# The Saga of Carl

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21st episode of the 24th season of The Simpsons

"The Saga of Carl" The Simpsons episode Promotional poster Episode no. Season 24 Episode 21 Directed by Chuck Sheetz Written by Eric Kaplan Production code RABF14 Original air date May 19, 2013 (2013-05-19) Guest appearance Sigur Rós as themselves Episode features Couch gag The Simpsons are sea creatures sitting on a shell couch. All of them get eaten by Blinky, the three-eyed fish. Episode chronology ← Previous "The Fabulous Faker Boy" Next → "Dangers on a Train" The Simpsons season 24 List of episodes

"**The Saga of Carl**" is the twenty-first and penultimate episode of the [twenty-fourth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_24) of the American animated television series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)*, and the 529th episode overall. The episode was directed by [Chuck Sheetz](/source/Chuck_Sheetz) and written by [Eric Kaplan](/source/Eric_Kaplan). It originally aired on the [Fox network](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) in the United States on May 19, 2013, in conjunction with the season finale, "[Dangers on a Train](/source/Dangers_on_a_Train)."[1]

In this episode, Homer and his friends follow Carl to Iceland after he disappears with their lottery winnings. The Icelandic band [Sigur Rós](/source/Sigur_R%C3%B3s) guest starred and scored original music for the episode, along with their own interpretation of the [*Simpsons* opening theme](/source/The_Simpsons_Theme). The episode received mixed reviews.

## Plot

[Bart](/source/Bart_Simpson) and [Lisa](/source/Lisa_Simpson) become addicted to *Ki-Ya Karate Monsters*, an animated show featuring monsters who are karate warriors. [Marge](/source/Marge_Simpson) becomes annoyed at their play-fighting and insists they go to a museum, but the main attraction is *The Science of Ki-Ya Karate Monsters*. At another exhibit on probability, [Homer](/source/Homer_Simpson) becomes fascinated by a video featuring [Blaise Pascal](/source/Blaise_Pascal) that discusses the odds of winning the lottery. Later, Homer, [Lenny](/source/Lenny_Leonard), [Carl](/source/Carl_Carlson) and [Moe](/source/Moe_Szyslak)'s weekly lottery ticket wins them $200,000, which they agree to share four ways. Carl goes to cash in the ticket while the others prepare for a celebration. When he does not appear, the others realize that he has fled with the money.

After some genealogy research, Homer discovers that Carl fled to his adoptive ancestors' home of [Iceland](/source/Iceland).[a] Homer, Lenny, and Moe fly to [Reykjavík](/source/Reykjav%C3%ADk) to claim their share of the money. They meet a man who tells them about the Carlsons' family history. An [Icelandic saga](/source/Sagas_of_Icelanders) depicts them as cowards who failed to stop the barbarians from invading Iceland 1,000 years earlier and causing massive destruction. When they find Carl, they learn he came to clear his family name by buying a lost page from the saga that he hopes will reveal the Carlsons were brave warriors. He did not tell them earlier because he does not consider them true friends. An infuriated Lenny brawls with Carl.

The guys capture the lost page and abandon Carl. They plan to destroy the page, but a call from Marge makes them feel sympathetic towards Carl's plight. They translate the page to use the information to help him. However, they learn that the Carlson ancestors were not just cowards, but were, in fact, collaborators who joined the barbarians in looting, arson, and mass murder. This increases their sorrow for Carl. Gathering the Icelandic people, they explain the good deeds that Carl has done for them. Impressed by his good qualities, the people forgive the Carlson family so they can show their faces in public again. When Carl's father asks him how he cannot accept that Homer, Lenny and Moe are true friends, Carl cries and says that he cannot deny it. Back home, Carl thanks them for teaching him the values of friendship.

Homer, who planned to build a swimming pool with his winnings, creates mini-pools made of beer kegs with his friends that everyone enjoys except for Homer, who gets stuck in his pool.

