Homer returns from a trip a different man from when he left--which greatly disturbs Lisa. She calls the FBI and uncovers a very surprising plot.

The scariest Simpsons Halloween show yet, featuring an opening by Guillermo Del Toro. Also a malicious behatted creature invades the Simpson home, Bart's head finds a new pair of shoulders and Homer and Marge join a circus full of freaks.

At the funeral of a man that Springfield loved but we've never met, Marge regrets the music she listened to while pregnant, Brockman regrets a lost opportunity, Burns a lost love and Homer selling his Apple stock.

Homer is stunned to learn he'll only live once. A pen pal from his youth helps him live that life to its fullest. Meanwhile Springfield Elementary institutes an honor code.

Homer remembers his Lamaze skills when he's forced to deliver a baby in an elevator. When the mother names the child Homer Jr., he quickly develops a deep emotional bond with the kid. Meanwhile, Lisa is recruited by the cheerleaders of the local pro football team, the Springfield Atoms.

Lisa makes a new best friend--who turns out to be as conservative as Lisa is liberal. When they run against each other for 2nd grade rep, the Springfield Republican Party tries to tip the scales.

Principal Skinner promises the students that the best-behaved among them can take a ride in a submarine. When Skinner gives all the kids a clean slate, Bart believes even his own past indiscretions will be forgotten if he doesn't get into any more trouble. Meanwhile Lisa tries to help a cash-poor Krusty to turn things around by suggesting he sell the foreign rights to his shows.

When Springfield is the only place in America with snow at Christmas, tourists flock to the town and Marge turns the Simpson home into a bed and breakfast. Meanwhile, Lisa decides to go a different way with her annual holiday gifts.

Homer becomes annoyed with movie theaters, so Bart teaches him how to download movies illegally. Homer is delighted with his discovery of free movies until he's caught for piracy.

Comic Book Guy realizes his comics are nothing if he can't share them with anyone. Then he meets Kumiko, a Japanese woman writing an autobiographical manga, and he seeks out Homer's advice on how to date her, ending happily for everyone.

Mr. Burns gives his employees Google-glass type eyeglasses to spy on them and Homer loves the enhanced reality of his new gadget -- until Marge tries them on and he finds out she's seeing a marriage counselor. Meanwhile Bart takes a stand against buying Nelson a Valentine's Day card, despite buying one for every other kid in class, and Nelson delivers him an ultimatum: find him the best Valentine's Day gift ever or be fed to the classroom electric pencil sharpener.

Bart befriends a boy (Daniel Radcliffe) and his falcon, then learns the relationship with each is more complicated than he thought.

Lisa campaigns against genetically modified organisms. Meanwhile, Marge teaches abstinence counseling to church teens.

Marge invites Grampa and two other octogenarians to live at the Simpsons' house after the Retirement Castle is closed for health violations, but she quickly becomes frustrated with Homer when he starts embracing the "old person lifestyle." Meanwhile, at Springfield Elementary, Bart defends Nelson's affinity for hand-me-down underwear, leading Nelson to befriend Bart.

After Lisa's new pet guinea pig destroys the Simpsons' living room art, Marge falls in love with a beautiful painting at the Van Houten's yard sale, which Homer snaps up for 20 bucks. But, when Lisa reveals it's by a famous early 20th century painter and could be worth $100,000, Marge and Homer face a dilemma: split the money with the Van Houtens, or keep the cash as a "cushion" for their kids.

Homer is recruited as a World Cup referee after Lisa extolls his integrity on the youth soccer field in a Springfield Elementary speech contest. But when the Simpsons travel to Brazil, Homer finds his honesty tested by one of South America's slickest gangsters in the soccer match-bribing business.

Lisa meets a boy who dreams of becoming a competitive eater. Meanwhile, Homer gets stuck in a playground slide.

Set in the future, Homer has a new clone for every time he dies. Lisa is married to a zombie version of Milhouse, while Bart deals with custody issues with his ex-wife, Jenda. Each defines what love means to them.

Homer leaves for a nuclear workers' convention...but does not return the same man...in "Homerland". The Simpsons airs Sundays 8/7c, starting Sept. 29 on FOX.Ê

Bart realizes that the girls he's liked all dump him within a week. To prove he can be loved, he journeys to New York and seeks out a former flame (Zooey Deschanel). Meanwhile, Marge and Lisa's search for cheap culture leads them to perform impromptu Shakespeare in the park.

