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The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3

Every episode of The Simpsons Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3!

Binge this in 9h 12m•Peaking at 8.8/10

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 1 - Stark Raving Dad
    8.6/10(5672 votes)

    #1 - Stark Raving Dad

    S3:E1

    A deviation from his norm lands Homer in a mental institution, where he shares a room with a man who thinks he's Michael Jackson.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writers:Al Jean, Mike Reiss

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  2. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 2 - Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
    7.7/10(4446 votes)

    #2 - Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington

    S3:E2

    Lisa's essay wins the Simpsons a trip to Washington, D.C., where her faith in democracy is shaken by her unethical Congressman.

    Director:Wes Archer
    Writer:George Meyer

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  3. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 3 - When Flanders Failed
    8.2/10(4632 votes)

    #3 - When Flanders Failed

    S3:E3

    Flanders suffers a failure after Homer wishes him ill.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  4. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 4 - Bart the Murderer
    8.6/10(5365 votes)

    #4 - Bart the Murderer

    S3:E4

    While working for Fat Tony, Bart gains enough influence with his boss to solve his problems with Principal Skinner--perhaps permanently.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  5. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 5 - Homer Defined
    8.3/10(5043 votes)

    #5 - Homer Defined

    S3:E5

    Homer's averting of a nuclear meltdown earns him employee-of-the-month honors--and a call from Magic Johnson; Milhouse's parents prohibit him from playing with Bart.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:Howard Gewirtz

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  6. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 6 - Like Father, Like Clown
    7.5/10(4279 votes)

    #6 - Like Father, Like Clown

    S3:E6

    Bart and Lisa use theological arguments to try to reunite Krusty the Clown and his rabbi father, who disowned Krusty when he turned from rabbi to clown.

    Directors:Brad Bird, Jeffrey Lynch
    Writers:Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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  7. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 7 - Treehouse of Horror II
    8.2/10(4905 votes)

    #7 - Treehouse of Horror II

    S3:E7

    Maggie uses one of three wishes; a mind-reading Bart rules Springfield; Homer donates his brain to Mr. Burns' science project.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writers:Al Jean, John Swartzwelder, Mike Reiss, George Meyer, Jeff Martin, Sam Simon

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  8. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 8 - Lisa's Pony
    7.8/10(4224 votes)

    #8 - Lisa's Pony

    S3:E8

    After disappointing Lisa, Homer buys her a pony, solving one problem, but creating others, requiring a second job--at Apu's Kwik-E-Mart.

    Director:Carlos Baeza
    Writers:Al Jean, Mike Reiss

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  9. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 9 - Saturdays of Thunder
    7.8/10(4176 votes)

    #9 - Saturdays of Thunder

    S3:E9

    When Homer helps Bart build a soapbox racer, it does little for the car but a lot for their relationship.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writers:Ken Levine, David Isaacs

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  10. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 10 - Flaming Moe's
    8.8/10(5437 votes)

    #10 - Flaming Moe's

    S3:E10

    Moe steals the drink recipe Homer invented, and the rechristened “Flaming Moe” turns his tavern into a hotspot. When a national franchise wants to buy the recipe, Homer wants revenge.

    Directors:Rich Moore, Alan Smart
    Writer:Robert Cohen

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  11. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 11 - Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
    8.2/10(4313 votes)

    #11 - Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk

    S3:E11

    Burns sells the power plant to a German corporation that doesn't care for Homer's approach to his work.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  12. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 12 - I Married Marge
    8.3/10(4209 votes)

    #12 - I Married Marge

    S3:E12

    A trip down memory lane to the early days of Simpson wedded bliss, when Marge was with child and Homer was without a job.

    Director:Jeffrey Lynch
    Writer:Jeff Martin

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  13. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 13 - Radio Bart
    8.5/10(4579 votes)

    #13 - Radio Bart

    S3:E13

    Bart fools the town into thinking there's a little boy trapped in a well.

    Director:Carlos Baeza
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  14. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 14 - Lisa the Greek
    8.0/10(4019 votes)

    #14 - Lisa the Greek

    S3:E14

    Lisa's ability to pick winning football teams kicks off a strong bond with Homer.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writers:Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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  15. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 15 - Homer Alone
    8.0/10(4021 votes)

    #15 - Homer Alone

    S3:E15

    A stressed Marge vacations alone, leaving Bart and Lisa with Patty and Selma, and Maggie with Homer--until she leaves in search of Marge.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:David M. Stern

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  16. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 16 - Bart the Lover
    8.3/10(4606 votes)

    #16 - Bart the Lover

    S3:E16

    Bart's answer to detention from Mrs. Krabappel is to answer her personal ad with letters from a Mr. Wonderful, but his last laugh is more of a guilty whimper.

    Director:Carlos Baeza
    Writer:Jon Vitti

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  17. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 17 - Homer at the Bat
    8.7/10(5394 votes)

    #17 - Homer at the Bat

    S3:E17

    Burns hires Major League ringers for the plant softball championship.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  18. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 18 - Separate Vocations
    8.2/10(4048 votes)

    #18 - Separate Vocations

    S3:E18

    The results from their aptitude tests cause Bart and Lisa to make 180-degree turns in their behavior.

    Director:Jeffrey Lynch
    Writer:George Meyer

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  19. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 19 - Dog of Death
    7.7/10(3832 votes)

    #19 - Dog of Death

    S3:E19

    Santa's Little Helper notices resentment after the Simpsons make sacrifices to fund his life-saving operation.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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  20. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 20 - Colonel Homer
    8.0/10(4193 votes)

    #20 - Colonel Homer

    S3:E20

    Marge fears a cheatin' heart when a waitress-country singer asks Homer to be her manager.

    Director:Mark Kirkland
    Writer:Matt Groening

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  21. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 21 - Black Widower
    8.3/10(4199 votes)

    #21 - Black Widower

    S3:E21

    Bart suspects something rotten when Selma gets engaged to Sideshow Bob.

    Director:David Silverman
    Writers:Jon Vitti, Sam Simon

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  22. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 22 - The Otto Show
    7.6/10(3909 votes)

    #22 - The Otto Show

    S3:E22

    Spinal Tap hits Springfield, and Otto the bus driver hits the skids after being fired, taking refuge in the Simpsons' garage.

    Director:Wes Archer
    Writer:Jeff Martin

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  23. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 23 - Bart's Friend Falls in Love
    7.7/10(3893 votes)

    #23 - Bart's Friend Falls in Love

    S3:E23

    Bart resents Milhouse's new girlfriend; Homer gets the wrong subliminal tape, which has him gaining vocabulary, not losing weight.

    Director:Jim Reardon
    Writers:Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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  24. The Simpsons Season 3 Episode 24 - Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?
    8.2/10(4068 votes)

    #24 - Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?

    S3:E24

    Homer's half-brother asks for a loan after Homer is awarded some cash.

    Director:Rich Moore
    Writer:John Swartzwelder

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Stark Raving Dad" is the best rated episode of "The Simpsons" season 3. It scored 8.6/10 based on 5672 votes. Directed by Rich Moore and written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss, it aired on 9/19/1991. This episode is rated 0.9 points higher than the second-best, "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington".