The Simpsons: 10 Best Recent Episodes You Probably Missed
7. Halloween Of Horror (Season 27, Episode 4)
"Halloween of Horror" was the show's first-ever Halloween-themed episode that wasn't part of the ongoing "Treehouse of Horror" chronology, and it was hugely refreshing to see such an inspired break from the well-worn formula.
In a knowing send-up of home invasion horror flicks, Homer and Lisa find themselves fending off a trio of disgruntled Halloween shop-workers who Homer inadvertently got fired.
The dynamic between Homer and Lisa - the father trying to protect his scared daughter, the resourceful daughter using her smarts to overcome her fear - makes for some of the series' strongest recent character writing, without ever forgetting about its funny-bone.
Above all else, how can you not love an episode that has a giddy parody of The Rocky Horror Picture Show's "Time Warp," and ends with a slow-zoom into Maggie's face while John Carpenter's Halloween theme plays?
With Treehouse of Horror having felt played out for so many years now, Halloween of Horror was a major breath of fresh air. More of this, please.