The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3

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.

Director: Rich Moore, Alan Smart

Writer: Robert Cohen

Burns hires Major League ringers for the plant softball championship.

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: John Swartzwelder

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

Writer: Al Jean, Mike Reiss

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

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

Director: Carlos Baeza

Writer: Jon Vitti

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

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

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

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

Director: David Silverman

Writer: Jon Vitti, Sam Simon

Flanders suffers a failure after Homer wishes him ill.

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: Jon Vitti

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

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: Al Jean, George Meyer, Jeff Martin, John Swartzwelder, Mike Reiss, Sam Simon

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

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

Director: Jeffrey Lynch

Writer: George Meyer

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

Director: Rich Moore

Writer: John Swartzwelder

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

Director: Rich Moore

Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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

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

Director: Mark Kirkland

Writer: Matt Groening

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

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: Ken Levine, David Isaacs

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

Writer: Al Jean, Mike Reiss

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

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

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: John Swartzwelder

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

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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.

Director: Brad Bird, Jeffrey Lynch

Writer: Jay Kogen, Wallace Wolodarsky

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