The Simpsons

10 Best Episodes of The Simpsons - Season 12

The Simpsons is an iconic American show that has been airing since 1989 on FOX. Set in the average American town of Springfield, the show follows the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family. Over the 36 seasons of the show, there have been many memorable episodes that have made The Simpsons a household name. Here we will rank the best episodes of The Simpsons, from the highest to the lowest rated.

The Simpsons is filled with comedy, satire and commentary directed at politics, media and American life. It has attracted hundreds of celebrities to guest star in the show, making it even more popular. With so many great episodes, it can be hard to pick out the best. Here we will rank the top episodes based on their ratings, reviews and overall popularity.

So sit back and enjoy this list of the best episodes of The Simpsons, ranked from highest to lowest. There is sure to be something here to satisfy everyone, so let’s get started!

Written by Sophie and last updated on nov 20, 2024.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The Simpsons - S12E10

#15 - Pokey Mom (Season 12 - Episode 10)

Marge tries to rehabilitate a convict with remarkable artistic talent. Meanwhile, Homer uses a trash can to fix people's spines.

The episode was rated 7.32 from 445 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E20

#14 - Children of a Lesser Clod (Season 12 - Episode 20)

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After spraining his knee during a basketball game, Homer begins taking care of the neighborhood kids to cure his boredom, prompting jealousy from Bart and Lisa, who feel that Homer is giving the kids the attention they never had.

The episode was rated 7.34 from 414 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E5

#13 - Homer vs. Dignity (Season 12 - Episode 5)

When the Simpsons once again have financial problems, Mr. Burns pays Homer to play pranks on others and humiliate himself in public. Meanwhile, Smithers creates a Malibu Stacy-themed musical.

The episode was rated 7.35 from 518 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E3

#12 - Insane Clown Poppy (Season 12 - Episode 3)

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Krusty takes parenting lessons from Homer when, during an outdoor book fair, a girl tells Krusty that she is his long-lost daughter from a one-night stand with a female soldier who fought during the first Gulf War.

The episode was rated 7.35 from 446 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E4

#11 - Lisa the Tree Hugger (Season 12 - Episode 4)

Lisa falls for the teenaged leader of a militant environmentalist group and tries to impress him by living in Springfield's oldest tree in order to keep it from being cut down.

The episode was rated 7.39 from 456 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E11

#10 - Worst Episode Ever (Season 12 - Episode 11)

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Bart and Milhouse are banned from The Android Dungeon after stopping Comic Book Guy from buying a box of priceless Star Wars memorabilia for $5, but are hired as his replacements when Comic Book Guy has a heart attack and is advised to leave his job in order to make friends.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 468 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E14

#9 - New Kids on the Blecch (Season 12 - Episode 14)

A music producer selects Bart, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph to be members of the next hit boy band, who record subliminal songs about joining the Navy.

The episode was rated 7.49 from 466 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E2

#8 - A Tale of Two Springfields (Season 12 - Episode 2)

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While calling Animal Control over a badger taking residence in Santa's Little Helper's doghouse, Homer discovers that Springfield has two different area codes–and ends up leading a revolt that splits the town in two.

The episode was rated 7.49 from 539 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E7

#7 - The Great Money Caper (Season 12 - Episode 7)

Homer and Bart become father–son con artists (after Bart is given money out of pity when Homer decided to not take him home), but soon find that they are the ones being had.

The episode was rated 7.53 from 473 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E1

#6 - Treehouse of Horror XI (Season 12 - Episode 1)

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This year's Halloween story sees The Simpsons as "The Munsters" (with everyone except Lisa getting killed), Homer as a wandering spirit on the hunt for a good deed in "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad," Bart and Lisa as peasants in a fairy tale forest in "Scary Tales Can Come True," and Lisa inadvertently dooming mankind by rescuing a dolphin in "Night of the Dolphin."

The episode was rated 7.56 from 715 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E15

#5 - Hungry Hungry Homer (Season 12 - Episode 15)

Homer becomes a Good Samaritan after discovering the simple joys of helping people in need–which is put to the test when he goes on a hunger strike after the owner of the Springfield Isotopes attempts to discredit him when Homer stumbles on his plot to discreetly move the team to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 451 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E8

#4 - Skinner's Sense of Snow (Season 12 - Episode 8)

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A snowstorm traps the students of Springfield Elementary inside, with them overthrowing Principal Skinner when he uses his Army skills to control them. Meanwhile, Homer tries to rescue the children–using Flanders' car.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 526 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E6

#3 - The Computer Wore Menace Shoes (Season 12 - Episode 6)

Homer decides to buy a computer after turning up to the Plant to find it closed by e-mail. He then creates his own website and it eventually gains attention when he posts gossip. Homer dubs himself as "Mr. X" to conceal his identity. When he reveals that he is Mr. X, he becomes drugged into a mysterious island where people who know too much are imprisoned after Homer starts writing conspiracy theories such as flu shots.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 538 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E9

#2 - HOMЯ (Season 12 - Episode 9)

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While working as a human guinea pig (to pay off the family's lost savings after making a bad investment), Homer discovers the root cause of his subnormal intelligence: a crayon that was lodged in his brain ever since he was a boy. He decides to have it removed to increase his IQ, but discovers that being smart does not necessarily equal being happy.

The episode was rated 7.85 from 551 votes.

The Simpsons - S12E18

#1 - Trilogy of Error (Season 12 - Episode 18)

In the "Trilogy of Error" episode of The Simpsons, Homer, Lisa, and Bart find themselves caught up in a series of interconnected adventures. Homer rushes to the hospital to reattach his thumb, while Lisa races to school in an attempt to win the science fair. Meanwhile, Bart gets involved in an illegal fireworks scheme. This episode is a clever parody of the films Go and Run Lola Run, weaving together these three storylines in a unique and entertaining way.

Despite the twelfth season's ups and downs, "Trilogy of Error" stands out for its impressive storytelling. The episode successfully syncs up and links the three stories, creating a clockwork-like tale that keeps viewers engaged. The setups and payoffs are executed beautifully, with connections and jokes that are set up in one act and pay off later on. The appearances of Chief Wiggum, Cletus, Dr. Nick, and Fat Tony's crew also help hold the story together.

Alongside the intricate plot, "Trilogy of Error" delivers plenty of laughs. Linguo and his grammar-related exasperation, Bart and Milhouse's firework-related adventures, and Mr. Teeny driving a car and speaking in subtitles all provide comedic highlights. This episode showcases the show's boldness and creativity, particularly impressive considering it aired during a time when the show's creativity seemed to be waning. Overall, "Trilogy of Error" is an example of The Simpsons at its best, offering a clever and entertaining storyline that keeps viewers hooked.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 487 votes.

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