Extra Seconds - Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield (feat. ToonrificTariq)

[@TheRealJims]

Thanks again to ToonrificTariq for guesting on this video and sharing his perspective on Marge as a character. I really feel like I appreciate her more (and this episode) after listening to it. (Also, for some reason I thought that snarky lady's name was Sue Sue instead of Susan because of that funny pronunciation. Hope it's not too distracting, I only found out she was Susan just now when looking up the quote. Oops.)

[@michaeliccutreb6321]

Love how this episode exemplifies their "return to form" of the family-centric episodes. Other seasons/episodes may have better moments but this episode shows that this season had a lot of the best "Simpsons moments". Humor times heart times cartoonish-ness times realism

[@JEANS__]

didnt expect this crossover

[@masterrserch3971]

When you get to season 11, youre probably gonna see a similar comment from me, a la the one from the kid who “inspired” this video, and I’m sure it will also NOT even be on your top 10 list for that season.... That said, GUESS WHOS COMING TO CRITICIZE DINNER, is somehow probably my favorite episode of the series. I’ve noticed over the years of watching you, Jims, that you tend to put things like great storytelling and heartfelt moments,,etc., as a fairly big part of your reasoning for your ranks. Well this episode has none of that, and it even has some pretty weird, wacky, and ZANY jokes in it (“why does it have to be ZANY?”), but if you just let it all go, and deal with what you got, and want to be in a position to flat out laugh your cajones off, IMO, it’s easily one of the funniest episodes in the entire run so far... it’s definitely hilarious and like I said, just makes you laugh, for sometimes dumb reasons (like Johnny Newspaper Seed and a polar bear’s running jump onto a moose and riding it out of the zoo to freedom lol).... it’s just a great episode and I hope it makes your lists, or at least gets its own little retrospective video like this, as I’m interested in specifically seeing what you have to say about it... I respect your simpsons opninon/page

[@Super_Mario128]

Jennifer Crittenden has to my favourite female Simpsons writer.

[@psychedelicfeline6164]

Tariq's part was so unexpectedly beautiful. I love that you (TheRealJims) revisited this episode and challenged your perspective. Great work you two!

[@ToonrificTariq]

What’s the point of crossovers? We’re just gonna end up back on our own channel anyway.

[@sticklyboi]

have u seen my son

[@hobbesthegoblin]

Imiigants! Even when it was tha bears, I knew it was THEMS

[@AndrewMooreMar]

Your addition to the video, both the commentary itself, and the delivery, were absolutely terrific. Thanks for being a part of this magnificent channel!

[@JerryBlueCast]

“I smell a cheap cartoon crossover”

[@DirtiestDMusic]

Only just now realized this line foreshadows the ending to the episode.

[@levv7258]

In a previous episode we get to know that mr. Burns is left handed, but in this episode he is clearly right handed. Are we to accept that mr. Burns's arm is .. heh heh .. magical? Boy I hope somebody got fired for that blunder.

[@PeterParker-ff7ub]

I think he's ambidextrous.

[@icecreamhero2375]

Why would someone who wears a shirt that says genius at work spend all his time watching a cartoon show?

[@rionthemagnificent2971]

@@icecreamhero2375 I withdraw my question.

[@hobbesthegoblin]

NEEERRRRRDDDDDD

[@stereomanuk]

A real life example of 'wronghandness' would be Phil Mickelson who is right-handed but plays golf left-handed.

[@Caolan114]

I hope she didn't take my attempt to destroy her too seriously.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

That’s what’s sad to me about this episode. The women actually were willing to accept Marge into their friend circle in spite of her not being wealthy but their caddy type behavior they’re accustomed to as normal was understandably off putting for Marge.

[@nampyeon635]

@@MrRyan-wu4jx Yeah. It is somewhat of a screw thr audience joke, since it really seems unlikely based on the previous scens.

[@qqww2905]

​@@MrRyan-wu4jxnot really, Marge hides from them the poverty of her family, she hides their car from them and she is obsessed with trying to get a new dress when she can't afford it all because she knows she can't appear to be poor among the rich people

[@erronblack1]

"Oh, don't worry, Marge. Her idea of wit is nothing more than an incisive observation humorously phrased and delivered with impeccable timing." - GOAT Simpsons line

[@MisterMusicMan92]

Legit the funniest line in the entire series for me, along with (funnily enough from the same episode): "I wonder if this Homer Nixon is any relation?" "Unlikely sir, they spell and pronounce their names differently."

[@annagagapearson]

This episode is iconic!! The pink Chanel suit is Marge’s best outfit!

[@caitieeeee]

That suit lives in my mind rent free, iconic is right.

[@voichicoski]

"we can't afford to shop at a store that has a philosophy."

[@cookiemocher388]

Society

[@RT-qd8yl]

Once we grew up we understood

[@LostCosmonauts]

ToonrificTariq is the best. That guy can tell the difference between butter and 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!'

[@SecretGlitch]

No you can't, Mr. Simpson! No one can!

[@WolfGeek64]

Hope you're living your best life btw. At least, as best as it can be given the circumstances.

