Top 10 Simpsons Episodes

Now, this is one of the toughest top 10 lists I've ever put together. The Simpsons has such an incredible selection of episodes, both in number and quality, that choosing only 10 is a near-impossible task. Almost everyone has compiled their own top 10 list of Simpsons episodes and almost all of those people have surely received some sort of retaliation for their choices (no one can seem to agree with anyone on this subject). Below is what I, Brian Russell, feel are the best of the best thing to ever come out TV land. If you don't agree, feel free to voice your disapproval.

10. Rosebud (Season 5)
For an episode that strongly revolves around Mr. Burns (no matter what anyone says, he is one of my least favourite Simpsons characters), "Rosebud" is actually very impressive. It's Mr. Burns' birthday and what should be an occasion for celebrating is marred by the fact that Mr. Burns is having recurring dreams of losing his childhood teddy bear, Bobo. When he discovers that Maggie is the new owner of the bear, he goes to the highest lengths to get it back.

Of course, a lot of my reason for putting this on the list is because of the entire episodes reference to Citizen Kane. That movie is brilliant and "Rosebud" thrives off of its glory. Apart from that, though, seeing Homer's love for Maggie and the level he will go to fight for her is a truly touching moment for The Simpsons and gives this episode something to relate to.

9. Mr. Plow (Season 4)
When the Simpsons meet winter, there is always fun to be had. Of all the winter themed episodes, none have made the impact that "Mr. Plow" has. A simple premise, Homer decides to buy his own plow truck and start a driveway plowing business. Unfortunately for him, his bar buddy Barney has done the same thing and is seeing better results. But, even amongst the business tension between the two of them, when Barney gets stuck in snowy trouble, Homer comes to the rescue.

What makes "Mr. Plow" so memorable and such a great episode is the fact that it's filled with some of the funniest sequences of the fourth season. Adam West's cameo, Homer's self-produced Mr. Plow commercial, Barney's hot tub conversation with Linda Ronstadt, just to name a few. And who can forget the Mr. Plow jingle? "Call Mr. Plow, that's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow."

8. Treehouse of Horror IV (Season 5)
The "Treehouse of Horror" series of Simpsons episodes are generally fan favourites thanks to their allowance for some of the weirdest, most surreal Simpsons stories around. Rarely, though, do these Halloween-themed episodes achieve a level of greatness that the more standard Simpson fare does. "Treehouse of Horror IV" is an exception.

The hilariously un-scary stories, which include Homer selling his soul to Devil Flanders for a donut, Bart seeing a gremlin on the school bus and the Simpson family discovering Mr. Burns is a vampire, are shining examples of Simpsons humour and Halloween antics working together in perfect harmony.

7. Homer's Enemy (Season 8)
Most Simpsons fans love Homer and his utter mindlessness, but let's face it, if Homer were a real person, he would be the most annoying person in the world. That fact can be seen at its clearest in "Homer's Enemy".

Frank Grimes, a man who has had to work hard for everything in his life, has recently acquired a job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Unfortunately for him, he is working in close quarters with Homer. Day in and day out, Homer drives Grimes up the wall, eventually leading Grimes to go insane and, in an effort to prove Homer is an idiot, accidentally kill himself. It's definitely one of the darkest Simpsons episodes ever made, but sometimes "dark" can be funny.

6. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson (Season 9)
This is the episode that I consider to be the last of the great Simpsons stories. The story is fresh, the humour is top-of-the-line; just about everything in this episode is excellent. Unfortunately, it is also the opener to season nine, meaning that the rest of the 25 episode season is filled with standard, passable material. In this outing, Barney has been made the designated driver for the drinkers at Moe's Tavern. Barney uses Homer's car to drive everyone home, but the next morning, Homer can't find his car and Barney doesn't remember where he left it. It turns out the car is at the World Trade Center in New York and now Homer and his family must travel there to get it back.

This is the only episode of The Simpsons to ever be taken out of syndication. The reason for its removal was because of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. It has recently been put back in syndication, but it's still quite rare to see it on TV. The DVD is the best way to go to if you want to see this classic.

5. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Bluefish (Season 2)
One of Homer's most prominent traits is the fact that he likes to eat. So, to no one's surprise, when the Simpson family goes out for dinner to a Japanese restaurant, Homer orders whatever he can get his hands on. He unknowingly tries fugu, otherwise known as pufferfish, and thanks to Homer's impatience, the chef doesn't slice it properly, causing Homer to eat the poisonous part of the fish.

What's most notable about this episode is that it's actually quite a sad story. For the entire episode, Homer, knowing he will soon die from the toxic fish, tries to live out all the things he wants to do before it's too late. And while attempts at humour are made, and essentially succeed fairly well, it's still kind of heart-wrenching. Of course, and I don't think I'm spoiling this for anyone, Homer doesn't die, but the final scenes are what I consider to be the most moving Simpsons scenes ever. If you haven't seen this one yet, watch it now. It's definitely worth the 20 minutes.

