Hey Jims! Not sure how else to contact you about this, but I'm writing my university Dissertation around the change in portrayal of Gay Characters in The Simpsons. I'm trying to find good episodes to case study but I'm finding it kind of difficult outside of Homer's Phobia in Season 8, do you have any suggestions as youtube's resident Simpsons expert?
i think every ep in season 2 3 4 and 6 are classic but thats just me...like even the worst ones are memorable but sadly in seasons that are top tier so they dont really stand out...@@mankytoes
@@mankytoes season 4 is the best season with no bad episode but i got a few in season 4 that are classics in their own right but in terms of the season their in are good to meh..marge in chains marge gets a job the front homer the heretic and so its come to this a clip show ...personally I find those to be pretty boring compared to the rest of the writing this season and their either early or late in the season which tells you they saved their best for the middle...sure they have moments that are amazing like ned saving homer and meeting god or hutz talking to the whiskey and dave crosby burns hitting on marge and lisa and bart touring the animation studio and the steamboat itchy moment but like those eps aren't great..just good...
My top 10 from season 2 1. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue fish 2. Lisa's Substitute 3. The Way We Was 4. Three Men and a Comic Book 5. Treehouse of Horror I 6. Bart Gets an F 7. Bart the Daredevil 8. Bart Gets Hit by a Car 9. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge 10. Bart vs Thanksgiving Thats how many classics came from this season
I think oh brother where art thou should of made it personally over dead putting but its close as dead putting is a top 11 ep..the other just got more story ..other than that its a perfect list that sums up what made season 2 great and stand out...well besides not including the treehouse of horror imo thats a top 10 ep but whatever its subjective I guess at that point...
bart gets hit by a car blood feud dead putting society all didn't even make my top 11 thats how good this season is...I got a lot of the same ones as him except I have the original treehouse or horror on my top 10 and then at 11 I have oh brother where art thou?...
Season two’s style is by far the most ambitious in terms of narratives in the series. Plot first, jokes second was the mentality and it worked almost flawlessly.
I just cried watching Lisa's substitute. It's just such a sad reality that many children just don't get the support they need and deserve and also it was touching how Homer opened up and showed his love through humor.
1. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue fish 2. Lisa's Substitute 3. The Way We Was 4. Three Men and a Comic Book 5. Treehouse of Horror I 6. Bart Gets an F 7. Bart the Daredevil 8. Bart Gets Hit by a Car 9. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge 10. Bart vs Thanksgiving
Also, this video ended up getting delayed in the writing because of how challenging it was to rank this season. Usually I try to get a list locked in during the retrospective research. But there were, like, 12 episodes vying for the last 5 spots. Season 2 is too consistent.
I was just shocked at Doh brother where art thou but coming from you, I can trust there is a perfectly logical and good reason for rme all. Youre the dude, dude.
While I know you've got plenty seasons to go through as it is, I'm wondering, will you be doing any retrospectives on the Tracey Ullman Show material? It'd be interesting looking into the Simpsons in their most primordial state, even if it's just a 60 seconds thing or something.
I had your top 14 as my top 14 same as season 1..we have like the same brain man...I swear...but no you have good tastes...I think principal charming is a great episode but not a great simpsons episode cause its just weird in context of the series but its pretty good too as a side note ...if only it wasn't skinner and patty you know?...that pair just isn't appealing
I feel like people go two ways with ranking Lisa's Substitute and Bart Gets an F, which seems to largely be from personal experience. A lot of people who struggled in school academically have a strong inclination to Bart Gets an F, whereas people who were more socially and emotionally left behind by their peers (and sometimes parents) tend towards Lisa's Substitute. It's difficult to objectively judge the episodes because they are highly emotionally driven, hence rely on the viewers ability to specifically relate to the experiences.
That figures, I sympathize with Bart's dilemma and everything but Lisa's Substitute really hits home for me on a deep level because I was a Lisa in school but I also had teachers like Mr. Bergstrom who really meant a lot, so the episode will of course come out on top for me due to the strong identification I have with it. So I really can't speak to which one is "superior," the odds are already so stacked against Bart Gets an F for me in ways that aren't especially fair to it.
The funniest part of all was that Homer wanted to humiliate Flanders but Homer was the one humiliated while Flanders actually enjoyed mowing the lawn in drag!
My favorite episode for sure is "Simpson and Delilah". I understand some people don't like it mostly because of the "Bart ruins everything" part but I appreciate its something he did out of genuine childish curiosity and not out of malicious intent. The episode is just very emotional to me, how it touches upon the subject of how something as seemingly frivolous as hair can impact the happiness and quality of life of a man even though we tell each other that such things dont matter every chance we get. I especially like the climax in which Mr. Burns shows a softer side and empathizes with Homer's plight. Also, Karl was such and intriguing and compelling character even though his extreme devotion to Homer was kind of strange with the borderline romantic tones and the fact it was kind of unwarranted. I kinda wish he would have stuck around as a "mysterious stranger" kind of role for Homer, helping him get out of complicated situations every now and then.
The wierd thing I found about Simpson and Delilah was the subtext that without his hair- Homer would never get promoted to executive. Yeah, he’s Homer: he wouldn’t even have the work ethic to stand out on his own merits, and he’d probably ruin himself anyways if it wasn’t for that absolute MVP Carl. but the fact Burns just promotes Homer to Junior Exec based on appearance, and everyone walks out of Homer’s speech because he’s “some old geezer” and “doesn’t even have any hair” is a really jarring look at how much precedent is put on appearance here. And the fact that after like 15 years of working at the plant- Homer’s never once recognized for promotion, then he gets hair, suddenly MASSIVE lifestyle changes happen. Marge sees this, she KNOWS he was promoted. And doesn’t even question it. And during this whole time with the pay raise and everything- Homer didn’t put aside a thousand bucks for his next dose of Demoxonyl? Like, one bottle was supposed to last a year? I have concerns why upgrading Bart’s treehouse to a castle was considered a priority. Yes, “Bart ruins everything” but y’all were gonna run out of hair growth tonic eventually. How you ain’t planned for this? That ain’t on Bart. YOU spent all the money on frivolities instead of keeping Gas in the tank. Don’t blame the boy. If not Bart, Maggie… Santa’s Little Helper… SOMEONE would have knocked the bottle over. And you don’t have a backup. That’s on YOU, Homer. The return to status quo was inevitable. But this episode gets shat on as the third act F you- pins all this blame on Bart and it makes me angry. Also I get sad seeing Carl walk off into the rain after giving up his umbrella. What an absolute gem of a bloke.
One thing I really like about Lisa's Substitute is how low the stakes are in the B Plot with Bart. Like you said, it's a good example of how Homer treats his two(talking) children, but I appreciate how it never takes the focus away from the main plot and wraps itself up rather quickly.
Upon my recent first ever watch of all of season 2 I actually rated it as my fourth favourite of the season. It coming so early in the season really signals how different season 2 is going to be compared to season 1; so much snappier, fast-paced, wittier and more sarcastic.
I love this channel so much. This video is a reminder to me of how magical The Way We Was is. Every time I watch it, I just feel so many emotions for Homer and feel such a high amount of respect for him and Marge. It doesn't feel like a sign of weakness for either of them to show the emotions they feel and I just ADORE it.
yeah..it was counter culture but also still a sitcom in the end too...the way we was is the perfect episode to demonstrate this...the show is already set up past that point so in a flashback they show us new sides to the characters but still keep it grounded with the story about how they got together not just how they met..by act 3 its all about the end point set up not the set up to show more cheesy flashback stuff
You know, hearing you talking about Itchy, scratchy and Marge makes me wish for a showdown between that and Itchy. scratchy and Poochey. Which is the better 90’s era animation episode
Yeah they both really show how outside meddling from people who don't get story telling can ruin a show, and how laughably fragile writing quality can be when it doesn't have a formula to lean back on (those writers seem to suck at anything besides having Itchy kill Scratchy). Plus they both show one of the Simpsons in their earnest attempts to make a positive difference on the handling of the show, only to fail and be dismissed.