[@Discooom]

Make more DotA Videos, I thought you died 😭

[@DirtiestDMusic]

That ToonrificTariq is the greatest guy in the world. We've got to have him and his wife over for drinks sometime!

[@nitrosherbert888]

Everytime homer as a scheme I think Simpson you diabolic

[@MaximumPotato0102]

What you mention about the Lisa scene at 7:00 had the same effect on me. I remember being so excited about things as a kid, and then immediately having that feeling crushed when someone shouted at me for being too over the top. The feeling of embarrassment and self-consciousness is captured so painfully well here, and is one of the rare scenes I feel we see Lisa acting like an eight year old.

[@dundee6402]

It's one of my all-time favorite scenes of the series because it really feels like a scene from real life. A busy mom snapping at her attention-seeking 8 year old child

[@TheLauren800]

I agree it’s so nice to see, or hear other people’s perspective on it. On a family road trip to Florida when I was 11 I offered to stay up and drive through the night with my mom and she said “so you can ask me which backstreet boy I wanna go to prom with?” And had so much Snark to it. Which normally wasn’t her style but I do remember being really embarrassed and hurt and looking back she was on a 24 Hour Rd. trip with her husband, two kids and a mother-in-law 😝 always brings me back to the moment!

[@KOTEBANAROT]

That reminds me that as a kid, scenes like these made me think about my mother's feelings. Actually it made me more helpful around the house and such. Obviously everyone eventually realizes that your parents are people with feelings, but simpsons kinda jumpstarted this revelation for me lol.

[@ln5321]

Pretty disappointed that Tariq's argument for why he likes Marge wasn't "I just think she's neat."

[@theccarbiter]

I mean it kinda was

[@logangantner3863]

Your teenage son or daughter will think she's really cool

[@ln5321]

@@logangantner3863 I doubt my son or daughter is that stupid.

[@Delightfully_Witchy]

I appreciate it for being a thoroughly honest answer, while talking about the Marge character herself. He just gave his opinion with a KZbin comment, was asked to elaborate, and gave sincere answer without bullshitting something to save face or bringing down other episodes and shows to emphasize his point like a few other KZbin reviewers would do.

[@VoidHalo]

I'm not sure if I'm alone in feeling like Marge is my least favourite character on the show. But it makes me realize how many other similar cartoons there are with annoying or unlikable mothers, usually with unpleasant voices. Family guy, Bob's Burgers and King of the Hill come to mind off the top of my head. American Dad was unique in that Francine is actually pretty funny at times. lol tampons in the freezer. Can you see Marge saying that?

[@PixelSlayers]

The parts where Lisa gets yelled at and the dress tearing give me actual pain. Every. Time.

[@whatever3259]

ok im glad im not the only one who feels this way

[@cesarrodriguez16]

That place is weird-a man in the bathroom kept handing me towels until I paid him to stop.

[@thecreepycuck6036]

César Rodríguez should’ve held out longer boy!

[@leftofthedial1378]

At times like this, I guess all you can do is laugh. ... ... [END SCENE]

[@hansnase364]

That fucking hit me even as a child, though back then I still laughed at the scene. Don't think I would do so nowadays.

[@theMoporter]

Growing up poor with rich relatives made this episode way too relatable. They aren't anywhere near as snobby, but the feeling of being out of place is bang on. The "all you can do is laugh" moment is gutting. Sewing machines are the devil.

[@TOYOTATHON-rl9gh]

Have you ever considered doing a video an your favorite b plots? You never really go over them in detail most of the time. This was a nice little exception though.

[@hansnase364]

I would really love this.

[@cometmoon4485]

Great idea! Some of my favourites are: - Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag - Bart and Lisa "helping" Smithers in 'Mountain of Madness'. - Homer on jury duty in 'The Boy who knew too much'.

[@nitrosherbert888]

episode where homer becomes a sugar farmer those beekeepers are honestly my favorite one off Simpsons characters This pre mayor Adam Wast character combined with this more chill smythers character are really funny character dynamic I wish they appeared in more episodes if they can keep coming up with ways to go to a comic book stores I don't see why these guys having appeared in more episode Everytime homer as a scheme I think Simpson you diabolic

[@majidwahid7793]

From now on we're spelling everything with letters

[@Onering80]

One reason I like this episode is that I believe it explores the fantasy of being rich. I think most people at some point in their life have a fantasy of what they would do if they won the lottery. I think this episode kind of hits in that same neighborhood. We see marge get her foot in the door of high society and we get to witness how that influence can change a person. Marge was so determined to create and fulfill an illusion that Marge lost sight of what is truly important. Marge sacrifices her morals in an attempt to fulfill a fantasy. Like in so many other episodes, we also see that often times the fantasy does not live up to reality. You can see that Marge did not really like the people she was trying to impress as they were rude, condescending, and pretentious. and more importantly, Marge discovers that she does not like the person she became in an effort to impress and fit in.

[@nathanielcushman7489]

That dynamic they have like Evelyn and Marge, really reminds you of those compassionate characters you wish to see more of, but are satisfied because they didn't get ruined by trying stretch her too thin.

