Filmday Fridays: Season 7, The Simpsons Season-by-Season

Now, we are moving on to Season 7! One of the biggest things I noticed with this season was that the writers really swung for the fences with a lot of experimental episodes. The nice thing about taking these kinds of risks is that the show is able to stay fresh and find new dynamics that work. That said, the experiments they tried were a bit of a mixed bag. They have a strong finale for their first two-part episode, their early attempt at 3D looked good, and the episode focusing on Springfield as a whole had some memorable segments. On the other hand, their first format change with an episode didn't really land for me. Homer had some solid episodes in this season as he explored his fears of abandonment and his desire to avoid becoming uncool and out-of-touch.

We got to see a bit of Marge’s desire for a classier life and she has some sweet moments with each of the other members of the family as she comforts and encourages them.

Bart has some episodes that really highlight how sweet and caring he can be, even if he makes mistakes sometimes.

For Lisa, this is probably one of the seasons that balances her brains and childlikeness the best. She stands by her convictions, but sometimes she takes an impulsive or immature route to solving her problems. This is helpful because it makes her an intelligent child instead of a mini-adult who always has the right answer. 

While it isn’t as comedically strong as Season 6, it is still quite funny a lot of the time. This season is also great at showing each member of the family try to be more than what they currently are. This kind of drive is a great approach to developing each member of the family in different ways. Now that we know a bit more about this experimental, character-focused season, let’s see how it plays out in the ranking!

Top 7 Best Episodes 

7. "Summer of 4ft 2."

This episode offers a great exploration of Lisa’s loneliness and insecurity. It is easy to see why a nerdy character like Lisa might struggle to find people to connect with as deeper friends. It can make you think that there is something fundamentally off-putting or alienating about you that may prevent people from seeing you as a potential friend. Because of this, it makes a lot of sense that while they are on vacation, Lisa might try out pretending to be someone else. What I think is particularly endearing about this episode is that, despite Lisa’s best efforts to dress and act like a cool girl, her real personality slips through and that is what her friends truly love about her. I didn’t like that Bart exposed Lisa’s act to her new friends. It made sense for his character, but it made the last few minutes a bit frustrating. A lot of that might be that I relate so strongly to Lisa in this episode that I get a bit angry with Bart too. So, it is effective storytelling, even when it goes in a direction that I don’t like. There are also some fun jokes throughout this episode! I like that the Flanders family left little sticky notes all over the house where they instruct the family on how to do even the simplest tasks, like putting water in the ice trays. Overall, I like this episode most for its themes and exploration of Lisa, but it is fun to see a beachside vacation as well.

6. "King-Size Homer"

This episode makes my list because I think it's hilarious! It makes sense that Homer would try to find a way to work at home, and his efforts to gain the weight he needs are so funny. It’s fun hearing him get advice on how to eat greasy, fattening foods. Once he achieves this dream, the episode has some classic scenes that are so funny, like his search for the ANY key on his computer. The part when Lisa defends her father by saying that he isn’t a food-crazed maniac only to see him drive by in an Ice-cream truck eating ice cream makes me laugh every single time! I also love Homer’s decision to start wearing a mumu because he doesn’t want to look like a weirdo. They also do a good job raising the stakes and showing the consequences of Homer’s irresponsible actions as he frantically tries to vent the gas at the plant. The episode has a good dose of humor and zaniness, making it an episode that I always look forward to watching on a Season 7 rewatch!

5. "Marge Be Not Proud"

This is one of the show’s best Christmas episodes and a great exploration of Bart’s relationship with his mom. The early portion of the episode does an excellent job setting up how much Bart wants this game and all the avenues he takes to get a copy on his own. His decision to shoplift shows how impulsive Bart can be while also establishing that he has made a mistake but isn’t malicious or evil. It is so funny when Bart changes the answering machine tape to the Camp Grenada tape and Homer assumes that Lisa is at Camp Grenada. The next few minutes show how tense Bart is as he tries to hide his attempted crime from his family. It does a great job amplifying the tension as Bart goes back into the store and tries to avoid being exposed. The fact that the security guard ruins the family photo by grabbing Bart at the last moment is so tragic, as is Marge’s disappointment. It is interesting to see how a big event like this can change the relationship dynamic between the characters. Marge thinks that Bart wants to be treated like an adult now, but Bart notices that she isn’t doing all the things she used to do and worries that she doesn’t love him anymore. I love the last few minutes of the episode when Marge thinks that Bart has stolen something else and Bart actually bought a nice photo of himself for his mom. It makes for such a heartwarming reconciliation at the end of the episode. This episode is so sweet and I love this kind and observant version of Bart as well.

4. "Much Apu About Nothing"

This episode has some interesting exploration of immigration issues, and it shows how strong and compelling Apu is as a character. A few years ago, there was a documentary called The Problem with Apu that came out and discussed how many actors from India felt maligned and discriminated against because of Apu’s accent and mannerisms. The tricky thing is that parts of Apu’s initial characterization came from stereotypes at the time, but his character grew and expanded to be much more than that. I think if they had just recast the character, they would have been able to keep him in the show. This episode shows how important Apu is and how much he has to offer Springfield and the show as a whole. This episode starts in such a funny way with the bear and the bear tax that they start. It makes sense that Quimby would blame something else, and immigration becomes an interesting centerpiece to the episode. It shows how easy it is to blame outsiders for your problems and think that removing them will solve these problems. A later episode that I like from Season 20 does something similar and goes to show that this issue continues to be important for America. You care about Apu, so you don’t want to see him sent away. It’s also interesting to see Apu’s attempt at Americanization. It’s a funny scene, but it also shows how it is good to become an American, but better if you can do that without losing your original traditions as well. This episode continues to be both funny and relevant to this day.

