The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 26

The Planet Express crew come to present-day Springfield to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.

Director: Bob Anderson

Writer: J. Stewart Burns

In a Halloween-theme episode Bart reads Aramaic symbols from the bottom of his desk and he and Lisa are transported to an alternate world filled with demons. Also, Moe organizes a "Clockwork Orange"-ish gang in which member Dum (Homer) falls for a young lady (Marge) who wants him to quit. In a homage to "The Others," the Simpsons reconnect with their earlier incarnations from the Tracey Ullman era.

Director: Matthew Faughnan

Writer: Stephanie Gillis

Bart has a new accomplice and best friend when Homer is hypnotized at the circus and believes he is a young boy again.

Director: Bob Anderson

Writer: Judd Apatow

Bart schemes to bring down his new teacher, Mr. Lassen, who is a terrible bully. Meanwhile, The Simpsons go to Burning Man.

Director: Rob Oliver

Writer: Carolyn Omine, William Wright

After Moe convinces Homer to stay out drinking on Christmas Eve, Marge tells Homer not to come home. This leads to Homer's sad trek through lonely Springfield, where he learns that the only place where one should truly get drunk on Christmas is home.

Director: Mark Kirkland

Writer: Al Jean

Chief Wiggum is mistakenly delivered a military jet pack, which he gleefully accepts and uses in order to fight crime. But when the jet pack crashes into the church, the congregation, led by Marge, must resort to gambling and counting cards in order to collect money to repair the church.

Director: Rob Oliver

Writer: Matt Selman

When Bart disrespects Homer's authority, Homer makes a point to try his hand at parenting. This proves fruitless, so Marge signs them up for the Relation Ship, where they'll resolve their conflicts at sea. Meanwhile, Marge is in charge of Homer's fantasy football league, but manages to win despite being the underdog.

Director: Chuck Sheetz

Writer: Jeff Westbrook

When Homer gets an old film roll developed, the family takes a trip down memory lane to see the origins of how Bart and Lisa first started fighting with each other.

Director: Bob Anderson

Writer: Rob LaZebnik

When a modernized Springfield Elementary has a technical meltdown, Lisa transforms it into a Waldorf school. Meanwhile, Groundskeeper Willie becomes the coach of the mathletes.

Director: Michael Polcino

Writer: Michael Price

During a trip to "Dizzneeland" the Simpsons board the wrong ride, Rocket To Your Doom, and are transported through the galaxy to Kang and Kodos' home planet, where they are held captive at the local zoo and the inhabitants decide to eat Homer.

Director: David Silverman

Writer: Al Jean, David Mirkin

When Marge gets fed up with the thankless duty of chauffeuring her kids around, she begins working as a driver for a transportation app service. Meanwhile, Homer bankrupts Moe when he watches over the bar for one night, which forces Moe to take a temporary job as a janitor at the nuclear plant.

Director: Michael Polcino

Writer: Marc Wilmore

When Duffman (guest voice Stacy Keach) undergoes hip replacement surgery and retires, the company sets up a reality show competition to find his replacement. Homer wins the competition, and because the job requires him to stay sober, he learns that beer isn't as necessary as he thought to have a good time.

Director: Steven Dean Moore

Writer: John Frink

Bart lies about being involved in a bulldozer crash, so Marge decides to follow him everywhere until he confesses. Meanwhile, Homer ignores Santa’s Little Helper when Flanders gets a new dog.

Director: Mark Kirkland

Writer: John Frink

After Bart gets bullied at the school dance, Marge convinces the town to pass anti-bullying legislation. Homer then gets arrested and sent to rehab for bullying Ned Flanders, only to subsequently leave rehab as a hero.

Director: Lance Kramer

Writer: Tim Long

Marge opens a sandwich franchise store after her sandwiches become a huge hit at Springfield Elementary. But running day-to-day at the store proves challenging, especially when the same franchise opens another location across the street.

Director: Mark Kirkland

Writer: Bill Odenkirk

Homer has a mid-life crisis, takes up bass guitar and forms a cover band with some of the other dads in town. But the band's modest early success is soon overwhelmed by the breakout potential of their most unlikely star, Apu.

Director: Steven Dean Moore

Writer: Matt Selman

Homer is put in charge of keeping Princess Kemi out of trouble while her father, a Nigerian king, works out a uranium deal with Mr. Burns.

Director: Timothy Bailey

Writer: Brian Kelley

Lisa brings in assembly woman Maxine Lombard to put a stop to Mr. Burns' fracking operation, but is taken aback when the two political opponents find themselves attracted to one another.

Director: Matthew Nastuk

Writer: Valentina Garza

When Lisa learns Springfield's anthem was stolen from another town she writes a replacement. Meanwhile, Homer learns the meaning of "Wide Pride".

Director: Chris Clements

Writer: Michael Price

The Simpsons learn about Grampa’s days in the Air Force, and Bart takes up smoking to impress Milhouse’s Dutch cousin, Annika.

Director: Chris Clements

Writer: Jeff Westbrook

A Springfield resident dies, Krusty retires after he's offended by a comedy cable channel roast of him, and Lisa tries to protect Homer from getting hurt.

Director: Steven Dean Moore

Writer: Matt Groening

When inventor Elon Musk lands in Springfield, he and Homer become fast friends and revolutionize the town's nuclear plant. But when Musk goes overboard and Mr. Burns wants him removed, Homer must figure out a way to break up with him.

Director: Matthew Nastuk

Writer: Neil Campbell