[@beniverson3777]

I mean damn. That was pretty great. I have definitely never thought about how important this episode is. You tend to think of Marge as more of a force of nature than an actual character sometimes. I'm going to be rolling this around in my brain for a while. Marge seems to be quite the untapped resource for the show

[@alphasierrazulu]

While this episode is easy to overlook, it is one of my favorites of the series's entire run. It may be so easy to overlook because it so much defies or transcends the seasonal/era definitions we all go with. It's a great episode, but it doesn't fit perfectly into the easy style guide.

[@BAIGAMING]

THIS.

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

“Rootable” means something very different here in Australia. 😯

[@SebastianJVW]

Although funnily enough the sentence is still accurate.

[@MrSpartaman300]

I was also sad to see this episode rated so low, it was a favorite from growing up. I also always felt like it was a good sequel to "There's No Disgrace Like Home", so I'm glad you brought it up.

[@GoHarloFilms]

I think we all just need a little LSD, love for our sons and daughters

[@scentsiclestylings4443]

'Please, mom, please' makes me feel so awful. I hate it. It's iconic

[@caitlinmccloud7431]

*Class struggle* was always one of my favorite episodes! It's definitely my favorite Marge episode. Yeah, there was no set up of Marge wanting more, but there didn't need to be one. Sometimes you just run into someone you haven't seen in a while and you just want to be friends and fit in again. Like the scene where she gets mad and yells at Lisa, it's just realistic and that's what I love about it. I always liked it as a kid, but as an adult I really realized how I related to Marge and wanting to impress the better off new friends. It's better than the *Last of the red Hot mamas*...which I like but it is no where near my favorite simpsons list. I mean it starts with Homer fighting a Easter bunny and ends with robbing Mr. Burns and Marges friends using her and dumping her. Way less impactful.

[@preemptiveheat8254]

I did like this episode as a Marge focused one because it’s just so simple, yet speaks a lot. She wants something that adds more “class” to the Simpsons’ lives and gives Marge a door for getting something more out of her life. Just about everyone in the family works out a way to get something out of the country club, but Marge just feels out of place. She does have skills with house work and problem solving, something that her social circle seemed alien to, so she felt at least a bit better by having something over them that they didn’t have. And she did have her sewing skills to help her create different outfits to make it seems like she had more than she let on (something not too often addressed from the earlier seasons)

[@DrHades]

I think the fact that there is no explanation for Marge's motivation underlines something you did not mention (and perhaps missed) - Marge is doing all that not for herself, but for her family. And in that final scene she realizes that they are not scared about this new life, they are just unhappy in it. She was so focused on doing this thing for her family she never stopped to think whether they want it. Or maybe I see there something that's not really there...

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Marge does alot for the family and could use some R&R. I'm so sorry she missed the country club as she deserves a break from her mundane life.

[@UnenthusiasticPerson]

Panaphonic still make fine televisions. Much better than Sorny.

[@alexwilcox4075]

I'm a Magnet Box man, myself.

[@Jim-so3zm]

Samsong makes the best ones

[@dragonquesti8629]

Wjat?! I love sorny!!!!

[@nukiradio]

You guys dont like the new Wokku TV's?

[@alanford3359]

😄👍

[@Doodlebob108]

Im glad to see I'm not the only one who's favorite character is Marge

[@pauladudleycreatfeat]

Oh man, two of my favorite youtubers collabing. I love it.

[@ToonReel001]

I feel like a possible reason the Marge-centric episodes tend to come out uniquely is because the creative team often put their less experienced writers to work on them as a test of skill, since Marge is apparently one of the more difficult cast members to make limelight stories for. Maybe this leads to them going through this in a more experimental way since the newer writers may not be as equipped to relying on old formulas and dynamics.

[@ItsThatRetro]

It's actually Seuss-in (the joke being how the snobs all pronounce their names in an over the top fashion)

[@ToonReel001]

It taking approximately ten seconds of Abe fiddling with the TV to reduce it to a smoking wreckage will never NOT be hilarious. *Abe:* (while literally yanking out wires while balancing on top of the TV) "I'll just make my adjustments here and...." KABOOM!!!

[@Nay089]

Awesome video, I really appreciated Tariq’s perspective. Marge is criminally overlooked

[@DarkSimpsons]

Here's an idea for a Simpsons mystery. Is bart and lisa's hair, hair or skull?

[@magicmon]

Lol I'm sorry, its skull. There's a bone in Marge's hair.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@magicmon Originally, Marge was supposed to have bunny ears under her hair

[@thecreepycuck6036]

Dark Simpsons in the dark simpsons universe marge has to do very unpleasant things to get money for the dress Love ur content mate

[@jjdlaughs]

It's hair

[@icecreamhero2375]

It's hair.

[@FosukeLordOfError]

Thinking about this episode it has one of the most stirring of emotions for the ending. Marge desperation and realization of how obsessed she was and then the cut away to the country club portrayed as actually wanting them and they don't find out.

[@benkerehoma9906]

Loved Tariqs writing on this, marge is definitely an underrated character. Homer’s ADR quote is so immensely sad yet the polar opposite to his attitude in There’s no disgrace like home

[@ThePivotgiant]

I absolutely loved this collaboration, Tariq's view on love is fantastic and the insight to real human emotion really make this video for me!

