5 Underrated Classic Era Simpsons Episodes

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Despite some exceptional episodes spanning The Simpsons’ entire run, including challenging periods like seasons 18 and 26, it’s the show’s first ten seasons that are often hailed as its creative zenith. This iconic series, with its hand-drawn cel animation, talented writing teams, and masterful blend of emotional depth and absurd humor, stands out as the finest ever to grace television screens. It was during these initial ten seasons of The Simpsons that these qualities truly shone brightest.

The passionate way Simpsons enthusiasts discuss iconic early episodes such as “Last Exit to Springfield” and “Cape Feare” demonstrates that this appreciation for those initial seasons is common. However, there are five episodes from these universally adored seasons that have been overlooked and haven’t received the recognition they deserve. Check out these five timeless Simpsons episodes that deserve significantly more attention and acclaim.

1) “Lisa the Greek” (season 3, episode 14)

The episodes featuring Lisa and Homer Simpson are known for their heartfelt moments, with “Lisa the Greek” being one such example from season three. In this episode, they bond over Lisa’s talent for predicting football game winners. Despite lacking grand slapstick gags or high-profile guest stars, “Lisa the Greek” has become less prominent in the minds of many Simpsons fans. However, the excellent writing by Jay Kogen and Wallace Wolodarsky keeps the humor lively and the sentimentality genuine.

2) “Lemon of Troy” (season 6, episode 24)

Strangely enough, the creators of the book titled “I Can’t Believe It’s a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide“, referred to “Lemon of Troy” as “pedestrian”. This seems peculiar given that this episode is known for iconic lines like “shake harder, boy!” and Milhouse’s “when doves cry” comment. The “Lemon of Troy” episode is rich with hilarious jokes contrasting the familiar Simpson children with the snobbish residents of Shelbyville. Moreover, the extensive cast of characters in this installment allows for a variety of figures, such as Martin Prince, Abe Simpson, and Ned Flanders (to name a few), to have their moments of comedic brilliance.

3) “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” (season 7, episode 25)

Lisa is often found immersed in the pages of The Simpsons, but the season seven finale “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” presents her with a relatable predicament: trying to make a good impression among new friends during vacation. This episode showcases Dan Greaney’s skillful writing, capturing the essence of an adolescent yearning for acceptance in a very realistic way. It’s not just a humorous episode, but also features a hilarious moment with Homer Simpson reacting to finding his car vandalized at the end. While episodes like “Bart Sells His Soul” and “Two Bad Neighbors” might be more renowned, “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” deserves more recognition.

4) “Lisa the Simpson” (season 9, episode 17)

In this episode, Lisa Simpson starts fretting about her intelligence slipping away and becoming like other family members who are not so bright. Although it’s a more subdued outing, director Susie Dietter adds some beautiful visual elements (like a rotating camera following Lisa as she writes in her diary) that really bring the story to life. Not only is Lisa’s battle to keep her individuality compelling, but a secondary plot about Jasper getting frozen at the Kwik-E-Mart is hilarious. If you want to see The Simpsons at their best in terms of both drama and comedy, “Lisa the Simpson” is an excellent choice.

5) “The Principal and the Pauper” (season 9, episode 2)

Among the classic Simpsons episodes before 2000, none are quite as notorious as “The Principal and the Pauper,” where we discovered that Seymour Skinner, a character I’ve long admired, was actually a fraud. His true identity was Armin Tamzarian, a man who appropriated another Vietnam War comrade’s identity. Since then, “Pauper” has earned an unfortunate infamy and is often cited as evidence of the show veering off its creative path.

In essence, “The Principal and the Pauper” proves to be a hilarious metaphorical journey, richly embellished with numerous witty references to “The Simpsons”. A visual gag that demonstrates the number of people in Homer’s car is particularly clever. Moreover, as fans have grown increasingly protective of their cherished franchises over time, the social commentary in this episode remains strikingly relevant even today.

Since the airing of “Pauper”, some particularly poor episodes of The Simpsons such as “Walking Big & Tall”, “Lisa Goes Gaga”, “The Musk Who Fell to Earth”, and “The Boys of Bummer” have been broadcasted. These episodes serve to highlight the merits of “The Principal and the Pauper”, which stands out with its cel-animation, numerous comedic moments, and daring attempts at innovation rather than relying on famous guest stars portraying themselves.

The first 35 seasons of The Simpsons are now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-07-26 06:40