The Best Episodes of The Simpsons Season 3

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

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

Flanders suffers a failure after Homer wishes him ill.

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: Jon Vitti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Director: Carlos Baeza

Writer: Jon Vitti

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

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

Burns hires Major League ringers for the plant softball championship.

Director: Jim Reardon

Writer: John Swartzwelder

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

Director: Jeffrey Lynch

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

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

Director: Mark Kirkland

Writer: Matt Groening

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

Director: David Silverman

Writer: Jon Vitti, Sam Simon

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

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

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

Director: Rich Moore

Writer: John Swartzwelder