2.1 Bart Gets an F
I appreciate the focus on Edna, I like Martin’s role and Mayor Quimby’s debut, but stories which show Homer’s growth are much better than ones focusing on Bart. The snowstorm at the end is a little too cute. It’s one of the weaker episodes of the season.
2.2 Simpson and Delilah
I adore the Karl character and Harvey Fierstein knocks it out of the park. I wish he had become a recurring character. The idea is solid and I like episodes which paint Homer as more sympathetic, but they haven’t quite got Burns and Smithers down yet. Pretty close with Burns, but Smithers shouldn’t be so vindictive.
2.3 Treehouse of Horror
The first Treehouse episode is a classic. Kang and Kodos are as important as any other character in the show’s history (despite only yearly appearances), and The Raven segment (narrated by James Earl Jones) is one of the finest television bits of all time.
2.4 Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
Blinky the three eyed fish has become an iconic part of Simpsons lore. I wish the show had continued to explore Burns political aspirations and I’m not sure why Governor Mary Bailey didn’t really make an impact. It’s a fun take on Burns, and I love Marge’s chutzpah in serving him three eyed fish for dinner.
2.5 Dancin’ Homer
The antics of a drunken Homer prove popular at the local minor league baseball game. Soon he’s hired as the team mascot and eventually gets called up to replace the Capitol City Goofball. Unfortunately, his routines do not play well in the big city and he’s fired. This is a fun, light episode, and like most early ones still fairly grounded. In this episode, Homer’s failure doesn’t miraculous result in an unfathomable success, which is odd to see now.
2.6 Dead Putting Society
I love miniature golf and I love The Simpsons, so it’s a no brainer I would love this episode, the first to really feature the Flanders children. I love the détente between Todd and Bart and the bet between Homer and Ned. Ned is more fully formed here than previous appearances, but he’s still a little too aggressive.
2.7 Bart vs. Thanksgiving
Bart is a jerk to Lisa in one of the weaker episodes of the season.
2.8 Bart the Daredevil
Lance Murdoch is a great character, and Homer’s failed attempt to leap over Springfield gorge is a classic Simpsons moment.
2.9 Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
Roger Meyers Jr. is great. I love the origin and behind the scenes business of Itchy and Scratchy, and I love when Marge has an axe to grind. She’s like a less effective, less principled version of Lisa. However, the subject of cartoon violence and censorship has been handled much better elsewhere (South Park for one).
2.10 Bart Gets Hit by a Car
Lionel Hutz, Blue Haired Lawyer. These debuts are phenomenal. Burns centered episodes are (especially in the early seasons) among the best and easiest to write. Phil Hartman’s genius is on clear display here. He makes what could have been a throw away character (a shyster, ambulance chasing attorney) into a vibrant, important addition to the show.
2.11 One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Fish, Blowfish
I enjoyed Homer’s attempts to make up for lost time with his dad after he thinks his life is over, but the premise is pretty macabre and dark for The Simpsons, especially this early in the series run.
2.12 – The Way We Was
I love Artie Ziff and this Homer / Marge origin story delivers. Their relationship is central to the show’s success. If we don’t believe there’s love between the two of them, then Homer’s carelessness and selfishness is sad and pathetic. We need him to love Marge and for his love to motivate him to be better. Equally important, she needs to know how much he loves her, giving her a reason to stay with him despite his incompetency.
2.13 Homer vs. Lisa and the Eight Commandment
One of the patented Simpson formulas is Lisa as the family conscience, whose quiet insistence persuades the other members to reluctantly join her. That formula is perfected here, as Lisa becomes uncomfortable with Homer stealing cable and convinces him to not watch the big fight as penance.
2.14 Principal Charming
The debuts of Hans Moleman, Squeaky Voiced Teen, and Groundskeeper Willie. I like episodes about Selma and Patty’s dysfunctional, codependent relationship. Having Skinner fall for the wrong sister was a genius stroke. A very solid development for Skinner and the Bouvier sisters.
2.15 Oh Brother Where Are Thou
Herb, Homer’s half-brother, is brilliantly cast as Danny DeVito. The bizarro Homer, he’s successful and intelligent. He mistakenly thinks Homer can help his car business and lets him develop his next model. After tt is, predictably, a disaster he disowns Homer. I wish Herb were a more regular character, but that’s the problem with casting big name stars.
2.16 Bart’s Dog Gets an F
I enjoyed this more than Bart’s F. Seeing it from the dog’s point of view was fun, and it shows a softer side of Bart. It’s a fun, solid episode.
2.17 Old Money
Abe’s brief love affair with Bea (guest star Audrey Meadows) is a bittersweet reminder of how fleeting life is, especially amongst the elderly. Some reviews have panned the episode because it’s too sentimental, but I think the show’s heart is its strong point, and Abe’s first romantic episode is a highlight for me.
2.18 Brush with Greatness
For someone who constantly complains about her inability to pursue her dreams, Marge has had a lot of opportunities for creative expression. Here, thanks to a push from Ringo Starr, she tries her hand at painting, which ultimately results in her painting a portrait of Mr. Burns. The result is a stark reminder of the ravages of old age and frailty. The “Marge needs to get out” episodes are a special subset of The Simpsons, and sometimes result in good episodes. It’s a nice break from the usual focus on Homer (and early season focus on Bart).
2.19 Lisa’s Substitute
Casting Dustin Hoffman was a genius stroke and the scene with Mrs. Krabapple attempting to seduce him is one of the season’s best. Meanwhile in the B story, Bart’s ill fated campaign for class president (losing because he didn’t vote for himself) is a wonderful conceit. A classic episode.
2.20 The War of the Simpsons
Marge / Homer marital issues are typically some of the best material in The Simpsons arsenal, and while this episode is revered by many, it’s one of the weakest in the season for me.
2.21 Three Men and a Comic Book
Radioactive Man is one of my favorite creations on the show. Comic Book Guy is wonderful, and the central Treasure of the Sierra Madre conflict between Milhouse, Bart, and Martin is iconic. A classic.
2.22 – Blood Feud
I loved it when Bart and Homer are writing their letter to Mr. Burns. The scene still cracks me up thirty years later. However, this episode feels like rehashed material. Mr. Burns already hit Bart with a car and now he needs his blood. By the end of the second season, (especially after a quick binge watch), it’s obvious the show needs to expand its cast of characters and lean on them more frequently.
- Treehouse of Horror (2.3)
- The Way We Was (2.12)
- Three Men and a Comic Book (2.21)
- Bart the Daredevil (2.8)
- Marge vs. Itchy and Scratchy (2.9)
- Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish (2.4)
- Homer vs. Lisa and the Eighth Commandment (2.13)
- Old Money (2.17)
- Lisa’s Substitute (2.19)
- Dead Putting Society (2.6)
- Brush with Greatness (2.18)
- Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (2.15)
- Principal Charming (2.14)
- Bart’s Dog Gets an F (2.16)
- Blood Feud (2.22)
- Dancin’ Homer (2.5)
- Simpson and Delilah (2.2)
- Bart Gets Hit by a Car (2.10)
- The War of the Simpsons (2.20)
- Bart vs. Thanksgiving (2.7)
- Bart Gets an F (2.1)
- One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish (2.11)