3.  "Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part Two" 

Although Part One didn’t make my list for Season 6 because it was contending with so many other strong episodes, it offers some solid set-up that Part Two consistently pays off. I mentioned when I started this Simpsons project that I watched a lot of these early seasons on their DVD boxsets. Because of this, I experienced the same wait between Part One and Part Two that viewers at the time would have experienced. I was so excited when the Season 7 boxset finally came, and I could see who actually shot Mr. Burns. This episode positions a strong array of possible candidates and makes you wonder if Homer really did snap and shoot Mr. Burns for not remembering his name. It is also entertaining to see Lisa and the police investigate different leads as the suspects narrow down. The final answer is a bit silly, considering all the build-up, but it was probably the only way they could end it without making one of the characters go to prison or forcing the audience to see them very differently. Maggie is a good choice for that reason, and her competence and overall skill with weapons become key aspects of her character. The episode has an answer that makes sense, but there are seeds for other possible shooters as well. My favorite Simpsons Youtuber created a series of videos looking at other possible suspects for the shooting. I have included them here. 

This episode is a fun mystery that offers some reasonable answers for the mystery that it sets up.

2. "Bart on the Road"

This episode has always been one that I look forward to on a rewatch, but now that I have lived in Knoxville for my PhD program, my love for this episode has only grown. Because Bart is 10 years old, there are several sitcom plots for teenagers that the show cannot really do unless they choose a minor character or place Homer in the role instead. This is why I like the simple way that this episode brings Bart and his friends together on this road trip. Their mistaken attempt to attend the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville fourteen years too late is an error that only children could really make. The World's Fair Park area looks way more dilapidated than it has ever been, but it makes a funny contrast to their expectations. I like that they all make up the lie that they are going to a Grammar Rodeo and Martin actually believes that this is where they are going. I also love the subplot where Homer bonds with Lisa at work. I went to work with my Dad a few times when I was younger, and every time, I loved it. This episode does a great job depicting a road trip with all of the highs and lows that come with it. My family went on a road trip recently and we had a wonderful time, but our van also permanently broke down in Kansas. Road trips are fun when you have good music, snacks, and a fun group of people with you. This episode captures the fun of road trips while also showing the unexpected turns they can take.

1. "Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily"

While I have a strong connection to the previous episode on this list, I had to choose this one for the top because it's just so funny every time. I love that Homer and Marge get into hot water with social services for a series of perfectly understandable issues that all paint them in a terrible light. When the children are taken away, we get the chance to see something we didn't even know we wanted--life inside the Flanders' house. It's so funny that they eat bland ice milk and want Bart and Lisa to provide evidence that Todd smells before they print it. My favorite thing is that they play a Bible trivia game with questions from the Latin Vulgate and the Apocrypha that I don't even recognize. I think later Simpsons seasons make the mistake of presenting Flanders as a stereotypical judgmental Christian who prizes Old Testament vengeance. This episode instead shows how Flanders isn't perfect, but he is trying to be loving and generous to those around him. Taking in the Simpson kids is a kind gesture, even if they act condescending and judgmental at some points, because they are helping to keep the kids out of the larger and much more challenging foster system. Their mistake of trying to baptize the children without Homer and Marge's permission is definitely something that they would do, and the way they act as they are preparing for it is pretty hilarious! I think my favorite moments are at the end of the episode. First there is Homer's accidental baptism that singes his head like acid and then makes him act very different afterwards as he speaks in "thous" and "thys." I also think it is funny when Maggie is forced to choose between her family and the Flanders family, the choice looks pretty one-sided, but when Marge comes around the corner, Maggie runs to her. Overall, this is a good reminder of how much Homer and Marge love their kids and an amusing visit to the Flanders house! 

Top 7 Worst Episodes 

7. "Lisa the Vegetarian"

This one has so much going for it that it almost made my best list, but there are a few things that bring it down for me. The video that they show Lisa's class to convince her to give up her vegetarianism is a hilarious display of every single logical fallacy. I also like that it presents Lisa as a kid developing ethical values and not always knowing the best way to act on them. The problem is that I don't think the episode offers enough justification for Lisa to give up meat. It shows the petting zoo, so I can understand Lisa's emotional reaction, but I was hoping that there would be a bit more detail on the other factors that impact her decision. I also think that the episode offers some reasons for why Lisa escalates to stealing the pig, but it's hard to believe that she wasn't aware of how much this hurt her father or that it wouldn't change his eating habits. The episode mostly establishes that Lisa was wrong, but her apology seems a bit half-hearted to me. It offers a good message about tolerance and not forcing people to believe the same as you do, but it could have had more of an edge to it if Lisa realized that she was doing the same thing to her father that the school tried to do to her. As a result, the episode is funny but can come off a bit preachy as well.

6. "Homer the Smithers" 

For this episode, I like a few jokes, but have trouble with how mean Mr. Burns is to Homer. I like how everything that Homer tries to cook sets on fire. Some of his mistakes remind me of Amelia Bedelia because they are understandable from a certain perspective and funny. I also like the irony that Smithers chooses Homer so that Burns won't give his job away but Smithers loses his job anyway when Burns becomes too self-sufficient. The part that I find a bit confusing and off-putting is when Homer injures Burns and Burns becomes a frightened, cowering wreck. After this, he becomes self-sufficient, but it seems like a bit of a weird progression to me. It would have made more sense if Homer's incompetence had forced Burns to take on more and more of his daily tasks. But maybe that wouldn't have been as funny. I just find that whole portion of the episode a bit unpleasant and wish they had found a different way to make Burns more self-reliant. I also like seeing Smithers' search for a new job, but I don't like the way that he gets his job back. Overall, some parts of this episode are fun, but others are a bit too dark and dreary for me. 

5. "A Fish Called Selma"

Selma is an interesting character, and I like many of her marriage episodes, but I was not a big fan of her relationship with Troy McClure. Phil Hartman is a great actor, but I think that Lionel Hutz had more comedic potential. This episode flushes McClure out a bit more, but I don't think any of the things it adds make him more interesting. He has a fetish that has something to do with the aquarium and is willing to do anything his agent suggests to revitalize his career. I appreciate Selma's conviction at the end that while she is fine with a fake marriage, she does not think it's right for a child to come into that kind of relationship. The Planet of the Apes musical and the Muppet Camelot are both fun breaks from the plot though. It is never entirely clear if McClure ever liked Selma or if he just thought she was the easiest way to get himself uncancelled. This is an episode that I never really look forward to when I am rewatching Season 7.