The pastoral scene from Itchy, Scratchy & Marge is unbelievablely beautiful, they truly captured the feeling of childhood in a way that just takes you straight back to a more innocent time.
I agree with you with this list but brush with greatness should of been in the top 10 because when ringo say “I loved the painting I hung it on me wall” will always make me laugh
#10 Dancin Homer (I just find this one really charming and fun, some really funny jokes here) #9 Homer Vs Lisa (in Ireland we have dodgy boxes which are pretty much the same as stealing cable so I always related well to this one, add on a Homer and Lisa dynamic and your golden) #8 One Fish Twofish (very touching episode) #7 Three Men And A Comic Book (another one with lots of great jokes) #6 Oh Brother Where Art Thou (always really liked Herb wish he was brought back more) #5 TCIEGATEOEF (Great spotlight for Burns and also shows why Marge is a badass) #4 Lisa’s Substitute (you know yourself) #3 Bart Gets An F (Truly one of the most tragic Bart episodes, the moral of how failure does happen too is handled perfectly) #2 The Way We Was (the true backstory for Homer and Marge the car scene at the end always gets me) #1 Simpson And Delilah (always had a strange love for this one, the character of Karl is amazing, also love the scene where Homer gets his hair for the first time truly amazing) HM #15 Blood Feud #14 Treehouse Of Horror #13 Brush With Greatness #12 Bart The Daredevil #11 Principal Charming
another amazing video man! keep it up! im not sure if you already did it, but a comparison of homer the vigilante and the springshield episodes would be interesting
That winking fish will never go away if you keep bringing him up. Completely agree with the list. I'd probably make O'Brother Where Art Thou a top 10 pick with Dead Putting but having to drop Bart Vs Thanksgiving or One Fish, Two Fish is not an easy choice either.
yep agree 100%...its hard to drop any of them but I would take off dead putting make it 11th and put on oh brother at 10 personally to make it a perfect list ...also the treehouse ep gets its own ranking imo since its kinda unique at this point of the series....
I personally think Simpson and Delilah is the best episode in all of Simpsons. I was disappointed to not even see it make the list. Good vid otherwise.
What I enjoy about your videos is that even though I really wanted to see Principal Charming in that list and Dead Putting Society at #1 (that last one wasn't a real expectation), the way you present your arguments and justifications means that I'm almost inclined to change my opinion. Keep up the great work.
These are my top 10 season 2 Simpsons Episodes. 10. Bart vs. Thanksgiving: Excellent Episode, only bad scene for me was when Bart makes Lisa cry in Act 1. Love when Bart goes around town with SLH and interacts with other townspeople. The apology by Bart in the end was well written. 9. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?: Great Episode all the way, except the ending where Herb gets mad at his own brother even though Homer clearly deserved it for designing a bad car. The two Hibberts joke was hilarious, "Bastard, Bastard" was comedy gold and every scene with Herb up until the car reveal is excellent. 8. Dead Putting Society: It may sound funny, but even here at #8 this one is a nearly flawless episode. The part where Lisa teaches Bart how to golf was memorable and so was the whole golf tournament with one of the Flanders' kids. Not to mention the Ending with both Homer and Ned wearing their wife's dresses. 7. Bart the Daredevil: The ending with Homer skateboarding over the gorge is a classic scene. Love how the plot is centered on Bart wanting to take risks and everything. Truckasaurus Rex was a hilarious scene. 6. The Way We Was: Every episode from here on out on this list is considered to me a top-tier Simpsons episode. Perfect storyline of how Homer ended up with Marge. Everything with Artie Ziff was funny including getting his karma in the end. Every scene with the kids too was great as well. 5. Three Men and a Comic Book: The Wonder Years refence was funny, The third act with Bart, Milhouse and Martin was hilarious and it teaches a good lesson at the end of the episode. I love all the scenes with Mrs. Glick too. 4. Lisa's Substitute: The whole Mr. Bergstrom and Lisa dynamic was so well-written. I love the B Plot with Bart running for Class President as well. "Baboon, Baboon" is such a classic scene and so was "You Are Lisa Simpson". 3. Bart Gets an "F": The ending is probably the most memorable scene in the entire series and I love how Bart gets redemption for thing not seeming to go his way academically. The accidental "Snow Day" is brilliant, too. 2. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge: Another well-done Marge-centered episode. I'm a real sucker for Itchy and Scrachy centered Simpsons episodes too. All the Cartoons are funny, even "Porch Pals", and I just love the Psycho refence and Marge's interactions with Roger Myers and the Michelangelo statue. 1. Simpson and Delilah: If there's any example of a more Perfect Early Simpsons episode, this one is it. Homer really shines in this one, especially after he gets promoted. The ending with Homer and Marge was beautifully written and I love the scene where Bart tries to grow a Beard. All time classic.
I vaguely remember, not long after this season there was a Truckasaurus doing the rounds in Australia at speedway/demo derby tracks. Came to my town once, that I remember. Young me was thoroughly impressed.
The one with the blowfish is the one that sticks with me the most, I think out of all Simpsons, it's one that I tend to find myself thinking about randomly, it's not my favorite episode, but it is the one that has stuck with me the most~
Thanksgiving is ways a weird episode for me. It seems so different from everything else. It's not even something I can describe. It's a great episode and I love it, but man is it strange. Also, no Simpson and Delilah?!?!
It wasn't strange. It was sentimental. Bart ran away to a Soup Kitchen, and his Parents became worried about him, even Lisa at the end was crying saying she wanted her brother home safe and sound, when Bart and Lisa reunite and make up on the Roof, Homer and Marge observe it and are not only relieved that Bart is home and safe, but are pleased and proud of themselves that Bart returned with humility towards his Little Sister.
This was one of the first ever Simpsons episodes I watched as a kid - maybe even the first. It's quite a good introduction to the series, as it introduces all the main characters: the family, Grandpa, Marge's sisters and mother, Mr Burns and Smithers, Kent Brockman, and the police. It's also a nostalgic 1990s American theme: Thanksgiving dinner with football.
To be honest, the ending of "Bart Gets Hit By a Car" got me! I love how Marge told Homer to look at her eyes. It made Homer look at Marge's beautiful (hazel) eyes, and Marge just looks at Homer's eyes, so he can decide that he will love Marge faithfully, and he did! That part was so adorable! It made Marge so happy 'cause she did really care about Homer at this point... That's why the classic episodes were the best!
It is BAFFLING how good The Simpsons was in the nineties compared to today. Everything went to shit about the time when Phil Hartman was killed, I think.
It's not directly related to that but kinda around the same time, my biggest problem with modern simpsons is how wrong they portray characters almost like they are in a parallel universe compared to golden era, and all of simpsons family members are 10 times more jerk, if they got the characters right, I think it still would be good.
Consistency of quality dropped around that time. I think some gems appeared on seasons 10-14 but season 15 is the first one, that hasn't got a single great episode in it. After that, it only got worse. I cannot, however, judge the Simpsons from the past 12 years: I stopped watching the show completely after the episode where Homer and Ned became bounty hunters.
22: Dancin’ Homer 21: Bart’s Dog Gets An F 20: War of the Simpsons 19: Old Money 18: Brush With Greatness 17: Bart vs. Thanksgiving 16: Bart Gets Hit By A Car 15: Principal Charming 14: Oh, Brother Where Art Thou 13: Simpson and Delilah 12: The Way We Was 11: Treehouse of Horror 10: Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment 9: Bart the Daredevil 8: Dead Putting Society 7: Two Cars In Every Garage and Three Eyes On Every Fish 6: Blood Fued 5: Lisa’s Substitute 4: Bart Gets An F 3: Three Men and One Comic Book 2: Itchy & Scratchy & Marge 1: One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Bluefish
I still have to skip that part of the episode so I don't weep uncontrollably. It's the "Fry's dog" scene to me, which ironically I can watch fine. Most sad scenes, tbh. I can usually feel the sadness but keep it in when watching media, but that scene is just too familiar for me in the way I felt as a kid. Trying really hard, and then still failing with people around me thinking I am not trying out of purpose. It sucks. Weirdly enough I would also end up having a very similar thing happen to me later in High School where I failed my math exam and felt devastated the same way but then ended up actually passing like the episode. My dad convinced me to send it in for re-evaluation (Really didn't want to just so I could get it back with another F) but when the test was re-evaluated I got a passing grade due to getting points on how I showed my work in a way that showed I understood the concepts despite not getting the answers 100% correct. It was the best feeling in the world, though I didn't kiss my teacher lol.
