Life on the Fast Lane
- Episode aired Mar 18, 1990
- TV-PG
- 30m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
Marge contemplates an affair with a handsome bowling instructor.Marge contemplates an affair with a handsome bowling instructor.Marge contemplates an affair with a handsome bowling instructor.
Dan Castellaneta
- Homer Simpson
- (voice)
- …
Julie Kavner
- Marge Simpson
- (voice)
- …
Nancy Cartwright
- Bart Simpson
- (voice)
Yeardley Smith
- Lisa Simpson
- (voice)
Harry Shearer
- Lenny Leonard
- (voice)
- …
Albert Brooks
- Jacques
- (voice)
- (as A. Brooks)
Maggie Roswell
- Helen Lovejoy
- (voice)
- …
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst appearance of Lenny and Helen Lovejoy.
- GoofsJust three episodes earlier, the newscaster on television said Barney's Bowling alley had burned down.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Simpsons: So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show (1993)
Featured review
Lost virtues: reflecting on the evolution of drama and TV Music in a declining comedy show.
Over time, I've come to appreciate this episode more and more. It possesses a remarkably well-executed dramatic element, reminiscent of the first season, which unfortunately diminished as the series evolved. We witness Homer paying the consequences of his bumbling foolishness within his marriage, but what's truly striking is how he displays a profound sense of dejection - an acknowledgement that he deserves this penalty. Consequently, he refrains from putting up a fight, as he realizes deep down that Marge deserves happiness without him. This episode's pivotal moment tugs at the heartstrings, evoking a desire to shed tears, especially after observing Homer's endearing behavior as he lulls Maggie to sleep. We also bear witness to the children's suffering through a grieving process; they're acutely aware of the situation but powerless to change it, resigned to navigate their bittersweet self-pity as they mourn.
In essence, it's a masterpiece of an episode where drama takes precedence over comedy, yet it's a perfectly executed drama. The comedy finds its place in cleverly associating bowling prowess with the seductive charms of a life-wise master.
Episodes like this also serve as exemplars of why the series lost its quality in the later seasons. A prime illustration lies in the use of music. Just as Marge contemplates her decision in the car - whether to go to Jacques' place or see her husband at the power plant - before the strains of "Up Where We Belong" from "An Officer and a Gentleman" start playing, they set the mood using orchestral or television music, probably composed by Alf Clausen. This music skillfully weaved a tapestry of tension and excitement, leading up to a crescendo accentuated by the resonant clash of cymbals. This orchestral arrangement heightened the overall impact of the narrative. Here, we witness a glimpse of the impressive musical compositions that characterized the show's early episodes, one of the many virtues that have been lost in the modern era.
In essence, it's a masterpiece of an episode where drama takes precedence over comedy, yet it's a perfectly executed drama. The comedy finds its place in cleverly associating bowling prowess with the seductive charms of a life-wise master.
Episodes like this also serve as exemplars of why the series lost its quality in the later seasons. A prime illustration lies in the use of music. Just as Marge contemplates her decision in the car - whether to go to Jacques' place or see her husband at the power plant - before the strains of "Up Where We Belong" from "An Officer and a Gentleman" start playing, they set the mood using orchestral or television music, probably composed by Alf Clausen. This music skillfully weaved a tapestry of tension and excitement, leading up to a crescendo accentuated by the resonant clash of cymbals. This orchestral arrangement heightened the overall impact of the narrative. Here, we witness a glimpse of the impressive musical compositions that characterized the show's early episodes, one of the many virtues that have been lost in the modern era.
helpful•00
- santifersan
- Aug 17, 2023
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