For those who can't read roman numerals, that's 23 terrifying treehouses, and in this one, a search for the Higgs Boson creates a mini black hole which starts sucking in Springfield till it is stopped by a most unlikely hero, found footage reveals a demonic deal from the Simpsons' past which comes back to terrorize them in the present and Bart learns what life would have been like if Homer hadn't taken Marge to the prom--guest star Jon Lovitz. Also, the end of the world as foretold by the ancient Mayans.

A sinkhole destroys Marge's car and when she gets a more compact replacement she realizes she wants a baby. Meanwhile, Lisa mysteriously vanishes every day after school and the only clue is "boxing wizards".

Grampa disappears, and while trying to find him they learn he had a second wife (Guest star: Anika Noni Rose). Featuring a guest cameo by the late Marvin Hamlisch.

Fat Tony names his accountant (Steve Carrell) head of the mob, and then asks him to kill members of the gang. Meanwhile, vegetarian Lisa starts eating bugs, until she realizes they are a gateway to shrimp.

A depressed Homer wins a myPad and the tablet changes his life--until it breaks. Then he received new hope from a most unlikely source.

Portland comes to Springfield in the form of Homer's new hipster neighbors.While Homer loves the designer donuts, Marge is none too crazy about the breast-feeding mafia.

While playing a civilization-building Internet game, Homer loses the family dog. Grampa reveals that Homer himself had a dog as a boy--one that he had to give up.

A trip to a childrens' playhouse turns into a near-death experience for Homer. He meets preppers (including Tom Waits) who help him get ready for the imminent end of the world.

Bart must pass a test to save Springfield Elementary. Meanwhile, Homer finds a working parking meter and uses it to steal quarters beyond his wildest dreams.

Marge and Homer nearly suffocate in a revolving door during a tornado. They realize they do not have suitable guardians for their children. Guest voice: Rashida Jones.

Love is a Many-Splintered Thing. Bart looks back at love from middle age in this homage to Annie Hall. With guest stars Zooey Deschanel, Benedict Cumberbatch and Presidential historian Robert Caro.

Bart and Milhouse discover that they can convince everyone Milhouse is his dad. Meanwhile, Homer discovers a hidden talent for finding hidden pictures.

Homer's obsession with the TV show "Storage Battles" leads the family to discover Grampa's past identity as "Gorgeous Godfrey," the most feared, villainous man in pro-wrestling history. What's more, he was once revered by a young Montgomery Burns who now convinces Grampa to get back in the ring. But when Bart starts to adopt some of his grandfather's former cheating ways, Grampa must reconcile with his past before it's too late.

Lisa gets picked on by a bully who happens to be her teacher, and cannot figure out the reason why. Meanwhile, Flanders finally gets fed up and punches Homer in the eye--then desperately begs his neighboreeno for forgiveness Homer won't provide.

Springfield's Easter is ruined by a prank and all fingers point to Bart. It is up to Lisa to save her brother, in a student court presided over by Attorney General Janet Reno. Meanwhile, inspired by an old comic book, Mr. Burns becomes an ineffectual superhero--fruit bat man.

A fight during a long-planned lunch prompts Homer to learn the four f's of dealing with a woman. Meanwhile Milhouse discovers the secret to Lisa's heart in an old black-and-white film.

After a terrifying bedbug scare, a new teacher comes to Springfield Presbylutheran and wins the congregation's affections--sending Reverend Lovejoy into the unholy world of hot tub sales.

A suicide attempt gone awry prompts Marge to buy Moe a fancy new suit to improve his outlook on life. He starts a homemade bourbon brewery and gets an IPO at the Springfield stock exchange -- then loses the suit that got him there.

Bart takes piano lessons because his teacher is a beautiful young girl. But he disappoints his mother with his lack of talent at a recital. Meanwhile, Homer loses his top two hairs and becomes completely bald.

When the guys split a winning lottery ticket, they are stunned when Carl disappears with the money. In tracking him down, they discover surprising secrets about his past.

When Marge tries to buy Homer snack cakes for their anniversary, she winds up meeting a married man who shares a common love of British Television (voice of Seth Macfarlane). Ignorant of all, Homer attempts to secretly construct a romantic anniversary train in the Simpsons back yard.

