The Simpsons: 15 BEST Golden Age Episodes
3. Last Exit to Springfield
Last Exit To Springfield is an episode that is the epitome of everything The Simpsons was at the peak of its popularity. The writers pulled out every trick they had to make this instalment as grandiose while maintaining every element of realism the show was known for in its pre-Marge Vs. The Monorail days.
Just like many others on this list, its story is irrevocably standardised. It deals with a plethora of real world topics that will always be a factor in the workplace of many institutions, such as unions, corruption, insurance, etc. in a classic hero and villain story, as Mr. Burns strips the Power Plant workers of their dental plan, which coincides with the B-plot of the episode (as well as one its greatest jokes) that Lisa needs braces.
The retention of the comedic factors is what really makes this episode shine, with an unprecedented perfecting of being both contemporaneous and classic at the same time. A lot of the referential humour that includes Lisa parodying the infamous Joker scene from Batman (1989), playing classical gas on her guitar - which is the only time you see her utilising an instrument that isn't a saxophone - and the opening that references the endless Schwarzenegger action romps with not much reverence.
Every component works in a way so vehemently it can only be considered proof that the golden age writers absolutely adored writing for this show.