The Simpsons is the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, broadcasting 33 seasons and over 700 episodes. While the animated sitcom is best known for its comedy, it has also managed to incorporate heartwarming moments into many stories. Some episodes, while still laughable, are truly moving, even profound, focusing on the joys and anxieties of the Simpson family and their friends and neighbors in Springfield. Ahead of the 34th season premiere, here are our picks for the seven most heartwarming episodes from The Simpsons so far.
7 Simpsons roasting on an open fire
The Simpsons showed that it can be heartwarming from the very first episode of the series. The December 1989 broadcast “The Simpsons Christmas Special” (officially “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”) revolves around Homer’s quest to bring his family a good Christmas. To spare Marge’s feelings, he chooses not to tell her he didn’t get a bonus, but instead does the Christmas shopping himself, earnestly looking for cheap gifts that every member of the family could enjoy. To earn more money, Homer takes a job as Santa Claus at the mall. Even when he finds out, Bart can’t help but be thankful for what his dad is going through. The two take Homer’s small paycheck to the racetrack, but when Santa’s Little Helper loses the race, they bring the dog home to a surprisingly overjoyed family. The episode was nominated for two Emmy Awards and launched a franchise that still stands today, not least because it turned out to be not only funny but also moving.
6 The Wayz We Were
Season 33’s fourth episode, “The Wayz We Were,” jumped from season one to the most recent season, finally giving tavern owner Moe Szyslak the happy ending denied him for decades. When his girlfriend Maya (from 13 seasons earlier) resurfaces, Moe struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Moe has long been depressed and even suicidal, but still genuinely cares about Maya and eventually muster up the courage to propose to her. She accepts and proves that even after all these years, The Simpsons still manages to give a sweet and satisfying ending.
5 Alone Again, Natura Diddily
From time to time, The Simpsons has proven a willingness to kill characters, often resulting in heartfelt responses both on and off screen. When voice actor Maggie Roswell left the show after 10 years, the producers decided her character Maude Flanders would die. The result is Season 11’s “Alone Again, Natura-Diddily,” an episode filled with dark humor as Ned struggles to come to terms with the loss. But what holds the story together is the Simpson family’s devotion to the remaining Flanders. From Bart playing video games with Rod and Todd to Homer’s unexpected devotion to Ned, it’s a surprisingly honest portrayal of one family helping another the best they can. And in the end, both Ned and the public find hope for the future.
4 Lisa’s replacement
The Simpsons soon attracted many guest stars, although some were reluctant early on to put their names on a cartoon. Dustin Hoffman appeared late in the show’s second season, credited under the humorous pseudonym “Sam Etic.” Hoffman spoke the voice of Mr. Bergstrom, a substitute teacher for Lisa’s second grade, who both recognizes her talent and rekindles her love of learning. When he has to change job, a grief-stricken Lisa runs past his train before opening a note promised by Mr. Bergstrom that contains everything she needs to know. When she opens it, she reads “You are Lisa Simpson.” And while this tender moment would have made a perfectly happy ending, the true heart of “Lisa’s Substitute” is yet to come. Back home, Lisa is still upset, as is Bart, who just lost a class election. Marge urges Homer to help his hurt daughter, so he goes to her room and cheers her up. As he passes Bart’s room, Homer also cheers up his son, before finally giving Maggie her pacifier so she can sleep. Returning downstairs, he gleefully tells Marge that “I’m on the biggest role of my life.”
3 And Maggie makes three
By the thirteenth episode of the sixth season, The Simpsons had already explored the origins of the rest of the family in flashbacks, so it made sense to give Maggie a turn in “And Maggie Makes Three”. It’s 1993 (the episode aired in early 1995) and Homer has made enough money at the nuclear power plant to quit and take his dream job at a bowling alley. But then Marge becomes pregnant and Homer must return to his high-paying position. Mr. Burns places a sign that reads “Remember: You’re Here Forever” above Homer’s workstation. In one of the most poignant endings in the series, we see Homer arranging photos of Maggie on the board so that it now reads “Do It For Her.”
2 Holidays of the future over
After 22 seasons, the future of The Simpsons doubted. In the fall of 2011, Fox publicly threatened to end the series unless the voice actors received a massive pay cut. The dispute was eventually resolved, but producer Al Jean later confessed that “Holidays of Future Passed” would have been served as the series finale. Instead, it aired as Episode 9 of Season 23. The story (which some consider non-canon, like the Treehouse of Horror Halloween episodes) is a rare flash-forward 30 years into the future. While there’s plenty of laughs in the show’s predictions for air travel and healthcare in 2041, it’s the family relationships that make the episode so sentimental. Adult Bart and Lisa, in particular, bond over parenting issues and later reconcile with their children. Homer and Grandpa also make amends, just in time to watch Maggie take her own daughter home. Even creator Matt Groening makes a small uncredited voice cameo in the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated episode, and remains one of the best critically-reviewed episodes of more recent seasons.
1 Mother Simpson
Our choice for the most heartwarming episode of The Simpsons is episode 8 of season 7, “Mother Simpson.” When Homer fakes his own death, the resulting publicity draws his mother Mona (played by Glenn Close in the first of 11 appearances) to Springfield, and the two have an emotional reunion after some 27 years apart. When she comes home to meet the family, it is Lisa who finds the strongest bond with her grandmother, and the two share a sweet scene. We learn that Mona is still on the run from Mr. Burns and the FBI for her part in a 1960s crime (inspired by the true story of Bernardine Dohrn). Ultimately, she must leave her son Homer behind again, in a closing that is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. The staff knew they had something special, and the producers successfully lobbied for the credits not to be aired. Instead, we get a scene of quiet contemplation, Homer sitting on his car, looking at the stars. It is The Simpsons at its best.