The Twisted World of Marge Simpson

"You have 24 hours to give us the money. And to show you we're serious, you have 12 hours."

- Fat Tony to Marge

"The Twisted World of Marge Simpson" is the eleventh episode of Season 8. It aired on January 19, 1997. The episode was written by Jennifer Crittenden and directed by Chuck Sheetz. Joe Mantegna and Jack Lemmon guest star.

Synopsis
After being kicked out of the Springfield Investorettes, Marge invests in a pretzel franchise. But when her new business starts to fail, Homer turns to Fat Tony and his mob to help Marge corner the snack business in Springfield.

Full Story
At a meeting of the Springfield Investorettes, Marge admits that she is reluctant to invest money in any ventures and is ejected from the group. After some consideration, Lisa convinces Marge to buy her own franchise. During a Franchise Expo, the Investorettes become members of the "Fleet-A-Pita" franchise, in return prompting Marge to join a smaller one called "Pretzel Wagon," owned by a man named Frank Ormand. After watching a promotional video, Marge sets up a makeshift office in her garage, distributes flyers, and with Homer, Bart and Lisa's help, proceeds to make pretzels.

To begin with, Marge sets up shop outside the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, with Homer convincing his colleagues to each try the new snack. However, the Investorettes' Fleet-A-Pita van rolls up, and within a few seconds, converts Marge's customers. Lisa suggests that Marge "think big," so the family offers "Free Pretzel Day" at the Springfield Isotopes baseball stadium. Before the crowd has a chance to consume their complimentary pretzels, it is announced that Mr. Burns has won a 1997 Pontiac Astro Wagon in the day's give-away competition. The supporters react angrily to the news and bombard the field with the pretzels, knocking out Whitey Ford in the process. No one tries the food and Marge's efforts end, once again, in vain. This puts Marge into a deep depression. She says that it's wrong for her to have a dream and tells Bart & Lisa with Homer listening to "aim so low, no one will even care if you succeed." Her depression soon starts to concern the family.

Homer, seeing Marge depressed, decides to take matters into his own hands and searches for someone who can help Marge. After discovering that Frank Ormand has died in a car accident (as has the executor of his estate), Homer reaches out to Fat Tony's mafia for help.

The following morning, Marge surprisingly receives a large order for pretzels -- from the Meat Packers Union Hall -- and the business is reinvigorated. The mafia goes after hot dog vendors, Luigi's restaurant, and the girl scouts with their cookies. The police impound the ship carrying the Investorettes' pretzels. The mobsters blow up their Fleet-A-Pita van, and make Principal Skinner order pretzels for the school.

Shortly after, Fat Tony greets Homer and demands he pay for his favor, but he promptly refuses. As a result, Marge is given an order to be delivered to a remote, undeveloped, rural location. She is approached by Fat Tony and his henchmen. He declares that, as her "business partners," they are entitled to 100% of her profits. He suggests she have a conversation with her husband.

Marge confronts Homer about this and he comes clean, explaining that he was only trying to help her. They decide to just make pretzels.

The following morning the mob arrives, but Marge and Homer refuse to pay them any money. As Legs and Louie advance on the pair, the Investorettes arrive with the Japanese Yakuza. The rival gangs begin to fight and the Simpsons retreat into the house. Homer apologizes for his indiscretion, and Marge forgives him.

Production
The episode's final scene, the mob war, was conceived by Matt Groening.

Trivia
In a deleted scene, Marge asks Homer to " Name one thing that was ever helped by mob ties." Homer says "The Children's Television Workshop" (later, Sesame Workshop).