Season

13

Production Code

DABF04

Episode Number

0

Airdate

10 February 2002

Writer

Tim Long

Director

Lauren MacMullan

Executive Producer

Al Jean

Editor

Jimmy Heenan

Plot Marge is irritated when Homer is snoring, causing her to sleep less. She sees Dr. Hibbert about the problem, and asks about a surgery, but he says it is expensive. Developing a sleep problem, she sleeps for a night with Patty and Selma, and hears on the news that her old boyfriend, Artie Ziff, is one of America's five richest people. She dictates an e-mail to Artie to congratulate him on his appearance, but Patty and Selma doctor it to use sex terms. Artie, who over the years seems to have developed a rather frightening obsession with Marge (his house is decorated with a large number of 'Marge' sculptures/paintings), flies in his helicopter to the Simpson house to see Marge.

After arriving, Artie offers Marge a $1 million proposal to spend a weekend with him, just to see what life would be like if they were married. Marge rejects the offer, but eventually can no longer stand Homer's snoring. She chooses to spend the weekend so she can get the money for the surgery. They have a good time until Artie makes out with Marge in a fake prom made to mirror the one they attended in "The Way We Was". Homer, having just arrived to check up on them, is dejected, and leaves with Lenny. Little does Homer know that Artie tricked Marge into kissing him.

Lenny seems similarly dejected about his relationship with Carl, he and Homer get a job in an oil field in West Springfield, a likely death spot for the two of them. On the way there, they discuss the loves they left behind. All cacti resemble Marge to Homer, and Lenny mournfully points out Mount Carlmore that he carved one blissful summer. Meanwhile, Marge leaves Artie and discovers what Homer had done when she gets home.

While working on an oil rig, Lenny and Homer accidentally set fire to an ant, who in turn sets fire to all his ant companions, who jump in a puddle of oil to dowse the flames. Their brief sighs of relief are replaced with screams as the whole rig catches fire. Marge, Bart, and Lisa go with Artie and Carl to West Springfield to save Homer and Lenny. At first, they are reluctant, as Homer still thinks that Marge and Artie are having an affair and Lenny feels that there is nothing for him in Artie's helicopter. However, Artie finally admits defeat to Homer, saying that winning Marge's love was something that he could never accomplish, even with his billions. Carl reveals that he is in the helicopter, and Lenny is also saved. Homer and Marge's marriage is also saved when Artie offers a solution to Homer's snoring problem, a device which converts snoring to music and anti-Homer subliminal messages.