The War of the Simpsons

"The War of the Simpsons" is the 20th episode of the second season of The Simpsons.

Synopsis

Marge and Homer throw a party. Homer gets drunk and humiliates himself by leering at Maude Flanders, telling off total strangers, and stumbling over furniture. The next day at church, Marge signs up for a weekend retreat of marriage counseling hosted by Reverend Lovejoy and his wife. Marge recruits Grampa for the weekend to babysit since the babysitter she previously hired was emotionally scarred by Bart when he was a baby.

Homer finds out that the retreat will be held at Catfish Lake and packs his fishing equipment, despite Marge telling him that the retreat will be resolving their differences. On the way there, he learns of the legendary catfish, General Sherman.

Meanwhile, at home, left with Grampa, Bart and Lisa decide to hold a party. At the lake the next morning Homer tries to sneak away to go fishing. Marge is upset that Homer would choose fishing over their marriage. Homer takes a walk instead. On the dock, Homer finds an abandoned fishing pole. The pole yanks him off the pier into a small rowboat, and onto the lake. From their cabin window, Marge watches Homer fish.

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, not knowing he was pretending.

Marge attends the workshops alone while Homer catches his fish. When he returns, Marge tells him their marriage is in trouble if he values fish more than her. To prove that he loves Marge more he lets the fish go (despite battling it for several hours) and they return together to a clean house.