The Simpsons (TV Series) The War of the Simpsons (1991) User Reviews

Solid Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 2 May 2014]

The twentieth episode in the second season of the Simpsons is a fairly good one that has some amusing moments. It's another one of those episodes where the marriage of Homer and Marge seems to be in disarray and we seem to be getting many of these episodes in the first two seasons. But nonetheless, this was a solid and funny episode.

In this episode, "The War of the Simpsons," Homer embarrasses Marge at a party so they head off to a mountain retreat with Reverend Lovejoy for couples counseling. Much to the anger of Marge, Homer decides to go fishing to capture the legendary General Sherman. Meanwhile, Bart and Lisa throws a huge party while under the care of Grampa.

Overall, this is a solid episode. I loved the interaction between Homer and the fish, Sherman. Definitely the best part of this episode. I rate this episode 9/10.

Great episode

[joeling97 · 9/10 · 9 June 2020]

One of the funniest episodes from s1-2, some great moments and almost a perfect episode where the writers seem to be hitting their stride with the jokes, but Homer doesn't really seem to learn his lesson and he really is a terrible husband but you can't blame him for looking at Maude's breasts. Overall really great episode!

That music always sends a chill down my spine

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 6 July 2022]

After Homer gets drunk and embarrasses Marge she arranges a marriage counselling weekend.

This is a strong episode with some memorable character moments.

The scene showing Homer intoxicated is fantastically done and full of well observed behaviour typically witnessed or exhibited during a heavy night. I think most people have been there at one point in their lives. If not quite there; close to it.

Leading on from this are more marriage difficulties for the Simpsons. Marge listing all Homer's faults is a great moment and the concept of him choosing to go fishing is hilarious.

The subplot involving Abe doing the babysitting has plenty of humorous moments too.

General Sherman, McBain, LOL moments - petrol tank, deeper meaning, uplifting ending

[safenoe · 10/10 · 13 September 2016]

This was one of the episodes at the end of season 2, and was part of a string of episodes that would define The Simpsons as a touchstone of our American society and culture, and beyond.

So many trademark Simpsons moments. McBain making an appearance "Bye book" he deadpans, love it!! McBain is the man! Lisa being the decent one compared to Bart, when he runs amok with his own party at home. Also the New Yorker reference was funny when Homer thought he was being witty at the family party.

The primary plot is Margie seeking to save her marriage after a dinner party gone wrong where Homer had a few too much to drink after Ned, who has a PhD in mixology, started serving drinks. Related is Homer's goal to catch General Sherman, a 500 pound catfish. Homer redeems himself at the end by demonstrating to Marge that he believes in his marriage by tossing General Sherman back in the lake. I loved the denouement when the regular patrons at the general store lauded Homer, 7 feet tall, arms like tree trunks, shock of hair, red like the fires of hell.

I wonder how today's generation feel about the season 2 episodes, but still, they must watch them!

10/10!!!! YES!!!!

[Analog_Devotee · 10/10 · 4 June 2021]

A fantastic John Swartzwelder-written episode! Homer makes an ass of himself during a party, resulting in him and Marge attending a marriage counseling retreat thrown by their preacher. The dialogue in the bait shop alone sums up why Swartzwelder was the best writer this show ever had. One of my favorite Season Two episodes!

Homer at His Worst

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 13 April 2022]

Homer gets drunk at his party and alienates everyone he knows. Marge insists on going to a church marriage retreat. Homer decides to go fishing while at the camp. I know this is a fictional, outrageous family, but the treatment of Marge is really beyond the pale. In a secondary plot, Abe is left behind and agrees to babysit. Interesting result.

Funny what fishing can do for a marriage

[snickzella · 6/10 · 21 September 2022]

When you really stop and think about, Homer and Marge didn't need marriage counseling to solve their problems. No seriously, during the whole group discussion thing, Homer had nothing really to say about Marge, but instead Marge went on listing all the things wrong with Homer, and Reverend Lovejoy didn't even give any feedback. Which wouldn't have mattered anyway since the next morning Homer is on the Lake fishing trying to catch General Sherman. And then he succeeds, and is confronted by Marge. Plus if you really think about it, General Sherman is a pretty worthless thing to care about since it's a giant fish in some generic lake in the middle of some generic fishing community, so yeah Homer was being selfish here in conjunction to something that wouldn't at all mean anything in his normal life, he simply didn't want to be there and will do anything to get out marriage counseling, even catching a huge ugly catfish. By throwing the fish back into the lake, to show Marge, he still does love her enough to throw away a petty victory like that in the grand scheme of things. I guess the moral of Homer and Marge's relationship is to never demand or ask for perfect and don't let one bad night ruin your entire life.

The War of the Simpsons

[studioAT · 3/10 · 23 July 2020]

Homer and Marge having marriage woes - again?!

This seemed to crop up a lot in these early series, not that it still doesn't in the latter ones, and it does lose impact if overdone.

This episode has its moments, but isn't up there for me with the best of S2.