Marge on the Lam
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| The Simpsons episode | |
| "Marge on the Lam" | |
| Episode no. | 87 |
|---|---|
| Prod. code | 1F03 |
| Orig. Airdate | November 4, 1993 |
| Show Runner(s) | David Mirkin |
| Written by | Bill Canterbury |
| Directed by | Mark Kirkland |
| Couch gag | The family run towards the couch and crash through the backdrop which is painted to look like the living room. |
| Guest star | Pamela Reed as Ruth Powers George Fenneman as the narrator |
| DVD commentary by | Matt Groening David Mirkin Mark Kirkland David Silverman |
| SNPP capsule | |
| Season 5 September 30, 1993 – May 19, 1994 |
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| List of all Simpsons episodes... | |
"Marge on the Lam" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons' fifth season.
Contents |
The family is watching a public television marathon when Marge calls in and donates $30. She gets two tickets to the ballet, whose play is Romeo and Juliet. At work, Homer gets his arms stuck in a soda machine and a candy machine, which means he can't be home in time to go to the ballet with Marge. Marge invites her next door neighbor Ruth Powers to come since Homer can't. The next night, Marge and Ruth head out for a night on the town in Ruth's convertible. They visit a bar that Marge calls "Shotkickers", although the third letter in the bar's exterior sign is missing and could be the letter "i". Afterwards, they go to an empty farmer's field and Ruth instructs Marge on how to shoot a pistol she has brought with her by targeting some old tin cans. The kids during all this are being babysat by Lionel Hutz who at one point claims to them that he is now Miguel Sanchez.
As Ruth is driving Marge home at the end of the night, Chief Wiggum (who is giving Homer a ride home) claims that one tail light on Ruth's car is slightly smaller than the other, and tries to pull them over. Ruth informs Marge that the car is not really hers, and manages to evade Wiggum by turning off her headlights (Chief Wiggum: "A ghost car!"). Marge and Ruth are eventually chased by a large number of police cars, and drive towards a large ravine. Homer, thinking that Marge is purposely heading over the cliff, apologizes to Marge through a bullhorn for "just about everything" and begs her not to drive over the cliff. Ruth and Marge, upon hearing about the cliff, immediately slam on the brakes and stop short. Homer and Chief Wiggum, following behind them, are not so lucky, and fly into the air. The scene fades out (just like the end of Thelma and Louise), but quickly fades back to reveal that the ravine is actually a landfill, and Homer and Wiggum are safe. The very end of the episode ends in a Dragnet-like sequence (including the music), telling the fates of each of the characters involved in the episode. Ruth gets her child support money. Lionel Hutz gets his payment for babysitting Bart, Lisa, and Maggie ("He was glad to get it"). Marge has to pay 50 cents to replace the antique cans and a further $2,000 for mental anguish. Homer is taken back to a military base in Maryland for extensive testing.
- In Homer's vision of Maggie's wedding, Maggie still has her pacifier when she's an adult.
- It is implied that Chief Wiggum ordered an inflatable man instead of an inflatable woman.
- The total amount of money raised at the telethon is $23.58 (plus Marge's $30).
- The voice for the end part was by George Fenneman, who did the original Dragnet endings as well.
- Much of the plot, along with Ruth's blue convertible and Homer and Wiggum's fall over the chasm, is a parody of Thelma and Louise.
- Crystal Buzz Cola is a reference to the fad drink Crystal Pepsi.
- The SPRINGFIELD letters on the hill are reminiscent of the famous Hollywood sign.
- The comedian who performs at the telethon whom Homer does not find funny is a parody of Garrison Keillor.
- When Ruth tells Marge that she "better get home before that naked talk show comes on", she is referring to the Robin Byrd Show.
- The songs "Welcome To The Jungle" by Guns N' Roses and "Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows" by Lesley Gore are featured in the car chase scenes.
- The Police Mug scene at the end of the episode is a direct parody of Dragnet.
- Homer tries to convince Bart and Lisa they don't need a babysitter by mentioning the movie Home Alone
- The comment Marge makes to Ruth on the farmer's field is a reference to The Most Dangerous Game
- "Marge on the Lam" episode capsule at The Simpsons Archive