Television | In defence of modern era The Simpsons

I love The Simpsons. You love The Simpsons.

Let’s face it, everyone used to love The Simpsons. But at some point, that affection began to fade. 

Author - Amy W

Most fans agree that the golden age ended somewhere around the twelfth or thirteenth season. It is hard to say exactly when things started to go wrong, but many critics refer to the episodes that followed as part of the ‘Zombie Simpsons’ era. The show, while still on air, is often described as a lifeless version of what it once was.

So now, the popular verdict seems to be that The Simpsons is a show people no longer enjoy. Worst. Show. Ever.

Let’s take a breath. Let’s look again. There have still been moments of brilliance since 2005, and some episodes are every bit as sharp, funny and moving as the classics. Here are some of the best episodes from the later years that prove The Simpsons still has something to offer.

Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind (Season 19, Episode 9)

This inventive episode plays with memory and structure in a way that few animated shows dare to attempt. Homer wakes up with no recollection of the previous day and fears he may have done something terrible. What follows is a heartfelt, creative journey through his mind, with surprising emotional depth and strong visual storytelling. The episode even won an Emmy Award, and rightly so.

Holidays of Future Passed (Season 23, Episode 9)

Initially intended as a series finale, this future-set story follows an older version of the Simpson family during the Christmas holidays. With Bart and Lisa now grown up and raising children of their own, the episode mixes warmth with a touch of melancholy, offering a rare moment of genuine reflection. Fans often cite it as one of the best episodes in recent memory.

Barthood (Season 27, Episode 9)

A clever parody of the film Boyhood, this episode gives viewers a look at Bart’s life over several decades. It examines his complicated relationship with Homer, his rivalry with Lisa, and his own sense of identity. Unlike the typical episodic format, Barthood provides a satisfying character study with emotional weight and moments of humour.

READ MORE | The best minor characters in The Simpsons

The Serfsons (Season 29, Episode 1)

A fantasy-themed parody that sees the family transported to a medieval-style world, this episode is packed with cultural references, sharp jokes, and surprising world-building. It shows that the writers still have the creativity to break away from formula when they want to.