8 Hated TV Episodes That Deserve Redemption

In this often reviled episode of the long-running animated series, Springfield Elementary's Principal Seymour Skinner is revealed as an imposter named Armin Tamzarian, who stole the real Skinner’s identity during the Vietnam War. The real Skinner returns, and ‘Armin’ is briefly kicked out of his old life. Eventually, the townsfolk decide that they prefer the fake Skinner and run the real one out of town, vowing never to mention these events again.

The plot does make absolutely no sense from a continuity perspective but it’s not like the Simpsons ever really cared about rigidly consistent backstories for their characters anyway. Plus, veteran actor Martin Sheen shines in his guest role as the real Skinner, an antagonistic Army veteran, and the episode still delivers the laughs that would be expected from a golden age Simpsons episode.

The Principal and the Pauper absolutely does not deserve its false status as the moment when the Simpsons jumped the shark. If you don’t take it seriously, just like you should take most other episodes of the Simpsons, it’s as much fun as anything else from seasons one to ten.