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The Way We Was

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
Season 2 Episode
024 "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish"
025
"The Way We Was"
"Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment" 026
"I'm livin' it, but I ain't lovin' it."
Bart suffers through Homer's and Marge's story
"The Way We Was"
Homer meets Marge.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 25
Season number: S2 E12
Production code: 7F12
Original airdate: January 31, 1991
Chalkboard gag: "I will not get very far with this attitude."
Guest star(s): Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff and Mr. Seckofsky
Showrunner(s): James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Sam Simon
Written by: Al Jean
Mike Reiss
Sam Simon
Directed by: David Silverman
DVD features


"The Way We Was" is the twelfth episode of season 2 of The Simpsons and the twenty-fifth episode overall. It originally aired on January 31, 1991. The episode was written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss and Sam Simon and directed by David Silverman. It guest stars Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff and Mr. Seckofsky.

Synopsis[edit]

"When the TV breaks down, Marge and Homer decide to tell their children a story. After refusing to tell the story of how Bart was born, they decide to tell the story of how Homer and Marge met in high school—and how Marge almost went out with a nerd named Artie Ziff."


Plot[edit]

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 attends a feminist rally and burns a bra on the school grounds, she's sent to detention. It just so happens that Homer and Barney are already there, having been busted for smoking in the school restroom. Upon seeing Marge enter the room, Homer is smitten and wants to ask her to the Prom.

To get to be around her more, Homer joins the debate team that Marge is on. However, 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 reveals he doesn't really take French, Marge grows furious and storms out of the house, yelling after her that she hates Homer. The next day, due to her lack of sleep, Marge is unprepared for her role on the debate team. Afterwards, Artie Ziff asks Marge to the Prom, whom she gladly accepts.

Homer doesn't realize (or perhaps, refuses to believe) that Marge has rejected him, and so shows up for prom night to pick her up. After being insulted by Marge's sisters, Homer realizes his assumptions were incorrect when Artie shows up to pick up Marge. Homer still decides to go to the Prom, since he already rented his tuxedo, a limousine, and paid for the two dinners at the event. At the Prom, Homer's night seems to get worse: from having a Prom photo taken only of himself, and watching as Marge and Artie are crowned Prom King and Queen.

Later, Marge and Artie leave the prom and go off to have an intimate moment. Marge is rather unsure about this, and grows angry when Artie clumsily steps over the line. Upon her demand, Artie drives her home, wishing her good night, and asking that she not tell anyone about his 'busy hands.' Marge is about to enter her house when she hears her parents arguing through the door, saying how uncouth Homer was, and how lucky Marge was for going to the Prom with Artie. Marge then gets in her car, and finds Homer walking along the side of the road, having lost his ride. Marge gives him a ride, and says that she should have taken him instead. At these words, Homer mentions that he's a little afraid, because "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." The episode ends with Homer happily embracing Marge as the Simpson children look on. While Lisa and Maggie look pleased, Bart (as is expected), is grossed out.

Production[edit]

In other languages[edit]

Language Name Translation
Germany.png Deutsch "Wie alles begann" How it all began
Italy Flag.png Italiano "Come eravamo" The way we were
Brasil Flag.png Português "Nós Somos Jovens, Jovens" We Are Young, Young
Hungary flag.png Magyar "Ilyenek voltunk" The Way We Was
Flag of Japan.png 日本語 "パパとママの恋物語" Dad and Mom's Love Story


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to "The Way We Was".
Season 2 Episodes
Bart Gets an "F" Simpson and Delilah Treehouse of Horror Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish Dancin' Homer Dead Putting Society Bart vs. Thanksgiving Bart the Daredevil Itchy & Scratchy & Marge Bart Gets Hit by a Car One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish The Way We Was Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment Principal Charming Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Bart's Dog Gets an "F" Old Money Brush with Greatness Lisa's Substitute The War of the Simpsons Three Men and a Comic Book Blood Feud