The Simpsons: 15 BEST Golden Age Episodes

Feeling more relevant in the modern day than it did at the time of its release - maybe more so than any other canonical entry in the entire series - Homer Badman essentially predicted cancel culture being perpetuated by the media and those foolish enough to listen to such drivel. Admittedly, for a show that everyone proclaims has the ability to predict the future, no one ever really references this entry, although they still make conversation about its multi-faceted brilliance.

The opening scenario in which Homer and Marge practically become a sweet-stealing iteration of Bonnie and Clyde that ends with a scene akin to an ode to Die Hard is sublimely comedic, but is soon overshadowed by the sharp turn in direction the episode then takes. Still instilling the humour catalytically through its characters, the show manages to take a turn into political territory while maintaining no stance on either side, but showing the implications of such a tenuous, almost malicious form of thinking. Showing the repercussions that come with false accusations and just how detrimental it can be to the veracious victim, rather than the alleged one.

With its message front and centre, the writers could've chosen to discard the humour in place of a direct social commentary, but at no point do the increasingly prevalent jokes ever subside. As a matter of fact, the episode ends with Homer imminently being persuaded into believing the man that saved him is nothing but a pervert. Due to television's influence.

An absolutely platinum standard episode that nails every concept it covers.