Favourite serious Simpsons moments

[CaptainCanada]

It's the funniest show ever, but every so often it includes plots or moments that are genuinely affecting. My choice for most memorable:

Bart Gets an F - confronted with the possibility of being held back a year, for once, Bart actually tries; in fact, he studies his brains out...and he still fails.

Also gives Mrs. Krabappel an opportunity to be an actual good teacher.

 

[Geck]

Lisa saying goodbye to Mr. Bergstrom in Lisa's Substitute. If I haven't seen the episode in a while and am in the right mood for it, I still well up a bit when she unfolds the note that says "You are Lisa Simpson" - everything she'll ever need to know.

 

[Gen. Zod]

One of my favorite Simpsons moments, period, is Homer sitting alone, staring at the night sky after saying goodbye to his mother in "Mother Simpson."

 

[The Wormhole]

The episode where they have a flashback to Maggie's birth is actually a pretty serious episode. Homer going off to work his dream job despite the lower wage. But then, with another child along the way he bites the bullet and returns to the high paying job at the power plant, despite the fact that he hates it. Slugging through a job that makes you miserable for a greater good (money to pay rent/bills or take care of your family). Easily something we can all relate to.

 

[Kegg]

Homer talking about how proud he is of his daughter in "Lisa's Wedding", about how when she could do her own diapers that's when he knew she was smarter then him.

It's one of those moments that manages to be funny and touching, and the best touching moments in the Simpsons danced across that line expertly.

 

[Mr Light]

The end of the Maggie's birth episode where Mister Burns had "Remember, Never Forget" or something like that stamped on Homer's wall, but he covered it up with baby photos so it said "Do it for her".

 

[J.T.B.]

Paraphrasing to the best of my memory...

Milhouse: Laddie's way better than your old dog.

Bart: Really? I guess I was the only one who loved him.

Milhouse: Remember when he ate my goldfish, and you lied to me and said I never had any goldfish? Then why did I have the bowl, Bart? Why did I have the bowl?

Bart: Yeah. He was a great dog.

 

[Amaris]

One of my favorite Simpsons moments, period, is Homer sitting alone, staring at the night sky after saying goodbye to his mother in "Mother Simpson."

That one has to be the most poignant moment in the whole series. I love it.

 

[RoJoHen]

When Maggie says "Daddy."

 

[eastman23]

It's the funniest show ever, but every so often it includes plots or moments that are genuinely affecting. My choice for most memorable:

Bart Gets an F - confronted with the possibility of being held back a year, for once, Bart actually tries; in fact, he studies his brains out...and he still fails.

Also gives Mrs. Krabappel an opportunity to be an actual good teacher.

That's my favourite moment as well. Try as I might, I can't picture today's Bart doing that though...

 

[Amaris]

When Maggie says "Daddy."

I cried at that one too!

Seriously, back in the day, the Simpsons knew how to tug at your heartstrings, and to do it just right.

 

[I am not Spock]

Yeah, I miss when The Simpsons could actually be very affecting and tug at the heartstrings, as well as funny. All of the above are good choices. I like all of the 'serious' Lisa episodes, pretty much. 'Lisa The Vegetarian', 'Lisa's Wedding', 'Lisa's Substitute', etc. Great TV. One I don't think has been mentioned yet is the Thanksgiving one when Bart trashes Lisa's diorama. I found that episode quite moving.

It's such a shame they've forgotten how to do these kind of episodes amidst all the celebrity cameos these days

 

[RoJoHen]

I did enjoy that the Simpsons movie tackled the Homer/Marge relationship in a serious way. It was definitely something I had been missing.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, I miss when The Simpsons could actually be very affecting and tug at the heartstrings, as well as funny. All of the above are good choices. I like all of the 'serious' Lisa episodes, pretty much. 'Lisa The Vegetarian', 'Lisa's Wedding', 'Lisa's Substitute', etc. Great TV. One I don't think has been mentioned yet is the Thanksgiving one when Bart trashes Lisa's diorama. I found that episode quite moving.

It's such a shame they've forgotten how to do these kind of episodes amidst all the celebrity cameos these days

Yep. At one time, cameos were a treat, a nice little wink and a nod, but now they're of the fast food variety, where we're glutted on the latest celebrity voice to move copies. Geh.

 

[Orac Zen]

One of my favorite Simpsons moments, period, is Homer sitting alone, staring at the night sky after saying goodbye to his mother in "Mother Simpson."

This. "Mother Simpson" is full of wonderfully poignant moments but that scene is just perfect.

Another one I like is near the end of "Separate Vocations", after Bart has taken the blame for Lisa stealing the books. Bart: "[...] I didn't want you to wreck your life. You've got the brains and the talent to go as far as you want. And when you do, I'll be right there to borrow money."

I miss how good that show could be.

 

[LeadHead]

One of my favorite Simpsons moments, period, is Homer sitting alone, staring at the night sky after saying goodbye to his mother in "Mother Simpson."

That's mine too, I just wish that it wouldn't get killed by ads in syndication since that part is in the closing credits.

Sometimes they leave it alone, sometimes there's an ad for a reality show, at which point I want them to fire their control room people. It's just wrong!

 

[RoJoHen]

I feel like I haven't seen this Mother Simpson episode. It's not ringing a bell. What season is it from?

 

[Amaris]

I feel like I haven't seen this Mother Simpson episode. It's not ringing a bell. What season is it from?

Season 7, episode 8.

 

[Wynterhawk]

How about in "Old Money" at the end when Grandpa opens the door to the newly renovated dining/play area at the rest home. I forget what he says to them, but it's along the lines of "welcome to dignity my friends" or something. That was surprisingly moving, especially with the swell of music that accompanies it.

 

[Amaris]

How about in "Old Money" at the end when Grandpa opens the door to the newly renovated dining/play area at the rest home. I forget what he says to them, but it's along the lines of "welcome to dignity my friends" or something. That was surprisingly moving, especially with the swell of music that accompanies it.

Agreed. The line you're talking about when Abe opens the door to the Beatrice Simmons Dining Hall is "Come on in, dignity is on me, friends", and yes, it is a very touching scene.