Forget Disney+:

Disney+ has granted fans’ wishes by making “The Simpsons” available around the clock on a dedicated channel within their streaming service, although this method might not be the most convenient for viewing the long-running animated series. Last year marked the 35th anniversary of “The Simpsons,” and it’s preparing to return for the second half of Season 36 later this month. Despite its established fanbase, the franchise is in a prime position to attract new followers. Fortunately, there’s an ideal way to explore it.

Disney Plus currently provides exclusive access to the first 35 seasons of The Simpsons, and starting now, they will be streaming the episodes in the order of their original release. This means that from the moment the channel launched, it began with Season 1, Episode 1. While many shows might benefit from starting with the pilot episode, it’s actually not ideal for newcomers to The Simpsons. Instead, there’s a more comfortable way to get into the show, and it’s recommended to watch some of the best episodes first before diving in anywhere else.

Where to Start The Simpsons

It’s amusing how fans of The Simpsons developed a unique viewing routine, as most began their journey right from the start. It harks back to the old days of television, where one would watch the pilot episode and then tune in every week as part of a weekly ritual each Fall. This continued until a season concluded, after which we’d endure the Summer months with reruns of past episodes. The next batch wouldn’t air again until the following Fall. The Simpsons was designed with this pattern in mind. It’s a sitcom that doesn’t usually alter its main status quo significantly from episode to episode, allowing viewers to join in at any point without much difficulty.

Over the past 35 years of watching “The Simpsons,” I’ve noticed a few subtle modifications in its storyline, but they’re not drastic enough to detract from the viewing experience if you’re unaware of them. Characters might have left or been replaced due to voice actors passing away or their roles becoming less relevant over time. Sometimes, episodes delve into characters’ pasts, but these changes don’t significantly alter the core storyline of any given episode. In essence, you can comfortably dive into any “The Simpsons” episode, and based on your preference, choose which one to watch next.

There’s a faster route for those eager to dive into the series and enjoy its finest moments right away. Instead of starting from the initial seasons where The Simpsons was still finding its footing, immersed in the pop culture and societal influences of the 1990s, it’s advisable to begin with Season 4. This is when the warmer (yet more seasoned) family dynamics from the early seasons start merging with the more absurd concepts that would later become more prevalent.

Why You Should Start With The Simpsons Season 4

For enthusiasts of “The Simpsons”, you might ponder why we’re recommending Season 4 over some of the widely acclaimed “golden era” seasons (generally considered Seasons 5-10, but loosely defined) or even the more recent seasons that have been innovatively exploring new grounds since Season 32. However, there are compelling reasons why Season 4 is a must-watch right from the start. The season features four consecutive episodes, each focusing on a different family member (excluding Maggie). “Kamp Krusty” grabs attention with Bart as the lead character, “A Streetcar Named Marge” delves into the dynamics of Marge and Homer’s marriage, “Homer the Heretic” showcases Homer’s self-centered yet guileless traits, and “Lisa the Beauty Queen” tests Lisa’s perspectives on the world.

If the family-focused episodes win you over as they ought to, you’ll encounter “Treehouse of Horror III” next. While it may not be the finest Treehouse of Horror special, it does showcase some quirky concepts early on. Following this, we return to regular programming with “Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie,” an all-time favorite for Bart and Homer. This series of episodes provides a solid introduction to the riches of The Simpsons, while still leaving space for more extraordinary and impactful episodes later on. By Episode 12, “Marge vs. the Monorail,” you’ll be fully hooked.

If you don’t fully invest yourself in the series during its early stages, it might be challenging to truly value or relish the exceptional episodes that follow, often referred to as the “golden era.” These episodes are remarkable because the series took time to find its footing and develop its characters. It’s during this period that the series was able to build upon its foundations to create even more complex stories without disrupting the consistency of the world in “The Simpsons.” Watching the later or earlier episodes first, then trying to go back to the beginning won’t feel quite right.

To fully appreciate the heights of humor in The Simpsons, it’s necessary to make a journey uphill, rather than jumping directly to the peak moments. Starting from scratch might feel like a task, but skipping ahead won’t give you the same level of enjoyment as watching some episodes from Season 4 first. Once you’ve laid that foundation, feel free to move around and observe how the show has evolved over its long television run.

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2025-03-20 06:12