Ep 2. Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment

In "Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment," the second episode of season 2 in The Simpsons: 20 Best Episodes Ever - Anniversary Collection, Homer and Lisa clash over the topic of stealing. After Homer installs an illegal cable box to watch all the latest shows and movies for free, Lisa is the only family member who sees the wrongdoing in this act. She decides to seek guidance from Reverend Lovejoy who explains to her that stealing is wrong, quoting the 8th Commandment from the Bible. The episode explores the moral dilemma of stealing and continues to follow Lisa as she tries to convince her father to stop stealing cable.

Homer starts to feel guilty after he sees a commercial promoting a cable-stealing detection device. He is afraid of getting caught and when Lisa finds out, she forces him to do the right thing. Homer tries to ignore Lisa's pleas and continue stealing cable, but he eventually breaks down and pays for his subscription. Meanwhile, Lisa's social status is affected when she becomes the only person in school who has not watched a popular boxing match, and so she decides to go to a friend's house to watch it. But when her friend's father tells her that he also has illegal cable, Lisa is caught in the moral dilemma of whether or not to watch the boxing match.

This episode is a great example of the strong writing and character development that The Simpsons is known for. It explores complex themes of morality and the responsibility that comes with making good choices, while still managing to be hilarious. Homer and Lisa's clashing viewpoints are reflective of the different personalities and values that each character represents, highlighting the relatable conflicts that can arise between parents and children. The themes of greed, temptation, and corruption are expertly woven into the plot and are explored with both a light-hearted and serious approach.

In addition to the strong writing, the visuals in this episode are particularly noteworthy. The animation of the illegal cable box and its various channels is both clever and amusing, and the montage of Homer and his friends enjoying their newly found access to cable shows is a highlight of the episode. The various facial expressions of the characters are also expertly animated and add a great deal to the humor and emotion of the episode.

Overall, "Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment" is a classic episode of The Simpsons that explores complex themes in a humorous and thoughtful way. Its timeless message about the importance of responsibility and making good choices is just as relevant today as it was when it first aired over 30 years ago. It's no surprise that it was selected as one of the 20 Best Episodes Ever in this anniversary collection.