The Way We Was (S02, E12-025)

OH THOSE 70s MAN, THOSE CRAZY SEVENTIES

Plot Summary
The episode begins with the family watching two movie critics insulting one another personally, but then the TV breaks down.  While the kids are upset, Marge notes that before they were born she and Homer hardly ever watched TV.  Intrigued about the past, Lisa inquires about how Homer proposed to Marge.  Marge declines to answer (the Season 3 episode I Married Marge answers that, using the same scene as the one featured here), and deflects it away to tell the story of how Homer and she first met, and fell in love.

It was 1974, which could make Homer and Marge 56 years old this year if, you know, things made sense like that.  Anyway, though they were both high school seniors, they had not yet met.  Homer, along with his pal Barney, was a slacker and did his own thing, drank, smoke, etc.  Marge, meanwhile, was a budding activist, taking part in forensics and making stands and such.  Homer and Barney both get caught smoking and are sent to detention.  A short time later, Marge's demonstration outside involving burning a bra for some reason catches the attention of the principal as well and he gives her detention too.  As such, inside the detention room, Homer and Marge meet for the first time.

Immediately in love, Homer tries to get advice from his dad, which doesn't pan out, and his guidance counselor, who doesn't give advice on love normally, but he does let Homer know that Marge is on the forensics team.  Homer signs up and, on a debate on whether the speed limit should be reduce, gives a simple rebuttal: "NO WAY" literally on his ass, fully displaced to everyone.  Its with that backdrop that Homer tries to set something up with Marge, having her ask 'trusted' people about Homer in the process.  Finally, learning that Marge is a french tutor, claims that he's struggling in the class and needs her help.  He's able to invite her over to study french, and after the lessons convinces Marge to dance a little.  The plan is working, and Homer is able to ask Marge out to the prom, which she accepts.  However, knowing Marge likes honesty, Homer lets her know that he never was in a french class, and it was just an excuse to get to know her better.  Angered, Marge storms out and tells Homer she hates him.  Homer, however, still believes the date is still on, and goes out of his way not to see Marge until the prom to make sure of it, skipping school in the process.

Meanwhile, Marge's forensics classmate Artie Ziff (voiced by the ever so wonderful Jon Lovitz) asks Marge out to the prom.  Having essentially dumped Homer, Marge accepts.  It creates an awkward moment the night of the prom, as both men are there to pick Marge up, but its made clear (to the relief of the Bouvier household) that Artie is Marge's date, not Homer.  Homer, having paid for the limo and two dinners, goes to the prom anyway, but is left on the sideline as Artie and Marge win homecoming King and Queen.  Marge sees Homer afterward and though Homer admits that being with Marge is the first things he's ever really been sure about, Marge says that he is just wrong.

After the prom, Homer's time with the limo runs out and is forced to walk home.  Meanwhile, Artie and Marge have time to themselves, but Artie is a little too forward and his efforts tear Marge's dress.  She slaps him and insists she take him home.  On the way, she sees Homer walking along the side of the road, and she remembers just how much he loves her, and though she overhears the family again putting down Homer and talking up the somewhat lecherous Ziff, Marge decides to find and pick up Homer.  Homer then says that once Marge stops the car, he'll hug her, and he'll kiss her and he'll never want to let go, and he never has to the present day.  Its a great conclusion to a great story which Lisa loved hearing (Bart not so much).

Quick Review
The Way We Was is the first of many flashback episodes of the show, and its among the best episodes not just among other flashback episodes, and not just among Season 2 episodes, but among the best episodes of the entire series.  Its a very heartwarming tale wrapped around so much fun and hilarity that it makes for a great episode to watch time and time again.

Final Score: 9.2