Marge Gets a Job (S04, E07-066)

"Hahahaha... the senile old fool!"

Plot Summary
The Simpsons find themselves in a heap of trouble when the foundation to their house gives way, leaving the house all slanty and unsteady.  After Homer's inability to figure out how to fix it, they learn that getting professionals to fix the foundation would cost $8500.  A short time later, Homer along with Marge head for a retirement "party" for a guy from the plant.  The party, which was just yet another Smithers ploy to exude grace on Mr. Burns, concluded with an interesting tidbit: that the plant would hire an entry level position to replace the guy who just "retired".

With the house in dire shape, Marge decides to go for it.  Lisa massively embellishes Marge's resume to look impressive, and it works out.  Grampa babysits the kids while Homer and Marge now work in the same area of the plant.  Eventually, Marge earns enough money to pay off the foundation repair.  Soon, Marge gains the attention of Burns himself, who becomes infatuated with Marge but is unaware she's married.  Soon, Burns has Smithers set up a private garden party at his estate with Tom Jones as a crooner (Marge having previously mentioned Jones positively).  As Smithers "persuades" Jones to do the gig, Mr. Burns is stunned to learn that Marge has a husband.  Angered by this, Burns fires Marge on the spot.

In a sidestory, Bart really doesn't want to take an English test, and uses multiple excuses to get out of it, including hurting ovaries, smallpox, and that unfortunate bout with apparently offensive actual medical condition rabies.  Throughout this, Bart is asked if he's read The Boy Who Cried Wolf, but Bart claims he hasn't (or at least the key part of the story), and continues to skip the test.  Mrs. Krabappel eventually forces him to take it no matter what.  It just happens that, at this time, a wolf escapes a Krusty Show airing, and runs into the school, finding and subsequently attacking Bart, which Mrs. Krabappel isn't buying for a second.  Groundskeeper Willie saves the day by taking on and eventually taming the wolf, as Bart turns in his torn up and probably failing-quality test before collapsing.

Meanwhile, Marge intends to sue Mr. Burns over the means of her dismissal.  She hires Lionel Hutz, whose willing to take the case to restore his shattered practice, but runs away in panic upon seeing Burns' 10 highly-paid lawyers.  Marge gives up, but Homer sticks up for Marge and demands an apology from Burns.  Mr. Burns relents, seeing how much Homer loves Marge, and lets the two have the private party at the estate with Tom Jones, who is eager to escape.

Quick Review
Another excellent episode in Season 4, this episode has plenty going for it, especially as it picks up near the end.  Bart's sidestory was entertaining if not a bit brief, and storylines featuring Mr. Burns always have a ton of potential, and this episode makes good on most of it.

Final Score: 8.8