 

4. "Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming"

I don't think this episode makes a lot of sense. While it is perfectly understandable for a high class thespian like Sideshow Bob to consider some television lowbrow and stupid, much like how he even makes Krusty's show more academic, I don't think it is realistic for him to try and eliminate TV altogether. Because I don't connect with his motivation, his whole terrorist attempt is frustrating, excessive, and unrealistic. He is even foiled in a dumb way as he chooses the biggest, most classic-looking bomb, but happens to select one that is expired. Then, he steals the Wright Brothers' plane and tries to kamikaze it into the last vestige of TV that Krusty has commandeered. But he doesn't consider the fact that he isn't going fast enough to damage the building where Krusty is and he once again fails. What I like about "Black Widower" is that Bob makes a brilliant plan, and yet Bart is still able to outwit him. In this episode, Bob only fails because he makes a series of stupid blunders, and that is very frustrating to watch. The air show is fine, but not particularly riveting, and Bart and Lisa don't really have that much of a cool team-up either. Overall, it just makes me irritated with Sideshow Bob as a character, and that is never a good reaction to the villain in a hostage story. I may not agree with Hans Grueber in Die Hard, but I at least find him entertaining to watch.

3. "Bart the Fink"

This episode once again focuses on Krusty, and he has never been my favorite character. I find it particularly hard to like him when he is being a drugged-up, poor example to Bart. In this episode, he loses all of his money because of his own poor decisions, so it is really hard to sympathize with him, even when Bart thinks he is dead. I like the brief mystery where Bart keeps seeing Krusty everywhere and everyone thinks it is due to his grief. Unfortunately, they don't really give enough time for there to be an interesting mystery in all of this. It is probably because they spend too much time focusing on Krusty losing all of his money. I also enjoy Bob Newheart's extremely awkward eulogy and the fact that people voted between whether to put Krusty's smile or his fiery death on his commemorative stamp. It spends way too much time on Krusty losing his money and his fake death, and as a result, it doesn't leave enough time to build up the mystery of whether he has actually died. It also lacks any development of Krusty deciding to come out of hiding. There is so much happening in this episode that it cannot really devote the time it needs for anything.

2. "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular"

As I mentioned at the beginning, this is one of the Season's experimental episodes. Instead of being another clip show, it promised to offer deleted scenes, alternate endings, and trivia. While it was fun to see some of the original Tracy Ullmann shorts before the show was greenlit, the Troy McClure framing is painfully unfunny. I hate that he doesn't really answer any fan questions and that the trivia he offers is all untrue. One of the things I dislike most in this world is being given false information, and this episode does it in a very unfunny manner. The scene of Homer getting dumber in every season is mildly entertaining, but it really isn't worth McClure spearheading an episode where he is apathetic and unfunny. Perhaps this would have been funnier if I knew what they were spoofing on here, but I mostly find it false and a slog to sit through. 

1. "Two Bad Neighbors"

While the previous episode was frustrating because of its false trivia and McClure's half-hearted hosting, this episode is one that I find actively irritating almost the whole way through. I like the garage sale at the beginning, Homer's discovery that he is good at selling things, and the first appearance of Disco Stu, but once Bush arrives, the episode starts to go downhill. Bart is mischievous at times, and I would have been fine if he had been actively trying to sabotage Bush, but he kept doing irritating things by accident. Maybe this was a spoof of Dennis the Menace, but it also created an annoying dynamic where Bart does something to ruin Bush's work or home, Bush expresses his irritation, and Barbara Bush says that "boys will be boys" or that Bart just likes Bush and that's why Bart stays close and wrecks everything. When Bart destroys Bush's memoirs, I completely understand Bush's anger. My dissertation took me two years to research and write. If Bush's memoirs took even half as long and Bart had permanently destroyed it, I think his response was more than justified. That is the part that aggravates me the most about this episode. Afterward, the writers make the feud seem like Bush and Homer have equally reasonable motivations when I am almost entirely on Bush's side. The pranks and fighting are also frustrating because Homer and Bart's pranks are always the more effective ones. 

Filmday Fridays: Season 6, The Simpsons Season-by-Season

Now that we've wrapped up our extended Halloween exploration, we can get back to our season-by-season ranking of the show! I think that Season 6 is one of the best seasons of The Simpsons in terms of entertainment and overall hilarity. What I noticed the most while I was watching this season was how much Season 6 focuses on random and non sequitur jokes, a style of humor that works particularly well on me. There are moments like when Homer is defending his pile of sugar and lets his guard down for just a minute and then finds a British man camping out in the sugar pile. 

Or the show will play inspiring music as the family builds their pool together, only for them to discover that they've made a barn instead. What sells this moment particularly well is the Amish man who comments on the fine barn they've constructed. 

These two examples may make it seem like there are a lot of jokes surrounding people of different nationalities inexplicably showing up in the Simpson family's backyard, but there are other moments of random twists where the writers really play around with the viewers' expectations. I love when the border guard asks the family if they have any fruits or vegetables and Homer speeds away because the car is suddenly filled with produce. 

The show also knows when to show something and when it is funnier not to. I love imagining what the Simpsons discover on their "shortcut" to Itchy and Scratchy Land because their car is certainly the worse for wear.

In addition to being a heartfelt season, Season 6 also made you care about the family connection. Although Season 4 is another one of my favorite seasons and probably is the more consistently heartfelt season of these two, Season 6 can be meaningful and emotional when it wants to be as well. Episodes like "Lisa on Ice" and "When Maggie Makes Three," have moments that make me cry because they really highlight how much family members care about each other. In addition to the season's nice mixture of heart and humor, I also noticed that this season had an interesting habit of making Simpson family members go crazy. First, we see Bart get a little crazy after he breaks his arm in "Bart of Darkness" as the isolation drives him to act odd and manic around Lisa. We also get to hear a few lines from the Cockney play he decided to write at this time. 

Homer's dedication to protecting the sugar borders on madness in "Lisa's Rival" as he starts quoting random movies to defend his actions to Marge.