@@Exnem shit dude I feel the exact same way about that episode, I can't watch it without crying a little. The scene when Bart is slapping himself trying to concentrate is something I've experienced so much. Also Bart trying his hardest and failing hits so hard, like at every parent teacher meeting my teachers would always say I could pass if I tried harder, meanwhile I'm sitting there thinking about how I have been trying my hardest. I would love to meet the person that wrote that episode and thank them, cause they really helped me not feel so different and alone.
Homer with Lisa center episodes always have the most heart I never seem to get the same heartwarming moments with Homer and Marge or Homer and Bart episodes What makes Homer and Lisa episodes so goos is how this total opposite care for eachother even when sometimes then don't see it
My favourite is either the Blowfish episode or Blood Feud. The former because emotional Homer is one of my favourite things about The Simpsons, and when he’s saying goodbye to his children at the end legitimately makes me cry. What I love most about Blood Feud is that it has Mr Burns showing some humanity. At the end at least. While he’s outraged at Homer’s letter and trying to get him beaten, Smithers convinces him to call it off, and he actually comes round to Smithers’ way of thinking, that what he is doing is wrong and he shouldn’t destroy the man who saved his life. I think there’s something incredible in Burns being convinced to let go of his rage, see the error of his ways, and not doing as he pleases. And while the Head is an extremely impractical gift, he genuinely thinks he’s doing something nice for The Simpsons. I also like how Bart is the only who likes it, and since he’s the one who gave Burns his blood, that’s all that matters.
8:28 Homer is NOT nice, he is a „nice guy“. That‘s about as far as opposites can go. Instead of accepting that Marge says no several times and not pushing it further, he just insists that he was entitled to a date for… being a nice guy. Then he pretends to want to learn French the night before she has an important speech, exploiting her helpfulness. He is legitimately dumped for that and still avoids the issue. The one thing that makes Homer stand out in the end is… that he is not the guy who assaulted her. Wow. If they would want to create a romantic situation between the two, that was not a success.
The applied knowledge pass from Krabapple is absolutely not a plot trick. It is, in fact, the way a good teacher should act and recognize that this is a student who is simply not going to learn from traditional teaching methods. This moment alone will always make me love Edna Krabapple. She did what she should have done. Bart clearly understood the material but was not able, being Bart, to regurgitate it in test form.
Yes! Stark Raving Dad. Can't wait for it, I was wondering if you were going to tackle it. "Awkward, nuanced discussions" is also what I like to call your superb channel.
10:30 as much as I was laughing at the wonderful bad animation jaw dropping that was left in this classic Simpsons episode. I could not help but recognize the Skies of Arcadia battle theme remix music that was used around this part of the video.
Keep 'em coming, Jimmy boy. Thanks to you, I started my own Simpsons Renaissance and started watching The Golden Age episodes recently, and even the Silver Age crap, from Principal and the Pauper on to Three Gays of the Condo. Stopped watching the show in early high school, not long after Condo first aired. It's funny, all the nostalgia I had for the show was from the physical comedy of the Silver Age. Never knew that until I went back and watched all these episodes.
not sure about the first 2 acts their just good but the third act may be a top 5 third act in show history so your right it was a top 3 ep of the season for me too....its a great episode if you never seen the show before..its so homer and marge to a T....the scene when homer says he has never felt so right before and how can his heart be so wrong in the hallway with marge gets me every time in the feels...and the whole alright alright ill walk in the mud!....you know at the end of the night i know who i should of gone with...who?...hi prom date....oh marge por vue! …(groans)...whats wrong ...oh i got a problem...when you stop this car im going to hug you squeez you and kiss you and ill never be able to let you go...and I never did....
Homer & Lisa are hands down my favourite duo on the show. They are the most opposite of the family, and that’s what makes their relationship endlessly interesting. They get faced at odds a lot, being two people that very often want different things, but that makes it all the more wonderful when these two can find a middle ground
yeah I dont usually agree with the eps he usually chooses as the winner for his showdowns or pixar film ranks and his who shot mr. burns series seems a little over the top but I like his takes and tastes...kinda wish he put no disgrace and oh brother on his last 2 season top 10 lists....they are better eps than bart the genius or dead putting society...just saying...its clear as day...also he put call of the simpsons too low and lisa substitute too high..
A lot of fans say season 3 is the start of the golden age but I personally feel season 2 is the start. The humour is slightly wackier with Homer falling down the cliff multiple times, Homer ruining his half brothers business and sending Mr Burns a hateful letter. However the emotions are also high such as the endings to Bart Gets an F and Bart Vs Thanksgiving, Homer's mortality at stake in the blow fish episode and Homer and Marges marriage being tested in The War of the Simpsons. And of course we were given our first Treehouse of Horror episode. While the animation may not be a polished as season 3 it still defined what The Simpsons would be in years to come for me.
Bart the Daredevil was one of those episodes I loved as a kid. Loved the ending of that episode and most certainly the most funniest Homer moment when he continually falls down the gourge.
To me what makes the 'cliff fall' scene is Homer's hilariously dull sounding grunts ("Ooh, ow, damn, ooh, D'oh..."), which sound more like him bumping down the house staircase than him being brutalised down a jagged cliffside. As for One Fish, Two Fish, the death scare is used a LOT in fiction (especially by Disney) but I guess the redeeming quality is how much it shows characters' reactions to such a harsh prospect, that they might lose this person and how much they mean to them in spite of occasional vitriol. Snow White's fake death is obviously fake from the get go, but the dwarfs' pathos over how much they cared about Snow White make that scene (especially Grumpy who supposedly hated her beforehand). Even a mean spirited show like Family Guy is willing to show while Peter is horrible to his dog, he'd be crushed to lose him (not Quagmire though, his hatred for Brian is eternal :P). This is why so many death scares are guilty pleasures, it's another thing that should be implied well, but is still nice to see in full fledged emotion.
Bart gets a f is my favorite season 2 episode Bart failing anyway is a testament to how things are the idea that you can try and try but still fail speaks to me but what really gets me is how ms krabapple is shown to be someone who cares for Bart and teaching him deep down that all she wants is some progress with him and her giving him a pity point seems like a way to motivate him to try harder I also appreciate Bart sticking to studying when he would have failed either way this shows Bart is at least a man of his word that he really doesn’t want to fail so it’s extra heartbreaking when he fails this is why Bart’s one of my favorite characters and my second favorite Simpson next to Maggie I like Bart because he isn’t just a hell raiser he has more to him than being a bad kid that’s what makes the Simpsons special the ability to make you look at characters at a deeper level
One thing I do like about Dead Putting society is that it does show Flanders does have an angry side to him if you push him far enough. So his complete mental breakdown in Hurricane Neddy doesn't feel like came from nowhere.
