Ep 19. The Squirt and the Whale

In The Simpsons season 21 episode 19, titled “The Squirt and the Whale,” the Simpson family comes across a beached whale on the shore of Springfield. Lisa, who is an advocate for animal welfare, becomes increasingly concerned about the fate of the whale, which is quickly dying due to its inability to breathe outside of the water. Homer, being Homer, sees an opportunity to make money off the whale and decides to set up an impromptu theme park around it.

Meanwhile, Lisa is struggling to come to terms with the inevitability of the whale's death. Her father tries to comfort her by telling her that it’s a natural part of life, but Lisa is unable to accept this. One night, while watching over the whale, Lisa is visited by a magical version of the whale in her dreams, which takes her on a journey through her own perceptions of nature.

Throughout the episode, various members of the Simpson family offer their own perspectives on how to deal with the situation. Bart, for example, is primarily concerned with using the whale’s demise to prank his friends while Marge focuses on trying to show the kids how to respect nature.

As the episode unfolds, Lisa becomes increasingly fixated on saving the whale, going through various efforts to try and push it back out to sea. Ultimately, though, she finds herself mourning the whale's death. Along the way, the show provides a poignant commentary on human interactions with nature, both in terms of the impact we have on it and our own limited perspectives.

Overall, The Simpsons season 21 episode 19 offers a strong offering that will resonate with fans of the show. While the storyline itself may not be entirely groundbreaking, it is executed with the unique blend of humor, heart, and intelligence that has made The Simpsons one of the most beloved series of all time. Whether you are a longtime fan of the show or simply looking for a well-done piece of television, this episode is definitely worth checking out.