Keifer Sutherland portrays a new Springfield nuclear employee with a mysterious past--that Homer tries to uncover. Homer discovers his new friend is a former undercover agent--whose enemies realize they can flush out by kidnapping Homer. Also, Nedna, the result!

Superintendent Chalmers takes a special interest in Bart, and discovers he can reach him through study of our 26th president. Chalmers is fired after taking Bart and his friends on an unauthorized camping trip and Bart and his rough riders saddle up to win the superintendent's job back. Featuring the voice of Theodore Roosevelt.

In this annual terror-themed trilogy, a paralyzed Homer can only communicate by passing gas--but discovers it makes him a better man, a vengeful Flanders becomes a killer from the Lord--only to discover that the "voice from above" is actually coming from somewhere else, and Bart takes the form of a powerful alien being on an exotic but deadly garden planet.

Bart's science fair project -- a realistic little robot seal -- unexpectedly brings joy to Springfield's elderly. Meanwhile, a new coworker (Jane Lynch) disrupts Homer's peaceful life at the plant. He is in danger of losing all, until Ned Flanders reveals his foe's secret weakness.

When she gets lost in an unfamiliar ethnic neighborhood, Marge discovers the joy of exotic food. It becomes a new activity for her and the kids, until Homer gets jealous and Marge inadvertently sends him to a crackhouse.

Homer and Bart try to defraud a publishing house, Ocean's Thirteen-style. They settle on Lisa as the unhappy front for their operation, and are aided by a surprisingly compliant Neal Gaiman. Guest Star: Andy Garcia.

Homer becomes an "accounts man" at the nuclear plant but finds the job leads him to a life of alcohol and loneliness. Finally Marge forces him to choose between a boatful of boozy clients and his own sweet flesh and blood. Guest Star: John Slattery.

The Simpsons encounter a venerable TV agent and are stunned to discover she gave Krusty her start. Now they need her to help him again--but her bitterness at their breakup stands in the way. Guest Star: Joan Rivers.

At a Simpson Christmas thirty years in the future Bart and Lisa discover the perils of parenthood in a postapocalyptic world. Meanwhile Maggie creates a miracle of her own.

Homer becomes a blowhard TV pundit and attempts to select our next president. Ted Nugent teaches him the true meaning of the Constitution.

When Lisa can't make friends in person she tries to do so with an online network. The effect on Springfield is so ruinous she is put on trial.

The story of western civilization is recounted by Moe's bar rag, voiced by Jeremy Irons. More significantly, Milhouse decides he's had just about enough of being Bart's patsy.

Lisa meets a boy who seems to be the reincarnation of Ernest Hemingway, but turns out to be less than he appears. Meanwhile, Bart and Milhouse debunk myths at school, to the dismay of their fellow students.

In the long-awaited Simpsons 500th Episode, the town of Springfield banishes the Simpsons for everything they've done over the years. The Simpsons move off the grid, but Marge misses their home and friends.

When Homer punishes Bart by sticking him in a rabbit cage, Bart retaliates by making Homer's face an iconic graffiti image throughout Springfield. Featuring the work and voices of legendary street artists Shepard Fairey, Robbie Conal, Ron English and Kenny Scharf.

Homer is dismayed to discover he is an adult bedwetter. He and the family travel deep within his psyche to learn the childhood trauma behind the behavior.

To avoid litigation from radiation exposure, Mr. Burns replaces every worker in the nuclear plant except Homer with a robot. Homer experiences a savage isolation when he tries unsuccessfully to befriend his non-human coworkers.

Jimbo assigns Bart to watch over his girlfriend Shauna--and then Shauna falls in love with Bart. Meanwhile, Homer gets wrapped up in a sci-fi mystery series that finished years ago, only to have Marge blow the shocking ending for him.

Bart convinces his parents to take a cruise that he wishes would never end. Then he is thrilled when a crisis forces the ship to stay at sea.

Homer learns to woo Marge with the help of an imaginary spy. Meanwhile Bart attempts to neutralize Nelson the bully by fattening him up.

When a crucified Homer sends Ned to the hospital we learn that his relationship with Edna had gone further than we knew. Then a fight over the right school for the kids sends Ned packing to the Simpsons’.

Lisa has an internet defender who is not what he seems. Then Lady Gaga arrives and makes everyone in town feel like a little monster--except Lisa.

