Continuing my series of personal favourites, this time with The Simpsons!

This one proved particularly hard – my initial short list had about fifty episodes on it, and there are plenty more I looked twice at! But in the end I’ve culled it down to a personal Top 21… and yes, its all in the first 10-12 seasons…

As always, love to hear your thoughts!

21. Behind the Laughter

Such a clever use of the show’s format, with so many gags about the characters, what they did outside of the Simpsons, industry references… really good!

20. Homer vs The Eighteenth Amendment

A great example of an episode which has one story across it, but never runs out of ideas to make it funny the whole time!

19. Bart Gets Famous

This deserves to be on the list just for the tour of the box factory, but all the stuff with Bart as a celebrity (including everyone getting tired of him!) is brilliant as well!

18. The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase

Three really fun stories doing something different with the characters. I would totally watch Wiggum PI!

17. Krusty Gets Busted

To me this is the episode where The Simpsons really arrives, showing how the show at its best can be funny AND clever AND dramatic. Plus of course, it introduces Side Show Bob!

16. The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show

This has a lot of fun with television and networks, but with a lot of gags and clever inside references.

15. Who Shot Mr Burns? Pt 1

This really has to be on the list because I was exactly the right age when it first aired to enjoy what a BIG DEAL this was in that moment (and to be spoiled for part 2!). But there’s a lot of very memorable stuff going on here.

14. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

The guest star, the plot, the end result of Homer’s “help”…

13. Flaming Moe’s

I love a good Moe episode, and this one has SO much going on, and is packed full of very quotable moments! Plus the “Cheers” song!

12. Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish

Perhaps one of the cleverest of the Simpsons episodes. Once again there’s a lot going on, a lot smart references, and unforgettable images and moments.

11. The City of New York vs Homer Simpson

Unlucky to not make it into the Top 10, certainly the best of the “Simpsons go away somewhere” episodes, having great fun with New York City. The musical number is a highlight!

10. Marge vs The Monorail

Into the top 10 with a clear classic – some great Phil Hartman, one of their best musical numbers, plenty of gags, and a lot going on!

9. And Maggie Makes Three

“Do it for her”.
The Simpsons mines the past setting for gags, but as with many of their best, some real heart here as well.

8. The Cartridge Family

Another which is wall to wall hilarious, has emotion, and is about something without ever feeling like its lecturing.

7. Brother From Another Series

Lets be honest, I love the Sideshow Bob episodes, but pairing him with David Hyde Pierce was genius!

6. Sideshow Bob Roberts

As we get to the very top of the list, this is very much becoming my personal choices. To me this is the best of Sideshow Bob, and I love all the political references. Its also amazing how much plot they pack into twenty-two minutes here!

5. The Joy of Sect

Its just hilarious! And a little bit biting…

4. Homer’s Enemy

Another one just full of quotable lines and incredibly funny set pieces!

3. Deep Space Homer

Into the top 3, and this one just packs in an incredible amount, once again full of references and gags and moments!

2. The Springfield Files

Mulder and Scully, Nimoy, that scene with the whale, all the stuff at the FBI, the visual gags on Homer’s walk home. This is a true, faultless classic!

1. You Only Move Twice

Whilst deciding which episodes should be on the list was tough, from the start I knew what my number 1 was going to be!

The one with Hank Scorpio!

If you’ve seen it, you’ll know why 🙂

Coming back to the Star Trek franchise with the first Trek series I really saw properly, in large part on first broadcast in Australia in the 1990s.

No shock that there’s not a lot of episodes from the first couple of seasons here, and a lot in the later end of the series; when this series hit its stride, it was really good!

With over 170 episodes I’ve managed somehow to limit to my Top 20…! And as always these are my personal picks – let me know what you think I’ve missed!

Here we go….

20. First Contact

A nice and simple episode which explores from both sides the issues of first contact with a new race, as well as some fun with the Riker sub plot!

19. Gambit

I know this isn’t a fan favourite, but I really enjoy this season 7 two-parter! It gives Picard and Riker a lot to do, and also does something a bit different.

18. Sarek

A powerful episode and worthy performances from Mark Lenard and Patrick Stewart. Part of a clutch of episodes in season 3 which really showed the series was hitting its stride.

17. Second Chances

I’m not a huge Riker fan, but the study of his character here is a really engaging one.

16. Schisms

A rare branch off into horror from the show, and one that’s really effective. A very different alien race to the usual TNG standard also makes this feel of a higher quality.

15. The Inner Light

Confession: when I was a teenager, I found this episode incredibly dull. As an adult, it packs an incredible emotional punch, and is rightly a fan favourite.

