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What’s Marge’s role in the Simpson family? In turn, what is Marge’s role on The Simpsons? This is a question that the show was still working to figure out in the third season. “Homer Alone” is a foray into the “What if the family had to do without Marge?” space. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst.
A stressed-out Marge goes to Rancho Relaxo, and Bart and Lisa are shipped off to stay with Patty and Selma. There are some jokes to be found there, but the crux of the story is in Homer having to take care of Maggie alone. Naturally, it doesn’t go well. Marge’s role, her importance, is established. Naturally, everybody comes to take her for granted again, because sitcoms of the era would usually revert to the status quo, but that point was hit here, and that meant something.
Marge’s nervous breakdown is played for humor, but it is also played for plausibility. By and large, Marge has always been fourth fiddle in the Simpson family, and when Bart was such a cultural sensation early on, that was even more the case. Hell, “Homer Alone” still references Homer in the title. At least Marge did get to enjoy Rancho Relaxo.
It’s a good episode, but certainly not a classic.