[@2manymovies]

I’ve always liked Marge as a character too. Her episodes are probably not my top favorites, even this one, but they certainly have their moments that make me want to return to them every once in a while. Great video, I’ve come away seeing this episode in a new light

[@ZenDisaster]

You there! Fill it up with petroleum distillate, and re-vulcanize my tires, post haste!

[@rosco0101]

"I pickled the figs myself"

[@Ammoniumbicarbonat]

“Mmmm-AGH-ughhhh”

[@noname8710]

The fact that the usually sycophantic Smithers can't hide how awful the cake is always makes me laugh.

[@DAndyLord]

A wizard made Mr Burns golf right handed.

[@levv7258]

Boy I hope that wizard got fired for that blunder

[@hermannmeier9405]

The Leftoriun ran out of lefthanded golf gloves.

[@maxordman4100]

Like you said I highly appreciate the Marge and Lisa story arc here. I think that’s the heart of the episode. It’s fun to see them go through the struggle. I can also relate to the bedroom scene. I’ve been there too. We all wish our parents could be supportive all the time, but that’s rarely possible. You have to remember that parents are people too. This episode certainly has a lot of heart, and is very sweet. I definitely do appreciate it for that.

[@indy-fs6de]

This episode always stuck with me as a child for some reason. It was usually jarring having a Marge-centric episode, and this storyline in particular just seemed a bit more grounded and adult than most Homer or Bart-centric episodes, and so much more human because of it. As for motivations for Marge here, I always saw Marge as essentially content with her life choices and her family, but also felt that there was a small part of her that was curious about what her life could have been like if she had made different choices. Marge has been established to have a real artistic talent that could have propelled her into certain affluent, creative, and sophisticated circles. I'm actually surprised that more episodes haven't been focused on Lisa and Marge's shared love of the arts.

[@pie7956]

Marge is such an under appreciated and underrated character

[@icecreamhero2375]

Well of course without her and Lisa there would be no show. There needs to be a straight man to react to the absurdity and stupidity or there is no joke. Homer and Bart on their own might be too crazy and annoying.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@icecreamhero2375 like Little Big Mom, but worse

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

“Rootable” means something very different here in Australia. Legitimate spit take hearing that one.

[@sararivas8795]

You guys should thank Jims. Now that he's a better person, we can see how awful we really are

[@PeterParker-ff7ub]

Send the goons.

[@nitrosherbert888]

Real the harshness come from

[@xtzyshuadog]

*Am I so out of touch?*

[@8-ballfracture437]

finding tariq and jims as channels seperately and loving them both, THEN realizing they collabed together was so amazing-

[@born2hula325]

This ep is amazing and definitely a high point - I couldn’t care less about country clubs but it’s amazing to see Marge have something that has nothing to do with the rest of the family. Edit: also her outfits are amazing and very cleverly designed for a goofy cartoon.

[@BrynjaminButton]

I'm actually really happy you covered this, as I've always had a fondness for this episode (partly because it was on a VHS tape of recorded episodes that I'd watch over and over again) but I know it's never been too popular among the broader Simpsons community. At the risk of putting way more thought into a KZbin comment than one probably deserves, I'd also like to pivot into praising Jennifer Crittenden's contributions to the series - her episodes (which, per Wikipedia were And Maggie Makes Three, The Twisted World of Marge Simpson, this one and The PTA Disbands) have a certain wholesomeness to them that gives them their own unique flavor compared to the overall show. I don't think it's any coincidence that three of her four episodes revolve around Marge (counting the PTA episode as a Marge-focused one), nor that these are probably some of the more often ignored episodes in the early seasons (the "Do It For Her" ending is probably the only thing I see frequently referenced from any of them). This also speaks to the importance of having strong female voices present in the writing room, given that Marge being an underdeveloped character is a critique I've come across more than once from feminist critics of the series. I imagine the men pigeonhole Marge as the fun, goofy mom because that's all they're really comfortable writing her as. Anyway, props to both of you - if you're reading this Tariq, trust me, you're not the only one who digs this episode. I don't know if I'd call it my all-time best, but it's definitely up there (maybe top 20?).

[@musicsmith14]

This episode has always been one of my favourites too. I think primarily because I grew up in a lower middle class family and this episode showed some of our reality, like shopping at outlet malls and eating out at fast food restaurants, and portrayed that as not something to be laughed at or to blame the family for. The observations always felt very real to me and I related to the family a lot, especially since we have some wealthy cousins and would try to fit in too much sometimes, feeling guilty or ashamed about our lives.

[@SpookySkellyGurl]

This episode has two of my favorite Marge lines in the show. "Oh sure I do, I treated myself to a Sanka not three days ago" and "At times like this, I guess all you can do is laugh" followed her just sitting there.

[@KPRamirez]

Seriously. You make such awesome and earnest content. Keep it up!

[@Ergogeorge]

Watched this just yesterday, and had a real "wow" moment about this episode I'd never had before. It's one of the best episodes.

[@BatsNBirds]

I love both your channels! Seeing this video with both of y’all was really a treat!

