5 Great Simpsons Episodes After Season 10 (Spoilers)

When you talk about The Simpsons with people, the general reaction is "I like it up to season 8/9/10" or "I used to like it but it's not good anymore". This is so common that I'm starting to think that people say that just because other people are saying it. I like proving people wrong so I decided to make a list of five great Simpsons episodes after season 10, not in any order. Obviously this is just a matter of opinion, but if you think Simpsons is not as good anymore, you might want to give these episodes another chance.


1. Alone Again Natura-Diddily (S11E14)
This episode deals with the death of Maude Flanders. It's almost never a good idea to kill off a regular, but if you want to do it, this is probably how it should be done. The episode focuses on Ned and how he handles the loss. It even makes him doubt his faith in God, and even if it's just a moment it shows that this is a big life changing episode for the character. This episode changed things for the character, and that doesn't happen to often in a series like this, where very few episodes directly follows the previous ones. But this is something they follow up on several time in the coming ten seasons. From mentioning Maude, to Ned doing things in her memory, to him start dating for real again. This episode also gives Homer a chance to be sensetive and it shows that he really does care about Ned, even if he's not very good at showing it often. It's very nice to see that side of Homer, and that the two of them do have a real friendship.

If you're after a lot of laughs, this isn't the episode for you. There are a few times you'll laugh but they mostly treat it with respect. Though it does move a little fast, it's a great episode, with some very nice writing and character development. The ending is also quite optimistic, which is needed after a relatively sad episode. This is one you should check out.


2. Hungry Hungry Homer (S12E15)
Homer discovers that the owner of The Springfield Isotopes are planning to move the team to Albuquerque and tries to tell everyone. When no one believes him, he decides to go on a hunger strike.

This is another episode that doesn't have a B-story. While it does take away time from the other characters, we get more focus and time for the main story which is welcomed in such short episodes. What I love about this episode is to see Homer so commited to something, and it being something good. He commits to standing up for the little guy, and doesn't give up, even when it's easier. He decides what he wants to do, and then sticks to it. This episode really shows on Homer's inner strength. The episode is also very funny, with plenty of jokes. If you want a funny episode and see Homer at his best, this is one for you.

3. She of Little Faith (S13E6)
In this episode Lisa decides to quit going to church, after it has sold out to corporate sponsors, and find another way of belief. She finds Buddhism and feels at home, though her family isn't taking it so well.

Lisa is probably my favorite character and this is one of the best episodes about her. It feels so in character that Lisa would find her own way in religion, so I'm surprised this hasn't happened until season 13. It's really interesting seeing Lisa find more of herself and at the same time trying to be accepted by her family even if she chooses differently. You can see the struggle both her and the family is going through, trying to figure out this new situation. I also think this episode took a very adult look at religion. No religion is wrong here, especially Lisa points out that it's about finding what feels best for you. Not the funniest of episodes, but one that comes from an honest place. It's definitely worth a watch.

4. Don't Fear the Roofer (S16E16)
Feeling lonely after his friends and family are mad at him, Homer goes to a bar outside town. There he meets Ray, a roofer who agrees to help Homer fix his damaged roof. Homer and Ray quickly becomes friends, but when the rest of the family don't see any evidence that Ray exists, they become worried that Homer's new friend is imaginary.

The best thing about this episode is the friendship between Homer and Ray. They have good chemistry together and it's just nice seeing them become friends. The hints about what's going on are laid out early and planned out, so there's not really anything that comes out of nowhere when you find out the truth. This episode has a B-story, about how Marge is leaving Santa's little helper at the retirement home, to cheer up the senior citizens. It's a short one, but pretty funny. Overall it's just a great, simple and fun episode that you might enjoy.


5. The Italian Bob (S17E8)

The Simpsons goes to Italy to pick up Mr Burns' new car. After an accident involving cheese they end up stranded in a small italian village. They meet they mayor and shockingly discover it to be none other than Sideshow Bob, who's tried to kill Bart on several occations.

I was deciding between this and another episode, but I only made it halfway through this one before deciding that this episode has to be on the list. This is such a good episode. First of all, Sideshow Bob is always great, no matter which episode he's in, though this is one of the best. He's voiced by Kelsey Grammer, who has created an amazing voice for him. It can get so dark and menacing, but still incredibly dignified. And this episode is filled with jokes, it's a lot of fun. It's also great for the character of Bob to have grown a bit, he get's a family and it's not a one time deal, they will show up in a later season. I always enjoy seeing the characters move forward in their lives. And I just have to mention the theme for Sideshow Bob, it's perfect. You always get an "oh no" feeling when you hear that tune. Do not miss this episode, go watch it now.

Images: Fox

5 Reasons You Should Watch Bob's Burgers

Here's a show you might have missed, Bob's Burgers. It's okay, I hadn't even heard of it until my boyfriend
showed me. Well did you see the Family Guy/Simpsons crossover? Remember the third guy in the airplane with Homer and Peter? That's Bob. Owner of Bob's Burgers, a small burger restaurant in... well wherever they are. He runs the restaurant with his wife Linda, and their three kids, Gene, Tina and Louise. The show follows their adventures while running the restaurant. Don't worry, it's still running, on Fox. The fifth season is just about to start. You can find the first three seasons on Netflix, so there's no excuse for you not to start catching up on what you've been missing. Still not convinced? Well here are five reasons you should be watching this show.

1. The characters

The best thing of this show will end up as the first thing on this list. The characters are what makes you want to continue watching this show. They are funny, relatable, and you just have a good time hanging with them, no matter what they are up to. What I love about them is that everyone's pretty quirky but not to a point that it is unrealistic. They are a good kind of weird, that only original characters can be.

2. The plotlines

One of the things Bob's does really well in the episodes is making sure everyone in the family gets plenty of screen time. That's not an easy task when there are five family members. The plotlines are quite different episode to episode. One time it's about an assignment the kids have to do in school, next time it's about a talking toilet. Yes you read that right, there's an episode about a talking toilet. But it's never boring. You're always with the characters, you want to see how it turns out. You can very rarely say "oh I know how this is going to end", which makes the show feel fresh.

3. The background jokes

Bob's is filled with background jokes, and it starts in the intro. Every intro they change the store next to Bob's restaurant and the car that stops in front of it. They also have "burger of the day" written on a board in the restaurant, and the name of it is usually a pun or play on words. They are always funny and just add a nice extra layer of detail to the show.

4. The voices

This could have gone under characters, but I felt it deserved its own place on the list. The voice acting on this show is magnificent. Every character has a distinguishable voice that goes incredibly well with the character. The casting is fenomenal and you can tell that the actors are giving a 100 % every time they record it. They give the characters a lot of energy, which makes them not only funnier, but also they feel more alive.





















5. This is not The Simpsons or Family Guy

I know what you're thinking. An animated show about a family with three kids on Fox, been there done that. While yes, obviously there are going to be some similarities, I find Bob's to be quite different from the other two. Family guy has always imitated The Simpsons, quite a few of the Family Guy writers have previously worked on The Simpsons, and yes, The Simpsons have probably imitaded Family Guy a couple of times. Bob's Burger on the other hand doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with The Simpsons or Family Guy. It's doing its own thing, has it's own humor. So even if you're getting a little tired of The Simpsons and rip offs, here is a show that takes another route. I seriously recommend you to check this show out, it might surprise you.

Images: Fox