Brian Cox, Cristin Milioti, Chris O'Dowd, Timothy Olyphant, and Jessica Paré guest starred.

Both parts received overwhelmingly positive reception from critics, with some citing both of them as being one of the best episodes to happen in the last decade of the show.

The title is a reference to the 2009 film A Serious Man, while the plot is inspired by television series Fargo, as well as the continued rise of prestige premium drama on cable and streaming.

Marge looks for Homer around Springfield and ends up at Lard Lad's donut shop while Kostas is eating breakfast there.

After Seamus and Collette attack Comic Book Guy; Fat Tony and his minions Johnny Tightlips, Legs, and Louie confront Kostas and demand that he leave Springfield, but Kostas single-handedly kills them, which also results in the deaths of Disco Stu and Mr. Burns.

In a flashback, it is revealed that the corrupt Sheriff Flanders took bribes from the Capital City mafia and was a frequent nightclub patron and drug user.

One night while the mafia were negotiating with the Szyslak brothers over money taken by the then-collector Kostas, the two groups engaged in a gunfight that killed all but one.

Back in the present, Homer discovers that Seamus and Collette are married and celebrating their tenth anniversary.

After Homer tricks them into arguing, a pot on the stove catches fire and spreads, causing the burning house to crush Seamus and Collette.

While Marge saves Homer from the wreckage, Ned breaks into Barb's orphanage to steal the money back, and seduces her to get the key to the safe.

After receiving a blank postcard from Wyoming, Homer travels there to visit Ned, who is hiding out in a cabin in the woods, to deliver him supplies.

Ned throws his debt book onto the frozen lake, and Kostas goes to retrieve it, which causes the ice to break, and he falls in and drowns.

QABF22 received a table read on December 17, 2020, but executive producer Al Jean chose not to reveal the title or any details on it.

[citation needed] Executive producer Matt Selman wanted to create a parody of prestige television, including elements of flashbacks and time jumps.

Selman also stated that the episode takes place outside the normal continuity of the show to allow for deaths of characters.

[10] Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the Part One episode 5 out of 5 stars stating, "'A Serious Flanders', written by Cesar Mazariegos, and directed by Debbie Mahan, is an installment even non-Simpsons watchers will like.