The Simpsons: 10 Best Recent Episodes You Probably Missed
9. The War Of Art (Season 25, Episode 15)
Though The Simpsons generally engages with broad, near-universal themes, season 25's "The War of Art" trained its sights on something more specific - the value of art.
The episode is focused on the worth and ownership of a painting Marge buys from the Van Houtens' yard sale for $20, which turns out to seemingly be worth up to $100,000.
Writer Rob LaZebnik melds a genuinely insightful discussion on the subject with the show's expected heart and humanism, culminating in a third act twist that's both surprising and sweet.
With a trip to Puerto Rico and a terrific performance from guest star Max von Sydow as art forger Klaus Ziegler, it's a rare recent episode to prove that The Simpsons can tackle more than typical family drama with intelligence and insight.