Ep 17. American History X-cellent

In The Simpsons season 21 episode 17, titled "American History X-cellent," Springfield's resident villain, Sideshow Bob, is granted parole from his stay in jail. Despite his past attempts to harm the town's favorite yellow family, Bob is given a chance to turn a new leaf, with the Simpson family taking him in to give him a home and a job. This leads to a surprising turn of events, as Bob becomes integral in the town's preservation of historic landmarks and helps expose a deep-rooted conspiracy against the town.

The episode begins with Sideshow Bob being released from prison and welcomed into the Simpson home by Bart, who thinks that Bob has changed for the better. Marge, however, is hesitant to trust Bob, given his previous attempts to harm her family. Bob is determined to prove that he has turned a new leaf and offers to take the family on a tour of the town's landmarks, which are in danger of being destroyed to make room for a new shopping mall.

At the town hall meeting, Springfield's officials reveal their plan to demolish several historic landmarks to make way for a new shopping mall, including the town's first subway station and a dilapidated church. Marge, Lisa, and Bob, who has now become a historical preservationist, argue against the plan, but are unable to stop the officials from proceeding.

Meanwhile, Homer finds himself in a bind when he is blackmailed by a corrupt jail guard who has evidence of his involvement in a prison escape years ago. This leads Homer to join forces with Bob and uncover evidence of a much larger conspiracy against the town. Bob and Homer team up to expose the corrupt officials who are profiting from the demolition of the landmarks, and the duo's efforts lead to the officials being arrested and imprisoned.

In the end, the town's landmarks are saved, and Bob's true colors are revealed. He has indeed turned a new leaf and is accepted by the townspeople as a hero. The episode ends with Bob being given the key to the city and getting a job at the Springfield Historical Society as a curator, proving that even the most unlikely characters can change for the better.

"American History X-cellent" is a classic Simpsons episode that showcases the show's signature blend of humor and satire. The episode's exploration of corruption and the preservation of historical landmarks is a testament to the show's ability to tackle serious issues while still delivering laughs. The surprising turn of events with Sideshow Bob is a refreshing change of pace from his previous appearances as a villain, and his redemption arc is a true highlight of the episode. Overall, "American History X-cellent" is a must-watch for fans of The Simpsons and a great introduction for newcomers to the series.