Lisa gets a dream week at arts camp where her counselors are Flight of the Conchords, then finds her return to the real world is more than a little disheartening. Meanwhile, Krusty discovers winning the Nobel Peace prize is not what it seems, and he must fight for his freedom in the World Court. Guest voices Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Amber Riley of Glee.

Grampa decides to give each of the Simpsons their inheritance early. Homer discovers he can live the high life buying and returning luxury items without paying for them. Lisa uses her money to secretly finance Nelson's bike pimpery. Featuring the voices of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Lisa becomes the manager of Bart's little league team and introduces statistical analysis to the game. Fed up with her correct but conservative decisions, Bart defies Lisa, and she kicks him off the team. Guest star: Mike Scoscia.

In this annual terror-filled trilogy, the old board games in the Simpson attic come to life and wreak havoc in Springfield, Marge and Homer's romantic cruise is interrupted by a mysterious, handsome stranger who Homer believes is trying to kill them, and Lisa falls in love with a tweenage vampire, only to run afoul of his old-school vampire father.

A trip to Marge's childhood home leads Lisa to discover that Marge was once an excellent student like her, until she met Homer. Meanwhile, Bart accidentally beats up Nelson and becomes the school bully--much to his chagrin.

During a "housecat flu" scare, Mr. Burns is startled to discover that everyone in town hates him. He tries to take his own life, but fails, losing his memory in the process. The townspeople use the opportunity to seek revenge on him for the harm he has inflicted upon them through the years.

A storm blows a pigeon through the Simpsons' window, and Bart makes it his pet. He nurses it back to health, and when he is approached by Moe to turn it into a racing pigeon he has to make a difficult decision.

Bart heads to a surprisingly downsized North Pole to get a toy he wants; Marge attempts to kill Hitler at Christmas, Martha Stewart takes over the Simpson family holiday, and Katy Perry performs with the Simpsons--in puppet form for the first time ever.

When Homer runs afoul of tough new ordinances that take effect January 1, he goes undercover with the mob to shorten his sentence. He finds that the Springfield Mafia is much more welcoming and lovable than he ever would have suspected. Guest star--Jon Hamm.

A war between the fourth and fifth graders leads Bart to discover an unusual scar on his wrist. Learning the secret of its origin unlocks a secret from Marge's past. Bart's journey to the truth takes him to Comic Book Guy, and a Fourth of July long ago gone horribly wrong.

To impress Mr. Burns, Smithers helps Moe turn his tavern into a gay bar that caters to men who are less than perfect. Meanwhile, a substitute music teacher becomes the passion of Principal Skinner's life. Moe enjoys his new clientele so much he considers running for city council--without telling anyone he's straight. Meanwhile, Principal Skinner must choose between his career and a free-spirited substitute music teacher.

Homer becomes obsessed with a cheesy '80s sitcom and tries to apply its outdated lessons to his own relationship with Bart. A disgruntled Bart is driven straight into the arms of Chinese nuclear spies.

When Marge decides to "go gray" with her hair, she is startled by the reaction of her friends and family. Meanwhile, Homer becomes a "wing man", first to Moe, then to every single guy in town.

Bart makes an animated short film which is surprisingly nominated for every major Hollywood award. When Homer tries to seize credit for the film, it starts a battle between the two that climaxes onstage at the Academy Awards.

Lisa discovers a miraculous drug that can cure crankiness in old people. Bart starts illegally selling it to Springfield seniors, only to discover it has a horrifying side effect.

When Cheech and Chong split up during a performance in Springfield, Homer gets a chance to perform stoner comedy--but finds it is not the high life he imagines. Meanwhile, Marge attempts to cure the crazy Cat Lady of her hoarding.

When Homer reveals in therapy that he has strangled Bart for years, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is brought in to effectuate a cure. Homer becomes so intimidated by his son that Bart starts to run wild, terrorizing his father and the school.

While trying to get rid of a wagonful of unwanted peaches, Lisa encounters an again magician who teaches her long-forgotten tricks. Then she unwittingly betrays his secret to a hated young rival.

Selma's smartass behavior at the DMV leads to an unexpected romance with Fat Tony, and a trip to see Tony's relatives on the Jersey shore. Meanwhile, Lisa discovers Bart has truffle-sniffing abilities previously seen only in pigs--abilities which lead him to be exploited by his sister.

