The Simpsons: 10 Most Disturbing Episodes

There are very few things in the world more disturbing than having your place of domestic safety invaded by a hostile threat. This episode fully explored this concept and was an early indicator of the dark material that this cartoon series would deal with.

Some Enchanted Evening was designed to be the first episode of the inaugural season of the show, but thanks to an animation error it was forcibly delayed. Eventually, it released as the thirteenth and final episode of season one.

It tells the story of Bart and Lisa left alone with a babysitter after Marge and Homer go out for a romantic night of fun. Eventually, when watching TV, the children uncover from a real-crime show that their babysitter is, in fact, a dangerous criminal, and after finding out that her cover is blown she ties them up.

This incredibly dark material is so contrasting with the happy and cartoonish visual aesthetic of the show and has this constant feeling of dread and anxiety. Thankfully the tables are fully turned as the villain of the piece is handled well by the children, until Homer unwittingly releases them into the world, never knowing when they will strike again.

It's a dreadful idea and a really well-made episode and as such the domestic horror feels palpable.