[s2e12] The Way We Was 90%

The episode is a love letter to the 1970s, packed with era-specific details:

He walked miles in a tuxedo just because it was the right thing to do.

The drama peaks when Marge discovers Homer’s lie and goes to the prom with the articulate (but handsy) Artie Ziff. The episode concludes with a poignant realization: Artie is a jerk, and Homer—despite his flaws—is the one who truly cares for her. 🎸 70s Nostalgia and Style

Homer is a long-haired slacker serving detention; Marge is a budding feminist and academic achiever. After a classic "meet-cute" in the detention hall, Homer poses as a French student to get Marge to tutor him—all in a desperate attempt to ask her to the prom.

It also introduced , voiced by Jon Lovitz, who became one of the show's most enduring recurring characters. The contrast between Artie’s intellectual arrogance and Homer’s blue-collar sincerity remains one of the show's strongest thematic pillars. Key Takeaways

The final scene, with Homer and Marge in the car, is one of the most romantic moments in animation history.

Before this episode, Homer was often portrayed as a simpler, more aggressive buffoon. "The Way We Was" gave him depth. It showed his vulnerability, his persistence, and his genuine devotion to Marge.