Homer discovers he has a natural gift for hairstyling. But he finds that the women in Springfield tell him more about their men than he wants to know. Meanwhile, Milhouse publicly declares his love for Lisa, is rejected, then is stunned to discover someone who likes him as much as he likes her. An equally stunned Lisa becomes obsessed with finding out just what Milhouse's new girlfriend sees in him.

The family discovers 500 old keys in a drawer and tries to find out what they do. Marge sets a farting novelty toy loose on the town, Homer achieves a lifelong dream as he pilots the Duff blimp, Bart is dismayed to find that every prank he tries to pull turns into a good deed, and Lisa uncovers a shocking mystery in the basement of the school.

Bart's teacher and the Simpsons' neighbor start dating--making Homer and Bart miserable. But her romantic past threatens to destroy her newfound love.

In an episode co-written by and featuring the voice of Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up"), Comic Book guy creates a comic book--"Everyman"--whose hero absorbs the power of any comic book he touches. Homer is cast in the lead, and gets physically fit with the help of a personal trainer. But when the trainer leaves for another job, Homer regains the weight he lost, wreaking havoc on the film.

When Bart tries to loosen up his teacher by spiking her coffee, he gets her so drunk she loses her job. He tries to make it up to her by helping her open a muffin store, but she discovers the truth. Meanwhile, her replacement turns out to be a cool young teacher who can work the internet.

When all the males in Springfield become addicted to a violent TV sport, Marge agrees to fight the founder of the league in hopes of getting it off the air. Worried that she may not survive, Homer makes sure she trains with the toughest men in Springfield. She toughens up and is able to take a sucker punch and win. Featuring the voice of UFC Champion Chuck Liddell.

In this annual terror-themed thrilled, Dracula and the Wolfman walk the streets of Springfield, Bart and Lisa cause carnage in the school in a Hitchcock-themed segment, Krusty's new hamburger made from mad cows turns the town into zombies, and Moe falls for Marge in a creepy broadway musical--but can only win her over by serving her beer mixed with Homer's blood.

Homer becomes his buddy Carl's assistant. Carl is a demanding Anna Wintour-type boss whose demands fill Homer's life. When Marge inadvertently does cheesecake poses for a charity calendar, it only makes matters worse. Homer realizes he must choose between the jetsetting life of a power plant supervisor's aide and saving his marriage.

Bart discovers there was an even more awesome prankster than he, and determines to track him down, only to find he is a sad loser living in his mother's house (and voiced by Jonah Hill). Meanwhile, Marge's attempts to provide truly healthy food for Maggie and her friends lead only to frustration.

Lisa joins a group of teenage wiccans, while Homer becomes a moonshine aficionado. When half the town goes blind from the moonshine, they blame the witches, and try them according to ancient Springfield laws.

Bart realizes that Lisa has a bond with Maggie that he will never have, because he has no brother. After a dream about famous brothers from Wright to Mario, Bart tries to adopt one, but finds having a brother can bring as much pain as pleasure. Featuring guest stars The Smothers Brothers, The Manning Brothers, Kim Cattrall, Huell Howser and Jordan Nagai from "Up".

Grampa meets a newspaper columnist who chronicles his life in the local paper. It causes a rift between Homer and his father, and Homer begins to suspect the writer has a secret, sinister motive. Meanwhile, Bart takes home a beloved class doll, and Lisa loses it down a sewer.

Krusty gets a new sidekick--a Disney-style princess who proves too popular for Krusty's liking. But when he tries to fire her, he finds she is more attached to him than he ever dreamed. Meanwhile, when Burns eliminates the donuts from the power plant break room, Homer and his friends consider working at another power plant.

Homer wins a million dollars in the lottery, but bought the ticket while he was supposed to be helping his wife, so he can't spend the money without her getting furious at him. When Bart learns of Homer's secret, he threatens to tell Marge unless Homer does whatever he wants.

Hoping to rekindle the romance in their marriage, Homer and Marge take up curling. But when they make the US Olympic demonstration team, Marge's superior skills cause an enormous rift between them and nearly cost their team the gold. Featuring the voice of sports uberannouncer Bob Costas.

While researching her family tree, Lisa discovers the diary of an ancestor that reveals the Simpson family was in the underground railroad before the Civil War. After further investigation she is shocked to learn that her ancestors were not what they seem.

When Bart realizes he can exploit Marge and Homer's differences, it nearly breaks their marriage apart. And when he discovers an abandoned subway underneath Springfield, it nearly breaks the town apart.