"Treehouse of Horror V" features a great segment about Homer going insane in "The Shinning," a parody of The Shining where Homer is Jack Torrence. 

Then we see Marge go a bit crazy in "Fear of Flying," as her anxieties keep her up all hours of the night doing random tasks. She is so tense that she can sit without even needing a chair! 

Finally, we see Lisa go a bit crazy during the teacher's strike in "The PTA Disbands" because she doesn't have anyone to grade her. 

While it seems like the whole family needs some psychological counseling at the end of this season, it makes for a very fun season overall! This season has so much to offer, and even the episodes that didn't make my list have some hilarious and memorable moments! There are so many great episodes that the memorable "Who Shot Mr. Burns Part 1" didn't even make my final list! This is partly to do with the fact that the first episode is mostly set up for a strong Part 2, but I think it also shows how solid this season truly is. The season is so great, that even my worst list is primarily just episodes that I find less good than the others. Now that we know a bit about the season, let's get into the ranking!

Top 7 Best Episodes

7. "Homer the Great"

This is an episode that had to make the list because it is such a fun premise! There are times when I am going through my life, and I see certain things work out a lot easier for the people around me than they did for me. I know that they have their struggles as well, but when I see things work out for them so effortlessly, it can be easy to wonder if they are privy to some secret that I have missed out on that would make things work out in my favor too. In Homer's case, he soon learns that the majority of the town is part of a secret society that actually does make life easier for those who are a part of it. The episode does a good job setting up the many minor annoyances that come up in our daily lives, so once Homer is part of the group, it is fun to see that he has a shortcut to work and a comfier chair. I also like that he is forced to drag this large stone of shame when he is cast out of the group and then has to drag an even heavier stone once the Stonecutters find out that he is the chosen one. I also love the part when Marge talks about how kids can be so cruel to each other, and Bart takes this as permission for him to pick on Lisa. One of the most meaningful themes of this episode is Homer's hurt over being rejected and left out, a pain that goes back to his childhood when classmates started a No Homers Club. Homer can be very insecure, in this episode and so many others. As the show establishes, both of Homer's parents have rejected him at different points in his childhood, so it makes sense that being excluded would be one of the hardest things for Homer to endure. I think the episode loses a bit of steam once Homer finds out that he is the chosen one and the other members of the group keep letting him win at everything. I wish there had been a better reason for the group to reject Homer, but I like the ending when Marge reminds Homer that she loves him and that he is part of a very exclusive group: The Simpson family.

6. "Fear of Flying"

The reason why this episode makes the list is because I love seeing Marge's unhinged madness after the flight triggers her fear of flying. The fact that she is doing roof repairs, cooking, and muttering bizarre things is so entertaining and hilarious. I also like Homer's unsuccessful efforts to fix her fear by showing her plane-based disaster movies. Although this middle part is my favorite part of the episode, I also enjoy seeing Homer's attempts to find a new bar early in the episode as well. Marge's time with the psychologist offers some nice depth into her thinking process and fears, and I love seeing Homer's paranoia that the psychologist will encourage Marge to get a divorce. It offers a brief glimpse of Marge's father, but I think the most valuable part is just having the space to hear more about how Marge thinks. Her weird behavior comes out of the way that she repressed all of her trauma until their attempted flight reawakened it. Marge often chooses to repress her feelings, and while we have primarily seen it in the way she suppresses her anger and resentment, it makes so much sense that she would repress her anxieties as well. I also think it is funny seeing Homer casually explain every step of the plane's takeoff and crash at the end of the episode. Unlike Marge's gambling addiction, her fear of flying does not seem to be a problem in the episodes that follow, so she must have found a way to overcome this fear. This episode has a lot of great laughs, and it is nice to see it offer a bit more focus on Marge as well.  

5. "Lisa on Ice"

Many of my high entries on this list are there because of their consistently funny writing, but this one is mostly here for its heartfelt ending. I think they get some good laughs early on as Lisa consistently fails at sports in unexpected and funny ways. Her skill as a hockey goalie comes a bit out of nowhere and could have benefitted from a brief explanation. For instance, maybe she is skilled at blocking because people are always trying to pelt her with food during school food fights or something like that. The episode does a good job of escalating the tension between Bart and Lisa, especially when Homer flips from giving Bart special treatment to doing that to Lisa. Bart and Lisa make a great team in so many episodes, but this episode shows that they work against each other in entertaining ways. I love when they approach each other with Bart punching and Lisa kicking, and it turns into a fight. The fact that Marge breaks up the fight by reminding the kids that they are not in competition with each other, only for Homer to announce that their teams are playing each other in the final game is such an entertaining moment. It is also funny to see the whole town caught up in this Bart vs Lisa showdown, with Moe sneaking into their house to see which kid he should bet on. Though they don't really explain why Lisa is so good at being a goalie, I like that this position and a penalty shot from Bart's team ends the game with a one-on-one confrontation between the two. The way both siblings remember the kind things they have done for each other is so sweet. I always tear up at the part when little Lisa drops her ice cream, and Bart gives her the top part of his. It is such a sweet ending to see them reunite, even if the game doesn't have a resolution. Overall, it's one of the best episodes at exploring what Bart and Lisa mean to each other. It also continues the trend of sports episodes that I actually enjoy watching! In this case, it helps that I like hockey much more than baseball, but I think it was smart for the episode to focus on the character relationships through the sport. That way, even if you don't enjoy sports, you have something that you can resonate with in this episode. 

4. "Homie the Clown"

I honestly wasn't expecting to rank this episode as high as I did because I am generally not the biggest fan of Krusty the Clown. While Krusty's Jewish identity gives him some interesting direction as a character, his larger characterization as a depressed, drug-addicted alcoholic is often where his character starts and ends. The show rarely investigates why he is so unfunny or why he so often sabotages himself. But I think this episode wins me over because it is much more about Homer's journey. It is so clever how this episode takes advantage of the physical similarity between Homer and Krusty to make him pursue a career as a lookalike Krusty. The reason why the two characters look as similar as they do is because the show had initially planned to reveal that Homer was secretly playing Bart's favorite clown. 

