Season three of The Simpsons is often considered to the peak of one of the greatest TV shows of all time. This is the prime time for everything the show has to offer, with the comedy timing of the Gods to some of the greatest storylines an animated show has ever delivered.
We’ve used IMDb to rank every episode the season has to offer. Considering there isn’t a single episode that dips below a 7.7 average, you know you’re in for some truly brilliant viewing.
Like Father, Like Clown (7.7)
One of the few episodes to focus on Krusty The Clown (and his father) also happens to be the worst-rated episode of season three.
Dog Of Death (7.8)
The title is a little on the nose, but it gets the job done.
This episode sees Santa’s Little Helper in need of surgery, before he ends up being trained to become one of Mr. Burns’ many ‘hounds’.
Mr. Lisa Goes To Washington (7.8)
One of the many references made by The Simpsons to Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, this episodes sees Lisa make her way to Washington. D.C. for a political contest.
The Otto Show (7.8)
Otto comes to live with The Simpsons after losing his job. This episode also provides one of the greatest cameos in the show’s history, with the cast of Spinal Tap appearing.
Bart’s Friend Falls In Love (7.8)
Bart’s friend Milhouse finally gives up on his infatuation with Lisa and gets a girlfriend of his own. Ever striving to be ‘better’ than Milhouse, Bart ends up becoming disastrously jealous.
Lisa’s Pony (7.9)
After asking for a pony consistently for the two seasons The Simpsons had been on by this point, it was strange to see Homer giving into his daughter’s request so soon.
Saturdays Of Thunder (7.9)
In one of their many relationship-strengthening father-son activities, Homer and Bart build a (rather terrible) Soap Box Racer to enter into a competition.
Colonel Homer (8.0)
Despite Homer’s... questionable... appearance, he ends up with quite a lot of attention from women.
One of the women in question is Lurleen Lumpkin, a talented country singer to whom Homer becomes an incredibly skilled manager.
Lisa the Greek (8.0)
Even if betting is a past-time built on luck and guessing, Lisa’s high intellect means she’s weirdly good at it. Homer enlists her help to bet on football games.
Homer Alone (8.1)
It might seem like a distant memory, but Home Alone had only very recently aired in cinemas. This episode sees Homer stuck at home, caring for Maggie by himself.
When Flanders Failed (8.2)
Homer’s hatred of Ned Flanders doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
He wants the Leftorium to go out of business, but when it does, Homer decides to devote his time to helping Ned get back on his feet.
Separate Vocations (8.2)
This episode shows Lisa leaning towards a life of crime that is usually reserved for her brother, Bart.
Treehouse Of Horror II (8.3)
Only the second in the now famous Treehouse Of Horror mini-franchise, we get three classic horror parodies.
Black Widower (8.3)
Possibly the best Sideshow Bob episode of The Simpsons comes from his manic attempt to marry and then murder Selma.
Burns Verkaufen Der Kraftwerk (8.3)
After German businessmen take over the nuclear plant, Homer’s incompetence is finally revealed and he loses his job.
Bart The Lover (8.3)
One of the most evil things Bart ever did was set Edna Krabappel up on a fake fate.
It is in this episode that Bart’s terrible plan comes to fruition.
I Married Marge (8.3)
In one of the first flashback episodes, Homer tells the story of his and Marge’s marriage.
Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes? (8.3)
It might seem like a storyline that should be reserved for a show in its declining years, but this episode reveals the existence of a brother we never knew Homer had.
Homer Defined (8.5)
Homer has no idea to do his job, and this episode just about proves that, but somehow, he still managed to save the nuclear plant from a total meltdown.
Radio Bart (8.5)
Another of Bart’s most mischievous moments comes from this episode, where he ends up stuck in a well thanks to a twisted ‘boy who cried wolf’ ending to a prank.