4. Last Exit to Springfield (Season 4)
"Last Exit to Springfield" is an episode many people consider to be the best episode of The Simpsons ever made. It appears on most people's top 10 lists, quite often at number one, and received the best critical praise the show has ever seen. There's also a lot going on in this one. Mr. Burns (yes, I know, he's on the list again, but I still don't like him) has gotten fed up with the power plant's union and has decided to take away their dental plan. At the same time, Lisa learns she needs braces and that without Homer's dental plan, she will have to settle for the most clunky, mechanical set of braces there is. Homer takes on the job of union leader and fights to get the plan back with the support of his co-workers.

The reason I haven't placed "Last Exit to Springfield" at the top of my list is because I never liked the ending. The rest of the episode showcases some of the best material in the series, including Homer dreaming he is a mob boss, but the ending just never cut it for me. It seems too rushed and inconclusive, more like something out of the recent Simpsons years. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but watch it anyway and see if you agree.

3. Life on the Fast Lane (Season 1)
I really struggled with this one, deciding whether to put it at number three or number two, but I have settled with third position. First of all, "Life on the Fast Lane" is hands down the best episode of the first season. Albert Brooks always brings laughs when he does a voice for the show and this is truly his finest performance (even though he does appear again on this list). It's Marge's birthday and Homer has forgotten to get her a gift. While at the mall, he spots a bowling ball which he buys for himself, but foolishly ends up giving it to Marge for her gift. Magre gets mad, keeps the ball anyways and meets Jacques, a smooth talking French bowling instructor while spending some personal time bowling with her "birthday gift".

This is one of the few instances where Homer has reason to be upset with Marge due to her extended periods of time socializing with Jacques. Not much more can be said about this episode. It's simply full of hilarious Simpsons material and that's enough to qualify it for top three. And, just to note, Albert Brooks actually ad-libbed most of Jacques dialogue, my favourite line being "four onion rings!", and gave the show more than three hours of material to work with.

2. Simpson and Delilah (Season 2)
This episode doesn't get enough credit for how great it is. I think that being near the top of season two and considering its age, it has sort of gotten lost among the other great episodes. What makes "Simpson and Delilah" so special is that the story is extremely well structured and it marks the first prominent instance of character development for Homer. After seeing an ad for Dimoxinil, a "miracle" hair growth formula, Homer decides he wants to try it and manages to get it paid for by his work's medical insurance. Luckily, the formula works and he gets a flowing new head of hair, which gets him an executive job at the power plant and allows him to hire his own secretary, Karl, played by Harvey Fierstein.

After Bart breaks the bottle of Dimoxinil, Homer goes bald again and loses the confidence he gained from having hair. Karl tries to reassure Homer that his hair had nothing to do with his recent success and that's where we get to see Homer at his weakest and someone caring enough for the man when he's feeling down. Fierstein does a brilliant job with his role and honestly, without his participation, I don't think this episode would have been as great as it is. Nonetheless, this is prime Simpsons territory that every TV viewer should check out.

1. You Only Move Twice (Season 8)
For me, season eight is the most consistent in terms of good quality episodes. Each one has something memorable about it, but the best of the season and the best overall is "You Only Move Twice", the episode that brought back the feel of the amazing early days of the series. When Homer is offered a job at the Globex Corporation, he convinces his family to move to Cypress Creek to be closer to the company. Homer's new boss, Hank Scorpio, voiced by the already well-established Albert Brooks, seems perfect, but unknown to Homer, Hank is truly evil and he has a doomsday device to prove it. The government wants it and Homer is unknowingly a part of Hank's plans.

Though the episode does primarily revolve around Homer, the rest of the Simpson family have their own sub-stories that correlate to the main premise. This gives the episode a lot of meatiness and the best part is that none of it becomes overwhelming. All the different stories are easily followed and they all come around in the end and conclude perfectly. Along with some of the best jokes, animation and cultural references in the series, "You Only Move Twice" takes the number one spot and truly deserves it.

Now, there were some episodes that almost made it in my top 10, but just didn't have enough to earn a spot. So, seeing as how I still enjoy these ones a lot, I'll number them 11-15:

11. Bart the General (Season 1)
12. Homer's Phobia (Season 8)
13. Homer at the Bat (Season 3)
14. Bart the Daredevil (Season 2)
15. Treehouse of Horror V (Season 6)

So, there it is. Yet another top 10 list of Simpsons episodes. It seemed impossible, but it's done. Whether you agree or disagree with these choices, you must admit, The Simpsons really is one of the greatest TV shows ever created. It transcends age, time and sense of humour. It has something for everyone.