This was going to poke fun at the fact that Bart disrespects Homer but truly admires his TV persona. I'm guessing that they decided not to do this twist pretty early on because it is clear Homer and Krusty are separate people during Krusty's arrest in Season 1. The show then had several Krusty-focused episodes in the following seasons that clearly established the differences between the two men. Since they had abandoned that early plot direction, it makes so much sense to use those design similarities in an episode. I always laugh at the beginning of the episode when Homer sees that billboard for Clown College and then can think of nothing else for the rest of the day. It happens to me so often that I start thinking about something and begin to think that even completely unrelated conversations are tied to it. I love when Homer tells his family that they have stood in his way long enough and he is going to Clown College. When Bart says "I don't think any of us were expecting that" it gets me every time! I also find it funny seeing all the ways that Homer botches his Krusty appearances. If Krusty started this whole lookalike thing to make life easier on himself, Homer's disastrous appearances may have harmed his reputation a bit. The mob stuff at the end isn't as funny as what came earlier, but I think they do a good job making the situation truly feel threatening. This era of the show is also really good about setting something up and having that thing pay off in the end. In this case, the fact that the two men can successfully perform the bicycle trick is even more impressive because it is the one aspect of Clown College that Homer truly struggled to do successfully. The funny moments are just so much funnier than the lower entries in this list, and I always have such a great time watching this episode.

3. "The PTA Disbands!"

A lot of the episodes on my best list are there because they truly master the humor of the concept. This episode doesn't have much in the way of structure but makes up for that by being absolutely hilarious all the way through. I love seeing the school's attempted field trip where they cannot afford a safe bus or even to see the attraction they have visited. And the people are so angry at the Springfield students for "trying to learn for free" that they beat up Üter and he is gone for several episodes. Bart has always been a fan of pranks, but it is funny to see how effective his attempts to sabotage the peace between teachers and administrators are, even when they aren't his idea, like the "purple monkey dishwasher" comment. Once the strike happens, the show is able to get some great humor out of Bart and Lisa's different reactions to the situation. Lisa is desperate for validation and asks her mom for a grade. She also makes a perpetual motion machine that defies the laws of physics. Lisa's overall behavior and sounds are so entertaining at this point in the episode. Bart's unhinged pranks and his bizarre actions like flying a kite at night are also very funny as the show gives reasons for why both Bart and Lisa need the school. In the last few minutes, we see a bunch of funny scenes with the substitute teachers as they each fall short in amusing ways. If the episode had given a little more time to the relationship between Bart and Marge, it would have gotten some points for sweetness as well, but this episode is so funny that it is already great as it is!  

2. "Bart of Darkness"

This episode offers such a strong start with the family getting a pool that suddenly makes both Simpson kids more popular. Bart's descent into insanity after he breaks his arm is also hilarious and gives a certain amount of doubt as to whether or not Bart is actually seeing what he thinks he is seeing with his new telescope. The Simpsons' take on Rear Window is so funny as Bart continues to suspect that Flanders killed his wife. While most other people would find this hard to believe, Bart hears things in just the wrong way that it seems plausible. It is so funny to see Lisa sneak into the Flanders house as the two of them continue to encounter false alarms like the head of lettuce. The phone line Bart calls in order to try and save Lisa is also so funny because it is one of those automated messages with numbers for redirects and yet it has a whole line devoted to reporting attempted regicide. This is just a fun episode all around with a good balance of pool stuff, Bart's insanity, and the potential Flanders murder plot.

 1. "And Maggie Makes Three"

This is one of the sweetest episodes in the show, and it does a beautiful job bringing together the humor and the sweet moments. At this point, we have seen flashbacks to the births of Bart and Lisa, so it only makes sense to explore how Maggie came to be. I enjoy seeing Homer happy and following his dream, so it is fun to see him leave the power plant and start a job at a bowling alley where he enjoys every day of work. Given Homer's passion for music, it's a bit strange that his dream job is not related to music at all, but the story makes it work because he is set up as a very good bowler who loves hanging out at the bowling alley. It is so funny when Patty and Selma seem to call everyone in the phonebook, only for the viewer to learn that they called two people at the beginning and end of the phonebook instead. The scene that follows, where the town congratulates Homer for the baby, and Homer assumes it is kudos for the new job is so funny as he tries to make the meaning fit with his understanding. Also, while the episode shows how disheartening it is for Homer to give up his dreams in order to provide for Maggie, it is wonderful to see that Homer loved Maggie from the start. Homer changing the plaque from "Don't Forget, You're Here Forever" to "Do it For Her" is one of the sweetest moments in the whole show and one of the moments that still can make me cry. Overall, this is the ultimate episode for both great laughs and great heart! 

Top 7 Worst Episodes 

7. "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds"

In this episode, it is fun to see Santa's Little Helper have a huge litter of puppies and I love the difficulties that these cute dogs bring into the family's lives. My family has a lot of dogs, so the part when the puppies devour Bart's socks, and he opens his drawer to find them eating the rest of his socks is very funny and relatable. I also think it's funny when Bart uses the technically correct term for a female dog as an excuse to use a bad word. The police officers are also pretty funny in their incompetent efforts to search for the puppies. The issue is, once the family decides to sell the puppies and Mr. Burns steals them, I have trouble enjoying The Simpson's version of One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Mr. Burns has a catchy song, but the final confrontation doesn't have the kind of energy and stakes that the episode needed in order for it to work. I enjoy Mr. Burns' affection for anything and anyone that stands up like Rory Calhoun, whether it's puppies or children. However, their efforts to make Burns both Cruella and the puppies' new owner make it difficult for Burns to fully fit either role in the end. Overall, this episode follows a similar story to the old Disney movie, but I don't think it adds anything all that new or interesting.

