Episode 7F20
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Mark Kirkland
Also starring: Pamela Hayden, Maggie Roswell

Premise: Following a disastrous party, the Simpsons' marriage takes a turn for the worse. Marge and Homer head for Rev. Lovejoy's retreat for unhappy couples. Homer, however, would rather go fishing for the legendary trout known as General Shennan. Back home, Bart and Lisa make mischief with Grampa.

Features: Ned Flanders, Maude Flanders, Moe, Dr Hibbert, Mrs Hibbert, Barney, Selma, Patty, Rev. Lovejoy, Helen Lovejoy, Grampa, Rainier Wolfcastle, Milhouse, Otto, Snake, Wendell, Sherri and Terri, Janey, Nelson, Lewis, Richard, Jimbo Jones, Dolph, Kearney.

Couch: Homer wiggles about so much that the others are squeezed on to the floor.

Homage: The trip taken by Grampa and the kids to the safari is a lift from The Omen (Richard Donner, 1976), and some of Marge and Homer's arguments are taken from Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (Mike Nichols, 1966). Among the music heard in this episode is Homer's rendition of We Are the Champions, a 1977 hit for Queen. Tom Jones' It's Not Unusual (1965), Dusty Springfield's The Look of Love (1967) and KC and the Sunshine Band's That's the Way (I Like It) (1975) are also heard.

Notes for the Uneducated: Homer's recollection of the party - as an evening of witty ripostes and sophisticated rivalry - suggests the activities of the 1930s New York literary circle known as the Algonquin Round Table.

Notes: The Homer vs. Marge plot is good on its own, but this is also Grampa's big moment. His final revelation to Bart and Lisa is inspired.