart snaps and runs out. Then Moe snaps from being too friendly and everyone leaves. His restaurant is out of business.
Meanwhile, Bart goes to Milhouse's Grandmother's house because thats where Milhouse is. Milhouse says he had traded his soul for for buttons, Alf buttons. He said he traded it to Comic Book Guy.
Bart sleeps next to the Comic Store until it opens. When it does, Comic Book Guy says he sold Bart's soul to a kid. Bart finally gives up.
He goes home and prays for his soul. Then his soul floats into his room. It turns out that Lisa had bought Bart's soul back. He thanks her and it's a happy ending.
Overall, this is a touching Bart episode.
9/10
Not So Sure!
Hitchcoc19 June 2022
OK. What are they selling here. Bart angrily sells his soul and begins to have unsettling dreams. But Lisa eventually comes through for him. Moe turns the bar into a family restaurant but can't handle "nice." This is superior to the Bart plot.
Insipid
gianmarcoronconi25 May 2022
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