## Production

The producers thought the original script was complicated, and the table read for the episode was confusing. Executive producer [James L. Brooks](/source/James_L._Brooks) suggested that the story focus on Lenny, so the producers changed the script to bring attention to Lenny's feelings.[3]

The band [Sigur Rós](/source/Sigur_R%C3%B3s) wrote original music for the episode and appeared as themselves.[4] They also covered the show's theme song.[5] Creator [Matt Groening](/source/Matt_Groening) was a fan of the band and was honored to have their music in the episode.[6]

To promote the episode, a poster was released showing Homer, Lenny, and Moe chasing Carl with Sigur Rós overhead.[7] The episode was broadcast with the next episode as a one-hour season finale.[1]

## Reception

### Ratings

The episode received a 1.9 in the 18–49 demographic and was watched by a total of 4.01 million viewers. However, it was the second most watched show on Fox's Animation Domination lineup that night.[8]

### Critical response

Robert David Sullivan of *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)* gave the episode a B−, saying "It’s not a very funny episode, but you get the sense that the animators enjoyed getting out of Springfield, and the score for the Iceland scenes, by indie rock group Sigur Ros, is at least a welcome change from the old-timey music that the show has been inexplicably fond of this season."[9]

Teresa Lopez of *TV Fanatic* thought the episode was an excuse for a trip to Iceland. She also noted that the exploration of the feelings of Homer and his friends did not go deep enough.[10]

In 2014, *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))* named this episode the 76th best episode of *The Simpsons* to stream and called it "a perceptive look at male friendship."[11] In 2019, an updated ranking from *Vulture* named the episode the 77th best episode to watch.[12] In 2024, another updated ranking from *Vulture* named the episode the 79th best episode to watch.[13]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** As mentioned in the [fourteenth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_14) episode "['Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky](/source/'Scuse_Me_While_I_Miss_the_Sky)"[2]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TFC_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TFC_1-1) ["(SI-2414/17) "The Saga of Carl/Dangers on a Train""](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20130502fox01/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Sokol, Tony](/source/Tony_Sokol) (February 27, 2023). ["The Simpsons Takes Lesson from Finding Your Roots"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-takes-lesson-from-finding-your-roots/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fox, Jesse David (September 23, 2014). ["3 Simpsons Showrunners Reflect on New Fans and the 'Classic Era' Myth"](https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/simpsons-showrunners-on-the-classic-era-myth.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240427162227/https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/simpsons-showrunners-on-the-classic-era-myth.html) from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Sigur Rós semur fyrir Simpsons"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130605125557/http://www.mbl.is/folk/frettir/2013/05/02/sigur_ros_semur_fyrir_simpsons). *[Morgunblaðið](/source/Morgunbla%C3%B0i%C3%B0)* (in Icelandic). May 2, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.mbl.is/folk/frettir/2013/05/02/sigur_ros_semur_fyrir_simpsons) on June 5, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kennedy, Gerrick D. (May 3, 2013). ["Sigur Ros to get animated for 'The Simpsons'"](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-sigur-ros-simpsons-20130503-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240427162843/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-sigur-ros-simpsons-20130503-story.html) from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Pelly, Jenn (May 4, 2013). ["This Is What Sigur Rós Look Like on "The Simpsons""](https://web.archive.org/web/20130531203854/http://pitchfork.com/news/50603-this-is-what-sigur-ros-look-like-on-the-simpsons/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Archived from [the original](http://pitchfork.com/news/50603-this-is-what-sigur-ros-look-like-on-the-simpsons/) on May 31, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Pelly, Jenn (May 17, 2013). ["Check Out This Incredible Poster for Sigur Rós on "The Simpsons""](https://web.archive.org/web/20130607111821/https://pitchfork.com/news/50783-check-out-this-incredible-promo-poster-for-sigur-ros-on-the-simpsons/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Archived from [the original](https://pitchfork.com/news/50783-check-out-this-incredible-promo-poster-for-sigur-ros-on-the-simpsons/) on June 7, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Bibel, Sara (May 21, 2013). ["Sunday Final Ratings: 'The Simpsons' & 'The Cleveland Show' Adjusted Up, 'The Billboard Music Awards', 'America's Funniest Home Videos' & '60 Minutes' Adjusted Down"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130607193851/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/21/sunday-final-ratings-the-simpsons-the-cleveland-show-adjusted-up-the-billlboard-music-awards-americas-funniest-home-videos-60-minutes-adjusted-down/183358/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/21/sunday-final-ratings-the-simpsons-the-cleveland-show-adjusted-up-the-billlboard-music-awards-americas-funniest-home-videos-60-minutes-adjusted-down/183358/) on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sullivan, Robert David (May 20, 2013). ["The Simpsons: "The Saga Of Carl/Dangers On A Train""](https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-the-saga-of-carl-dangers-on-a-train-1798176849). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130810014601/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-saga-of-carldangers-on-a-train,97427/) from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Lopez, Teresa (May 20, 2013). ["The Simpsons Review: Doubly Dull"](https://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/the-simpsons-review-doubly-dull/). *TV Fanatic*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240427164639/https://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/the-simpsons-review-doubly-dull/) from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Seitz, Matt Zoller](/source/Matt_Zoller_Seitz); Fox, Jesse David; Kurp, Josh; Lau, Melody; Cruz, Gilbert; Lyons, Margaret (September 22, 2014). ["The 100 Best Simpsons Episodes to Stream"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140923115925/https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/100-best-simpsons-episodes-essential-streaming-simpsons-world.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/100-best-simpsons-episodes-essential-streaming-simpsons-world.html) on September 23, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Seitz, Matt Zoller](/source/Matt_Zoller_Seitz); Fox, Jesse David; Kurp, Josh; Lau, Melody; Cruz, Gilbert; Lyons, Margaret (November 19, 2019). ["The 100 Best Simpsons Episodes to Stream"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230812040021/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-the-simpsons-episodes.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.vulture.com/article/best-the-simpsons-episodes.html) on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Fox, Jesse David; Chaney, Jen; Alter, Rebecca; Lau, Melody; Cruz, Gilbert; Lyons, Margaret; [Seitz, Matt Zoller](/source/Matt_Zoller_Seitz); Kurp, Josh (December 17, 2024). ["The 100 Best Simpsons Episodes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241219022515/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-the-simpsons-episodes.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. Archived from [the original](https://www.vulture.com/article/best-the-simpsons-episodes.html) on December 19, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***["The Saga of Carl"](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Simpsons/Season_24#The_Saga_of_Carl)***.