Not an easy list to make, but here's how I think mine goes: 10. Bart The Daredevil 9. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? 8. Two Cars In Every Garage And Three Eyes On Every Fish (I love drunk Burns too. I always laugh when Homer sees him crying and he screams in reaction) 7. Homer Vs. Lisa And The Eighth Commandment 6. Bart Gets An F 5. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish 4. Blood Feud (Hilarious Burns & Homer conflict. The ending is also classically unpretentious, making fun of shows which always try to cram in a moral message at the end) 3. Bart Gets Hit By A Car (I don't care if the ending is a bit sappy, this is easily one of the funniest episodes of the season) 2. Brush With Greatness 1. Old Money Came close to making it: Dead Putting Society Underrated: Dancin' Homer (I used to find this episode slow and boring, but as I've gotten older I've really come to appreciate its calm and relaxing atmosphere) Bart's Dog Gets An F (Easily one of the best Santa's Little Helper episodes) The War Of The Simpsons (One of the better marriage crisis episodes, namely because of the great arrange of humor. And sorry Jims, but I love the blinking fish, haha)
Favorites for me this season would be Itchy & Scratchy & Marge, The Way We Was, and Lisa's Substitute. With Itchy & Scratchy & Marge, I appreciate how the show doesn't give us a definitive answer on how much art and media affects us as a culture, and kind of expects the audience to be smart enough to decide for themselves on where to stand for this kind of thing. Speaking for myself, I don't think there's a contradiction between Marge taking issue with violent cartoons but not taking issue with Michelangelo's David having David's junk hanging out the way the rest of Springfield sees it, since Marge is more focused on what kind of influence the might have on kids and isn't just trying to shelter them the way Maude and Helen seem to be when it comes to both Itchy & Scratchy and David. It's, of course, a more complicated issue than I think certain characters seem to think it is, and again, the writers seem to be trusting that the audience will recognize that, and I appreciate that level of respect. I like The Way We Was mostly because I'm just that invested in Homer and Marge (as well as where certain things will end up later on). It does feel a little awkward how things started out with Homer and Marge, how it shows how Homer can be thoughtless and inconsiderate towards Marge while trying to win her over (i.e. ignoring the fact that she has a debate tournament just so he could spend time with her and ask her to the prom, and disregarding the "I hate you" after he reveals the truth and clinging to the fact that she said "yes" to him and didn't bother clarifying that she doesn't want to go to the prom with him after the truth comes out), but it also demonstrates how Homer wasn't kidding when he said he'd go all out for her, and how genuinely sweet he is once they get to know each other. It also helps that Artie Ziff is kind of Homer's opposite during the prom, someone who, on the surface level, feels like the better match for Marge, but clearly isn't willing to go all out for her and gets rather... forceful with her after the prom, and seems more concerned about his appearance and reputation than about what he did to Marge; Homer's inconsiderateness feels more informed by stupidity, where as Artie's inconsiderateness feels like he knows what he's doing and doesn't care. Their bond would only grow stronger from here. Not sure if there's anything more to say about Lisa's Substitute that hasn't already been said, though I will say that I appreciate Mr. Bergstrom's method of teaching, trying to be supportive and considerate towards all his students, and even attempting to be reasonable with Homer despite Homer's behavior. This episode really dials up Homer's jackass behavior, seemingly just to make Lisa feel more justified in disregarding him and calling him a baboon at the end. I think the moment where Lisa talks to Marge about Mr. Bergstrom and Marge comparing Lisa's thoughts to her own about Homer is an underappreciated scene, because Lisa keeps insisting it's different than that, but only because she has such a low opinion of her father that she's unable to truly see what Marge sees in him. I'd also like to say that,, after the episode pushes just how insensitive and inconsiderate he can be, the way Homer reconciles with all his children is actually a very heartwarming moment. Homer is definitely not like Mr. Bergstrom, but it's impressive how he quickly he manages to reconnect with Lisa after their falling out, basically by playing into what he's good at (acting like a doofus and being there for his family). I also like how, after Homer kept pushing Bart into trying to be class president and expressing disappointment that he lost, he turns around and says "you know what, you're better off this way" in a way that actually makes sense to Bart's sensibilities. He even comforts Maggie a bit, and I really do love it when Homer and Maggie have their moments together.
The thing I noticed with Season 2, is that right from the beginning, everything all of a sudden looks how we remember it, with all the designs worked out properly, compared to Season 1, where places like Moe's would change from episode to episode.
I was on the edge of my seat waiting for your top one because I so badly wanted it to be the one you chose. I knew that episode so well in highschool that it helped me learn French by turning on the French language option.
I admit, I never really was a fan of Simpsons, because in my country they aired much more later seasons that I admit not liking very much, but watching your videos just makes me go and find all seasons of Simpsons and watch them from start to finish. This is how King of the Hill YTP's got me into watching the series....
I absolutely love Lisa's Substitute, and you pretty much hit the nail on the head. Yes, it's generally considered an all-timer, but it earns that spot.
Full music credits are at the end of the video. Please, no one hit me for the pun on the #9 music selection.
Sonic 06!
Hey Jims! Not sure how else to contact you about this, but I'm writing my university Dissertation around the change in portrayal of Gay Characters in The Simpsons. I'm trying to find good episodes to case study but I'm finding it kind of difficult outside of Homer's Phobia in Season 8, do you have any suggestions as youtube's resident Simpsons expert?
His world (and it's variations) was the best thing that came out of sonic 06
I like how you put in the EXTRA SECONDS track when taking about 3 men and a comic book
You're so punny.
Martin's poster:
"A vote for Bart is a vote for anarchy!"
Bart's poster:
"A vote for Bart is a vote for anarchy!"
One of the funniest ultra-dry humour jokes in the series
Can’t believe how many classic episodes came from this season.
Just wait till Season four...
i think every ep in season 2 3 4 and 6 are classic but thats just me...like even the worst ones are memorable but sadly in seasons that are top tier so they dont really stand out...@@mankytoes
@@mankytoes season 4 is the best season with no bad episode but i got a few in season 4 that are classics in their own right but in terms of the season their in are good to meh..marge in chains marge gets a job the front homer the heretic and so its come to this a clip show ...personally I find those to be pretty boring compared to the rest of the writing this season and their either early or late in the season which tells you they saved their best for the middle...sure they have moments that are amazing like ned saving homer and meeting god or hutz talking to the whiskey and dave crosby burns hitting on marge and lisa and bart touring the animation studio and the steamboat itchy moment but like those eps aren't great..just good...
There have been so many classic Simpson moments.
I remember that time Homer tried to jump over Springfield Gorge.
My top 10 from season 2
1. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue fish
2. Lisa's Substitute
3. The Way We Was
4. Three Men and a Comic Book
5. Treehouse of Horror I
6. Bart Gets an F
7. Bart the Daredevil
8. Bart Gets Hit by a Car
9. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge
10. Bart vs Thanksgiving
Thats how many classics came from this season
When “Dead Putting Society” is only 10th, you know you have a GREAT season. Simpsons Season 2 is better than most other series entire run.
I think oh brother where art thou should of made it personally over dead putting but its close as dead putting is a top 11 ep..the other just got more story ..other than that its a perfect list that sums up what made season 2 great and stand out...well besides not including the treehouse of horror imo thats a top 10 ep but whatever its subjective I guess at that point...
bart gets hit by a car blood feud dead putting society all didn't even make my top 11 thats how good this season is...I got a lot of the same ones as him except I have the original treehouse or horror on my top 10 and then at 11 I have oh brother where art thou?...
Season two’s style is by far the most ambitious in terms of narratives in the series. Plot first, jokes second was the mentality and it worked almost flawlessly.
I disagree completely with the final statement but I do love season 2
I just cried watching Lisa's substitute. It's just such a sad reality that many children just don't get the support they need and deserve and also it was touching how Homer opened up and showed his love through humor.
"Itchy & Scratchy & Marge" was one of the definitive moments of the 90s animation renaissance.
"Lemonade?"
@@xxcrysad3000xx - "Please!"
"Dear purveyors of senseless violence"
@@Super_Mario128 hahahaha.
“Don’t do that!”
Dear god what a great top 3. Truly establishing the show's place in TV history
1. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue fish
2. Lisa's Substitute
3. The Way We Was
4. Three Men and a Comic Book
5. Treehouse of Horror I
6. Bart Gets an F
7. Bart the Daredevil
8. Bart Gets Hit by a Car
9. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge
10. Bart vs Thanksgiving
Also, this video ended up getting delayed in the writing because of how challenging it was to rank this season. Usually I try to get a list locked in during the retrospective research. But there were, like, 12 episodes vying for the last 5 spots. Season 2 is too consistent.
I was just shocked at Doh brother where art thou but coming from you, I can trust there is a perfectly logical and good reason for rme all. Youre the dude, dude.
