Great episodes of The Simpsons: Lisa’s First Word
By Grant Butler
Lisa’s First Word is a terrific episode of The Simpsons because it shows how Springfield’s most famous family came together.
Plot: The Simpsons reminisce about the birth of Lisa, how it impacted their family, and what her first word turned out to be.
Why is it a great episode? Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are all allowed to shine in their own right as the episode shows what makes each of them tick. We see young Bart’s rebellious streak, Lisa as the uncannily self-aware child who loves her family despite knowing their flaws, and Maggie’s enduring sweetness that has expressed itself in various ways over the years.
Lisa’s First Word is a well made look at how exactly the Simpsons came to be the family we know so well. While Homer, Marge, and Bart are all terrific in their own right, they aren’t their full selves until they add Lisa and move to Evergreen Terrace.
The episode also does a great job of capturing the feel of the mid 1980’s and making Bart and Lisa’s sibling rivalry relatable. Lisa doesn’t really do anything wrong, but tell that to young Bart who suddenly finds that everyone else is now paying attention to his sister. Bart’s homemade clown bed is another nice touch that anyone who is even the slightest bit wary of clowns will appreciate.
The episode is also full of appearances by younger versions of some of your favorite characters. Patty and Selma, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, and even Ned and Todd Flanders all make their presence known in their own unique ways. Seeing how Homer and Bart first meet Ned and Todd Flanders is exactly what you’d expect and it’s priceless. The fact that the legendary Elizabeth Taylor provides Maggie’s touching first word just wraps everything up in a heartwarming ending.