The Way We Was

Infobox Simpsons episode
episode_name = The Way We Was


image_caption = Homer attempts to ask Marge to the prom.
episode_no = 25
prod_code = 7F12
airdate = January 31, 1991
show runner = James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Sam Simon
writer = Al Jean & Mike Reiss
and
Sam Simon
director = David Silverman
blackboard = "I will not get very far with this attitude"
couch_gag = The sofa falls through the floor.
guest_star = Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff
commentary = Matt Groening
James L. Brooks
Al Jean
Mike Reiss
David Silverman
season = 2"The Way We Was" is the 12th episode of the second season of "The Simpsons". The episode tells the story of how Marge and Homer first met and fell in love.

Plot

When the TV breaks down, Marge tells the kids the story of how she and Homer first met. We flashback to 1974, when they were both in their senior year of high school. While Homer was quite the slacker, Marge was a responsible student. But when she was at a feminist rally burning a bra on school grounds, she is sent to detention. Already there is Homer together with Barney, having been busted for smoking in the school restrooms. Homer is awestruck by the beautiful Marge.

To get to be around her more, Homer joins the debate team, of which Marge is a member. But there, Marge is more interested in the more articulate Artie Ziff. As a plan B, Homer pretends to be a French student so that he can be tutored by Marge. It appears to be working, and when Homer asks Marge to the senior prom, she says yes. However, when Homer confesses that he doesn't care about debate or French; that he only did those things just to get to know her better. Marge is furious at Homer for making her lose sleep for a debate competition the next morning. She ultimately loses to Artie Ziff, who asks her to be his partner to the prom, she agrees.

Homer does not realize (or perhaps refuses to believe) that Marge has rejected him, and so shows up for prom night to pick her up. He is thrown out by Marge, and so he has to go to the prom by himself and has an awful time. Artie and Marge are voted Prom King and Queen, and the two share the first dance.

While Artie and Marge dance, Homer leaves and cries in the hallway. Marge asks him why he's putting himself through this, and he explains that he thought that they were destined to be together.

After the prom, everyone goes to the makeout spot in Springfield, where Artie gets a little too grabby with Marge and rips her dress. Meanwhile, Homer's limo time has run out, and without any money he is forced to walk home.

Along the way Marge and Artie pass by Homer, and after Artie drops Marge off at her house (begging her not to say anything about his fondling of her) she goes back out to find Homer. Upon finding him walking dejectedly by the side of the road, she begins honking. Homer becomes angry and starts stomping in the mud when Marge pulls up beside him. Homer gets into the car and gives her the corsage, looking sad. He turns to Marge to say; "I've got a problem. Once you stop this car, I'm going to hug you, and kiss you, and then I'll never be able to let you go." It cuts back to present day with Homer stating "And I never have." Lisa is touched by this sentiment, but Bart is not.

First appearances

Characters making a first appearance in this episode are:
* The Sarcastic Middle-Aged Worker
* Artie Ziff
* Rainier Wolfcastle aka McBain

Cultural references

The episode title is a reference to the 1973 movie, "The Way We Were". Another episode, "The Way We Weren't" also spoofs this title.

Legacy

The final part of the film is seen Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?.

External links

* [http://www.snpp.com/episodes/7F12.html Episode capsule on "Simpsons Archive"]