While I know you've got plenty seasons to go through as it is, I'm wondering, will you be doing any retrospectives on the Tracey Ullman Show material? It'd be interesting looking into the Simpsons in their most primordial state, even if it's just a 60 seconds thing or something.
I had your top 14 as my top 14 same as season 1..we have like the same brain man...I swear...but no you have good tastes...I think principal charming is a great episode but not a great simpsons episode cause its just weird in context of the series but its pretty good too as a side note ...if only it wasn't skinner and patty you know?...that pair just isn't appealing
Well, many of the newer seasons are also very consistent too.
"One for Martin, two for Martin"
Always makes me laugh
Would you like another recount?
I personally love the Raven sequence in Treehouse of Horror. The line 'Quoth the raven - Eat my shorts!' gets me every time.
I lol at the part where Homer got hit on the head and all those Bart Ravens were circling around his head chanting "Nevermore!"
Bart Gets an F is probably the most emotional cartoon ever. I so related to it as a kid
Lisa's substitute is my personal equivalent to that. It's probably my favorite episode of all time.
I feel like people go two ways with ranking Lisa's Substitute and Bart Gets an F, which seems to largely be from personal experience. A lot of people who struggled in school academically have a strong inclination to Bart Gets an F, whereas people who were more socially and emotionally left behind by their peers (and sometimes parents) tend towards Lisa's Substitute. It's difficult to objectively judge the episodes because they are highly emotionally driven, hence rely on the viewers ability to specifically relate to the experiences.
That figures, I sympathize with Bart's dilemma and everything but Lisa's Substitute really hits home for me on a deep level because I was a Lisa in school but I also had teachers like Mr. Bergstrom who really meant a lot, so the episode will of course come out on top for me due to the strong identification I have with it. So I really can't speak to which one is "superior," the odds are already so stacked against Bart Gets an F for me in ways that aren't especially fair to it.
so what you're saying is... Jims is a huge nerd ??
impossible !
nice blogpost
I can easily identify in both
1:42 I love how the bet just says "his wife's dress" but they both go the extra mile, with Ned going so far as to wear pearls and earrings.
The funniest part of all was that Homer wanted to humiliate Flanders but Homer was the one humiliated while Flanders actually enjoyed mowing the lawn in drag!
I always liked Bart Get Hit By A Car mainly because of the embellished Mr. Burns flashback scene.
+George Hanna
WHY?! TAKE ME, I’M OLD!!
My favorite episode for sure is "Simpson and Delilah". I understand some people don't like it mostly because of the "Bart ruins everything" part but I appreciate its something he did out of genuine childish curiosity and not out of malicious intent.
The episode is just very emotional to me, how it touches upon the subject of how something as seemingly frivolous as hair can impact the happiness and quality of life of a man even though we tell each other that such things dont matter every chance we get. I especially like the climax in which Mr. Burns shows a softer side and empathizes with Homer's plight.
Also, Karl was such and intriguing and compelling character even though his extreme devotion to Homer was kind of strange with the borderline romantic tones and the fact it was kind of unwarranted. I kinda wish he would have stuck around as a "mysterious stranger" kind of role for Homer, helping him get out of complicated situations every now and then.
I wholeheartedly agree
The wierd thing I found about Simpson and Delilah was the subtext that without his hair- Homer would never get promoted to executive. Yeah, he’s Homer: he wouldn’t even have the work ethic to stand out on his own merits, and he’d probably ruin himself anyways if it wasn’t for that absolute MVP Carl.
but the fact Burns just promotes Homer to Junior Exec based on appearance, and everyone walks out of Homer’s speech because he’s “some old geezer” and “doesn’t even have any hair” is a really jarring look at how much precedent is put on appearance here.
And the fact that after like 15 years of working at the plant- Homer’s never once recognized for promotion, then he gets hair, suddenly MASSIVE lifestyle changes happen. Marge sees this, she KNOWS he was promoted. And doesn’t even question it.
And during this whole time with the pay raise and everything- Homer didn’t put aside a thousand bucks for his next dose of Demoxonyl? Like, one bottle was supposed to last a year?
I have concerns why upgrading Bart’s treehouse to a castle was considered a priority.
Yes, “Bart ruins everything” but y’all were gonna run out of hair growth tonic eventually. How you ain’t planned for this?
That ain’t on Bart.
YOU spent all the money on frivolities instead of keeping Gas in the tank.
Don’t blame the boy.
If not Bart, Maggie… Santa’s Little Helper… SOMEONE would have knocked the bottle over. And you don’t have a backup. That’s on YOU, Homer.
The return to status quo was inevitable.
But this episode gets shat on as the third act F you- pins all this blame on Bart and it makes me angry.
Also I get sad seeing Carl walk off into the rain after giving up his umbrella.
What an absolute gem of a bloke.
I 100% agree
Karl carried the episode
Fierstein's voice is heavenly
11:49 this room of the house is literally shown about twice in ten seasons.
Mike Spearwood A rare sighting of the elusive rumpus room 😰
@@blazebaby89 THAT'S IT! I knew it had a name!
Good catch!
@Spam Wasn't that just reused animation?
The Rumpus Room is weirder than Area 51
One thing I really like about Lisa's Substitute is how low the stakes are in the B Plot with Bart. Like you said, it's a good example of how Homer treats his two(talking) children, but I appreciate how it never takes the focus away from the main plot and wraps itself up rather quickly.
Keep up the good work Jims. And i'll keep watching.
Come on, Jims! Remember what Vince Lombardi said: If Bart gets an F isn't in the Top 3, you're out of the family!
I'm so sad that Homer and Delilah didn't make the list, it's hands-down my favorite Simpsons episode ever.
One year late on the reply but I agree. It's such an amazing episode, it deserves top 3 of this season at least in my opinion.
Upon my recent first ever watch of all of season 2 I actually rated it as my fourth favourite of the season. It coming so early in the season really signals how different season 2 is going to be compared to season 1; so much snappier, fast-paced, wittier and more sarcastic.
I love this channel so much. This video is a reminder to me of how magical The Way We Was is. Every time I watch it, I just feel so many emotions for Homer and feel such a high amount of respect for him and Marge. It doesn't feel like a sign of weakness for either of them to show the emotions they feel and I just ADORE it.
I hear people say rankings things are arbitrary and redundant. To them I say, "Sure, whatever!" LOL
It is
I love early Simpsons. So much heart to it while maintaining its low key satire
yeah..it was counter culture but also still a sitcom in the end too...the way we was is the perfect episode to demonstrate this...the show is already set up past that point so in a flashback they show us new sides to the characters but still keep it grounded with the story about how they got together not just how they met..by act 3 its all about the end point set up not the set up to show more cheesy flashback stuff
You know, hearing you talking about Itchy, scratchy and Marge makes me wish for a showdown between that and Itchy. scratchy and Poochey.
Which is the better 90’s era animation episode
Yeah they both really show how outside meddling from people who don't get story telling can ruin a show, and how laughably fragile writing quality can be when it doesn't have a formula to lean back on (those writers seem to suck at anything besides having Itchy kill Scratchy). Plus they both show one of the Simpsons in their earnest attempts to make a positive difference on the handling of the show, only to fail and be dismissed.
Thank you for making these. You have a tonally soothing voice which really compliments the critical retrospectives you go into.
The pastoral scene from Itchy, Scratchy & Marge is unbelievablely beautiful, they truly captured the feeling of childhood in a way that just takes you straight back to a more innocent time.
Beethoven's sixth is such a fitting piece of music for it too
I agree with you with this list but brush with greatness should of been in the top 10 because when ringo say “I loved the painting I hung it on me wall” will always make me laugh
I just love it that Ringo uses 60s British slang for "cool" when he first sees the portrait. "Gear!"
