Here we are again. I’m still working from home and spending a lot of my spare time away from work watching “The Simpsons.” In such a short amount of time, I’ve already made it through the first three seasons. And just like the first two, I’m going to ramble a bit about the third.
Season three sees Al Jean and Mike Reiss take over as showrunners, and already you can see some differences.
While I don’t think season three is quite as strong as the second, its highest highs are absolutely brilliant. This season showcases a sense of humor that is far more bizarre and crazy than what came before, and while there isn’t as much sentiment to be seen this season, there are a couple of really rich character moments.
So, what were the highlights of season three? Let’s look at my five favorite episodes of the season.
“Lisa’s Pony”
This is all about just how far Homer is willing to go to make Lisa happy… after he makes her miserable. When he fails to get her a saxophone reed in time for the school talent show (he decides to stop by the bar and grab a beer first), Homer decides to make it up to Lisa by finally buying her the pony she’s always wanted. The only problem? It costs a lot to keep a pony, so Homer has to get a second job… working overnights at the Kwik-E-Mart. This episode does have a bit of the sentiment that was seen more throughout the first two seasons, but only in small doses. It also has some really funny bits, including Apu’s line about Homer at the very end when he finally quits: “He stole, he slept, he was rude to the customers. There goes the best employee a convenience store ever had.”
“Flaming Moe’s”
When Homer makes a mixed drink and gives it to Moe, Moe takes the credit for it when he sells it to customers and it becomes really popular. It results in Moe’s bar becoming an attraction for celebrities… and Homer feeling ripped off. This is one of the first episodes I can recall to feature big-name celebrities (we’ll get to a couple more in just a moment). The celebrities this time around? Aerosmith! Moe’s rise and fall is great to watch, and the reveal once the secret ingredient gets out to the public is one of the funniest episode endings in the show.
“Treehouse of Horror II”
It’s no secret that the annual Halloween episodes of “The Simpsons” are some of my favorites. While I absolutely loved the first “Treehouse of Horror” in season two, I find this one to be a lot funnier and more absurd. There are three short stories this time around, including Bart as the reality-bending child based on a “Twilight Zone” episode, Homer getting his brain put into a robot by Mr. Burns to create the ultimate employee, and a take on the classic monkey’s paw story. Each segment has one hilarious twist after another, including Ned Flanders making the monkey’s paw work in his favor after it causes misery for the Simpsons.
“Stark Raving Dad”
This episode may not have aged well given it’s about Michael Jackson, but it’s one that is absolutely hilarious if you try to avoid the person featured. It starts when Homer is institutionalized because he wears a pink shirt to work, and while in an institution he meets a fat white guy claiming to be Michael Jackson (who was actually voiced by the king of pop). When Homer gets out, he brings Michael Jackson with him, and Jackson then helps Bart write Lisa a song to celebrate her birthday. It’s got all the zaniness that the best Simpsons episodes have while also having heart. It’s also one of the few episodes I can think of that shows the genuinely good-natured brother-sister relationship between Bart and Lisa. Side note: if you’re looking for this episode on digital, you won’t find it. The showrunners took it offline after last year’s “Finding Neverland” documentary. The only reason I watched it is because I own the seasons on DVD.
“Homer at the Bat”
This is absolutely the funniest episode of the show so far through my rewatch. The guys at the nuclear power plant are supposed to go against the employees of a fellow power plant, and Mr. Burns has placed a big bet on the game. So, he employs nine Major League Baseball players to take the spots of Homer and his co-workers. The comedy really comes from the misfortunes that befall the nine MLB players that results in Homer finally getting to play in the big game. It’s absurd and it’s hilarious, and a real sign of just how crazy the show would become over the next few years.
Overall season three was a pretty solid run. Aside from the above listed episodes, there are some really great character moments, including Flanders opening up his store for left-handers and watching it crash and burn in “When Flanders Failed,” seeing Homer’s brother Herb come back out on top in “Brother Can You Spare Two Dimes?” and the excellent return of Sideshow Bob in “Black Widower.” Season three is a fun one, even if it’s not quite as great as the amazing second season.
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