[@PaintedBB]

I love this episode and you did a great job covering it. I agree with the sewing machine scene being on of the best in show: it's really relatable from both Lisa and Marge's perspectives and the ending of the scene is raw emotion/ karma/ foreshadowing. Edit: also, Marge's edited golf suit is beautiful, she's can do anything with that sewing machine!

[@lonelyrooster]

I read "Marge Simpson Anime" before I watched this episode. The Chanel Suit is a big part of that comic, I didn't understand at the time why it was such a big part of it, but now I know what it represents. It represents how Marge finally putting herself first opened doors for her. She found a friend group, while not all good, we can agree that she was able to form a bond with at least one of them. She's very much trapped in this marriage and being a housewife....

[@PixelSlayers]

I think one of the beautiful things about the Simpsons is it's different things for different people. That an episode one person views as a throwaway can be someone else's absolute favorite.

[@missquark_]

This was definitely my mom's favourite episode, being a stay at home mom she related a lot to Marge's struggles here.

[@Me-xl7xy]

I love your content and narration and whenever i need a video to watch while i ear your channel is there it cheers me up thank you for this amazing content

[@shifty220]

Brilliant video as always and appreciated having Tariq's perspective!

[@DirtiestDMusic]

I have always found the ending to this episode off-putting. It makes Marge look heartless for expecting her family to behave for a night. Homer's ADR'd line at the end feels especially manipulative, as if he's taking this way too personally. As Tariq points out, this was one of the rare instances of the show giving Marge something she wanted, outside the family, and it jerks it away at the last second in the name of preserving the status quo. The reveal that the club would have welcomed Marge and the family is such an obvious screw-the-audience joke that it's the only way the episode could have possibly ended, but it still feels cruel. Obviously the country club is full of stuck-up jerks--people we know Marge shouldn't want to be around--but I really hate the message of "Why aspire to something better when you can settle for the status quo?"

[@DirtiestDMusic]

AND ANOTHER THING: I'm surprised that the scene of Lisa jumping on the bed and rambling about ponies spoke to you. It feels out of character for Lisa, as if they had to make her much more childish to make the scene and story work.

[@Bubba__Sawyer]

@@DirtiestDMusic Even very early into the show Lisa would flip-flop between smart and sensible Lisa and childish and immature Lisa.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@Bubba__Sawyer which, having been a “gifted and talented” child myself, is very relatable too. I don’t get why people think that’s unrealistic or just because of adults writing her. I had personal ethical and political stances much like Lisa, because of having read about them in some fashion, but they were completely theoretical-feeling and distant for me. When you read at a high level and have an easier time talking to grownups than your peers (as Lisa clearly does) then you pick up plenty of things about the world precociously, but at the end of the day you’re still an 8 year old who gets excited about your video game or cartoon or, I guess, ponies.

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

This is so great. I'll never look at Marge the same way again

[@BigDLiquor]

This what makes the show so good. There'll be episodes like these I've seen but glanced over. And go back and appreciate the writing more. Definitely one of the best rewatchable series by far.

[@IDontWantThisStupidHandle]

Re: Marge's Motivation -- the show has been very inconsistent with the Bouvier's social standing, though they always seemed to be more refined and (if not monetarily) socially "better" than the rest of Springfield (Patty and Selma excluded). But, they have always made it clear from the onset that Marge's parents and sisters at the very least perceived Homer to be of a lower class than them. I've always thought Marge was raised in an upper middle class family in a time when, and by a mother with, expectations that Marge's future and worth would be determined by her husband. This is further alluded to throughout the show with Artie Ziff's appearances, and how she gave up class and a shot at future wealth for a "poor slob." 99% of the time, Marge lovingly defends her family, husband, and choice to live in a lower social standing -- but (in my mind) there's always been her mother's voice in the back of her head saying she could be doing better, from a social standpoint. Enter "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfeild."

[@hobbesthegoblin]

OK try and retcon Marge's dad when she has a fear of flying because he's a flight attendant vs. his depiction when Homer tries to date her. One of them has to be a step-father, amiright?

[@IDontWantThisStupidHandle]

@@hobbesthegoblin For Marge's Dad, I go by the first appearance of him on the show: a chain-smoking, red-haired, Homer-Hater. ;P

[@ToonReel001]

The thing is however that most of the Bouvier's complaints towards Homer are designed to be comical hypocrisy. Nearly everyone thinks they're even more repulsive and classless than any Simpson family member, especially if you abide by the timeline implying there was at least some downward spiral that caused Abe and Homer to be the way they are now. Marge's mother may have encouraged better standards and spirits in earlier days, but now she's a disillusioned husk with barely the energy to say a single enthusiastic thing. It's not just Homer, she indiscriminately hates life.

[@nifralo2752]

Marge 's family weren't rich. Her dad was a flight attendant baby photographer and navy man. I dont think her mother worked. Patty and Selma hate Homer because of their love hate relationship with Marge. They think hes not good enough for their baby sister. But this is also jealously that Marge has a partner and they are 40 something virgins.

[@IDontWantThisStupidHandle]

@@nifralo2752 I said they may not have been monetarily better, but they at the very least viewed themselves as socially better than most of Springfield. And I never said "rich," I said upper middle class. And I said it was inconsistent.

[@zeathosthomas4847]

I like how it shows the girls were accepting of her in the end. Even Burns made a fig cake for Homer.

