Toomanygrandmas

I meant to get around to making a second blog post on Sunday, but due to a lack of free time, I unfortunately couldn't get around to it. Last week I was considering doing a Top Five Musical Moments, but I decided against it, due to it... well, not being very interesting. I enjoyed writing up my top ten episodes blog post. I considered doing a 'Bottom Ten', but I think I need to watch more modern episodes in order to properly construct a list of which episodes I regard as truly dire.

So what have I decided to do? A 'tier list'. Being relatively into gaming, I am used to the concept of tier lists. However, whilst usually there, they are used to indicate something factual, here I am merely using it to show my opinion of certain episodes. Also, whilst I have seen many episodes numerous times, I do not have an exact grade/score that I would give them. Therefore, by roughly ranking them in certain groups indicating quality, I can show an idea of the order I'd put episodes in, without having to watch them again to refresh my memory.

Since I'm using a 'tier list' system, I might as well indicate what each of the tiers means.
Outstanding Tier - Episodes that I love above all others. They are fantastic in many different regards.
Excellent Tier - Episodes that could easily fit into people's top ten's, and probably are somewhere in my top 30 or so. Many classic episodes fit into this group.
Great Tier - Very enjoyable episodes, but these episodes might have some faults that prevent them being in the tier above. Most of the rest of the classic episodes fit into this group.
Good Tier - Enjoyable episodes, but they have more major flaws. These consist of lesser classic episodes, and the higher post classic episodes.
Average Tier - Episodes that are usually nothing too objectable, but they might be quite boring. The lowest classic episodes occupy this rank, along with many of the 'good' later post-classic episodes.
Mediocre Tier - Episodes that usually lack laughs, or lack a strong plot. Many newer episodes to be found here.
Bad Tier - These episodes have little going for them. They either have an absurd plot, weak characterisation or are simply unfunny. Numerous Scully episodes can be found here (fitting the former category).
Awful Tier - Episodes with virtually nothing going for them. The plot will be boring or unrealistic, the characters will be out of character, and the humour will be either nonexistant, or crass.

Remember, these are just my opinions of course, so feel free to debate them.

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This week I am going to rank the episodes of Season 7. I decided to start with Season 7, because firstly it is my favourite season, and secondly, I reckon I have seen the episodes enough to know where I would put them in order, without a rewatch. So, without any further ado, Season 7.

Outstanding Tier
Home Sweet-Homediddly-Dum-Doodily
Marge Be Not Proud
Lisa the Vegetarian
Homer the Smithers

Home Sweet-Homediddly-Dum-Doodily is my favourite episode of the show, so it's unsurprising that I rank it first. Marge Be Not Proud is my second favourite episode of the season, and of the show, due to fantastic characterisation and humour, so naturally, I rank it second. The next episodes, Lisa the Vegetarian and Homer the Smithers are also top ten episodes for me. Though there are numerous strong Lisa episodes in this season, 'Lisa the Vegetarian' remains my favourite. As for the latter episode I mentioned, I have always had a soft spot for it, and since I love Homer and Burns interaction, I naturally find the episode hilarious. Note: An episode does not have to be a top ten episode for me, to be in the 'Outstanding' tier.

Excellent Tier
Bart on the Road
Lisa the Iconoclast
22 Short Films About Springfield
The Day the Violence Died
Summer of 4 ft 2
Bart Sells His Soul

I love Bart On the Road, due to it being a really well-rounded episode, which had me laughing throughout, and liking the Homer and Lisa subplot. Great characterisation and interaction here. Lisa the Iconoclast is a fantastic episode, and the brilliant ending helps make it a really memorable one. As for 22 Short Films About Springfield, I think that it was a great concept, excellently executed. There really ought to be more episodes of it's kind. Though it is beaten in quality by 'The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show' and 'Itchy and Scratchy and Marge', The Day The Violence Died is an underrated gem. Below that, is Summer of 4 ft 2, which is an excellent finale to an excellent season, but I have slight issues with some of the characterisation. The final episode on the 'Excellent' tier is Bart Sells His Soul - it would have been higher if not for the fact that I think I have watched it too many times.

Great Tier
Mother Simpson
King-Size Homer
A Fish Called Selma
Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)
Much Apu About Nothing
Radioactive Man
Scenes From The Class Struggle In Springfield
The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular
Team Homer

First up is Mother Simpson, a touching episode with some solid characterisation and background to Homer's life, but it is a slightly overrated episode - I felt bored in some parts, and something felt off with the pacing. King-Size Homer is an overrated episode, but still very funny. I like A Fish Called Selma a lot, though mainly for the Troy McClure side, rather than the Selma side. Oh, and the Planet of the Apes spoof was hilarious. Who Shot Mr. Burns (Part Two) may seem low down. I like it, but I think the first part is better, and believe that some of the ways in which the townsfolk act is unrealistic. Much Apu About Nothing is great, but nothing spectacular - I think I owe it a rewatch, though. Below, are Radioactive Man and Scenes From The Class Struggle In Springfield - both great episodes in their own right, but are nothing amazing. The latter is slightly underrated, though. I appreciate The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular for not being your typical clip-show. Also, Troy McClure. Finally, is Team Homer

Good Tier
Two Bad Neighbours
Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming
Treehouse of Horror VI
Bart the Fink
'The Curse Of The Flying Hellfish'
Homerpalooza

Finally, on to the 'Good' tier. Two Bad Neighbours is pretty funny, but the scenario is quite wacky, and Homer acts like a jerk.As for Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming, it is a good episode, but is let down by Bob's plan being kind of unrealistic (I know he attempted to kill before, but a nuclear bomb seems a bit extreme), and a lack of tension near the climax. Treehouse of Horror VI has a genuinely scary segment, and one that is at least nice to look at, but isn't the best of the classic THOH's (plus, I'm not a fan of THOH'S anyway). Some say Bart the Fink is underrated. Maybe it is. However, I simply don't find it either an interesting story, or a humorous one either. I've never been too fond about 'The Curse of The Flying Hellfish'. It is different to your average episode though, and for that, I commend it. At last we have reached what I regard the weakest of the season to be - Homerpalooza, not surprisingly. I don't find the conflict engaging - it seems to me to be over too quickly. However, every season needs a worst episode. 'Homerpalooza' is by no means a bad episode, it just pales in comparison with the rest of the season.


So there we go, that's how I would rank the episodes in my favourite season. Looking at it, many episodes are in the 'Great' tier, which is a good sign. I might seem a bit harsh as to which episodes are good enough to be 'Outstanding'. Maybe I am, but I do tend to be more forgiving about episodes lower down (more lenient with the marks at lower levels). I hope you have enjoyed looking at my list, feel free to debate, and please say if I should do another one for another season.