Everyone has complaints about their job, but for those working in film and television, you end up having a large audience for those complaints. Television’s serialized format allows for the creation of a meta-narrative over a season.

There seems to be an interesting theme to the fourth season of “The Simpsons,” particularly the last six episodes, which aired between March 11, 1993 and May 13, 1993.

The first of these six episodes is “Last Exit to Springfield,” which is my personal favorite episode of “The Simpsons.” This episode is probably best remembered for the dental plan, but the other big theme is unions. Was this just a fun story, or is the staff putting out a work complaint and message of solidarity through this episode?

Following “Last Exit to Springfield” is “So It’s Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show,” which is the first clip show of the series. Is this the staff acting out or possibly being punished?

Our next three episodes are “The Front,” “Whacking Day,” and “Marge in Chains.” This starts with a direct complaint about an animation studio, the implication of a lack of voice of junior writers, and a more senior writer getting undue credit. Next, we have an episode with a protest against the corrupted history of Springfield and the resulting mistreatment of animals. Finally, an exhausted Marge is arrested, at first she is disrespected, but eventually Springfield realizes how much they actually rely on her.

Unions, protests, lack of credit, abusive studios, problems with seniority, exhaustion, and then arrest.

Finally, this season ends with “Krusty Gets Kancelled,” in which a long-standing show is threatened by a newcomer. That newcomer is a foul-mouthed redheaded puppet named Gabbo. Ultimately Krusty prevails against Gabbo with the help of a number of celebrity guest stars, including Johnny Carson, The King of Late Night.

On September 13th, 1993, exactly four months after the end of the fourth season, a foul-mouthed redheaded former staff member of “The Simpsons” got his own Late Night show.

After the departure of Conan, The fifth season of “The Simpsons” begins with the episode “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet.” This episode is a flashback to the days when Homer was on top of the world, that is until the band broke up.