[@ToonReel001]

He pickled the figs himself. :P

[@qqww2905]

They only accepted her as long as she could hide from them the poverty of her family

[@zeathosthomas4847]

I do like that even the mean one kind of feels bad.

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

Amm, man. i really enjoyed this collaboration. Actually, Jims, watching of your videos is almost as satisfying as watching the actual series. It's like we're here (imagine me motioning peace sign fingers back and forth in front of my eyes). Thanks to Tariq for his closing remarks. Both of you guys are cool.

[@ChocolateGuyReviews]

Oh I love this episode its definitely one of my favorites from season 7 for how great and suprising it was. I thought I would hate it because of its cliche plot and boring subject matter. But It takes that cliche plot and does so many intresting things with it. If done wrong this episode could have been boring and dated but it holds up surprisingly well. The episode is just so unique and subversive, and I'm glad your giving it an indepth look because it really is one of my personal favorites.

[@Unquestionable]

Tariq is an excellent content creator and it's awesome to get his insight on his favorite episode. And of course any day we get an new video from Jims is a good day.

[@edsonduran5350]

I just discovered this channel and I’m so glad I caught this review! I just rewatched the episode and man do I have a new appreciation for Marge! I really dig this video and most of the content I’ve seen on this channel so far.

[@Quesly1]

I love this episode specifically because my aunt (who has money and their kids went to Cotillion and other upper class white people shit) invited us to a country club and my mom wanted to enjoy it but holy fuck it was one of the most boring days ever. The part where homer and the kids are super bored while marge was socializing was so relatable.

[@Mistercrapshoot]

This may not be one of the most ambitious crossovers of all time but its still one I've been hoping for. Thanks for the vid!

[@megamike15]

i always remember liking this episodes when i first got into the simpsons. despite being like 6 or 7 and not fully understanding it.

[@NoircatMask]

listening to you both in one video was a real treat. thank u for collaborating yall are amazing together

[@sam2131]

A great episode, and a fantastic review. I love your Extra Seconds stuff. I've just rewatched all your WSMB? series. It's so well thought-out, clever, and...just _interesting_. It's a pity, therefore, that you still missed the real shooter. The actual criminal is someone whose business was damaged by Burns. That business was also the only thing they had. But it was when Burns decided to mistreat and threaten the only source of joy in that sad individual's life that they snapped. That's right: Mr Burns was actually shot...by Moe Syslak. ----- OK, I admit how crazy that sounds. In _Who Shot Mr Burns? Part II_, Moe is one of a few characters - along with Groundskeeper WIllie, Seymour Skinner and Tito Puente - to be given an explicit alibi scene. Alongside the above, Marge, and Jimbo, they're the first characters we should cross out; they're part of the episode's process of elimination. This is an obvious obstacle to any Moe solution: this remains unexplained. Consider this, however: yes, Moe's innocence checked out with a lie detector, but it was the _Springfield Police's_ lie detector. And yeah, I understand the implications of what I'm arguing here. I am, it is arguable, taking liberties with the episode on a structural level; undermining facets of it which *have* to be taken at face value. The lie detector works because we _need_ it to work, it just _has_ to. This is hardly going to be a satisfying solution. However, I feel like - all the same - it's valid to bring the lie detector's reliability into question, because Wiggum's department is routinely depicted as incompetent to the point of almost being useless. We have seen their tech fail at other times (most notably their bomb-defusing robot in *The Simpsons Movie*), so it's hardly like this lie detector thing is rigid. It's a joke setup, anyway - for Moe's evening plans, even though - logically - he'd be running his bar that evening. Like, it's his job. This solution is also crazy because we have the entire matter of the Simpson DNA on Burns's suit. Moe is not a Simpson, obviously; however, the DNA clue can be explained, because _we see Homer grapple physically with Burns's suit in Part I_, when he takes Burns by the collar and shakes him. The two-parter has already shown us an instance where Homer's DNA could logically be transferred to Burns. This seems to occur on the same day as the shooting; therefore, Burns is wearing the same jacket. So there is a reason to discount the DNA from the shooting, if you're a viewer. I propose that Moe Syslak had decided not to ambush Mr Burns. However, he wandered out into the car park and there he saw Burns intimidating Maggie. If the Marge and Grampa solutions can both call back to later episodes ('Raging Abe Simpson', 'The Cartridge Family', and 'Screaming Yellow Honkers'), then screw it. I'm doing the same, because the show has a floating timeline. Lisa is 8 in season 2 and then _turns_ 8 in season 3. I can make this horribly flawed argument. Moe forged an emotional connection with Maggie in Season 14's _Moe Baby Blues_ when he began to look after her as a babysitter, after saving her life. Because of this, I believe that Moe is the only Springfield citizen - outside of the Simpson family and Smithers, who disapproves of Burns's candy-stealing scheme - who would confront Burns in _this_ manner for trying to steal a lollipop from her. Enraged, Moe approaches Burns from behind. He doesn't use his shotgun, for fear of traumatising the kid and drawing too much attention - but he approaches Burns. When Burns' handgun pops out as he struggles with Maggie, it's Moe who picks it up and shoots him with it. He then panics, drops the gun into the car, and dives out of Burns' way, hiding until it's safe for him to come out and join the sundial crowd. Burns' continued repetition of "Homer Simpson" is, as we all know from the official solution, not accusatory. The sundial 'clue', here too is coincidental, as Burns later assumes it was. When Burns 'comes to' after Homer confronts him in the hospital, he's able to think more rationally, and he fingers the suspect as being...Maggie Simpson. After all, he didn't see Homer; why would it be him? Yes, this theory is stupid, and nowhere near as smooth as any of yours; however, I honestly kind of think it's nice to consider. Moe is the _only_ non-Simpson with an attachment to Maggie, or indeed a soft spot for babies in general. Any other solution needs to explain exactly _why_ the suspect would shoot Burns in a situation tied to the Simpsons car, as that's where his gun ended up. Reasonably - aside from The Simpsons and Smithers - only Moe would have a reason to intervene if he saw Burns bullying Maggie. He then beats the lie detector because...it's _Wiggum's_ lie detector. And that guy shoots peanuts when he can't open them. I'm pretty sure his technological kit is also going to be pretty flawed.

