The Simpsons (TV Series) The Way We Was (1991) User Reviews

The show's first flashback episode is a very powerful and heartwarming little experience and a testament to the show's range and capabilities

[SLionsCricketreviews · 8/10 · 2 February 2018]

While I had a vague memory of what "The Way We Was" was about, the majority of the episode was pretty much erased from my memory and re-watching the episode here, it just struck me as to how powerful and beautiful an experience this episode was. There isn't very much humour in this episode, whether that is more a reflection of the first couple of seasons of 'The Simpsons' or the fact that the writers desired to tone down the humour in favour of drama, I don't know, but ultimately it works for me better than a lot of the episodes so far.

The flashbacks, which constitute pretty much the entire episode, are not a refreshing change of pace for the show as far as narrative is concerned but in general, it is beautifully done. For as loving as Homer and Marge have been to one another so far in the series (and continue to be down the road), it isn't entirely the most healthy relationship (largely for Marge) and yet this episode perfectly sells the innocence and the bond between the two. There are a couple of almost tear-jerking moments in this episode such as when Homer comes to Marge's house as the prom date or the episode's heartwarming ending and it's a testament to the very good writing in this episode.

"The Way We Was" is another early indicator that 'The Simpsons' was here to stay and it showed surprising range for a series that had already come quite a way with as little as twenty five episodes. It showed that 'The Simpsons' could be as much of a comedy (even if the comedy within the show is still in the process of figuring itself out) as a drama. The ending really affirms this notion and it manages to find a way to be as sentimental and heartwarming as it is mildly self-aware by Bart's 'choking' gesture that concludes Homer and Marge telling the story of how they fell in love.

Flashback Time!

[LedZep712 · 9/10 · 5 January 2008]

The Way Was

Now, as Simpsons episodes go, this episode has dated somewhat being set in 1974 (in fact, presently given Homer's age as 39 and Marge's as 34, Homer would've only been a small child and Marge may not even have been born.) but in other respects, the episode as well as the series strangely lasts the course of time.

The episode seems to capture a real air of the early-seventies with Homer's character being particularly endearing with both a young sense of mischief and his familiar older personality moulded together. Jon Lovitz also makes his first guest appearance on the series as Artie Ziff. Probably not Lovitz' best performance on the show, but it's not too bad either.

Overall, it represents the Simpsons at it's best. A good, whole-some storyline with a healthy and eclectic sense of humour.

9/10!

[Analog_Devotee · 9/10 · 4 June 2021]

The Simpsons' television set breaks, so Homer decides to tell the story of how he met Marge! Very cute episode. Underrated gem.

Some People Call Me The Space Cowboy....

[WinTheGreen · 10/10 · 6 February 2022]

A classic episode from Season 2. A really good story of how when Marge & Homer first hooked up. It was in detention.......which is surprising for Marge.

The first time we see Artie Ziff.

Nice ending where Marge Drives Homer home and the meter ran out on his limo for the evening.

Highly recommended.

Right up there with the best

[studioAT · 10/10 · 22 March 2020]

1974 - Homer meets Marge. NOT in the 90's like one horrible episode years later would try to make out.

This is a wonderfully sweet episode, with lots of lovely moments, especially where Marge picks up Homer at the end.

This is a good example of the show at its best.

Top 10

[jojo_the_retard · 10/10 · 11 January 2008]

This is The Simpsons at their best. Flashback episodes always give something more than a regular episode. This is the episode as to how Homer and Marge fell in love. It's great, with Homer never giving up on Marge and then Marge goes to Homer when she realizes how great he really is.

It has the laughs you need, the heart, a sensitive storyline along with Artie being an ass. It's the perfect mix of emotion.

Best part of the episode and one of the best in the series is the scene on the stairs where Marge questions Homer as to why he won't give up, it just has that emotion newer episodes lack. Homer's dedication to never give up on Marge, even after he has her then looses her is beyond amazing.

Can they ever match this greatness again. I hope so.

Classic

[jettspencer-60573 · 10/10 · 9 August 2021]

Greatest episode in television history. Great writing, animation, delivery on some of these line is brilliant.

Flashback For the Ages!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 13 April 2014]

The twelfth episode in the second season of the Simpsons seems to be a very special episode. This episode is special because it tells us about the past of the Simpsons and who Marge and Homer were in their early days. This is a funny story, but it's also sensitive. The film gives a "what if" statement and we see what could have happened if these two did not meet.

This episode, "The Way We Was," has Homer and Marge telling their children the story of how they met and fell in love with each other during high school.

Overall, this is a fantastic episode because it's in mainly flashback mode. It's a good story in terms of character development and a very interesting tale. It's funny and sweet all at the same time. I rate this film 9/10.

One of the Greatest Episodes

[carkicos · 10/10 · 10 July 2011]

After the Simpsons TV breaks Marge tells the story of how her and Homer first met during their school years. Looking in the retrospective all the jokes are funny (e.a. when Homer notices a few fallen hairs he says "Plenty more where that came from"...) and the it's fun seeing the characters young (Patty and Selma are smoking). As for the other jokes Bart's comments during the story are hilarious as well as the not so subtle criticisms on the period.

