The Simpsons: 15 BEST Golden Age Episodes

This is the episode that hands a debut to the villainous Hank Scorpio; an extraordinarily beloved megalomaniac that appears only once on the show, and is still revered and endeared by fans. In regards to the people that opposed him, the world's leaders, he was incredibly feared. The element that the two parties have in common, though, is that Scorpio has left a substantial imprint through his interactions with Homer.

When Homer is offered - and subsequently undertakes - a new job in an idyllic town far away from Springfield, the Simpson family basks in their fabulous new utopia and life seems dandy, before overtones of sinister cynicism begin to creep in. Homer, despite every possible sign being presented to him, can't grasp the fact that his boss is a caricatural James Bond-esque villain with plans of world domination. While Marge, Lisa and Bart initially love their new surroundings they begin to realise that life was better back home.

For the first time we see The Simpsons as a show leave its most pivotal character behind, which in essence is the town of Springfield itself. Despite the magnificence of the unsuspecting Homer's malignance being imbued casually and innocuously by his boss, the deliberation of his former contemporary in Mr. Burns is more suited to the lovable oaf and his family in the end.

Stellar episode, with one of the two best one-off characters in the show's entire run.