10 Worst Simpsons Episodes From The Best Seasons

10. Bart Of Darkness - Season 6

Slightly controversial. Bart of Darkness is the debut episode of season six and is considered one of the best for its brilliant humour, excellent set-up and great characterisations. So where did it go wrong?

The problem is the storyline. The whole episode starts off with the Simpsons getting a pool in the back garden and their household growing ever popular because of it. In particular, Lisa believes she has more friends than ever, even though they’re using her for the pool, while Bart is isolated from the crowds because of his leg injury. Two thirds into the episode and we’re given this entirely new plot of Bart spying on Ned Flanders and suspecting he has murdered his wife Maude.

It’s frustrating how there are essentially two storylines in one which could have easily been split to make two separate episodes. The section where Bart studies the mystery of Ned’s murder is genuinely gripping and also makes for a comical parody of Hitchcock’s rear window. But it’s also a tad rushed and feels shoehorned on the end of the episode. Imagine the potential of this storyline if it had been fleshed out into a full episode in order for more intensity and comedy.

Meanwhile, Lisa’s storyline of growing popular and forgetting her booksmart nature felt like it was building up a moment of character development and an important lesson to be had when she lets the attention go to her head. Instead, it’s just shrugged off to the side with no afterthought as she helps Bart with the Flanders case.