This episode is warm and funny, and alto the ending seems a bit rushed i'm always ever so pleased to re-watch it.

P.S.: This is the first time the brilliant Jon Lovitz (Artie) appears.

Feels a bit rushed

[10086cn · 27 April 2020]

I certainly don't think 22 minutes is long enough for an episode like this, as there could be way more added to this episode. I don't know, it just feels incomplete in my opinion.

Millions will be late

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 28 June 2022]

Homer and Marge tell the story of how they met and fell in love.

This is one of my favourite episodes of the Simpsons.

I think both aspects of the narrative are exceptionally good. It has an excellent nostalgic flashback as two parents tell their love story, plus very funny reactions from the children, whose TV is broken.

The high school romance of Marge and Homer is a highly entertaining story, with brilliant humour and period detail. Even though you know the outcome it still manages to compel. All the supporting characters such as Artie Ziff and the younger versions of Barney Gumble, Patty, Selma, and Abe Simpson are used to great effect.

It has one of the best finishes to an episode as the sentimentality reaches its emotional climax and we have a fantastic reaction from Bart.

For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.

Keep it the way, the Simpsons were. Don't change it! This episode was pretty good.

[ivyleague929 · 8/10 · 25 March 2014]

Directed by David Silverman, 'The Way We Was' from the twelfth episode of The Simpsons' second season is one great episode. It originally aired on the Fox network in January 31, 1991. I love this episode, because it told the story of how Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) and Marge (Julie Kavner) fell in love with each other, during their 1974 high school year. It was the first flashback episode of the Simpsons. It was one of the very few episodes that kinda gave us a break from the whole majority of the plot revolves around Bart Simpson craze of the early 1990s. Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright) was a bit annoying in this episode to the point, I really wanted him to shut up. I like the character, but gees… he was a bit too crude here. It was nice to see what Homer & Marge were like, before meeting each other. I did find it funny, how Marge was so into the Feminism movement and how Homer didn't think of himself working at a nuclear power plant. The prom plot wasn't anything new. It was near done, even in 1991 terms. It was really just carbon copy of every prom, movies and TV shows go through. Even to the point where one or two of the main character becoming King or Queen. It was a bit predictable. The episode feature a lot of characters that would later, appear in dozen of future episodes such as Rainier Wolfcastle AKA McBain play by Harry Shearer, an parody of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The writers actually invented Wolfcastle for the 15th episode of the second season, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", that went into production, way before this episode was even made. Since "The Way We Was" aired first, it before it's became considered as his first appearance. The character was originally named McBain, after the film franchise that he stars in. When the film McBain was released in 1991, after the episode had aired, the films' producers refused to allow the show to use the name in future episodes, so the name Rainier Wolfcastle, to represent the actor's real name, was created to use instead. Later, the use of the name McBain returned to represent the character. Another recurring character was Jon Lovitz as Artie Ziff. Jon Lovitz was pretty good in the role, he was given. Jon Lovitz would later voice other characters beside Artie such as Professor Lombardo, Aristotle Amandopolis and others. The jokes were pretty decent. The episode never really felt over the top like later seasons episodes would end up being. There was a bit of realistic humor here. The episode feature a lot of culture references to the 1970s that were used correctly. Now, when I hear, 'Close to you' by the Carpenters, all I can think of is how Homer and Marge met in this episode. "Close to You" is played in Homer and Marge's wedding video even in the 2007, Simpson Movie. The episode was pretty warm handled, and wasn't too sappy that was drowning in it. It really show how much Homer really love Marge. Sadly, the Simpsons kinda ruin it, with the whole 'That 90's show' during the 11th episode of the Simpsons' 19th season that had a similar plot, which depict the timeframe of Homer and Marge's romance as being in the 1990s, as opposed to the late 1970s and early 1980s setting in this episode. I know, the Simpsons uses a floating timeline in which the characters do not physically age, and as such the show is generally assumed to be set in the current year, but that episode really contradicted this episode and other early episodes. I know that the 90's Show episode, was not the high school years, but it does ruin, many of the episodes, I love as a kid, such as the story of Bart and Lisa being born. I don't get why they did it, because in the 24th season, second episode 'Treehouse of Horror XXIII" kinda revisit this episode, stating out the love affair start in 1974, not 1990. Overall: a great watch that really show the depths and history of Homer & Marge love affair.

He's Still Homer

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 11 April 2022]

A little flashback to show how people were and how they came to together. Homer is romantic but lacks any social graces. He makes the mistake of insulting Marge and ends up stag at the prom. But if you see her family, it explains a lot of what goes on down the road. Cute episode.

McBain!

[safenoe · 9/10 · 9 January 2024]

Here we see McBain and one of my favorite (of many I should say) parts of The Simpsons is McBain and Itchy and Scratchy. I also like the flashback part of The Way We was, and I think in a future one reference is made to Joe Piscopo (Eddie Murphy's sidekick on SNL) which was hilariously an ouch moment for him unfortunately.

Anyway, it's hard to believe The Way We Was was broadcast ages and ages ago. It's taken me ages and ages and a day to finally publish an imdb user review. I highly recommend fans watch the early seasons of The Simpsons as it represents the golden years that's for sure init right.