6. "'Round Springfield"

This episode is good at establishing sad vibes as Lisa's mentor dies suddenly before she can tell him how much he changed her life. It is poignant, and it shows an interesting backstory for Bleeding Gums Murphy as well. Although the episode shows things through Lisa's eyes and thus never explained the exact cause of Murphy's death, I think a little more explanation would have helped. I also think the episode was a bit unkind to Murphy as it suggested that he never really amounted to much in his life beyond being a historical footnote and a mentor to Lisa. Reverend Lovejoy's clueless eulogy is pretty funny, and I understand that the episode wanted to highlight how Lisa could carry on Murphy's legacy, but I think a little more detail about how much Lisa meant to him would have brought the episode together. Maybe Lisa could discover a letter that Murphy wrote to her before he died, that would have really added to the impact. They do this a little by having Murphy give Lisa his saxophone, but a letter or some final word from Murphy other than the force ghost thing would have been nice. Also, since Murphy only really appeared in Season 1 and a brief mention in Season 2, I think the episode could have explained more about what he meant to Lisa before he died. I love how Bart sacrifices the money from his settlement to help Lisa share Murphy's music with the world. I also think "Jazz Man" is a pretty catchy song. Overall, this episode offers some interesting thoughts on death and legacy but could have explained more about who Murphy was and what mattered to him beyond his failed career and addictions. 

5. "Homer vs. Patty and Selma"

I have often seen this episode at the bottom of people's Season 6 rankings, and I agree that the main plot is quite irritating, but I think the subplot brings the episode up a few points. I love seeing Bart find his love for ballet and his difficulties reconciling his new pursuit with fears of being bullied or having people question his masculinity. Bart imagining the instructor as she tells him to "use the ballet" is so funny, especially since he does not quite make the leap. Going back to the main plot, it is nice to see the family struggle with their finances again. It makes Homer's deal with Patty and Selma all the more impactful. While it is perfectly in character for Patty and Selma to blackmail Homer, the things they make him do so that they won't tell Marge are deeply unpleasant. It isn't really clear why Homer doesn't just tell Marge about his financial missteps. It is nice to see him stick up for them at the end when he claims that the cigarettes at the DMV are his, but it doesn't fix the many unpleasant scenes between Homer and Marge's sisters. This episode also had a chance to explore why Patty and Selma detest Homer so much, but the only thing this episode suggests is that the sisters think Homer is a loser. I don't often enjoy blackmail plots, and this episode certainly doesn't make them any more appealing.

4. "Bart's Comet"

This one has a pretty fun start with Bart's prank and with him seeing the comet, but I don't really enjoy the time he spends with the Superfriends, especially since he clearly has no interest in being part of a nerd group. Once they determine that the comet will hit the city, I find it amusing that part of the comet destroys the only bridge out of town, so that the people are trapped. What bothers me is the last few minutes of the episode when they are in the bomb shelter. Ned Flanders generously prepares a space for the Simpsons in his bomb shelter, even though Homer just shows up demanding that they come in. After that, the entire town comes into the shelter, preventing them from closing the door. As they try to figure out who to send out of the shelter, it turns into a troubling game of who has value to society and who does not. Homer's ultimate decision that Ned Flanders is the most expendable man in Springfield is so sad and makes Homer seem like a jerk. Especially since the town is arguing over Flanders' own bomb shelter. I'm glad that Homer and the others ultimately choose to die with Flanders and I love the twist that the comet fractures into a tiny piece that only destroys the bomb shelter. That said, this fun twist does not fix the frustrating way that people treat Flanders in this episode. I think it would have worked better if Flanders had decided to sacrifice himself instead of being nominated to do so. It is certainly watchable, I just find the last few minutes a bit unfair to Flanders. 

3. "Another Simpsons Clip Show"

Clip shows were a common staple of many shows from this era, particularly when the showrunners wanted to save money and when it could give fans a nice recap before the onset of DVD box sets. They are always the lowest-effort episodes of the shows they are in, and in our current streaming world, they don't make very much sense. After all, if I wanted to rewatch classic moments in the show, I could just go back and rewatch those episodes where I could experience the full impact of these scenes in their original context. Friends also did clip show episodes, and so did Stargate SG1, even Star Trek: Next Generation tried their hand at one, and every time it felt like a wasted episode. I'm glad that The Simpsons eventually abandoned all clip show episodes after Season 13, otherwise, it would have left even more weak episodes. In this case though, I think the longer stories narrated by members of the Simpson family and the thematic focus on romance makes it a bit better overall. I like seeing Homer and Marge's different reactions to each other's almost-affairs. Homer wants Marge to stop seeing Jacques but is fine if she lets him down gently while Marge is pretty happy that Mindy is no longer working at the plant and encountered misfortune in her life. I also like that they ended with the flashback to Homer and Marge in order to show that true love is possible. Not a great episode, but they still found a way to make the old clips say something new, which is a lot better than other clip shows I have seen. 

2. "Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy"

This episode has an interesting subplot where the kids notice their parents' increased alone time and assume that it is an alien conspiracy of some sort. They do a good job building up to this with Bart's growing interest in aliens early in the episode. The main plot, where Abe and Homer sell a love tonic is interesting, particularly Homer's discovery about how effective the tonic is, but I never really bought the connection between Homer and Abe in this episode, and that is a problem. I like the early plot between Homer and Marge as they try to bring a romantic spark back to their marriage, but once it becomes a Homer and Grandpa episode, it gets a lot less interesting. The two of them don't have that many good times before things start to get difficult between the two of them. While other episodes like "Old Money" and "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" do a good job showing how desperate Abe is for even a little of Homer's love, this episode shows that during Homer's childhood, Abe was dismissive to Homer and shot down his dreams. This makes it a lot harder to sympathize with Abe, especially when he makes the pretty unforgivable claim that Homer was an accident. It is sweet to see them reunite at the end and the fact that they both take responsibility for burning down Homer's childhood home is a bit of a metaphor for them both taking accountability for the ruptures in their relationship. Abe was a cold and distant father, something which was particularly difficult for Homer after his mother left. But in the present day, Homer ignores his father and treats him like a burden. I didn't enjoy the way they handled the father/son relationship in this episode, but it was nice that Homer and Abe got to spend a little more time together. 