- [The Simpsons portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:The_Simpsons)

- ["The Saga of Carl"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2857338/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e The Simpsons episodes Seasons 1–20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Season 21–present 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Season 24 "Moonshine River" "Treehouse of Horror XXIII" "Adventures in Baby-Getting" "Gone Abie Gone" "Penny-Wiseguys" "A Tree Grows in Springfield" "The Day the Earth Stood Cool" "To Cur with Love" "Homer Goes to Prep School" "A Test Before Trying" "The Changing of the Guardian" "Love Is a Many-Splintered Thing" "Hardly Kirk-ing" "Gorgeous Grampa" "Black Eyed, Please" "Dark Knight Court" "What Animated Women Want" "Pulpit Friction" "Whiskey Business" "The Fabulous Faker Boy" "The Saga of Carl" "Dangers on a Train" See also Treehouse of Horror list The Simpsons episode guides "The Simpsons Guy" Category

v t e Sigur Rós Jón Þór Birgisson Georg Holm Kjartan Sveinsson Orri Páll Dýrason Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson Studio albums Von Ágætis byrjun ( ) Takk... Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust Valtari Kveikur Átta Live albums Inni Compilation albums Hvarf/Heim We Play Endlessly Soundtracks Englar Alheimsins Hlemmur "The Saga of Carl" Odin's Raven Magic Remix albums Von brigði Extended plays Rímur Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do Videos Heima Inni Valtari Film Experiment Singles "Svefn-g-englar" "Ný batterí" "Vaka" "Glósóli" "Sæglópur" "Hoppípolla" "Hljómalind" "Gobbledigook" "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur" "Ekki múkk" "Varúð" "Brennisteinn" "Ísjaki" "Rafstraumur" "Óveður" Other songs "Viðrar vel til loftárása" "Fjögur píanó" "Hrafntinna" "Stormur" "Kveikur" Related articles Discography Amiina Sundlaugin Jónsi & Alex Riceboy Sleeps Lost & Found Go Kronos Quartet Plays Sigur Rós

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Saga of Carl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saga_of_Carl) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saga_of_Carl?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.