[@Leeqzombie]

I agree with everything in this video, and this episode holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons, but one impact it had on me: it awakened my love of pastel colours with black lol. I loved each of the outfits Marge came up with from the first time I saw them.

[@masonschwalm2010]

Mr. Peanutbutter: “Toonrific Tariq and TheRealJims in the same video? What is this a crossover episode??”

[@3oct1111]

This is aslo my favorite episode

[@nicks1050]

That’s how I feel about season 2s the way we was. It’s my all time favorite Simpsons episode and I’m probably alone with that take

[@Matty002]

im sorry but if you say you love marge and dont say its partially because you think shes neat, you dont love her that much

[@nobanjo]

Great episode. One of my favourites of what I consider the best season but one I alway struggle to watch. There's just something so sad and realistic about Marge in this episode that it always makes me a bit sad afterwards, nice ending though it undoubtedly has.

[@thenostalgicyoshi7149]

This episode is definitely one of the better season 7 episodes (third best for me, only behind "Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily" and "Marge Be Not Proud"), and Marge is a phenomenal character. I like the great beginning with the humorous tv scene, everyone's reactions to Abe breaking the tv and then buying a new one right away. It also establishes how much Marge wanted to fit in, redesigning her dress knowing she can't afford to buy rich dresses all the time and becomes more of a perfectionist trying to get in good terms with Evelyn and the rest of the women at the club. What really stood up to me in this episode was the ending, actually. I know you said the episode didn't have an impactful ending, but I disagree. This line from Homer "You kids should thank your mother. Now that she's a better person, we can see how awful we really are." In my opinion this line is really strong, not just because it changed Marge's mind about the lifestyle she'd live, but it brought the moral of "be yourself," which I'm normally a big fan of. Now with Marge herself, I honestly agree a lot with Tariq. Marge is one of my favorites (easily top 2, with Bart). Marge is a character to root for every time, especially with how her daily life is and wants a better social life outside of just her family, who she loves very dearly. She's a character who would easily give second chances, very nice, clean, and accepts who others are. Marge also has the best relationships. Of course with Maggie it's a normal good mother and baby relationship. With Lisa they mostly are on the same side but those few exceptions ("Lisa the Skeptic," "She of Little Faith," etc.) conflict the normally similar opinions, but they still love each other. Marge may not be the biggest fan of some of Bart's decisions in life, but "Marge Be Not Proud" showcases why the relationship works so well in the show: there's a balance inside Bart that connects with Marge really well. "Bart the Mother" (which is another underrated episode, but mainly because it's in season 10) is another good example of this relationship working, with that beautiful teamwork when caring for the reptiles Bart nurtured. Finally, there's the Homer and Marge relationship, my favorite relationship of all time. Technically the short way to say it is that they are two different people who love each other, but there's more to that. Homer can make bad decisions like Bart, but Homer most of the time thinks about Marge (sometimes Marge is the reason for the action, like in "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" when Homer went to the mafia in order to help Marge with her business). Marge is very accepting of Homer and sees a good light in him. The relationship itself is why "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" is my favorite Simpsons episode, and why enjoy most of the relationship episodes as a whole. Marge is also not portrayed as a Mary Sue like Chloe from FoP, having her own flaws in decisions like in $pringfield (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)" when she started gambling non stop to the point where she neglects her family. Marge is someone I'd love to have in my life, the best mother character in media. For some reason this comment became more of why I love Marge as a character than why I like "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield." However, Marge being super underrated (Homer is a good character, but sometimes I'm annoyed with him, like in "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie") the ending at Krusty Burger says it all and why I feel it's justified.

[@SuperMrHiggins]

The VERY cool crime of blackmail. Loved the video, thanks for sharing.

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

Grandpa cracks me up in this one: "i'll just make my adjustments here and. .."