1. "Bart's Girlfriend"

This episode has its funny moments, and I love the times when Bart truly connects to Jessica, but the episode ends on a bit of a sour note that takes things too far. It's interesting to have a female counterpart to Bart who takes bigger risks than he does and even makes him nervous with some of her ideas. It's a bit of a stereotype, but I like how Jessica is Reverend Lovejoy's daughter. I have seen far too many cases where legalistic parents try to control their children only to wind up with kids who live their lives to rebel. These kids grow into adults who want so hard not to be like their parents that they will spend their whole lives running and striving to be the opposite of who their parents want them to be. This kind of motivation would make a lot of sense for Jessica, but I find it more than a little irritating that her parents continue to insist that she is a well-behaved angel and that any misdeeds are due to Bart's influence. The desire to blame a child's misbehavior on outside influences is very common in legalistic circles, but the Lovejoys have plenty of evidence that Jessica has had behavioral issues long before Bart came into the picture, so their constant excuses for Jessica are pretty irritating. I think the episode goes downhill once Jessica steals from the collection plate and frames Bart for it. It is a rebellious act, but it goes too far, and it isn't clear how Jessica would have found a way out of the situation if Bart had not been there to be a patsy. I like Lisa's efforts to expose Jessica, but Jessica's final conclusion that she has the power to manipulate men is a sad and troubling end to the episode. I would have been interested to see what happened to Jessica next, but it was sad to see that she had learned absolutely nothing from her experiences in this episode. I think the ending and the Lovejoys' refusal to acknowledge their daughters' faults are the reasons why I often leave this episode feeling a bit irritated.

Filmday Fridays: Treehouse of Horror XXIX-XXXIII, The Simpsons Spooktacular Concluded

I'm finally back to finish my ranking of the last batch of Treehouse of Horror segments! I'll admit that June is not a particularly creepy month, but it felt weird to jump back into my season rankings without finishing this first. I'm saving my "Top 20 and Bottom 20 Treehouse of Horror Segments of All Time" list for October, probably after I have watched their most recent Halloween episode. This way, I will still have something thematic for the Halloween season. Now, back to finishing off this ranking! The nice thing about my lengthy absence is that it gave me the chance to include "Treehouse of Horror XXXIII" from 2022. The two most recent seasons have had much stronger writing across the board, and I think that really is evident in the most recent special. Their parody segments work best when they can do something new and interesting with the concept, especially if you can enjoy the segment without needing to see the original. I'm excited to talk about these, so let's get started!

Top 7 Best Segments

7. "Simpsonsworld" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXIII")

I've never had much of a desire to watch Westworld, so I'm glad that the Simpson version of the story does not require you to have seen the show at all. Instead, this segment is full of nostalgic moments for fans as you get to see the fans reenact meme-able Simpsons moments. It is so sweet to see robot Homer try to save his family from this place. You can see both how it would be a fun place for fans and a nightmare for the robots. I like how Homer plays around with the self-awareness settings for his family members so that they will understand him. This segment also has some sweet moments between Homer and Lisa. The ending where you find out that each of the other animated shows has its own similar world was a cool idea, and I loved to watch them visit Bob's Burgers. I don't think this segment is as deep or creepy as the others, but it is still a fun adventure that speaks to the creativity of the current Simpsons writers! 

6. "Death Tome" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXIII")

Because this episode is a Simpsonized take on Death Note, we get to see the Simpsons as anime characters! I think the animation is very impressive, and they even add some elements of Japanese culture to make it look even more like an anime. In terms of the story itself, I like that they make Lisa the one with the Death Tome and Bart the one who is hunting her down. I don't know the anime as well, but it seems like the other way around would have been the safer, more predictable way, so I like that they mix up the character roles. Lisa's efforts to use her power to punish evildoers are interesting, and I like that she cannot use the same method of death twice. Because of this, you get a really interesting montage of different kinds of death. It's also just so funny that the news predicts that someone with a tome is at the heart of these attacks. I think the ending was a bit sudden, and I wish there was more time to show the cat-and-mouse game between Bart and Lisa, but otherwise, it was a fun premise that they did really well! 

5. "Be Nine, Rewind" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXI")

This segment is mostly based on the TV show Russian Doll; that's why it plays the same "Gotta Get Up" song. But the nice thing is that the story works with a lot of other time-loop movies and shows. I initially thought that they were parodying Happy Death Day, and I think there are still some elements of this movie as well. They are so creative with all the ways that Lisa and Nelson die while they are trying to find a solution to the looping. I am a big fan of Stargate SG1's time loop episode "Window of Opportunity," so it was fun seeing the Simpsons find their way out of their own time loop. I think it's interesting that they decided to do a time loop episode in October 2021 when the pandemic was still in full swing. It makes me think of a YouTube episode by Patrick H. Willems where he points out that quarantine was a lot like a time loop, with days blurring together and feeling very samey. He points out that these kinds of films were cathartic for viewers during this time because they gave people hope that someday the quarantines and isolation would end. I've included that video here in case you want to watch it! 

This segment doesn't have the same time to work through the existential issues of these other movies and shows, but it is still a fun ride! 

4. "Dead Ringer" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXII")

The Simpsons finally decide to offer their take on The Ring, a movie that is perfect for Treehouse of Horror! I like the way that this show modernizes the video so that it is a TikTok rather than a VHS or DVD recording. These advancements in social media since the original movie came out make it even more of a threat now that it's so easy to send out viral videos. I like seeing Lisa challenge the phone voice, as well as the fact that the monster was lonely but still felt a bit too smothered by Lisa. I also love the backstory that they give to the Ghost, those backstory scenes are the best parts of many horror and thriller films, so it felt satisfying for Bart and Lisa to find out more about what was happening to the other kids. They do some great horror here, and I love the way they update the story as well.

3. "Toy Gory" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXI")

This segment is a chilling twist on Toy Story that really brings out the underlying horror elements in the story. The segment makes Bart into a Sid-like character who enjoys tormenting his toys. Though they hint at it in Toy Story, this segment really makes it clear that the toys can feel pain, a fact that makes it much easier to see his demise in the end. While you would expect the new Buzz Lightyear-inspired toy to be part of the resistance against Bart, the writers subvert this by making his time extremely short-lived. The animation is great at still looking like The Simpsons while also capturing some of that Pixar style. The way the toys finally take their vengeance by killing Bart and turning him into a puppet is so creepy! Especially when the family finds him. Their reaction afterward really pushes the envelope, but I don't think it goes too far. Overall, this segment is short and simple, but the writers use the time to make a fun and chilling segment.

