Sometimes villain, sometimes anti-hero, Mr Burns is undoubtedly one of the best characters in the wider Springfield universe. His dynamic with Mr Smithers is one of the greatest conceits the show has ever seen, and he has been the centre-point for some of the most memorable Simpsons episodes of all time, from his "Be My Guest" riff to the infamous Who Shot Mr Burns arc. Yes, he's a pantomime figure, but Burns has become an awful lot more, which is perhaps beyond the reach of Simon's initial vision: but his spirit was forged in the earliest episodes.
