[8.1/10] “Secrets of a Successful Mariiage” is, for my money at least, the best “Homer and Marge on the rocks” episode The Simpsons ever did. Lord knows the show went back to that well time and time again, but this episode both explains why that happened and why it didn’t need to. On the one hand, this episode was so effective at wringing pathos and heart and genuine strain out of the relationship between Homer and Marge that you can understand later writers wanting to use it as a blueprint. On the other hand, this show tackles that idea in such a definitive fashion, that it makes most of those latter-day attempts seem pale by comparison.
Like most of the episode’s from this time, “Secrets” has a good structure. The first act is about Homer’s journey to feeling better about himself after being called “slow” until he becomes a teacher. The second is about him spilling family secrets to keep the respect and attention of his class until it blows up in his face at home. And the third is about him wallowing in his own crapulence, as Mr. Burns might put it, until he remembers what he gives Marge that no one else can, and she takes him back.
But as a whole, “Secrets” is about what makes the Simpsons’ marriage work. There’s a legitimate question to be had of why Marge, who is provincial but also clever and level-headed, would put up with Homer. In some ways, the answer to that question is “The Way We Was”, which suggests that, as another Greg Daniels-penned character would say, “it’s...you know...the love.” But “Secrets” both answers the question of why Marge would trust Homer to keep their secrets again -- because he can’t afford not to, and why they work -- because Homer both loves her and needs her, and because Marge both loves her husband and likes being needed by him.
As Marge herself puts it, complete and utter dependence isn’t exactly a good thing, but it works as an answer to that immediate issue of why Marge would trust Homer to do better in the future, and also has a certain sweetness to their reconciliation that’s powered by five seasons of seeing the two of them living and loving together.
Even apart from the great work boring into the core of the Homer-Marge relationship, “Secrets” is also just a damn funny episode. Homer’s pitch to the learning annex administrator, his “teasing the order box”, Moe’s array of corny “heh heh heh” comments, Homer’s rapidly deteriorating clothing and hastily-constructed plant-wife substitutes are all big laughs. Hell, even a simple montage sequence can end in a viewing of “Painful Memories Party Supplies” with the incongruity being half of the hilarious joke. Even and especially when the show is being a little serious here, it doesn't skimp on the laughs.
This is also one of the best characterizations of Homer. As Greg Daniels would prove on his time running the American version of The Office, he knows how to write an inconsiderate dope in a way that lets you continue to like them, no small feat. Homer here is an obvious dunce, who violates Marge’s privacy in a terrible way and reacts really poorly, but remains so earnest and hopeful and, let’s be frank, pathetic through it all that it’s hard not to root for him, and them, when it all goes to pot.
Overall, this is the best The Simpsons ever did at exploring the foundations of Marge and Homer’s relationships, and it does with humor, pace, and sincerity that sees the whole thing through.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2019-05-19T20:35:06Z
[8.1/10] “Secrets of a Successful Mariiage” is, for my money at least, the best “Homer and Marge on the rocks” episode The Simpsons ever did. Lord knows the show went back to that well time and time again, but this episode both explains why that happened and why it didn’t need to. On the one hand, this episode was so effective at wringing pathos and heart and genuine strain out of the relationship between Homer and Marge that you can understand later writers wanting to use it as a blueprint. On the other hand, this show tackles that idea in such a definitive fashion, that it makes most of those latter-day attempts seem pale by comparison.
Like most of the episode’s from this time, “Secrets” has a good structure. The first act is about Homer’s journey to feeling better about himself after being called “slow” until he becomes a teacher. The second is about him spilling family secrets to keep the respect and attention of his class until it blows up in his face at home. And the third is about him wallowing in his own crapulence, as Mr. Burns might put it, until he remembers what he gives Marge that no one else can, and she takes him back.
But as a whole, “Secrets” is about what makes the Simpsons’ marriage work. There’s a legitimate question to be had of why Marge, who is provincial but also clever and level-headed, would put up with Homer. In some ways, the answer to that question is “The Way We Was”, which suggests that, as another Greg Daniels-penned character would say, “it’s...you know...the love.” But “Secrets” both answers the question of why Marge would trust Homer to keep their secrets again -- because he can’t afford not to, and why they work -- because Homer both loves her and needs her, and because Marge both loves her husband and likes being needed by him.
As Marge herself puts it, complete and utter dependence isn’t exactly a good thing, but it works as an answer to that immediate issue of why Marge would trust Homer to do better in the future, and also has a certain sweetness to their reconciliation that’s powered by five seasons of seeing the two of them living and loving together.
Even apart from the great work boring into the core of the Homer-Marge relationship, “Secrets” is also just a damn funny episode. Homer’s pitch to the learning annex administrator, his “teasing the order box”, Moe’s array of corny “heh heh heh” comments, Homer’s rapidly deteriorating clothing and hastily-constructed plant-wife substitutes are all big laughs. Hell, even a simple montage sequence can end in a viewing of “Painful Memories Party Supplies” with the incongruity being half of the hilarious joke. Even and especially when the show is being a little serious here, it doesn't skimp on the laughs.
This is also one of the best characterizations of Homer. As Greg Daniels would prove on his time running the American version of The Office, he knows how to write an inconsiderate dope in a way that lets you continue to like them, no small feat. Homer here is an obvious dunce, who violates Marge’s privacy in a terrible way and reacts really poorly, but remains so earnest and hopeful and, let’s be frank, pathetic through it all that it’s hard not to root for him, and them, when it all goes to pot.
Overall, this is the best The Simpsons ever did at exploring the foundations of Marge and Homer’s relationships, and it does with humor, pace, and sincerity that sees the whole thing through.