The Simpsons #1

1.1-1.3

          It's easy to forget after 22 seasons that in the third ever episode, Homer Simpson tries to kill himself. His character, along with Black Smithers, is probably what sets it apart from later, greater Simpsons episodes. Early Homer is already somewhat characterised - dumb, oafish, (incredibly) quick to anger - but is far more dialed back. His zaniest, most Classic Homer-like moments are offset by the recurring themes of dedication to his family and to being the breadwinner. He's far from lazy, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to causes. It's like someone along the way had concerns about the occasionally downright prickish Modern Homer being at all likeable, especially in the show's early days. In the first three episodes we don't see too much Bart, which is good because the early Bart episodes tend towards the supremely annoying; I can just see kids wanting to be this pretty obnoxious tearaway icon. I don't think I was one of them, but for all I know I could've been. It's also noteable that three episodes in, Lisa is essentially not a character. Every episode she'll say one clever thing to show what they're going for, but she's a sketch at this stage.