[@pjgathergood6987]

The creative-constructive "Finding that someone considers an episode that you've never taken to, a classic", or indeed "Finding an episode you consider a classic isn't that great", and analysing of, is one of the reasons I love both TheInternet(TM) and this channel - and ToonrificTariqs, which has just got a new subscriber in me! I've mentioned in past posts, but I adore Season 7 - It's incredibly strong, probably in my Top 3 Golden Era seasons, and is bittersweet in my memory as being the final solid season 'The Simpsons' had (s8-9 were okay though the cracks began showing). But from that strong season, 'Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield' has always been one of those episode that is an also-ran... Not a dud, but one that just kinda falls away between the greats; in truth, I had to wrack my brains as to much of the detail about it. And I love that this video has now made me question why. By this time it had become recognised that Marge-centric episodes were trickier to pull off well, and there would even be subtle in-jokes to this in the series. Much of Marge's charm is that she is indeed 'plain', common sense in the colourful (literally) world of Springfield. Seeing Marge fish-out-of-water and bringing out lesser-seen sides of her personality is always interesting, but again doesn't always seem to make for a solid episode, and coming from an era when the series was (at the tail end of) delivering one much-remembered, much-quoted classic after another, episodes like this just by default never feel to pack such a punch in terms of... pop culture effect, I guess. I love that this (and on hindsight, much of s7) is much more "down to earth" in nature - you've commented before TheRealJims that in a way it was one final cry back to the earnestness of season 2's earnest, satirical family-based stories, and on reflection, this episode on the whole actually kinda feels like it would right in back in that season. There's nothing I can pick out, from memory, that I particularly dislike about this episode, and I should love it over the "wacky" far-fetched storylines which would start to be on the up around here or not long afterwards, but it just felt a bit empty somehow, like it needed a little more - some bigger point or message, or some distant 'wrong' that Marge wants to put right to herself. The pairing of Homer and Burns can't help but deliver a few laughs at least by pure nature, but from memory it was slightly by-the-numbers for the pair; I think when a Homer-Burns plot or similar (which could often be the formula for a strong episode) is relegated to being a b-plot, by necessity it is slightly stripped down of much of it's scope and potential; it's hard not to compare to some of the big classic Homer and/or Burns episodes and so winds up maybe also feeling a little empty and more lacklustre than usual for the era. But that's just my personal musings and in fairness, I haven't seen this one in a few years so I'm going simply from memory on it. [EDIT: Come to think of it, I'm trying to think of a complete Homer b-plot that did fully work... there's gotta be at least one but I just can't think of it!) It's (yet another) one that I'll have to stick on my "Must go back and watch it to reassess" list* - maybe I'll find something new in it which'll be great, or maybe I'll still not pick it out as a particular favourite, which is also good as it's a fun experiment just to compare with the views of other Simpsons connoisseurs. * - A actually did start re-watching the entire series from season one back at the start of this whole pandemic thing in March (quite a feat for me who hasn't really watched TV for some years now), and got into late season 2 before I found that DVDs that had been left in sunlight a few years ago really do not perform too well, d'oh! Pencil that in for a "cheap second-hand replacement or digital download" replacement/resume, maybe next pandemic.

[@zefiewings]

This is exactly the same reason I went back and reexamined the you only move twice episode after your episode about it and your top 10. And while I walked away still feeling like my criticism were valid, I still appreciate the episode a lot more. Like, it will never be a top 10 for me, that episode is basically my personal version of "the alligator was alive the whole time!" Ending where I'm bothered enough by it that I will never truly like the episode. But my hate is certainly softened and I even managed to sit through it. Most importantly though, I was able to explore for myself WHY I dislike it, learn about my own narrative limits. Things like this, were we can look into ourselves and check our biases and learn to view things from another perspective is a big part of why online discussions like this are so valuable to me. Thanks Jims and thanks Tariq

[@Rubberman202]

I love alternate views for stuff like this, particularly positive alternate views, it helps me gain a whole new appreciate for stuff I never gave much thought to.

[@siobibble9078]

Weird that I just watched this today

[@tonilarios]

I can safely say that Marge is my favorite Simpsons character. The way her awkward corny mom behavior, and the ways she keeps the family together speaks to me now in ways I would have never imagined as a former Bart\Homer fanboy. Specially since I'm a single male with no kids...

[@Belgand]

I still wish they'd kept the airport radio joke from the deleted scenes in. It's one of the best jokes from the season, possibly the series. To this day friends and I will joke about "parking area A" and taking the shuttle there.

[@TailsFWC]

Always excited to listen to these. Keep up the good work!

[@hollyhutchinson3927]

Love this so much! You guys are awesome!

[@michaeldavis1879]

I like that you and Toonrific Tariq keep referencing each other and having crossovers with each other. It's a wholesome KZbin friendship.

[@ymd2516]

Marge is such an underrated character

[@Super_Mario128]

"oh I can't go to prison Monty, they will eat me alive"

[@NIMPAK1]

Tariq's commentary with your editing are a match made in heaven. Also you should honestly more reviews on under the radar episodes like "New Kid on the Block" or "I Love Lisa".

[@johngetbent]

Love your videos. Growing up we had a MagnetBox VCR

[@thewatcherofawesomecontent]

Season 7 is as close to perfection as it gets! I’ve always enjoyed this one, and thought it was underrated. I hope the writers can do more for Marge again.

[@joeyjakey]

Marge needs appreciation.