Thank youuuu for uploading this. We should get a frosty chocolate milkshake sometime
homer makes getting milkshakes sound so delicious lol
#10 Dancin Homer (I just find this one really charming and fun, some really funny jokes here)
#9 Homer Vs Lisa (in Ireland we have dodgy boxes which are pretty much the same as stealing cable so I always related well to this one, add on a Homer and Lisa dynamic and your golden)
#8 One Fish Twofish (very touching episode)
#7 Three Men And A Comic Book (another one with lots of great jokes)
#6 Oh Brother Where Art Thou (always really liked Herb wish he was brought back more)
#5 TCIEGATEOEF (Great spotlight for Burns and also shows why Marge is a badass)
#4 Lisa’s Substitute (you know yourself)
#3 Bart Gets An F (Truly one of the most tragic Bart episodes, the moral of how failure does happen too is handled perfectly)
#2 The Way We Was (the true backstory for Homer and Marge the car scene at the end always gets me)
#1 Simpson And Delilah (always had a strange love for this one, the character of Karl is amazing, also love the scene where Homer gets his hair for the first time truly amazing)
HM
#15 Blood Feud
#14 Treehouse Of Horror
#13 Brush With Greatness
#12 Bart The Daredevil
#11 Principal Charming
5:47 That remix of the moga village theme from Monster Hunter 3..... some nostalgia...
another amazing video man! keep it up! im not sure if you already did it, but a comparison of homer the vigilante and the springshield episodes would be interesting
That winking fish will never go away if you keep bringing him up.
Completely agree with the list. I'd probably make O'Brother Where Art Thou a top 10 pick with Dead Putting but having to drop Bart Vs Thanksgiving or One Fish, Two Fish is not an easy choice either.
yep agree 100%...its hard to drop any of them but I would take off dead putting make it 11th and put on oh brother at 10 personally to make it a perfect list ...also the treehouse ep gets its own ranking imo since its kinda unique at this point of the series....
Is that His World from Sonic 06 as an instrumental?
It sure is
All of this guys music are renditions of good game music. Lots of animal crossing and lonlon ranch here, and I like it this way
@@THEGREATMAX Dont forget Kakariko Village one :)
Yep and FF6 opera house
Got some strange old A&J Game Grumps flashbacks there, haha.
I could listen to you analyze Simpsons episodes all day. Thanks for another fantastic video, Jims xx
I personally think Simpson and Delilah is the best episode in all of Simpsons. I was disappointed to not even see it make the list. Good vid otherwise.
he just chooses episodes that were popular on IMDB forums
yes thank you
Season 2 really is a runner up for my favorite season just because every time I think of the best of the Simpsons I think of these top two episodes
I had about 20 youtube videos uploaded this morning I wanted to watch, and your was my #1 priority. Awesome video! :)
4:15 technically, in the game simpsons hit and run, professor frink calls bart "my little sociopath"
What I enjoy about your videos is that even though I really wanted to see Principal Charming in that list and Dead Putting Society at #1 (that last one wasn't a real expectation), the way you present your arguments and justifications means that I'm almost inclined to change my opinion. Keep up the great work.
“density” - loving the Back to the Future reference! 😀
Leomonade?
Please.
I made it just for you.
the way he says it lol
Mmm! That really hits the spot!
These are my top 10 season 2 Simpsons Episodes.
10. Bart vs. Thanksgiving: Excellent Episode, only bad scene for me was when Bart makes Lisa cry in Act 1. Love when Bart goes around town with SLH and interacts with other townspeople. The apology by Bart in the end was well written.
9. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?: Great Episode all the way, except the ending where Herb gets mad at his own brother even though Homer clearly deserved it for designing a bad car. The two Hibberts joke was hilarious, "Bastard, Bastard" was comedy gold and every scene with Herb up until the car reveal is excellent.
8. Dead Putting Society: It may sound funny, but even here at #8 this one is a nearly flawless episode. The part where Lisa teaches Bart how to golf was memorable and so was the whole golf tournament with one of the Flanders' kids. Not to mention the Ending with both Homer and Ned wearing their wife's dresses.
7. Bart the Daredevil: The ending with Homer skateboarding over the gorge is a classic scene. Love how the plot is centered on Bart wanting to take risks and everything. Truckasaurus Rex was a hilarious scene.
6. The Way We Was: Every episode from here on out on this list is considered to me a top-tier Simpsons episode. Perfect storyline of how Homer ended up with Marge. Everything with Artie Ziff was funny including getting his karma in the end. Every scene with the kids too was great as well.
5. Three Men and a Comic Book: The Wonder Years refence was funny, The third act with Bart, Milhouse and Martin was hilarious and it teaches a good lesson at the end of the episode. I love all the scenes with Mrs. Glick too.
4. Lisa's Substitute: The whole Mr. Bergstrom and Lisa dynamic was so well-written. I love the B Plot with Bart running for Class President as well. "Baboon, Baboon" is such a classic scene and so was "You Are Lisa Simpson".
3. Bart Gets an "F": The ending is probably the most memorable scene in the entire series and I love how Bart gets redemption for thing not seeming to go his way academically. The accidental "Snow Day" is brilliant, too.
2. Itchy and Scratchy and Marge: Another well-done Marge-centered episode. I'm a real sucker for Itchy and Scrachy centered Simpsons episodes too. All the Cartoons are funny, even "Porch Pals", and I just love the Psycho refence and Marge's interactions with Roger Myers and the Michelangelo statue.
1. Simpson and Delilah: If there's any example of a more Perfect Early Simpsons episode, this one is it. Homer really shines in this one, especially after he gets promoted. The ending with Homer and Marge was beautifully written and I love the scene where Bart tries to grow a Beard. All time classic.
I vaguely remember, not long after this season there was a Truckasaurus doing the rounds in Australia at speedway/demo derby tracks. Came to my town once, that I remember. Young me was thoroughly impressed.
Keeps this up I really enjoy watching you take about the each season as a whole
The one with the blowfish is the one that sticks with me the most, I think out of all Simpsons, it's one that I tend to find myself thinking about randomly, it's not my favorite episode, but it is the one that has stuck with me the most~
Thanksgiving is ways a weird episode for me. It seems so different from everything else. It's not even something I can describe. It's a great episode and I love it, but man is it strange.
Also, no Simpson and Delilah?!?!
its a hang out ep...its not trying to really have a point until the 3rd act...
It wasn't strange. It was sentimental. Bart ran away to a Soup Kitchen, and his Parents became worried about him, even Lisa at the end was crying saying she wanted her brother home safe and sound, when Bart and Lisa reunite and make up on the Roof, Homer and Marge observe it and are not only relieved that Bart is home and safe, but are pleased and proud of themselves that Bart returned with humility towards his Little Sister.
This was one of the first ever Simpsons episodes I watched as a kid - maybe even the first. It's quite a good introduction to the series, as it introduces all the main characters: the family, Grandpa, Marge's sisters and mother, Mr Burns and Smithers, Kent Brockman, and the police. It's also a nostalgic 1990s American theme: Thanksgiving dinner with football.
Ye Olde First annual miniature gold tournie? Heh. the jokes are subtle but memorable.
To be honest, the ending of "Bart Gets Hit By a Car" got me! I love how Marge told Homer to look at her eyes. It made Homer look at Marge's beautiful (hazel) eyes, and Marge just looks at Homer's eyes, so he can decide that he will love Marge faithfully, and he did! That part was so adorable! It made Marge so happy 'cause she did really care about Homer at this point... That's why the classic episodes were the best!
Aw no love for Simpson and Delilah? That's my favourite Simpsons episode.
Still good list 🙂
It is BAFFLING how good The Simpsons was in the nineties compared to today. Everything went to shit about the time when Phil Hartman was killed, I think.
It's not directly related to that but kinda around the same time, my biggest problem with modern simpsons is how wrong they portray characters almost like they are in a parallel universe compared to golden era, and all of simpsons family members are 10 times more jerk, if they got the characters right, I think it still would be good.
eh it was more of a slow burn
Consistency of quality dropped around that time. I think some gems appeared on seasons 10-14 but season 15 is the first one, that hasn't got a single great episode in it. After that, it only got worse.
I cannot, however, judge the Simpsons from the past 12 years: I stopped watching the show completely after the episode where Homer and Ned became bounty hunters.
Everything went to shit when they had Skinner become a fraud.
@@RyanTheDark That was a defining moment to be sure. What were they thinking?!