14. Ensign Ro

I love Trek when it dares to show us a little imperfection in the federation, and Ensign Ro does that really well. Ro is instantly a fully rounded and interesting character, and the depiction of the Bajorans – and the relationship the federation has with them – is compelling and thoughtful.

13. The Measure of a Man

Trek asks “is Data a person” and explores the nature of natural rights, but in an engaging and tense manner. A sign in season 2 that the show is at last finding itself.

12. Conspiracy

After season 1 has a number of fun episodes, and plenty of interesting episodes, Conspiracy gives the show its first outright classic. Dark, pacey, tense.

11. Tapestry

Effectively a two-hander between Q and Picard, this episode manages to have some fun moments and some drama, whilst fundamentally exploring the nature of choice and free will in shaping someone’s life.

10. Lower Decks

The conceit of seeing the ship from the perspective of junior officers pays off in spades, not least because of the interesting officers we see the Enterprise via, and the thoughtful way in which we see the regulars differently here. The gut punch the episode ends on also lands this into my top 10.

9. The Best of Both Worlds

It really is a classic; part 1 especially hits home hard. Part 2 has some of the best space opera of the series, and Commander Shelby is a great guest. The unseen battle of Wolf 359 is effective, and Earth really feels at risk. All of which ensures this a place in my top 10. However, the ending – whilst thoughtful – doesn’t quite feel worthy of the premise (a reflection of part 2 being written after the series break following part 1). But its still great.

8. Q Who

The best of the first two seasons, the best Borg episode, and my highest placed Q episode. After a DIRE start to season 2, this is an amazing return to form. It uses Q well, and the Borg finish the episode undefeated. Its hard to convey what it was like seeing the Borg Cube for the first time, and then the Borg themselves, but even after many re-watches this one holds up.

7. Yesterday’s Enterprise

The parallel universe concept allows us to see the Enterprise crew under pressure we’re not used to, and the darker tone works very well. I love the Enterprise-C, and Denise Crosby shows what she could do with a good script.

6. The First Duty

Just outside the top 5 now. I’m a fan of Wesley Crusher, and this Wesley episode is a personal favourite. Wheaton gives his best performance, and the moral question at the heart of the episode feels real, as do the character’s reactions to them. Seeing Star Fleet Academy also makes this feel special.
(Plus by this stage Wil Wheaton is 20 and… yeah…)

5. The Drumhead

On one level this is an effective mystery story. On another, its a wonderful and powerful exploration of freedom, free speech, and justice. Is also includes my absolute favourite “Picard speech.”
(And yeah, I also have a bad crush on one of the characters!)

4. Preemptive Strike

Ensign Ro leads the final regular episode of the series, and it packs several punches. The morality here from all the characters are dramatic shades of grey, and there’s plenty of space action as well. Picard’s final meeting with Ro is wonderful, and Stewart’s performance in the final scene memorably intense.

3. Unification

One of the first episode I saw. The presence of Spock makes this feel special and epic, but even setting that aside this is a excellent piece of Trek. The depiction of Romulus works, and we also have Picard’s meeting with Sarek, and a lot of fun in the B-plot on the Enterprise, and some Klingons. On top of all that is the “give peace a chance” message, making this perhaps perfect Trek.

2. The Pegasus

I love this one. Admiral Pressman is wonderful, and seeing the way Picard and Riker each deal with their mission makes for compelling drama, and adds depth to both characters even here in the seventh season. Once again, there are shades of grey in the morality, whilst the central sci-fi conceit is a great twist to land the episode.

1. Chain of Command

Not just my favourite episode of TNG, but my favourite episode of Trek full stop. This has everything. Jellico is my favourite Captain, and seeing Riker’s petulant reaction to him is wonderful! But the main plot is exciting, thoughtful, and Picard’s torture scenes some of the best the series would do. Gripping stuff!

Finally, a few personal guilty measures which I couldn’t justify being on the list, but do personally enjoy!

Datalore

Parallels

Contagion

Future Imperfect

The Wounded

Qpid

Rascals

In honour of the sad passing of Tim Brook-Taylor, my personal Top 15 from The Goodies.

15. The Tower of London.

The first episode, and they hit their stride immediately. The final sequence with Prince Charles stealing the Crown Jewels is a stand out.

14. The Stone Age

They’re trapped inside a Dinosaur! One which captured my imagination as a kid, but stands up now with some very witty sequences.

13. Animals

That last ten minutes of “Bright Eyes”/Watership Down…

12. Scotland

Making fun of the Scots AND hunting the Loch Ness Monster!

11. Gender Education

“How to make babies by doing dirty things…” with Beryl Reid! I wonderful take on censorship on television.

10. Goodies & Politics

1980s politics, Thatcher, Evita… this one had a lot of great stuff! And a memorable role for Tim!

9. Kitten Kong

Its the one with the giant kitten!

