The Simpsons are ready to blast off and explore the wonders of space. You wouldn't think the average nuclear family from suburban America would partake in such adventures. This is The Simpsons, where anything is possible and nothing is out of bounds.
Space has always been an interesting topic for TV, as it creates a plethora of engaging storylines, character arcs, and oftentimes, survival. Yet, in The Simpsons, we don't have to worry much about that as the writers replaced survival with humor.
As such, we're ready to be beamed up with these space voyage episodes from our favorite family.
Rocket to space with these 6 The Simpsons episodes
"Deep Space Homer"
Season 5
NASA's television ratings are failing, so it is beginning a search to find the next potential astronaut. The organization is going for a different angle with its program for the average American to ship off to space. Homer is the perfect candidate, as he defines the term, and since losing out on Employee of the Week (again), the astronaut role is a good opportunity.
Homer beats out another candidate- Barney after he gets drunk on non-alcoholic champagne on NASA's premises. Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin soon joins the Simpson patriarch on the mission. After a Ruffled potato chip incident that unleased ant "overlords," the team makes it safely back to earth.
"The Springfield Files"
Season 8
"The Springfield Files' is one of my top favorites, for it had Homer-isms, bonding with Bart over an alien, and the reveal of Santa's Little's Helper's birthday. It was also a crossover episode with another popular Fox show at the time, The X-Files. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles as Agent Mulder and Agent Sculley in "The Springfield Files."
Mr. Burns turns out to be the alien in question following his weekly medical round-up that left him in a drug-induced state. The childlike and outworldly after-effects are polarizing to his cold demeanor but funny nonetheless.
As a bonus, Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy makes an appearance as himself and encourages the town (along with Homer) to embrace harmony and peace.
"The Joy Of Sect"
Season 9
Homer, the kids, but not Marge, are lured to join a cult that will take them to a Utopian planet called Blisstonia. What it really meant in the tiny print was that the leader was siphoning money off their members with false promises of a happier life.
Marge doesn't fall for any of the dribble and hatches a plan to save her family from the cult. She enlists Reverend Lovejoy and Groundskeeper Willie, plus Flanders, to help her. With the enticing bribe of Duff and Hover bikes, Homer and the kids are back to normal.
If you ever read about the 1990s Doomsday Cult, Heaven's Gate and the People's Temple disaster in 1978, much of "The Joy of Sect"'s material is influenced from them.
"'Scuse Me While I Miss The Sky"
Season 14
When Lisa is discouraged after filmmaker Declan Desmond's criticism of her interests, she ventures to seek out one that will make her life beneficial and fulfilling. She settles on the wonders of astronomy and how the stars could navigate paths.
Meanwhile, in order to see the light pollution must be eliminated. Lisa gets Homer's assistance by shutting off the town's power as Springfield is canvassed in brightness. Soon after, everyone enjoyed the stars- nature's natural light, and as for Homer, he was able to get a good night's sleep.
"Simpsorama"
Season 26
Another crossover is season 26's "Simpsorama." Matt Groening was creator of Futurama, so it was only natural to introduced the Simpsons to Fry and his Year 3000 friends, including Bender, who became Homer's new drinking buddy.
The plot centers on Bart, who has conquered the future with his millions of mutants. It's up to the combined Simpsons and Planet Express team to stop the 'Bartlets' before the former's futures are ruined.
"Simpsorama" delighted fans with its clever storyline, animation, and the joining of bringing two iconic shows together.
"The Man Who Came To Be Dinner"
Season 26
We know that the alien duo, Kang and Kodos, are well-formatted in The Simpsons universe, but in "The Man Who Came To Be Dinner," we learn more about the origins of these drooling creatures. They come from the planet Rigel Seven and have a taste for human flesh.
Don't worry. Homer and the rest of his family don't become meals, but they do see a more amicable side in their intellectually superior culture. The episode could even be a follow-up to "Treehouse of Horror I"'s "Hungry Are The Damned."
It's about time we got see how Kang and Kodos lived after their multiple appearances on The Simpsons.