In classic Simpsons, some of the best and most emotional episodes centre around Marge and Homer. From "The Way We Was" to "I Married Marge", it has always been interesting to see why would Marge, a woman with so much more potential and a brighter future, would settle down for a buffoon like Homer. "Life On The Fast Lane" is the first Homer and Marge episode and is no exception. It differs from later Homer and Marge episodes in that there is really no explanation of why Marge would settle for Homer and doesn't use the "Homer fucking up and redeeming himself to Marge" plot point that becomes the staple of Modern Simpsons, but merely illustrates a realistic devastating marriage crisis that really could happen to any married couple.
In this episode, we first get to see how exactly Homer treats Marge. Homer obviously isn't anywhere near the abusive husband he becomes in post classical episodes, but he merely doesn't lives up to Marge's colossally low expectations. None of what he does is really intentional, but when you buy a bowling ball with your name engraved on it for your wife who doesn't even bowl, you are bound to have one unhappy Marge. Here, we really see Homer at his most selfish. From completely forgetting his wife's birthday to buying a bowling ball for himself for Marge, Homer doesn't really cherish or appreciate Marge for what she has done for the family. So when Marge, in an act of passive aggressive behaviour, meets a very persuasive and romantic Jacques at Barney's Bowlarama, she is obviously instantly smitten.
Jacques is really a complete foil of Homer. Unlike Homer, he makes Marge feels appreciated. From receiving a bowling glove truly for her, to complementing her and making her laugh, Marge understands that those are all attempts of Jacques coming onto her but can't help herself because she hasn't been pampered for so long. Living with Homer is not exactly a dream life. As Marge, aside from the hours of gruelling housework, you don't get remembered for your birthdays much less a birthday present and you never get a thank-you from your kids or Homer for all the dinners you cook for them. With Jacques though, you get surprise thoughtful gifts custom made for you; you are always told how beautiful you are; and he drives you home and buys you brunch. For Marge, Jacques is just a much better man than Homer.
From the perspective of Homer, he didn't really do anything wrong. Remember that Homer really is a selfish man. So while he probably did buy the bowling ball for himself, it is completely within character for him to do so. Selfishness, stupidity and ignorance are all classic personality traits of Homer that Marge knows she can't change. To live with Homer means that you are forever undermined for your sacrifices and you probably will never receive any birthday gifts. It is a very negative portrayal of Homer and a very negative looming truth to this marriage, but you can't really blame Homer because Homer never meant to be selfish, stupid or ignorant. It is merely how he was raised and his environment that caused him to be who he is today and at the end of the day, he still loves Marge. So when Homer finds Marge's gloves, his suspicion of Marge's affair is confirmed and he is understandably devastated. This leads to his heartfelt attempt to show Marge his appreciation with his peanut butter jelly speech. It is poorly worded, but that's all Homer can muster up.
With Jacques, Marge finds it increasingly difficult to deny his advances. So when Jacques asks Marge to come to his apartment, Marge really faces a tough choice. It is a turning point where going to the power plant would mean staying with the selfish buffoon that she obviously still has feelings for and be forever unappreciated ( much like how Lisa feels). Or, continue her affair with Jacques at fiesta terrace and move on.... For Homer, it is just devastating because he really can't do anything about it. It is just a potential aspect he has to face where Marge just doesn't love him anymore for who he is and is ready to move on. But at the end, Marge comes back to Homer. It is never quite shown explicitly shown why she does so, but we can all assume that it is because Marge still loves Homer.
For Marge, it really is a difficult choice. By choosing to stay with Homer, she is choosing to continue to settle in for a life of mediocrity where she never is going to reach her potential and better her future, and is forced to drop her expectation bar of her husband lower and lower. However, the overarching theme of the Simpsons is that the Simpsons always love each other and while they may not always be appreciative of each other, they are still a family. So while it maybe true that Marge sacrificed all her future and settled in for a life of unappreciation and mediocrity with Homer, it is still the buffoon who she loves.
Characterisation: 5/5
Plot: 3/3
Subjective: 1.5/2
Overall: 9.5/10
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