8. Lighthouse Keeping Loonies

The three Goodies stuck on a lighthouse for 30 minutes. Just them doing them is always brilliant.

7. Pirate Radio Goodies

Probably the episode where the show really arrives, and Graeme is perfect as the new leader of Great Britain…

6. Bunfight at the OK Tea Rooms

There’s a lot of funny stuff in this one, but the last 10 minutes at the OK Tea Rooms is just incredible.

5. The Music Lovers

So many memorable music sequences, but also the introduction of The Music Master!

4. Earthanasia

Done as almost live, again, just the three Goodies in a room, with half an hour before the end of the world. The muppet sequence is incredible!
Is this Tim’s best performance?

3. U-Friend or UFO?

Satirising so much I love, and so well!

2. South Africa

Phillip Madoc is perhaps the most memorable guest star, in this near perfect take down of South Africa and apart-height…

1. Invasion of the Moon Creatures

The Goodies’ space program, Big Bunny… just a personal favourite.

The Goodies was an amazing series which I still love, and its sad to know we don’t have the three Goodies with us.

Tim Brook-Taylor was also a stand out in many other shows, no least the radio series I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again.

He was a leader of a generation of British comics, working with all the greats of his age.

He’ll be missed.

The next in an ongoing series of lists of favourite episodes from TV, here’s my Top 20 West Wing episodes!
It was very hard to just pick twenty from the West Wing, as there’s so many great episodes… but here’s my best attempt!

I’ve cheated a little by counting some two part episodes as one story, but even then there’s plenty I’ve left out.

I did notice that my picks skew in part to the first season – which opens incredibly strong – as well as seasons 5 and 6, which are favourites of mine. Not a lot from seasons 2 and 3 made it in, and whilst The Ticket and Duck & Cover from season 7 were on my maybe list, that season misses at as well.

But to the list!

20. In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Pt 1&2

It’s a big dramatic episode, but makes the smart choice to mix it with our first “how the band got together” flashback. Lifting heavily (and sometimes directly) from the Reagan shooting, putting Josh’s life on the line adds stakes that wouldn’t be there if it was just the President. Memorable.

19. NSF Thurmont/The Birnam Wood

The depiction of a David Camp summit over peace in the Middle East is fascinating, and the conflict between the President and Leo works. A little heavy handed though, so its in the top 20 but not the top 10.

18. 20 Hours in American Pt 1&2

This is a really fun episode, but also with something to say about the way Washington insiders think about – and ignore – middle America.

17. Bartlett for America

A feel good episode, and one that warns a fan’s heart. The ending is all little too unrealistic and easy for it to be truly great, but worth a place at 17!

16. Freedonia

I’m a sucker for all the primary campaign stuff, and this one really gets into the vibe of the New Hampshire primary, and also lands a point about political debates.

15. 17 People

It’s a Toby spectacular, and raw and honest, with tension building. My pick of this mini-arc.

14. Five Votes Down

A very early episode that really introduces the characters properly, as well as showing how West Wing Washington works. Plus, I’m a huge fan of Vice President Hoynes, and he’s great here!

13. Debate Camp

The show really hits its stride in early season 4, and this is a really watchable and fun episode, but also contrasts the team of now with the team at the start of Bartlet’s term.

12. Manchester Pt 1 & 2

The start of season 3 brings a level headedness and interest that for me works far better than the forced melodrama of the end of season 2. This 2 parter really breaks down the difference between campaigning and governing, and show’s the limits of the staff.

11. Election Night

Falling just outside the top 10, as Game On really stole its thunder (smartly – see below!), but Election Night is the feel good episode we all wanted and deserved at this point in the series. If you’re not feeling a lump in the throat at the end of this, why are you watching?!

10. In Excelsis Deo

This was the episode which at the start turned me from a viewer into a fan. Its magical. Simple, and lovely.

9. Game On

We all knew that eventually Bartlet would win a second term, so Sorkin is clever enough to put the effective moment of victory here rather than in Election Night, adding real surprise and excitement to the moment. It also lets us see the Full Bartlet in action on the stage!

8. 7A WF 83429/ The Dogs of War

I love President Walken. I love the way he slowly earns the respect of (some of) the staff. I love the grittiness of this story. There’s a lot going on here, and its all great.

7. In the Room

The one not only has Penn and Teller, but has them giving a wonderful lesson on free speech. It introduces Arnie Vinick, who is immediately awesome. Plus it kicks off the mini-arc with China.

6. The Constituency of One

This is a perfect example of multiple plot strands, all on the same theme, but all working on their own. One of the strengths of the West Wing is the ability to let the characters fail, and this is the great example of how that works.

5. The Stormy Present

Into the top 5, and this is a very personal choice because I simple love the interaction with Presidents Bartlet, Walken, and Newman.

