Life on the Fast Lane

"I can teach you, everything."

- Jacques

Life on the Fast Lane was the nineth episode of Season 1. It aired on March 18, 1990. The episode was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by David Silverman. The episode marks the first appearances of Lenny Leonard and Helen Lovejoy.

Homer buys Marge a bowling ball for her birthday, but she accuses him of only buying it for himself - something which is true, right down to the Homer engraving on the ball. To spite him, she begins to learn how to bowl, helped by Jaques, with whom she becomes quite attached to. Homer suspects something when Jaques invites Marge to his apartment, but Marge changes her plans and goes to the power plant to see her husband instead.

Plot
It's Marge's 34th birthday, and her gifts include French perfume from Bart and a card made with macaroni and glue from Lisa. However, Homer has forgotten to get Marge a gift, so he goes down to the Springfield Mall. While looking for a gift, a bowling ball in a store window catches his eye. Later that evening, the family goes to the Singing Sirloin, a restaurant with singing waiters, which Patty and Selma recommended. The evening seems to be going well, until Homer presents Marge with her present: a bowling ball. Marge is upset that Homer seems to have bought the ball for himself, and tried to pass it off as a gift to her (the holes were drilled for his fingers, and the name 'HOMER' is engraved on it). After having a heated discussion, Marge claims she is keeping the ball, and intends to use it.

Marge goes bowling for the first time ever, but is very unsuccessful at bowling. While bowling, she meets Jacques, a handsome French bowling instructor in the next lane, who introduces himself to her and offers to give her bowling lessons. On their next meeting, Jacques gives her a bowler's glove with her name on it, causing Marge much joy. As their lessons continue, the two seem to grow closer, even though Marge acknowledges that she's married to Homer.

One morning, Jacques and Marge go for brunch, only to be seen by Helen Lovejoy (in her first appearance on the show), who seems more than eager to assume that Marge is having an affair. Jacques calmly insists that he and Marge are there strictly to discuss bowling, but Helen still leaves with a small shred of doubt. Once she leaves, Jacques asks Marge to meet with him again...this time at his apartment. The proposition causes Marge to faint, during which she has a dream of being with Jacques. When she comes to, she calmly accepts his offer.

During this time, the other members of the Simpson family have been noticing some changes. Marge has been eagerly giving extra treats and goodies to Bart and Lisa. Bart sees nothing wrong with this, but Lisa suspects that Marge is 'wracked with guilt' thinking that her marriage is failing. Homer meanwhile, has been growing concerned with how much time Marge has been out bowling and away from the family. When he finds the bowling glove inscribed to Marge, he grows saddened.

On the day that Marge is to meet with Jacques, Homer exchanges a few words with her, noting how much he cares for her. His words cause her to consider just what she is doing. On her way to Jacques, she eventually comes to a fork in the road: one way leading to Jacques' apartment, another leading to the Nuclear Power Plant.

Shortly afterward, Marge chooses to go to the plant, where she surprises Homer, who is overjoyed to see her. Homer happily carries her out of the power plant, amid the cheers of his co-workers.

Life on the Fast Lane

Uma vida turbulenta