Blog Talkback: "Best. Episode. Ever!" Toonzone Talks "The Simpsons"

In case anyone cares, my close runners up were Treehouse of Horror V and Who Shot Mr. Burns (both parts).

All made good points about why they chose their picks, though. I certainly can't disagree that "22 Short Films" was arguably the first episode which was more a showcase for Springfield in general than entirely focused on the Simpson family, for example.
 
I was very close to writing about "Lisa's First Word", but I chose "Lisa on Ice" because I think it's an underrated episode. Shame you didn't choose the latter, I actually would have liked to hear your expert opinion on The Simpsons' only two-parter.
 
So very true. Iv'e considered that episodes to be one of the absolute best of the series ever since, like, forever. But somehow it appears that it kinda tends to get lost among the many other emotionally strong Lisa-centered episodes of the first 8 seasons or so.
 
My runner-up was Itchy and Scratchy Land. In fact, I almost regret not choosing it.

There's a definite preference for the first seven seasons here (22 Short Films About Springfield is the latest episode, and four are from Season 6 alone). That shouldn't be interpreted as a knock on later seasons, however.
 
Well, last time I heard, Season 6 is regarded among the favorite season of the fandom, I know that most of my favorite episodes came from Season 6. Then there's also the matter that Season 1 isn't really regarded as "True Simpsons" yet. So it doesn't surprise me that a list does have a few episodes from that season.

If I had to pick one episode, that would be tough, but I have a feeling that it probably would be something from Season 6 or Season 8
 
Well, I always felt "Who Shot Mr. Burns" showed Burns at arguably his most evil. Sure, he's done evil things before, but here he was stealing oil and trying to block out the sun. It was pretty epic. Smithers refusing to go along with the plan only made this aspect stronger, because he RARELY goes against his boss's wishes.

The whole "can't remember my name" plot with Homer was both funny and tense, especially the scene when Homer is dragged away by Burns's goons and shouts over and over that he's a dead man.

The mystery was actually well-crafted and, at the time it aired, I was genuinely in the dark as to who shot Burns. Pretty much everyone had a reason to do so, and there were no eye-witness accounts. There were a few red herrings. Even though Maggie shooting Burns sounds like a lame idea on paper, it was executed just right so that it seems plausible.

I also like the whole yin/yang aspect of the two parter. Part 1, while still very much a comedy episode, is fairly ominous throughout. You know something bad's gonna happen down the line. Part 2 is like a catharsis. The comedy is here full force, sort of as a pressure valve release from the gloom and uncertainty that ended part 1. In fact, I recall on the commentary that they had to speed up the episode by, IIRC, 10%, because they had so many set pieces to cram in.

It was a close call between this, "Treehouse V", and "Homer at the Bat", but ultimately I went with "Bat" because it makes me laugh the hardest out of the three/four.
 
My favorite episode has to be Who Shot Mr.Burns part 1.
To me every thing about that episode was brilliant, perfect music, comedy gold and animation was wonderful. I enjoy watching it.
There's other episodes I enjoy too, this one is my favorite though.
Oh yah, also forgot that another one of my favorite aspects of the episode is that included the entire town along with The Simpsons family.
 
Pretty good list. I can't really argue with any of your choices for the majority part, and lord knows it must have been an absolute chore for the lot of you (sans Dalek if my conversations with him mean anything) to choose your favourite episode.

I wonder if any of you ever put Lemon of Troy into consideration. That was such an underrated episode. Not to mention other episodes like Bart of Darkness, Summer of 4 Ft. 2, Deep Space Homer, Brother from the Same Planet, Deep Space Homer, $pringfield, Homer the Great, Simpson Tide, Das Bus, and You Only Move Twice.

What I'm more disappointed with and it's really shameful that you guys didn't include it, was the lack of

DENTAL PLAN!
 
Man, I remember taping and watching Homer At The Bat like crazy when I was a kid. It was the first time when I truly noticed how great the show had gotten, it was really funny, and had such great emotion and atmosphere to it.

All the episodes you guys chose are excellent and absolute classics, but I don't know if I could ever pick a definite favorite. Every time I watch the first 10 seasons I always find something new that clicks with me in another way and makes me rethink my favorites.

Recently I've been thinking You Only Move Twice might be it, but then I remember Lemon Of Troy, Homie The Clown, and Duffless, and I just can't commit to it.

Lisa needs braces.
 
Alright, I guess I'll chime in with my favorite, even though I have such a hard time doing so. There are so many that I could list in a top 10 list(and more than half would be from seasons 3-7), but I've decided that season four's Krusty Gets Canceled is my absolute favorite.

There are so many sure-fire jokes in the episode, it followed the same success that Homer At The Bat had with guest stars, and I think it is the episode where Krusty is finally developed in character, whereas before he didn't quite act the way he would later become known for(even in Camp Krusty he seemed a bit off).

Two others that are battling it out close behind this episode are The Front(again, season four) and Boy Scoutz N The Hood, from season five.
 
Almost all those choices immediately bring back word-for-word reconstructions of the events of those episodes. I couldn't pick out any more memorable episodes than the ones spotlighted here.

OK yeah, there's way too many memorable Simpsons episodes from the first 10 seasons. But all of you made a great case for why you chose each one as your personal favorite, and the accompanying analysis helped me realize just why the show was once so great.

As for my personal favorite, I'd have to give the nod to Bart Gets Famous. It's one brilliant satire of the kind of humor the show didn't want to be known for, and yet another great Bart-centric episode. The ending still is one of my favorite gags from any episode.
 
Did you enjoy the fact that Marge didn't even have one line? :p

But I agree that it's excellent. The pantsless old man dancer is still one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen. Not to mention how great the celebrity moments are, as well as the Gabbo stuff.

Crud. I guess it's time to dig out the DVDs again.
 
Back
Top