The Simpsons: 10 Best Episodes From Season 30 Onwards

The Simpsons gets a bad rep, but 20th Century Studios have stuck with Homer and co. for a reason.

By Daniel Wylie /

There is no denying that modern Simpsons has its flaws. For example, the show has become over-reliant on songs - usually Homer attempting to describe a situation with a little ditty - and you often regret pausing to take in the background gags. However, it is still a strong show, combining the comfort of checking in with a long-term franchise, and gags from some of TV’s best and brightest writers.

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The shows nostalgia works both in its favour and against it. The show has a fanbase who prize The Simpsons as god tier childhood TV. Even if they don’t set space aside every week to escape to Springfield, they will check-in and out. The negative impact of nostalgia is two-fold. Firstly, it spurs the reverence towards Golden Age Simpsons, which many associate with their childhood. Secondly, trying to appease these viewers is counterproductive to progress.

While The Simpsons of seasons past offer, for many of us, a time capsule of pop culture through which we can trace our lives, maybe it’s time to appreciate the present day show for what it is – a solidly written comedy and innovative animated show.

10. The Way Of The Dog

Season 31, Episode 22

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The final episode of season 31 focuses on the Simpsons’ long-time furry companion Santa’s Little Helper. During the preparation for Christmas, SLH is perturbed by a Santa hat. His behaviour becomes increasingly destructive as he demolishes another long-time Simpsons’ companion, the couch. When he bites Marge, the family call in Dog Therapist Dr. Elaine Wolff (Cate Blanchett).

The episode deals with SLH’s traumatic parting from his mother. Through flashbacks, including a look at the first-ever full-length Simpsons’ episode Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, viewers learn of SLH’s journey from his mother to the racetrack to finding a home with the Simpsons. SLH’s love for his family is evident. There are some emotional scenes between Bart and SLH which hark back to classics such as season eight’s The Canine Mutiny.

The episode is a feel-good story, and while it is a flashback episode it doesn’t mess with the show’s canon, a touchy subject for hardcore fans. The episode also marks Bart’s shorts being literally eaten by a vacuum cleaner. He concludes that “now that it’s happened it’s not so funny”.

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