4. In God We Trust

This is a Vinck tour-de-force, and amazing for it. The subject matter – and resolution of it – is a credit to the series. But the scenes between Bartlet and Vinick alone would make this a top 5.

3. Celestial Navigation

Hilarious. Heart-warming. Sincere. And did I say funny?! Plus it has Edward James Olmos back as Judge Mendoza, and the point he’s there to make is excellent.

2. King Corn

Raw politics with great characters. A personal choice for my number 2.

1. The Supremes

My favourite episode, and the West Wing at its best – hard politics mixed with pure idealism and hope. In turn dramatic, and witty. The discussion on the future of the court is perfect, plus you have Robert Picardo, William Fichtner, and Glenn Close all turn up and give pitch perfect performances. And that final couple of scenes… brilliant. Number 1!

I know many will disagree when there’s so much good to choose from! So let me know your thoughts!

The first in what I plan as an ongoing series of favourite episodes of various series. 

What interested me the most when picking my favourite episodes of Star Trek is just how heavily skewed towards the first season – and even the first half of the first season – my picks were. This show really hit the ground running well, and clearly some of the dryer and more serious – and well written – episodes tend to appeal to me.

So….

15. The Immunity Syndrome

A little dry to be a true top 10, but epic enough to make the list.

14. Errand of Mercy

When I first got into Star Trek in the early 1990s this had quite a reputation, I suspect largely because it’s the first appearance of the Klingons. It’s still very good, and has some great performances. However, I don’t think it’s dated at all well, and the “lesson” is very heavy handed.

13. Tomorrow is Yesterday

A good mix of fun, action, and time travel! What more do you need?

12. The Corbormite Manoeuvre

A very early example of space opera and first contact, which I’m very fond of. Still very watchable. But lacks the punch to be higher.

11. The Trouble with Tribbles

A very fun episode! I was sorely tempted to rank this a little higher, but in the end couldn’t drop another episode to make room for it. It is a very enjoyable watch, if rather inconsequential.

10. Journey to Babel

Now inside the top 10, we have a mystery, some action, lots of aliens, and a moral dilemma about leadership. Excellent Star Trek. And of course, Mark Lenard as Sarek.

9. The Enterprise Incident

The show has very much reached 60s camp by this point, but 60s camp with Romulans works for me!

8. Arena

Probably the one of the two Trek episodes that has most dug into pop culture, as “the one were Kirk fights the Gorn”, but there’s a lot more to this one. Its very well made, has a lot more to the plot than just the fight, and is great Trek. Plus, I’ve been to Vasquez Rocks where it was shot!

7. The Conscience of the King

   “If you’re so sure that I’m Kodos, why not kill me now? Let bloody vengeance take its final course! And see what difference it makes to this universe of yours.”

When I first saw this about the age of 12 I was bored stiff by it, but now I love it. Written very well, with real depth to the ideas and the characters, and deep moral quandaries at its heart. The ending is a little cliché, but done well enough to work. Poetic Trek.

6. Mirror, Mirror

The other classic episode deep inside pop culture – basically, because of alternate Spock’s beard! – this again has big sci-fi concepts, moral underpinnings, and strong characters, even if they are only alternate versions of the regulars!

5. The Man Trap

Classic 1960s science fiction adventure, with an inventive alien creature and shades of black and white in the drama.

4. The City of the Edge of Forever

“Jim, Edith Keeler must die.”

Often voted in fan polls at number 1, it really is very, very good. Everything here just works, and works well.

3. The Galileo Seven

Scott: Mr. Spock, you said a while ago that there were always alternatives. 

Spock: Did I? I may have been mistaken. 

McCoy: Well, at least I lived long enough to hear that.

We’re now into my top three favourites, the ones I can just watch and watch, and Galileo Seven deserves its place at number three. I love the sci-fi concept of exploring an unknown and dangerous new world, but to overlay that with an exploration of both leadership and humanity, in a superbly well written script, makes for a great watch.

2. Space Seed

“Nothing ever changes, except man. Your technical accomplishments? Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity, but improve man and you gain a thousandfold. I am such a man.”

The one with Khan. The intensity of Montalban’s performances raises everyone else, and the quality of Khan as a villain raises the episode. This one packs a lot into the fifty minutes, and again has big concepts, great scripts, great performances, and incredible drama.

1. Balance of Terror.

“I regret that we meet in this way. You and I are of a kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend.”

My favourite episode of original era Star Trek, but also one of my favourites of any Star Trek series, and indeed of ANY television series. I love this one so much. So intense, wonderful performances from the crew and the Romulans, tension, space opera, and a perfectly crafted script full of action scenes, and reflective scenes. The best.