9. Jockeys Are Murderous Elf-Like Creatures - Saddlesore Galactica (2000)
One of the earliest examples of The Simpsons compromising itself in a big way came with 2000's Saddlesore Galactica, an episode which was responsible for ushering in a new era of outlandish plots that didn't fit well with the established world that has been set-up in the series thus far. You all know the episode, of course, because it's lodged itself in your memory as the tipping point at which you started to dislike The Simpsons, right? Saddlesore Galactica features a plot that sees Homer adopting a race horse that he later nicknames Furious D, before p*ssing off a league of jockeys who turn out to be murderous elf-like creatures who threaten to eat his brains if he continues to show them up. It was an odd plot for the series at the time, given that it featured a plainly fantastical aspect that the show had - up to that point - steered clear of. Truly, this proved a step too far.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