Bart meets a girl with whom he is alternately infatuated and infuriated. His furtive kiss creates a ban on public displays of affection in the school. Meanwhile, Lisa discovers she has a secret supporter, who turns out to be surprisingly successful.

Hoping to make Homer more religious, Ned Flanders invites the Simpsons on a trip to the Holy Land. There they meet an angry Israeli tour guide (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Homer comes to believe he is the messiah.

An office party at Mr. Burns' mansion turns into a drunken riot--landing Burns in jail. In prison, a deeply religious convict takes Burns under his wing and tries to make a good man of him.

Homer befriends Chief Wiggum, but when Wiggum saves his life, the friendship gets too close for Homer's comfort. Meanwhile, Bart gets addicted to a Japanese card/robot/adventure game.

Homer attempts to power the house with a wind turbine. After a freak windstorm knocks out the turbine, a whale washes up on shore, and the town attempts to save it.

When Homer's unattended bag causes a bomb scare at Springfield Union station, the town introduces draconian security measures. Surveillance cameras are installed all over town, and the only unsupervised spot is in the Simpsons' back yard. Meanwhile, Lisa encounters discrimination because she is a blonde.

A mysterious letter leads Homer, Apu and Reverend Lovejoy to suspect their marriages are in serious trouble. Examining the past leads each to believe his wife has run off with Moe the bartender.

The Simpsons get a new next door-neighbor, who, despite all appearances, Bart believes to be SIDESHOW BOB! He uncovers the shocking truth and a desolate spot where five states meet.

Moe proves himself so witty and acerbic judging an Ugly Dog contest he is invited to Los Angeles to judge American Idol. There he befriends Simon Cowell and learns a lesson about show business.

Homer is sent to jail after a booze-free brawl at the Springfield St. Patrick's Day parade. When he goes to get his bail bond, Homer meets Lucky Jim (guest voice Forster) and "Wolf the Bounty Hunter" and decides to try his own hand at the lucrative but deadly profession. Homer the Bounty Hunter teams up with Ned Flanders to create the most unlikely bounty-hunting duo, but when Homer's new no-mercy attitude gets the best of him, Flanders is less than impressed. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, Marge begins working at an erotic bakery.

In order to save up money to buy a cell phone, Bart takes a job at a country club retrieving golf balls. While at the course, Bart watches celebrities, including Leary playing a round. When Leary's cell phone rings just as he is about to take a swing, he furiously throws the phone in the air and it lands right next to Bart. Bart decides to keep the cell and makes prank calls to all over the world pretending to be Leary. He even accepts a job offer from famed producer Grazer to star in the film version of "Everyone Poops." When Marge discovers what Bart has been up to, she confiscates the device and calls Leary to return the phone. But Leary has a better idea, and instructs Marge to activate the GPS system on the phone so she can track Bart's every move. Bart quickly catches on and devises a plan that sends the family on a wild goose chase all the way to Machu Picchu.

When Lenny wins the lottery and invites the Simpson family to a celebratory party at a posh hotel, Bart meets his doppelganger, Simon Woosterfield, who happens to be a member of the richest family in Springfield. Simon and Bart decide to switch places, and Bart arrives at the lavish Woosterfield mansion only to find football great Joe Montana hanging around the estate. As Simon adjusts to the simple life over at the Simpson household, Bart begins to notice his wealthy new siblings acting strangely toward him. With some frightening words of wisdom from Mr. Burns, Bart realizes his new siblings are plotting his demise so they can inherit the Woosterfield family fortune all for themselves.

Three chilling tales of Halloween horror unwind in THE SIMPSONS annual "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween special. First, Transformer-like robots duke it out in Springfield in "Untitled Robot Parody." Then Homer kills off celebrities so their likenesses can be exploited free-of-charge in "How to Get Ahead in Dead-Vertising." And in "It's the Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse," Lisa accompanies Milhouse to a pumpkin patch to await the appearance of the Grand Pumpkin, but when he finally appears, the Grand Pumpkin goes on a rampage to avenge all the pumpkins carved and tortured in the name of Halloween. Also, the highly-anticipated episode opener features Homer Simpson as he attempts to cast his ballot for the 2008 Presidential election with a deadly twist.

