1F20 "Secrets of A Successful Marriage" [Review]

"It�s those TV networks, Marge, they won�t let me. One quality show after another, each one fresher and more brilliant than the last. If they only stumbled once, just gave us thirty minutes to ourselves, but they won�t! They won�t let me live!", Homer Simpson, 1F20

Here comes the review about 1F20 "Secrets of A Successful Marriage" which I consider as one of the best season 5 episodes (though many people will again disagree). I write the review already today as I will be too busy next week to write something.

I�d say there were two kinds of stories in season 5: the weaker episodes contained often nothing but a bunch of crazy situations in ultrafast and "ultrafunny" plots with too little regard for the characters. There was often a thin story and it was fast and funny and the characters had to fit somehow. Lots of laughs but little content and often more surreal than ever before. On the other hand, I�d still prefer all of the weakest season 5 episodes instead of the "best" season 11/12 episodes.

The better 1F episodes always contained a certain message, for example 1F12 about feminism or 1F19 about honesty. 1F20 is also one of the more deeper episodes as it contains a message about trust and also a message about how much Homer needs Marge. It�s a rather quiet and slow episode and mostly grounded in reality and for me something of a tribute to season 1. It�s unusual as season finale for season 5 which saw the show become more and more surreal and slightly out of touch with characters and reality but I�m glad that they did the episode that way.

I�d call the episode "underrated" (and I rarely do that) as it contains important and defining scenes for the characters (there weren�t many defining episodes in season 5) but I guess people don�t like the episode for the same reason I don�t like 1F02. It�s all a matter of personal taste and 1F20 is far more my taste than 1F02 as it deals with the characters and their feelings in a honest way.

Now what makes it so good for a stubborn oldschooler like me?

The episode is not about crazy Homer at the college or about Homer falling into a deep gorge with a trampoline or about Homer in outer space or about an entire town freaking out in some "Mad Mad World" parody or about the Simpsons� new elephant rampaging through Springfield or about flower-eating and de-programming Bart - it�s just a very normal episode about Homer and Marge and their marriage and that kind of normality and family-related plots was often missing in the fifth season.

Some people said in the capsule reviews that the episode was rather weak as Season Finale, that the story was way too unfunny and that the emotionality seemed forced and somehow flat but personally I don�t really agree. Sure, we had better and deeper and more serious Marge & Homer episodes before so stories about their marriage seem a little repetitive but I think they�re always interesting.

The entire episode was of course a clear tribute to the classic seasons: we have a scene of Marge throwing Homer out like in 7G10 (says Homer "This scene is gettin' old, man") and we have the really brilliant concept of the "ironic street" through which Marge drives - clearly reminiscent of the great 7G11 - and we have the simple but classic fact that the family - in that case just Homer - needs Marge more than anything else which clearly refers to 8F14.

The concept of the episode is also in most parts classic: a down part in the middle but uplifting at the end. There�s maybe one problem - the story with Homer and Marge starts a little too late and some of the jokes in the first and partly in the second act seem to be very season 5-like e.g. "slow" Homer or Homer in a too jerkish mood. Fortunately, his character changes a little in the second half and he becomes more of the slow and simple but well-meaning guy and thus he fits better into the then more classic storyline about the loss of trust.

The scene when Marge helps Homer and unhooks him when he gets caught on the table is simply great as it once again defines Marge as "mother" for big child Homer. Homer becoming a bum within a few days is of course rather surreal but it�s symbolic for how much he needs Marge and for how deep their relationship and also his complete dependence is. It�s excellently defining for Homer and I love his line "Marge, I need you more than anyone else on this entire planet could possibly ever need you! I need you to take care of me, to put up with me, and most of all I need you to love me, 'cause I love you..." Very very classic and at least a little correction of overdone stories and strange Homer characterization in season 5. Season 6 was a step back in the right direction (not entirely) and season 7 found almost entirely back to the old style in combination with intelligent surreal stuff.

I won�t praise 1F20 too much as there are certainly some weaker parts and weaker jokes and the entire "Homer as teacher" story seems a little too far-fetched and even too long but from all season 5 episodes it�s one of my favourites as it found back to the original roots. There wasn�t much satire as it was a character episode but it contained lots of classic material and a certain message about trust, it was emotional and character-defining. I haven�t seen the syndicated version yet but according to the capsule some of the better scenes and lines (including the hilarious "Eat the pudding" scene) are cut so I guess syndication has ruined parts of 1F20. Whatever, that�s the kind of episode I would like to have at least once or twice a season.

If some of the writers are actually reading this (which I doubt) I�d like to assure you that none of my reviews are meant to be insulting but just to show my own opinion and to give some points of more or less justified criticism. There�s maybe a small lesson in 1F20 - to become a little preachy - as the finale of season 5 brought a slightly outlandish season (very harmless in comparison to todays style) back to a more emotional and reality-based ground. How about that for an upcoming season?

Well, that�s it for now. No further reviews for a couple of days (everyone is happy ;-))

Chris

"Chris Pfeiler" wrote in message news:[email]...

I

again

Actually, I agree.

IMO there's something to be said for a plot that moves quickly. If the characters do nothing but stand around talking or thinking, the episode drags.

1F12

much

grounded in

I would think more intelligent critics of this episode might hate it, because Homer comes off as a leech. I would think the major criticism is that Homer can't be man enough to think of Marge's feelings, and that the jokes would be written off as childish (Moe's funk dancing, for example. I really liked that scene).

I heartily disagree with those ideas. The episode is quite funny, and Homer isn't the kind of guy who thinks of others first. He thinks of himself first, and eventually he may think of others. 1F20 stands as a great episode just because it's funny, without any deeper reason. There is deeper content there, but IMO the comedy is enough to make it great.

defining

same

Usually, it's the more intelligent folks and some (what I call) "pseudo-intellectuals" who don't like 1F20. The general audience likes this episode if only for the "just eat the damned oranges" scenes. IMO it's not the kids, or people with less life experience that don't like the episode. It's those who get irritated when Homer shows the slightest signs of insensitivity to his family members who didn't like 1F20.

and that kind of

"Yes, Lisa. Daddy's a teacher". It's the original "it's a ring toss game" line.

as

Those are whom I'd term the "pseudo-intellectual" critics. They are the people with the book-smarts, but without any intuitive imagination or genius. I'm sorry if that sounds like a rash generalization, but I think it fits.

don�t really agree.

Me too.

before so stories

That was probably the biggest knock about 1F20... it was called a failed repeat of 7F20. I disagree.

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7G11 -

just

Interesting ties. Good observations there.

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The best Homer episodes have him moving away from his self-centeredness toward his family members.

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Yeah. Maybe the funniest scene in the episode. It was cut.

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show

criticism.

Maybe we should hold our breath ;-)

I like the reviews. Keep them coming.