There comes a time in a good animated show's lifecycle when it reaches what is dubbed by fans and critics as its 'golden era' meaning the season(s) in this category are the best or most consistent episodes produced by a show. The Simpsons has left quite a legacy and still continues to release new episodes, but many argue that the peak of both the show's popularity and its writing resides in the mid-90s.Season four is considered the start of this golden era with episodes beginning to air in 1992, but the first episode to really break into the more extravagant and larger-than-life episode style was "Marge Vs. The Monorail." Now turning 30, it is time to look at why this Simpsons episode was and is such an iconic episode and why it is still loved by fans around the world.RELATED: The Simpsons Saddest Moments That Can Make You CryThere are only six Simpsons episodes with a higher IMDB rating of 9.0 and the first episode to achieve that rating in terms of air date is "Marge Vs. The Monorail." Episodes such as "Mr. Plow" and "Homer The Heretic" would certainly prove the show was heading in a dynamically more entertaining and memorable direction, but "Marge Vs. The Monorail" went full steam ahead and all bells and whistles. The opening scene featuring Homer's Flinstones imitation progressing to crashing his car serves no later continuity to the episode giving the feeling that things are going to be different.Lyle Lanley Reveals The Monorail"Marge Vs. The Monorail" is quick and snappy in its build-up towards the main plot point, but on its way, it serves in many film references such as Batman 1989 and Silence Of The Lambs. Its continuous jumps between scenes and jokes faced criticism upon its release due to the nature of the episode being different from prior ones, but at the same time, there will always be an argument about a Simpsons episode missing something. Since then, the episode has appeared in many top episode lists from publishers such as Time, Variety, and The Guardian. Former Simpsons writer and talk show legend, Conan O'Brien said it was his favorite episode that featured his writing talent and has since dressed up as Lyle Lanley himself.The Simpsons Mono RailWith the townsfolk's dispute over how to spend Mr. Burns' $3 million dollars, they are interrupted by con artist Lyle Lanley which is certainly one of Phil Hartman's best character portrayals. Lanley's suave fooling of Springfield is one of the early mob mentality episodes that the show wrote so well in later seasons and captures the overall lack of intelligence the people of Springfield possess. His sweet-talking even fools Lisa who previously asks the most sensible question based on Springfield's geography. Whilst this is one of those great one-off character appearances, the show also has the mad scientist who previously worked on Lanley's North Haverbrook monorail. His line "I shouldn't have stopped for that haircut" is one of the most hilarious jokes in the show as to why Marge shows up after the monorail has started.This episode is also one of those rare moments where Bart shows admiration for Homer as a father based upon his job role which was also seen in Dancing Homer and Homerpalooza. It's a great moment in Bart's character development in how he views Homer and his job at the Power Plant. Homer's bland view of his monorail conductor role at the end of the episode: "I'm the best mono-thingy guy there ever was" highlights his usual lack of care or judgment after he starts a new job away from the plant. On the other hand, the scenes with both of them certainly prove why this is one of the funniest and most memorable episodes. The quick-fire humor including lines such as "you can catch mono from riding the monorail" and "Batman is a scientist?" are highlights of how silly the overall episode is.

Whilst there are great moments featuring the Simpson family, the townsfolk, and even one-off characters, the surprising guest feature of Leonard Nimoy as a passenger on the monorail maiden voyage made for an even better episode. The beloved Star Trek icon and all-around serious actor steals the episode in his own way as if all he can do is talk Star Trek and be Spock. Nimoy makes references to Star Trek such as mechanics and even references a solar eclipse as if he was playing Spock. Nimoy would also be one of the first celebrities to reprise their role in The Simpsons as the narrator in the X-Files spoof, The Springfield Files. Although questioned about his overall role in the episode by Barney Gumble at the end of the episode, if The Simpsons had any continuity it would be Nimoy saving the life of fan-favorite Krusty The Clown.

Simpsons Homer Rail Conductor

The overall legacy of the monorail has seen it appear in multiple video games such as the expansion pack for LEGO Dimensions, the mobile game Tapped Out, the Downtown map on Road Rage, and as a playable vehicle on Bart's level in the beloved Simpsons classic, Hit & Run. Its musical number about the monorail is one of the most popular songs from the show and was one of the first moments to feature most of the Springfield cast singing together that would later be seen in episodes such as Bart After Dark. Even the opening couch gag featured a lot of the characters from the show which is a rarity for the gag.

The effort that went into the production ties in with the documented facts on the show writers and the long hours and stress that went into making The Simpsons the biggest and best show it could be. The hours to write the perfect jokes, add a big musical number, and take on fresh ideas from new writers such as O'Brien were huge steps in making The Simpsons the iconic show it is today. It was one of the first episodes that featured a real 'disaster' element where death was a premise and the overall big-budget feeling of the episode certainly plays into the impending doom and huge feeling the episode gave off. Homer's ridiculous confidence in his new role, Marge's ever-growing concern, and random moments from characters such as Burns, Quimby, and Chief Wiggum really brought out endless hilarious and memorable moments in the episode.

Marge Vs The Monorail Burns

As it will go down as one of the funniest, most loved, and most quotable Simpsons episodes, "Marge Vs. The Monorail" deserves its high IMDB score and any other accolades it receives. It's new episode style paid off hugely and reminds viewers of when The Simpsons' writing was at its best and still felt fresh. The off-the-cuff references, Music-Man influence, and scene cuts play well into keeping the episode consistent and funny and the day is saved the only way it could in a Simpsons episode, through a donut. The bad guy loses and the good guys win (if you ignore the complete waste of money) and if someone who had never seen the show before wanted to start somewhere, then there would be no better place than a genuine, bonafide, electrified six-car monorail!

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