When the Simpson family takes a road trip to a cabin in the woods, a series of flashbacks depict Homer and Marge's blissful courtship and their early married years. They recall their first encounter with Flanders and Maude twenty years prior at the very same cabins, where Flanders insisted the unmarried Homer and Marge stay in separate rooms. Later, they recall when they each met distracting members of the opposite sex who nearly wooed Homer and Marge away from each other. Bart and Lisa also reflect on happier times from their early childhood. Despite the obstacles and the passing of time, Homer and Marge are able to see the forest for the trees. The episode is based on the classic Audrey Hepburn/Albert Finney film "Two for the Road".

Lisa discovers her amazing talent for doing crossword puzzles and becomes an expert cruciverbalist, and she soon enters a citywide crossword puzzle tournament. Homer, short on cash after abandoning his "Sweet Conclusions" professional break-up artist business, goes to cheer Lisa on at her tournament and discovers an underground crossword puzzle betting ring. In the ultimate betrayal, Homer profits from betting against Lisa in the championship match. When the heartbroken Lisa finds out, Homer must spell out his love for her with a little help from New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz and master crossword constructor Merl Reagle.

The Simpson family takes a trip to the Mapple Store at the Springfield Mall where Lisa gets her very own Mypod, and Bart interrupts an announcement from Steve Mobbs with his own voiceover, causing pandemonium to break loose in the store. On his way home from the mall, Bart narrowly escapes punishment and befriends a Muslim boy named Bashir. Homer becomes suspicious of Bart's new friend and invites Bashir, his mother and his father over for dinner so he can investigate their supposed anti-American sentiments. Having already offended Bashir and his family at dinner, Homer goes to their home to apologize, but he instead snoops around their house, a la Jack Bauer, and uncovers what he believes to be a terrorist plot to blow up the Springfield Mall. Homer tries to warn the residents of Springfield an impending disaster that he winds up causing.

During the annual billionaires' retreat, Mr. Burns wins the "Austin Celtics" in a casual game of poker. While visiting a game in Dallas, Mr. Burns witnesses the antics of Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban. Fascinated with his behavior, Mr. Burns decides to emulate Cuban's over-the-top stunts in order to win over the hearts of Springfield's basketball fans. Failing at this, Mr. Burns decides that the best way to win over the fans is to build a brand new, state-of-the-art sports arena. Unfortunately, the last remaining bee colony in Springfield is located on the proposed stadium site, and Lisa is single-handedly spearheading a movement to protect them. As Lisa fights for a safe haven for the bees, Homer attempts to help the quickly diminishing bee population by mating the Springfield bees with Africanized bees, creating a mad swarm that disrupts Burns' opening night.

Lisa befriends a highly creative girl (Emily Blunt) who develops, with Lisa, a fantasy world only the two of them share.  As they go deeper and deeper into their make-believe universe, Marge becomes concerned.  She forbids Lisa to see her new friend again, but Lisa defies Marge and runs away with Juliet.  Lisa discovers that living a life of fantasy is increasingly unpleasant, and in the end is greatly relieved to return to reality.  Featuring the music of Josh Groban and closing credit theme by Fallout Boy.

In the first ever high-definition episode of the Simpsons, Homer attends a ceremony at the Springfield Wall of Fame and learns that he was elected class president, but that his election was stolen from him by his high school principal.  He worries that his life should have been much better than it is.  At Luigi's Italian restaurant, Homer meets an old Italian man who can show him visions of what his future as class president would have been like.  Homer sees a life he could have led filled with riches and success, and his family must find a way for him to be happy the way he is.  The episode also includes the first extensive revision of the well-known Simpson main titles in eighteen years.

When Springfield Elementary must take the Vice-President's Assessment Test, the superintendent arranges to have all the poor students taken out of school for the day. Principal Skinner is tricked into accompanying the delinquents, and they must work together to find their way back from the heart of Capital City. When the test begins, Lisa is stymied by the very first question. As she sits, flummoxed, she grows accustomed to the fact that she will have to live the life of a normal student, only to be saved when a newly-confident Principal Skinner returns and cancels the test.

The Simpsons spend way too much money on an annual Mardi Gras bash, and when the rate on their home equity loan goes up they lose their home to the bank. Neighbor Ned Flanders takes pity on the family and buys their home to rent back to them. Then they ask Ned, their new landlord, for excessive repairs and an aggravated Flanders evicts them. But when a new, perfect couple try to rent the home a melancholy Ned realizes he misses the Simpsons too much.