Draft:Ling Bouvier
Ling Bouvier is a recurring fictional character in the American animated television series The Simpsons. She is the adopted daughter of Selma Bouvier, making her the niece of Marge Simpson and cousin to Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Ling first appeared in the episode "Goo Goo Gai Pan", which aired during the show's sixteenth season in 2005.<ref name="GooGoo">{{cite episode | title = Goo Goo Gai Pan | series = The Simpsons | season = 16 | episode = 12 | airdate = March 13, 2005 }}</ref>
Background and Characterization
[edit]Ling was adopted by Selma Bouvier during a visit to China. In the episode, Selma, feeling pressure from aging and being childless, decides to adopt a baby. Due to then-current Chinese adoption regulations requiring a two-parent household, Homer Simpson temporarily poses as Selma's husband. Despite the deception, Selma successfully adopts Ling by the episode's conclusion.[1]
Ling is portrayed as a quiet, wide-eyed toddler with minimal dialogue. She is most often seen in group scenes involving the extended Bouvier family.
Personality and Traits
[edit]Ling is typically shown as a sweet and calm child, contrasting with the gruffer, more jaded demeanor of her adoptive mother Selma Bouvier. While she has had minimal dialogue, her presence reinforces the show's themes of non-traditional families and evolving family structures.
Though Ling has not had major storylines after her debut episode, she is occasionally seen in the background of episodes that feature family gatherings or the Bouvier sisters.
Apperances
[edit]- First appearance: "Goo Goo Gai Pan" (Season 16, Episode 12)
- Later appearances: Ling has made background appearances in multiple episodes, often during family gatherings or holiday-themed episodes.<ref name="EpisodeList">{{cite web |title=List of The Simpsons episodes |url=https://www.tvguide.com |access-date=2025-06-20}}</ref>
Reception and Legacy
[edit]Ling's adoption storyline was noted for its satirical but timely commentary on international adoption processes. Although she remains a minor character, her introduction expanded Selma's character arc and provided additional depth to the Bouvier family.[2]
Fans have occasionally expressed interest in seeing more development of Ling's character, especially as a way to explore single parenthood and Selma's life beyond her sisters.[3]
See Also!
[edit]- ^ Cite error: The named reference
GooGoowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Turner, Chris (2004). Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation. Random House.
- ^ "Underused Simpsons Characters We Want More Of". 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-20.