22: Dancin’ Homer
21: Bart’s Dog Gets An F
20: War of the Simpsons
19: Old Money
18: Brush With Greatness
17: Bart vs. Thanksgiving
16: Bart Gets Hit By A Car
15: Principal Charming
14: Oh, Brother Where Art Thou
13: Simpson and Delilah
12: The Way We Was
11: Treehouse of Horror
10: Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment
9: Bart the Daredevil
8: Dead Putting Society
7: Two Cars In Every Garage and Three Eyes On Every Fish
6: Blood Fued
5: Lisa’s Substitute
4: Bart Gets An F
3: Three Men and One Comic Book
2: Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
1: One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Bluefish
Man Lisa’s Substitute is so good. Had me choked up a couple times. It’s a really heavy episode. Very season 2.
i related _way_ too much to "Bart Gets an F" in high school.
altron60 I’m in summer school right now. Well kinda. It’s virtual school. But same concept.
"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That's not a weakness, that is life." - Captain Picard
Bart's sad little humming of "row row row your boat" always comes back me when I'm trying to do a task that's beyond my mental faculties.
I still have to skip that part of the episode so I don't weep uncontrollably. It's the "Fry's dog" scene to me, which ironically I can watch fine. Most sad scenes, tbh. I can usually feel the sadness but keep it in when watching media, but that scene is just too familiar for me in the way I felt as a kid. Trying really hard, and then still failing with people around me thinking I am not trying out of purpose. It sucks.
Weirdly enough I would also end up having a very similar thing happen to me later in High School where I failed my math exam and felt devastated the same way but then ended up actually passing like the episode. My dad convinced me to send it in for re-evaluation (Really didn't want to just so I could get it back with another F) but when the test was re-evaluated I got a passing grade due to getting points on how I showed my work in a way that showed I understood the concepts despite not getting the answers 100% correct. It was the best feeling in the world, though I didn't kiss my teacher lol.
@@Exnem shit dude I feel the exact same way about that episode, I can't watch it without crying a little. The scene when Bart is slapping himself trying to concentrate is something I've experienced so much. Also Bart trying his hardest and failing hits so hard, like at every parent teacher meeting my teachers would always say I could pass if I tried harder, meanwhile I'm sitting there thinking about how I have been trying my hardest.
I would love to meet the person that wrote that episode and thank them, cause they really helped me not feel so different and alone.
Homer with Lisa center episodes always have the most heart
I never seem to get the same heartwarming moments with Homer and Marge or Homer and Bart episodes
What makes Homer and Lisa episodes so goos is how this total opposite care for eachother even when sometimes then don't see it
My favourite is either the Blowfish episode or Blood Feud. The former because emotional Homer is one of my favourite things about The Simpsons, and when he’s saying goodbye to his children at the end legitimately makes me cry.
What I love most about Blood Feud is that it has Mr Burns showing some humanity. At the end at least. While he’s outraged at Homer’s letter and trying to get him beaten, Smithers convinces him to call it off, and he actually comes round to Smithers’ way of thinking, that what he is doing is wrong and he shouldn’t destroy the man who saved his life. I think there’s something incredible in Burns being convinced to let go of his rage, see the error of his ways, and not doing as he pleases. And while the Head is an extremely impractical gift, he genuinely thinks he’s doing something nice for The Simpsons. I also like how Bart is the only who likes it, and since he’s the one who gave Burns his blood, that’s all that matters.
I kinda wish they made the Simpson stuck in 1989 forever, the year never changes the timeline never changes just one big long long year of 1989.
Ew no, no, no, no
Good to see you making videos more often again, that quiet patch had me and probably others worried. Than you jims
i just love how this season looks at night time i just love how the hand drawn dark sky looks anyone eles?
8:28 Homer is NOT nice, he is a „nice guy“. That‘s about as far as opposites can go. Instead of accepting that Marge says no several times and not pushing it further, he just insists that he was entitled to a date for… being a nice guy. Then he pretends to want to learn French the night before she has an important speech, exploiting her helpfulness. He is legitimately dumped for that and still avoids the issue.
The one thing that makes Homer stand out in the end is… that he is not the guy who assaulted her. Wow.
If they would want to create a romantic situation between the two, that was not a success.
The applied knowledge pass from Krabapple is absolutely not a plot trick. It is, in fact, the way a good teacher should act and recognize that this is a student who is simply not going to learn from traditional teaching methods. This moment alone will always make me love Edna Krabapple. She did what she should have done. Bart clearly understood the material but was not able, being Bart, to regurgitate it in test form.
"And....ankward nuanced discussions" *Shows Michael Jackson episode*
Oh geez, he knows about the episode ban.
I can’t believe old money didn’t even make the honourable mentions
“Dignity’s on me” never fails to make me emotional
That's so great. On a comedy side of things, it had "Pubic Library" years before Futurama did.
Yes! Stark Raving Dad. Can't wait for it, I was wondering if you were going to tackle it. "Awkward, nuanced discussions" is also what I like to call your superb channel.
love all your vids !!
10:30 as much as I was laughing at the wonderful bad animation jaw dropping that was left in this classic Simpsons episode.
I could not help but recognize the Skies of Arcadia battle theme remix music that was used around this part of the video.
Keep 'em coming, Jimmy boy. Thanks to you, I started my own Simpsons Renaissance and started watching The Golden Age episodes recently, and even the Silver Age crap, from Principal and the Pauper on to Three Gays of the Condo. Stopped watching the show in early high school, not long after Condo first aired. It's funny, all the nostalgia I had for the show was from the physical comedy of the Silver Age. Never knew that until I went back and watched all these episodes.
The way we was will always be my all time favorite episode. Was hoping to see it higher on this list
not sure about the first 2 acts their just good but the third act may be a top 5 third act in show history so your right it was a top 3 ep of the season for me too....its a great episode if you never seen the show before..its so homer and marge to a T....the scene when homer says he has never felt so right before and how can his heart be so wrong in the hallway with marge gets me every time in the feels...and the whole alright alright ill walk in the mud!....you know at the end of the night i know who i should of gone with...who?...hi prom date....oh marge por vue! …(groans)...whats wrong ...oh i got a problem...when you stop this car im going to hug you squeez you and kiss you and ill never be able to let you go...and I never did....
Homer & Lisa are hands down my favourite duo on the show. They are the most opposite of the family, and that’s what makes their relationship endlessly interesting. They get faced at odds a lot, being two people that very often want different things, but that makes it all the more wonderful when these two can find a middle ground
Like this Format, Retrospective then Top 10 hope you keep this up!
I don't always agree with your takes but can't deny you have very good taste and excellent presentation.
I remain your ardent fangirl.
yeah I dont usually agree with the eps he usually chooses as the winner for his showdowns or pixar film ranks and his who shot mr. burns series seems a little over the top but I like his takes and tastes...kinda wish he put no disgrace and oh brother on his last 2 season top 10 lists....they are better eps than bart the genius or dead putting society...just saying...its clear as day...also he put call of the simpsons too low and lisa substitute too high..
I suppose ultimately it is all a matter of opinion :)
A good many gems in Season 2. Also surprised to hear a Mega Man X5 remix, especially for one of my favorite songs in the franchise.
A lot of fans say season 3 is the start of the golden age but I personally feel season 2 is the start. The humour is slightly wackier with Homer falling down the cliff multiple times, Homer ruining his half brothers business and sending Mr Burns a hateful letter. However the emotions are also high such as the endings to Bart Gets an F and Bart Vs Thanksgiving, Homer's mortality at stake in the blow fish episode and Homer and Marges marriage being tested in The War of the Simpsons. And of course we were given our first Treehouse of Horror episode. While the animation may not be a polished as season 3 it still defined what The Simpsons would be in years to come for me.
Bart the Daredevil was one of those episodes I loved as a kid.
Loved the ending of that episode and most certainly the most funniest Homer moment when he continually falls down the gourge.
To me what makes the 'cliff fall' scene is Homer's hilariously dull sounding grunts ("Ooh, ow, damn, ooh, D'oh..."), which sound more like him bumping down the house staircase than him being brutalised down a jagged cliffside.
