Simpsons by the Season: 2

"We're simple people, with simple values."

I believe most avid watchers would say that The Simpsons is in it's peak around seasons 3-10, give or take. One and two are typically glossed over not as bad seasons per se, but somewhat of a lesser prelude to a timeless classic - left in the dust for the blessings that are about to come. Season two is strong in parts, but it just isn't the complete knockout punch of what's in store up ahead. That being said, it has all the makings of the classics with a number of Simpsons firsts that come through after the completion of season one, which in the grand scheme of things served mostly as character establishment.

Bart and friends enjoying the adult channels on cable. This
joke has long since passed its expiry date due to the 
smutty and unyielding progress of the internet.

Episode three takes us to a personal favourite series of mine; the first of the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror specials. Admittedly, their first run at it isn't particularly strong. Split into Bad Dream House, Hungry are the Damned, and The Raven, it doesn't have the same level of humour that most Treehouse of Horror episodes have due to the freedom it gives the writers to take it in directions that they otherwise can't (although a recent Kang and Kodos episode may prove that rule no longer exists). This I believe is the least entertaining Treehouse of Horror for about a decade to come - which is impressive as, really, it's still pretty good. The show is still clearly finding it's way a little, and while funny, it's missing something, some sort of edge that perhaps comes with more established characters.

Hell, according to the animators. It's... odd. I don't think
they expected anyone to pause it and look closely. That,
or it's a parody that's going over my head. Probably the latter.

That's not to say that this season is without charm. What it starts doing right is a hallmark of classic Simpsons; their political commentary makes a point without being preachy, and probably hits the highs of the season in regards to raw humour. Mr. Burns running for governor in Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish is the highlight, being one of the strongest episodes of the season and managing to hold its relevance in the American political system after all these years, which is both impressive and perhaps a little unnerving. Actually, a few of the political commentaries hold frustratingly true: for example, in Homer vs. Lisa and the Eighth Commandment in which Lisa has a moral issue with the concept of stealing cable, one can really just switch the topic to internet piracy to keep it relevant. Further, in Itchy and Scratchy and Marge the debate of violence on television is brought up with many of the same talking points you'll hear in arguments on the same topic except with video games taking the centre stage. It wasn't too long ago the game Mass Effect 3 was blamed for a tragic school shooting because the assailant 'liked' it on Facebook. A mob of complaints went on the game's Facebook page before the group realized they were looking at the wrong guy's profile in the first place. Oops. 

McBain, prior to his comedy act, McBain: Lets Get Silly.

With a few exceptions in strong side characters (Mr. Burns and Skinner, namely) most of the strengths of the season come from a focus on Bart and Homer. Lisa and Marge have yet to really find their way; both of them often come across as frustratingly preachy rather than funny. In the aforementioned episode focusing on stealing cable, Lisa crosses that line between humorous and annoying twice: once in the grocery store where Marge tries a couple of grapes where she yells "thou shalt not steal!" (although the following scene with the cashier asking for the price on "two measely stinkin' grapes" is downright hilarious) and later when Homer asks if she wishes to watch T.V. with him, she responds with "sorry, I'd rather go to heaven." Sheesh. You would think it would be difficult to dislike an adorable cartoon eight year old girl, but I was finding a way.

Regardless of a few grievances with the female side of the family, the crux of the show is an identifiable, likeable family. They're still a loving, caring group that struggles to stick to their moral well-being while learning lessons along the way. It's a very old-school style of television that I feel the show has abandoned in recent years (and by recent I mean ten or so seasons). Bart in Bart vs. Thanksgiving learns to care about Lisa's feelings, Homer in Lisa's Substitute learns to, well, care about Lisa's feelings, Homer when about to die in One Fish Two Fish Blowfish Blue Fish both makes peace with Grandpa and has a heart-to-heart with his daughter and son, etc. etc. It's still at the very core of the show and helps to fuel the episodes. If you need further proof, look at the entirety of the episode with Mr. Bergstrom, Lisa's Substitute. 

Best Episode:

Time to brag: I am a proud owner of a toy model
of this car. It is one of my proudest possessions.

Oh boy... it's a tough call, but I'll be saying Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? with the consistently funny Herb Powell, and the smartest and probably funniest episode, Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish. 

Best Quotes:
"Ironic, isn't it Smithers? This anonymous clan of slack jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That's democracy for you."
-Mr. Burns after losing the election in the Simpson house.

"You can ching ching ching cash in on this tragedy!"
-The first appearance of the great Lionel Hutz, after hearing of Bart getting hit by a car driven by Mr. Burns.

"Don't you think you deserve to earn just as much as a man who does the same job?"
"Not if I need to do heavy lifting or math."
-Marge, to one of the school feminists.

"Goodbye, Bart. ...I like your sheets."
-Homer trying to find a nice thing to say to Bart when he believes he's about to pass away.