The Simpsons: 15 Modern Episodes You Need To Watch
3. Holidays Of Future Passed (Season 23, Episode 9)
"I've been acting like a 10 year old the last 30 years, but I swear i'm going to grow up and act 20 like a divorced 40 year old should" - Bart Simpson
This isn't the first time The Simpsons looked to the future for laughs but it is one of the best. Jumping ahead 30 years, via a great yearly Christmas photo sequence, the episode explores each of the Simpson children's parental struggles over Christmas. Bart is a divorced deadbeat dad struggling to connect with his sons, Lisa is in a struggling marriage with Millhouse and has a daughter who spends the majority of her time plugged into the Ultranet, while Maggie is a successful rock singer with a baby on the way (the ways in which the show constantly stops the older Maggie from saying a word is particularly great).
As a Christmas episode, this stands as one of the series' best, with its message of family, tolerance and togetherness over the holiday season really hitting the spot. The brother and sister bonding moment between the older Bart and Lisa in their childhood treehouse is particularly moving. This episode was originally written with a series finale in mind and, honestly, it would have been a great final note for the show to go out on.