As for One Fish, Two Fish, the death scare is used a LOT in fiction (especially by Disney) but I guess the redeeming quality is how much it shows characters' reactions to such a harsh prospect, that they might lose this person and how much they mean to them in spite of occasional vitriol. Snow White's fake death is obviously fake from the get go, but the dwarfs' pathos over how much they cared about Snow White make that scene (especially Grumpy who supposedly hated her beforehand). Even a mean spirited show like Family Guy is willing to show while Peter is horrible to his dog, he'd be crushed to lose him (not Quagmire though, his hatred for Brian is eternal :P). This is why so many death scares are guilty pleasures, it's another thing that should be implied well, but is still nice to see in full fledged emotion.
Goddamn brilliant video dude
Wow Lisa, I can't believe you've found a practical use for geometry!
1:49 nice remix of Sonic 06 & 4:26 Megaman X5 . Enjoy your music selections!
Dang that piano version of Sonics Theme from 06 is damn good... his track in that game is great, without the vocals of course!
The vocals are great too my dude
I watched and ranked my top 10 episodes of season 2 and had 8 of the same top 10 as you. Well done.
5:18 "Ow, my freakin' ears!"
So proud of this channel, I’ve been here since like 4K subs and I left for a while but coming back and seeing how it’s changed really makes me happy
Thanks! It has been quite the journey
Bart gets a f is my favorite season 2 episode Bart failing anyway is a testament to how things are the idea that you can try and try but still fail speaks to me but what really gets me is how ms krabapple is shown to be someone who cares for Bart and teaching him deep down that all she wants is some progress with him and her giving him a pity point seems like a way to motivate him to try harder I also appreciate Bart sticking to studying when he would have failed either way this shows Bart is at least a man of his word that he really doesn’t want to fail so it’s extra heartbreaking when he fails this is why Bart’s one of my favorite characters and my second favorite Simpson next to Maggie I like Bart because he isn’t just a hell raiser he has more to him than being a bad kid that’s what makes the Simpsons special the ability to make you look at characters at a deeper level
One thing I do like about Dead Putting society is that it does show Flanders does have an angry side to him if you push him far enough. So his complete mental breakdown in Hurricane Neddy doesn't feel like came from nowhere.
Love the videos you make man, can't wait to see more :D
We demand MORE asbestos! More asbestos! More asbestos! More asbestos!
Not an easy list to make, but here's how I think mine goes:
10. Bart The Daredevil
9. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
8. Two Cars In Every Garage And Three Eyes On Every Fish (I love drunk Burns too. I always laugh when Homer sees him crying and he screams in reaction)
7. Homer Vs. Lisa And The Eighth Commandment
6. Bart Gets An F
5. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish
4. Blood Feud (Hilarious Burns & Homer conflict. The ending is also classically unpretentious, making fun of shows which always try to cram in a moral message at the end)
3. Bart Gets Hit By A Car (I don't care if the ending is a bit sappy, this is easily one of the funniest episodes of the season)
2. Brush With Greatness
1. Old Money
Came close to making it:
Dead Putting Society
Underrated:
Dancin' Homer (I used to find this episode slow and boring, but as I've gotten older I've really come to appreciate its calm and relaxing atmosphere)
Bart's Dog Gets An F (Easily one of the best Santa's Little Helper episodes)
The War Of The Simpsons (One of the better marriage crisis episodes, namely because of the great arrange of humor. And sorry Jims, but I love the blinking fish, haha)
Favorites for me this season would be Itchy & Scratchy & Marge, The Way We Was, and Lisa's Substitute.
With Itchy & Scratchy & Marge, I appreciate how the show doesn't give us a definitive answer on how much art and media affects us as a culture, and kind of expects the audience to be smart enough to decide for themselves on where to stand for this kind of thing. Speaking for myself, I don't think there's a contradiction between Marge taking issue with violent cartoons but not taking issue with Michelangelo's David having David's junk hanging out the way the rest of Springfield sees it, since Marge is more focused on what kind of influence the might have on kids and isn't just trying to shelter them the way Maude and Helen seem to be when it comes to both Itchy & Scratchy and David. It's, of course, a more complicated issue than I think certain characters seem to think it is, and again, the writers seem to be trusting that the audience will recognize that, and I appreciate that level of respect.
I like The Way We Was mostly because I'm just that invested in Homer and Marge (as well as where certain things will end up later on). It does feel a little awkward how things started out with Homer and Marge, how it shows how Homer can be thoughtless and inconsiderate towards Marge while trying to win her over (i.e. ignoring the fact that she has a debate tournament just so he could spend time with her and ask her to the prom, and disregarding the "I hate you" after he reveals the truth and clinging to the fact that she said "yes" to him and didn't bother clarifying that she doesn't want to go to the prom with him after the truth comes out), but it also demonstrates how Homer wasn't kidding when he said he'd go all out for her, and how genuinely sweet he is once they get to know each other. It also helps that Artie Ziff is kind of Homer's opposite during the prom, someone who, on the surface level, feels like the better match for Marge, but clearly isn't willing to go all out for her and gets rather... forceful with her after the prom, and seems more concerned about his appearance and reputation than about what he did to Marge; Homer's inconsiderateness feels more informed by stupidity, where as Artie's inconsiderateness feels like he knows what he's doing and doesn't care. Their bond would only grow stronger from here.
Not sure if there's anything more to say about Lisa's Substitute that hasn't already been said, though I will say that I appreciate Mr. Bergstrom's method of teaching, trying to be supportive and considerate towards all his students, and even attempting to be reasonable with Homer despite Homer's behavior. This episode really dials up Homer's jackass behavior, seemingly just to make Lisa feel more justified in disregarding him and calling him a baboon at the end. I think the moment where Lisa talks to Marge about Mr. Bergstrom and Marge comparing Lisa's thoughts to her own about Homer is an underappreciated scene, because Lisa keeps insisting it's different than that, but only because she has such a low opinion of her father that she's unable to truly see what Marge sees in him. I'd also like to say that,, after the episode pushes just how insensitive and inconsiderate he can be, the way Homer reconciles with all his children is actually a very heartwarming moment. Homer is definitely not like Mr. Bergstrom, but it's impressive how he quickly he manages to reconnect with Lisa after their falling out, basically by playing into what he's good at (acting like a doofus and being there for his family). I also like how, after Homer kept pushing Bart into trying to be class president and expressing disappointment that he lost, he turns around and says "you know what, you're better off this way" in a way that actually makes sense to Bart's sensibilities. He even comforts Maggie a bit, and I really do love it when Homer and Maggie have their moments together.
Love this season I remember this one alot remember watching this season on tv alot as a kid
I literally just watched dead putting society yesterday! Lovely episode.
pretty much describes every ep from season 1-3 lol
The thing I noticed with Season 2, is that right from the beginning, everything all of a sudden looks how we remember it, with all the designs worked out properly, compared to Season 1, where places like Moe's would change from episode to episode.
"70s themed prom"...yeah, The Simpsons blew that theory out of the water when they did the flashback about Homer running for class president.
I was on the edge of my seat waiting for your top one because I so badly wanted it to be the one you chose. I knew that episode so well in highschool that it helped me learn French by turning on the French language option.
Season 2 is just brilliant.
season 3 is even better
Nice that fresh uploads keep up the great work.. Founds this channel a few weeks agon and i think i watched 90% of ypur vids
i personally feel the original treehouse of horror should have made the list
As you said before 'Season 2 is The Most IMPORTANT Season' . The show got good fast!
Damn it. Just thinking about those key scenes from your top 2 got me all teary-eyed.
Richie Sakai singing Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves is forever my favorite throwaway gag.
I admit, I never really was a fan of Simpsons, because in my country they aired much more later seasons that I admit not liking very much, but watching your videos just makes me go and find all seasons of Simpsons and watch them from start to finish.
This is how King of the Hill YTP's got me into watching the series....
I absolutely love Lisa's Substitute, and you pretty much hit the nail on the head. Yes, it's generally considered an all-timer, but it earns that spot.