May 14, 2020
Screenshot/YouTube
We've got some advice for those thinking about binging the Simpsons.
There is just too much TV content out there for you to watch everything. That's where we come in.
We want to help those of you who are considering watching one of the many TV shows available to stream that you haven't had a chance to watch before. If you are on the fence about a show, have had it recommended by friends or are simply curious, we've got you.
Is the show worth it? How should I watch it? And what should I know about the series before diving in?
We've decided to answer those questions, and also provide our suggestions of three episodes to watch first — episodes that best summarize why the show is worth watching to give you a crash course on what makes it great. We are avoiding extremely serialized shows, like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Good Place, and other classics that demand you sit through the entire series start to finish.
Here's a look at one of the most important shows ever to grace American Televisions: The Simpsons.
How many episodes are there?
684 (we're not kidding...)
When does it get good?
Watching shows, particularly sitcoms, from the beginning can be tough sometimes. The same can be said for The Simpsons. Midway through Season 2, the show really hits its stride.
When does it stop being good?
Most experts agree the golden age ends around Season 9 or 10.
Why should I watch it?
The Simpsons was THE pop culture television show of the 1990s and it really holds up. Before the new regime took over the show and turned the entire thing into a caricature of itself, The Simpsons had heart and was absolutely jam-packed with humor. It was a global phenomenon for a reason. The rate of quality jokes per minute, paired with incredibly adept and creative plotting and character development between Seasons 2 and 9 is unparalleled — and has more or less been the driving influence for television humor over the last two decades.
Long story short, it's really, really funny.
Where can I watch it?
The entire series is available on Disney+, or those with a cable subscription can find it in syndication all over the place. We also found quite a few episodes on YouTube.
What three episodes should I watch?
To get a crash course and a good taste of what makes the show great, we recommend the following three episodes:
*Note — these are three episodes we recommend to paint a picture of the full range of the show, we are not saying these are the three best.
Dustin Hoffman guest stars as a substitute teacher for Lisa's class. This episode flexes the muscles of the show showing how it can tug at your heartstrings while also making you laugh. The animation is a little crude — and it will improve — but exposure to this kind of episode in this era of the show is crucial for appreciating the first decade of its prominence.
Is it required that you can pick up on references to old movies like, say, The Graduate (which starred Hoffman)? It helps — but the great thing about a show like The Simpsons is the references are a spice to the humor, not the centerpiece of it. The end of this episode will have you in need of a tissue box. Consider yourself warned.
This is my absolute favorite, all-time best episode of the show ever. It has absolutely everything. It has action and adventure, it has meta humor paired with incredible writing and it is a wonderful re-imagining of, you guessed it, the Trojan Horse. The number of 20-second YouTube clips I could include for this episode would probably destroy the back end of this website.
Essentially, a rival bordering town steals Springfield's prized lemon tree and Bart leads a group of kids who venture into "enemy territory" to get it back. This episode is both an incredible Bart and a hilarious Homer episode. Both shine in this masterpiece of animation, which packs a ton of jokes and plot into just 22 minutes.
The peak of The Simpsons greatness may have been Season 7, with this episode highlighting the show when it fires on all cylinders. Bart sells his soul to his friend Millhouse and then goes on a surprisingly brutal journey to try and get it back from him. Meanwhile, local bar owner Mo turns his dive into a family restaurant — a storyline in the running for the best B-plot in the show's history.
The heart in this episode really shines, as The Simpsons shows it is a program that can seamlessly fuse a dysfunctional family with cartoonish qualities into a group of characters who love each other, have real emotions and have serious stakes in their pursuit of happiness.
Give these three episodes a chance. We have no doubt you'll have the show on (at least Seasons 2-10) as a perfect replacement for The Office as a background binge while you work, clean or wind down at the end of the day.
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