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(More customer reviews)Mike Scully's reign of terror has begun!
There is a theory that the best seasons of the Simpsons are its single-digit seasons. While I feel that Seasons 10 and 11 are certainly respectable, it is true IMO that Season 9 is the last season in which one could consider the Simpsons truly great.
As great a writer as John Schwartzwelder had become over the seasons, Season 9 is where Ian Maxtone-Graham really shined through with not only three great episodes but also having two of the three that should be in the discussion of the greatest Simpsons episodes of all time. Here are the episodes for your enjoyment.
1. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson - classic Simpsons episode written by Ian Maxtone-Graham where Homer goes to NY to recover his illegally parked car from the WTC. Definitely one of the great Simpsons episodes of all time. Also the introduction of Duffman OH YEAH!
2. The Principal and the Pauper - the somewhat controversial episode where Principal Skinner ISN'T Principal Skinner but am impostor. Later parodied in Season 11.
3. Lisa's Sax - a flashback episode centered around (you guessed it)
4. Treehouse of Horror VIII - Homega Man - Homer discovers after a nuclear explosion that he is the last man in Sspringfield, Fly vs. Fly - Bart uses a Frink device to morph into a man-fly, Easy Bake Coven - it's easy to see Patty and Selma as witches, but Marge too (check out the end where Homer goes as Princess Kashmir on Halloween).
5. The Cartridge Family - great John Schwartzwelder episode about the folly of allowing Homer Simpson his 2nd Amendment rights. Also, the folly of believing that soccer is an enjoyable sport to watch.
6. Bart Star - Bart goes for pee-wee football with Homer (looking stylish in his Tom Landry hat) as his inept but loving coach. BTW, You're cut.
7. The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons - another great episode centered around Apu and his Indian background which now focuses on his arranged marriage and Homer's attempts to stop it.
8. Lisa the Skeptic - Probably the first time on the Simpsons that someone from academia gave a voice-over (Steven Jay Gould). A decent Lisa and Marge episode.
9. Realty Bites - The introduction of Gil, the lovable loser, and Cookie Kwan (stay away from the East Side) as well as Marge's attempts to be a realtor with integrity. Another great Lionel Hutz performance by the late Phil Hartman.
10. Miracle on Evergreen Terrace - Average Christmas episode with Bart burning down the presents on accident and claiming burglars stole them. The best word to describe this episode: craptacular!
11. All Singing, All Dancing - an above-average clip-show where the cast sings their dialogue.
12. Bart Carny - Another John Schwatzwelder script where carnies trick the Simpsons out of house and home.
13. The Joy of Sect - Springfield falls into the grip of a cult, except for Marge who manages to escape and plot the survival of the family. Plus another glimpse of Flanders' rumpus room.
14. Das Bus - "Lost" completely ripped off its plot from "Das Bus" (which ripped it off from Lord of the Flies). Also a great B-story with Homer the burgeoning internet millionaire ("They got the internet on computers now").
15. The Last Temptation of Krust - So many great comedic guest stars fill this episode where Krusty attempts to reinvent his comedy act into that of Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. But can you really turn a corporate shill into a "funny man of the people"?
16. Dumbbell Indemnity - Probably the first full episode centered on Moe Syslack and his failed attempts to woo the opposite sex through money. MUST KILL MOE! WHEEEEEEE!
17. Lisa the Simpson - A truly great Lisa episode of the quality of "Lisa the Vegetarian" two seasons earlier. Lisa believes she is succumbing to the dreaded Simpson gene that should cause the smart Lisa to turn dumb and dull. Another great Troy McClure in a documentary performance by the late Phil Hartman and a great performance by Dan Castellaneta as the various Simpsons adults in the tri-state.
18. This Little Wiggy - Oh Ralph, that often misunderstood lad. When he is set up on a play-date with Bart, watch as the sparks fly (Smells like hotdogs).
19. Simpson Tide - Homer commanding a nuclear sub? (It's pronounced "nukular"). And all for joining the Naval Reserve. In an "unrelated" story, Bart tries to get an earring.
20. The Trouble with Trillions - A great episode by Ian Maxtone-Graham where Homer's tax troubles cause him to become an IRS snitch, eventually facing Mr. Burns who "acquired" a trillion dollar bill.
21. Girly Edition - Lisa's attempts at creating a serious kids news show are thwarted by Bart's neverending stream of bleeding heart human interest stories. Also the introduction of the Crazy Cat Lady.
22. Trash of the Titans - Yes, it has arrived the 200th Simpsons episode and what a gem written by Ian Maxtone-Graham. This episode had U2 (playing themselves, esp. Bono as his truly altruistic self) and Steve Martin as the incredibly competent sanitation commissioner Ray Patterson. Homer's disappointment with the sanitation department causes him to run a sleazy but successful campaign against Ray Patterson. Again, an episode that deserves to be in the discussion of the greatest Simspons episodes ever. This episode won an Emmy and was dedicated to the late Linda McCartney.
23. King of the Hill - Another episode by John Schwartzwelder where Homer's lack of energy causes him to work out until he sees the ultimate challenge, climbing the Murderhorn mountain. But what I will always remember are the sherpas.
24. Lost Our Lisa - A decent Homer-Lisa episode where Lisa tries to go by herself to the museum to see the Egypt exhibit.
25. Natural Born Kissers - Over the years, Homer and Marge have found that it gets harder and harder to "Rock the Casbah". That is unless they are caught in a dangerous and perilious situation which becomes their aphrodisiac.
This season has a lot of great episodes. Probably not the greatest Simpsons season of all, but definitely the last great Simpsons season. Plus you get audio commentary on EVERY episode as well as those other extras that fans of the DVDs have come to expect.
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