The Simpsons is one of the animated series that has had the greatest impact and success throughout the history of television, reaching 545 episodes for 25 uninterrupted years of broadcast. It was the first animated series to be broadcast in prime-time and managed to change the established idea among the criticism that the drawings were exclusively for children, since their vast majority of parodies and gags are intended for the adult audience.
The series accumulates 25 Emmy Awards, 24 Annie Awards and 1 Peabody Award, being the first series to obtain the latter. His first seasons were bright but, as the years went by, the series began to wear out and went into a decline that has been pronounced in recent seasons. Still, The Simpsons has 7 fantastic seasons and a series of episodes that should be mandatory viewing for everyone.
7 Who shot Mr. Burns
The only double episode of the series, which focuses on the attempted murder of Mr. Burns and the investigation into the identity of the assailant. During the first part, the scriptwriters released several clues about who was the culprit so that the spectators could guess it, and even FOX organized a contest through the network in which the followers had the opportunity to try to solve the mystery.
One of the best structured and written episodes, managing to include the vast majority of characters in a choral plot and keeping the intrigue until the final moments, in which the scriptwriters surprise us with a revelation as unexpected as hilarious.
6 I married Marge
Flashback of the beginnings of the relationship between Homer and Marge in the '80s; a true wonder that knows how to combine the characteristic humor of the series with the most romantic drama. A demonstration that The Simpsons is more than just a comedy, since with this episode it manages to reach very emotional peaks.
In subsequent seasons other flashbacks were made that slightly modified the story, but fans consider this episode as the official version.
5 Moe's Flamed
Before being the threshed character and full of clichés of the last seasons, Moe was one of the secondary ones that gave more game in the series and reached its zenith in this episode, in which he loses the friendship of Homer when stealing his recipe of the flamed . A bright and very funny reflection on human values and the true meaning of being successful in life.
4 Bart sells his soul
Bart sells his soul to Milhouse for 5 dollars, but later he realizes his mistake and tries to recover it. The series had ironic about theological issues since its inception, but in this chapter it goes one step further by openly questioning the meaning of life.
3 Homer loves Flanders
The dynamic between Homer and Flanders is one of the great engines of the series: their conflicts, rivalries, envies and fraternizations have left us countless epic moments. In this episode, the bipolar relationship between the two neighbors reaches its climax, when Flanders loses his patience and lets out all his fury against Homer.
2 New York City vs. Homer Simpson
The Simpsons travel to New York and Homer lives his most rugged and chaotic experience, which, taking into account the character's history, is a milestone. The episode contains some of the funniest scenes, such as when Homer has to change from Twin Tower to go to the bathroom.
1 Homer's enemy
Homer Simpson finds his antagonist in the figure of Frank Grimes, a persevering worker who envies the facilities and comforts of Homer's life. Although only one episode lasts, Frank Grimes is one of the great characters of the series and his confrontation against Homer is one of the most rounded and best developed narrative arcs.
Screenwriter Josh Weinstein made statements about the intentions they had with this episode:
‘’ We wanted to make an episode where the thought was "What would happen if a normal, real-life person had to enter Homer's universe and deal with it?" I know this episode is controversial and controversial, but I love it. ’