Matthew Burnette// Contributing writer
After 26 years together, Homer and Marge Simpson are known as one of TV’s most beloved couples. So when it was rumored that they would call it quits on the 27th season premiere of The Simpsons, fans were in shock.
According to an interview with Variety, Simpsons executive producer Al Jean says that in the Sept. 27th episode titled “Every Man’s Dream,” Homer will be diagnosed with epilepsy, causing a strain on the relationship. The two will file for a “legal separation” as Homer finds himself with a pharmacist voiced by Lena Dunham.
Though the potential end of TV’s longest standing marriage will be hard for many to comprehend, we must remember that the two have had some close calls in the past and still managed to find their way back to each other.
March 18, 1990: “Life on the Fast Lane” (Season 1, Episode 9)
In this episode, Marge finds herself smitten with a French bowling instructor named Jacques after Homer infuriates her by giving her a bowling ball inscribed with his name on it for her birthday. The relationship between Marge and Jacques grows as Homer is left wondering why he and Marge are drifting apart. Jacques invites Marge to his apartment so they can be together in private, and along the way, she finds herself at a crossroads: one way leading to Jacques’ apartment and the other leading to the nuclear power plant where Homer works. Marge ultimately goes the way of the power plant, and the episode ends with Homer carrying her out of the plant, parodying “An Officer and A Gentleman.”
December 9, 1993: “Last Temptation of Homer” (Season 5, Episode 9)
This episode finds Homer attracted to a new coworker named Mindy who, though beautiful, shares Homer’s love of junk food and talent for belching. When the two are sent away to the National Energy Convention in Capitol City, Mindy confesses her feelings to Homer after a romantic dinner they share as a reward for their work at the convention, and Homer expresses his worry that he will be unfaithful to Marge. Mindy gives Homer the choice of who he wants to be with, and he ultimately chooses Marge with whom he shares a romantic evening.
November 2, 1997: “The Cartridge Family” (Season 9, Episode 5)
After a riot at a soccer game, Marge insists Homer buy a home security system, but he instead gets a gun since they’re cheaper and joins the NRA. Marge begs Homer to get rid of the gun, but when she catches Bart and Milhouse playing with it she leaves with the kids and moves into the Sleep-Eazy Motel. Abandoned by his NRA buddies for his reckless behavior, Homer goes to the motel to win Marge back, saying he got rid of the gun, though he then uses it to stop a robbery. Marge becomes furious with Homer for lying, but after he throws the gun in the trash, the two head home with the kids, but not before Marge slips the gun in her purse after looking at herself holding it in the mirror.
March 20, 2005: “Mobile Homer” (Season 16, Episode 13)
Worried about the future after Homer’s recent accident involving spiders while cleaning out the garage and is deemed uninsurable, Marge decides the family needs to cut back on spending and save money in case something happens to Homer again. Angered by Marge’s decision, Homer takes all the money she saves and buys an RV with it, eventually moving into the RV when Marge kicks him out of the house. Homer befriends a convoy of RV drivers and invites them to stay in the backyard, increasing Marge’s anger towards him. Tired of the fighting, Bart and Lisa take the RV and drive it back to the dealer, forcing Homer and Marge to set aside their differences to rescue the children after they lose control of the vehicle.
April 17, 2005: “Future-Drama” (Season 16, Episode 15)
When Bart and Lisa get into a fight, they tumble into Professor Frink’s basement, where he offers to show them their future using a new machine he invented. In the future, Marge and Homer have separated due to Homer spending all of the couple’s savings on an undersea home, which he now lives in. Marge is in a relationship with Krusty, but after a convincing plea from Homer, she dumps Krusty and goes back to him. Though the Homer and Marge storyline is a minor part of this episode, it is yet another example of the two finding their way back to each other after a separation.
“The Simpson’s Movie” (2007)
In The Simpsons’ sole theatrical endeavor, the family finds themselves fleeing Springfield after Homer dumps his silo full of pig manure in a lake, causing the EPA to put a dome over the city as a result of the pollution. Marge and the kids decide to go back when they see a commercial revealing a plot to blow up Springfield, presumably leaving Homer behind forever. After a shaman gives him an epiphany Homer goes back to save the town by riding a motorcycle to the top of the dome and destroying the bomb. Homer reunites with Marge and the two ride off into the sunset.
Hopefully, this season’s premiere will be a case of history repeating itself, and fans around the world will get to hold back their “D’oh”s.
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To contact Lifestyles editor Rhiannon Gilbert email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com
