The Simpsons Season 1 (1989)
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The Simpsons Season 1 Review
The Simpsons is the most iconic animated show ever created. Its first season originally premiered at the end of 1989 and it consisted of 13 episodes.
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“Tell them I’m going to the backseat of my car
with the woman I love
and I won’t be back for ten minutes!“
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This was the very beginning for the show meaning that it wasn’t as refined as future seasons would be, and that is especially the case with the animation. Although I personally do not find it horrible in any way, it definitely is crude in comparison to the subsequent seasons. The overall animation is unpolished, but fine. The problem lies in the character designs which are very weird with the sharp teeth being particularly creepy.
But I personally liked the emphasis on less characters instead of more as it led to better developed main characters. Yes, the family here is fantastic, and all got their moments to shine. Admittedly, Lisa isn’t as fully developed here, but her sibling relationship with Bart is excellent. Marge got a couple of terrific episodes, and the two’s love is undeniably sweet. Maggie is very cute, and of course Bart got a much bigger emphasis here for better and for worse as Homer needed more screen time, though his issues with unemployment are so well explored.
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Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire is a very good season as well as a show premiere which gives us a terrific backstory for the dog Santa’s Little Helper. I found the Christmas setting fitting for the introduction to all of the characters, and although lacking in strong humor as most of this season did, this installment is charming and good enough for the first try.
Bart the Genius is one of the weakest episodes of this season. Yes, it deals with an interesting story, but it doesn’t fit Bart at all. The whole season focused way too much on Bart, and this is one of the weaker such stories. But Homer’s Odyssey I absolutely loved. Yes, it’s incredibly dark as it deals with his potential suicide, but it ends on such a beautifully heartwarming note.
There’s No Disgrace Like Home is fantastic. This is the best episode of the season in my opinion, though it’s clearly not for the die-hard fans. I personally like my shows darker and edgier in characters, so this was right up my valley. The therapy sessions with the whole family being hopelessly terrible were very entertaining to watch.
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Bart the General is another weaker Bart-centric episode that is overly obsessed with movie references, and not enough with the actual story at matter which ain’t all that good. Moaning Lisa is also problematic as the show hasn’t quite figured out her character up until this point, so giving her an entire episode was never a good idea.
The Call of the Simpsons is a goofy, fun and adventurous episode set in the jungle that benefits from some terrific character interactions. The Telltale Head does deal with the history of the town or at least it hints at it, but overall it’s another overly preachy, not as fun episode centering on Bart.
Life on the Fast Lane is absolutely terrific. It’s one of the highlights of the season as it centers on the marriage between Marge and Homer, and his extreme selfishness in such a moving manner. The ending is so sweet and fun while the entire episode is very relatable and beautifully crafted from top to bottom. I could not say the same for Homer’s Night Out, though, as this episode is very dated and odd in its overly sexual approach.
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The Crepes of Wrath is another not all that entertaining, forgettable Bart episode, but Krusty Gets Busted is terrific, and oh so important. It gives a superb story to Krusty where he gets framed by Sideshow Bob, and thus Bob’s hatred for Bart sets the stage for his numerous attempts to kill him later on. Some Enchanted Evening ended the season on a very high note. I find the show’s very sexual, frank depiction of sexuality during marriage fantastic, and both Marge and Homer are so amusing when in those roles. The episode also features a thrilling, very fun part for the kids who are up against a notorious nanny criminal.
Overall, I liked this first season of the Simpsons quite a bit, and I find it to be pretty underrated. Yes, half of these episodes are just okay and very forgettable as Bart got too much focus and not enough great stories, but the other half features some stellar familial stuff that is phenomenally crafted, acted and gloriously entertaining.
Worst Episodes: Bart the Genius and Bart the General.
Best Episodes: There’s No Disgrace Like Home, Life on the Fast Lane, Krusty Gets Busted and Some Enchanted Evening.