2. "Multiplisa-ty" ("Treehouse of Horror XXIX")

I have never seen Split, but the Simpson version of it is a lot of fun! Instead of going with an already dangerous/potentially insane character like Homer or Bart, this segment decides to make Lisa the kidnapper with multiple personalities. These personalities aren't too fleshed out, but I love the ominous German persona she adopts at the dinner table, as well as the family underreacting to her strange behavior. That whole scene is hilarious! Choosing Millhouse, Bart, and Nelson as her captives is also a fun choice that allows Lisa to turn the tables on the usually bully figures. I think the ending twist about Lisa losing her sanity because Bart sabotaged her test grade fits with Lisa's character for the most part, and it is funny to see her go to such lengths over something relatively minor like that. 

1. "The Pookadook" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXIII")

This segment does a great job turning Marge into a threatening possessed character. I love that her bookshelf is filled with multiple copies of The Pookadook, and it's interesting that Marge actually makes the situation worse when she tries to burn the book. In addition to adding some menace to Marge (I cannot recall another segment that really goes that direction with her character), I also really enjoyed the focus on Maggie as a protagonist in the story. In the end, she is the one trying to solve the issue, which gives her a lot more focus than something like "The Exor-sis" where she was mainly an object driving the story forward. It is so sweet and sad to see Maggie try to bring Marge back with photos of the memories they shared as a family, only for Marge to point out that these vacations were not really a vacation for her. It's a small touch, but it really points to the resentment that can build up if you don't communicate with the people you love. Overall, a fascinating segment with some high stakes! 

Top 7 Worst Episodes

7. "Heaven Swipes Right" ("Treehouse of Horror XXX")

I think this segment has an interesting premise, with Homer trying out different bodies when he is sent back to live again. I like seeing Marge's discomfort because the new Homer has his mind but not his body, and she is in love with her original Homer. I also think it's funny that Homer immediately sabotages his new body as well. Where the episode loses me is when Homer starts inhabiting a variety of different bodies. He becomes Principal Chalmers in order to pull a prank with Bart, for instance. I think this part is mildly amusing but doesn't really consider the consequences of Homer's body-swapping like it did at the beginning of the segment. The ending, when Moe becomes Maggie, is just a little too weird to me. It isn't terrible; it just peters out at the end. 

6. "Danger Things" ("Treehouse of Horror XXX")

This one isn't actively bad; it's just a bit of a missed opportunity, given the Stranger Things source material that they're working with. They get the visuals right, and the overall 80s feel, but they don't really do much with the story and themes. I think the issue is that they are trying to capture the imagery from an entire season of a show rather than borrowing one episode or storyline. As a result, it only really has time to include a few scattered references to the show with a fairly weak storyline. It's a bit funny that they move to the Upside Down at the end, but the show didn't really do anything all that interesting with the source material.

5. "When Hairy Met Slimy" ("Treehouse of Horror XXX")

Basing a segment on The Shape of Water is an interesting choice for a Halloween segment. The original film was more of a sweet romance with a dose of suspense and commentary on discrimination in America. This segment doesn't have the time to do any of that, so it mostly goes with the weird fish-creature romance and the rescue mission. Their decision for Selma to fall in love with Kang makes sense for the characters that they wanted to tell the story, but it lowers my investment because I have never been the biggest fan of Selma. I think Homer's enthusiasm to help her leave the planet is fun, and I like that Patty joins too, but it removes the soul of the source material without contributing something new. I feel a little bad for picking on "Treehouse of Horror XXX," but I think the segments in this episode have trouble delivering on the premises they offer. 

4. "Geriatric Park" ("Treehouse of Horror XXIX")

This is another segment that underdelivers on its premise. It's a fun idea to have Mr. Burns turn the elderly into dinosaurs, but it spends so much time on the set-up that it doesn't really do anything with the execution. I also think the idea is at least a bit funny that the dinosaurs just want people to listen to them rather than running amok. That said, I think the Jurassic Park movies usually juggle the majestic with the terrifying, and this segment didn't have very much of that. This one isn't particularly bad, just an underwhelming take on the source material, in my opinion.

3. "Intrusion of the Pod-Y Switchers" ("Treehouse of Horror XXIX")

I think this segment isn't actively bad, just not as interesting as it could be. The idea that Mapple products are replacing people with plantlike duplicates is a pretty interesting premise, and they add some of the same "who can you trust" themes present in Body Snatchers or The Thing. But I think it would have worked better if the plants killed those they duplicated instead of sending them off somewhere. This transportation story is a bit too similar to the ending of "The Greatest Story Ever Holed," which did it much better. Because of this, the story doesn't seem like it has much new to say.

2. "Into the Homerverse" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXI")

The idea of the multiverse creates an interesting concept for a Treehouse of Horror, and the different Homers are fun, but there isn't as much substance. The different Homers are interesting, but most of them are exactly like the original Homer with only superficial differences. Into the Spiderverse does a good job meditating on what qualities make someone Spider-Man. At the same time, the movie also shows how much difference and flexibility comes within this Spider-Man category, as the different versions each maintain unique traits that come from their different worlds and personalities. This segment could have spent time exploring what makes Homer who he is, but instead, it is just a regular action ending. 

1. "Nightmare on Elm Tree" ("Treehouse of Horror XXXII")

Most of the worst segments on this list are not unwatchable; they are just poorly built on the source material that they were using. This segment seems like an original idea, but it is too much of a copy of other segments. I like seeing Homer try to end Treehouse of Horror by chopping down Bart's treehouse, but once he does that, the trees' anger at their mistreatment is a lot like The Grand Pumpkin. Also, the trees attacking everyone is very similar to the Transformers ending. The fact that they turn the town into a Christmas tree is kind of interesting, but not quite enough to save a segment that seems derivative and empty. I think it is a testament to the show's recently improved writing that the worst segment isn't unwatchable, just a bit too similar to things they have done before.