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The War of the Simpsons
The Simpsons Season 02 Episode 20
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
Homer and Marge have never thrown a party before? I find that surprising. Of course, in the next few moments, we'll see why they never should again. Oh, and I find it hysterical that some artist's idea of Marge's party attire involves elbow-length gloves. With a long-sleeved dress, no less (which is a definite no-no).
Ah, yes. The most lecherous thing Homer's done so far (and may ever do again?): ask Maude Flanders to get him some peanuts, necessitating that she bends over and he can stare and drool openly at her cleavage. It's really not the sort of behavior that you'd expect from Homer. Waldorf made a comment about Homer's "uncharacteristic selfishness" in his Life on the Fast Lane review, and here it's Homer's uncharacteristic sleaziness...which makes me realize that, in these earlier episodes Homer just isn't the same character he later becomes. He starts off way more flawed and slightly less buffoonish (and yes, I'm writing this moments after he's just danced around with a lampshade on his head). The character gets largely defanged by later in the series.
Homer's initial recollection of how he behaved at the party is great. Very Algonquin Round Table.
Reverend Lovejoy apparently does not see the humor in announcing that the church has some new pamphlets called "Satan's Boners" and "Good Grief! More Satan's Boners." I, however, do.
Why does an aged Adolf Hitler attend the Simpsons' church? Seriously, look in the pews on the right side of the screen when Homer walks into the church.
I'm with Marge here: Homer shouldn't try to squeeze in fishing during their weekend of marriage counseling. I've seen men fish. It's never not time-consuming. Something's gone wrong if it doesn't run long. However, on the whole, I'm with Homer in that I don't think they should be attending the Lovejoys' crummy marriage counseling weekend anyway.
Bart can smoke in the supermarket? I love that, despite Lisa's ethical crisis, the kids are totally exploiting Grandpa and having a blast. Well, until Lisa gets maudlin at the illicit party.
Okay, it seems to be enough for Marge that Homer threw back the fish he fought for six hours, but it wouldn't be enough for me. I understand the symbolism, but one symbolic gesture does not make up for Homer's daily thoughtlessness. And this is not just the nagging wife take on the situation—Waldorf made the same observation.
CONCLUSION
Hmm. There are a few solid moments in this one—the first appearance of Snake, Grandpa's affected tears, Otto wanting to know if there are any chicks over the age of eight at Bart's party—but most of the funny stuff happens in the secondary story line. The primary story about Marge and Homer's marriage involves too much righteous chiding from Marge, too much jerkitude from Homer, and gives the always-pompous Lovejoys too much screen time. Even though the kids' storyline helps, it's still not a very good episode.
THIS EPISODE'S RATINGS
  2/5 donuts from Mrs. Waldorf
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RATINGS LEGEND
= LAME
= BAD
= MEH
= GOOD
= CLASSIC
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PLOT SUMMARY FROM WIKIPEDIA
At a party thrown by himself and his wife Marge, Homer humiliates himself by getting drunk, telling off strangers, and leering at Maude Flanders. The following day at church, Marge signs up for a weekend retreat of marriage counseling hosted by Reverend Lovejoy and his wife Helen. Homer finds out that the retreat will be held at Catfish Lake and packs his fishing equipment, despite Marge telling him that all they will be doing is resolving their differences. On the way to the retreat, Homer stops at a bait shop and learns of the legendary catfish General Sherman.
Back at home, Grampa babysits Bart and Lisa, who take advantage of their grandfather by tricking him into letting them throw their own party. At the lake the next morning, Homer tries to sneak away to go fishing, but Marge wakes up first. Marge is upset that Homer would choose fishing over their marriage, which Homer fails to understand as he visualizes Marge turning into a catfish. Homer takes a walk instead of returning to bed. On the dock, he finds an abandoned fishing pole. The pole, with General Sherman on the line, yanks him off the pier into a small rowboat, and onto the lake. From their cabin window, Marge watches Homer battle General Sherman and gets frustrated. At home, Bart and Lisa's party has ended and the house is a total mess. Watching Grampa cry and fearing that he will get in trouble, they frantically clean up the house. Grampa then laughs uproariously and reveals to a stunned Lisa and Bart that he faked his tears before to get them to clean the house, and they fell for it.
Marge attends the workshops alone while Homer triumphantly rows in with General Sherman. When he returns, Marge tells him their marriage is in serious trouble if he values fishing more than her. To prove his love for her, he lets the fish go and they return home. At the bait shop, General Sherman is still uncaught, but tales are told of a near-mythical figure who almost succeeded: "Went by the name of Homer. Seven feet tall he was, with arms like tree trunks. His eyes were like steel: cold, hard. Had a shock of hair, red, like the fires of Hell."
Accessed from Wikipedia on Mar. 15, 2010