A Milhouse Divided

"A Milhouse Divided" is the sixth episode of Season 8.
==Synopsis==
After realizing how lazy and slovenly her family has become by dining each night in front of the TV (including Homer complaining about the dishes not being transparent and Bart being in his underwear), Marge decides to throw a dinner party, but it goes pear-shape when Milhouse's parents (Kirk and Luann) get into heated arguments about their lives and Luann announces that she wants a divorce. While Luann sees the split as a chance to reinvent herself and Milhouse doesn't really care one way or the other (though he did think Nelson would bully him over it), Homer worries the same will happen between him and Marge after seeing Kirk's life spiral without his wife.
==Full Story==
The Simpsons are having a TV dinner night, which Marge dislikes because Homer is licking his plate (even asking to get clear plates to see the TV) and Bart is in his underwear. Marge decides to go into the dining room and have a "conversation" while she eats. That night, Marge plans to throw a dinner party to escape from the doldrums of everyday life at the Simpson house, despite Homer pointing out what happens whenever they do have a party. They go to the store to pick up some things and get to work on getting the house and food ready. She invites Ned ‘s family, Doctor Hibbert’s family, Reverend Lovejoy‘s family and Kirk‘s family. The parents enjoy dinner except for the Van Houtens who nitpick at each other all night as Milhouse plays upstairs with Bart, Lisa and the other kids. Kirk and Luann get more quarrelsome as the party progresses and finally, despite Marge trying to divert the party away from the fighting pair, unfortunately the two get into a fight and it ends when Luann demands a divorce which shocks everyone. That night, Marge thinks that she is responsible for splitting up Kirk and Luann even though Homer says that just wasn't true. Milhouse is disheartened over his parents' divorce, though the bullies Nelson and Kearney sympathize with him (as they went over such similar incidents) by assuring that he will be able to move on with his life despite what happened.
Kirk moves out of the Van Houten house and despite his drab new surroundings, he keeps a cheery attitude toward it all, until he is fired from his job at the Cracker Factory. His former father-in-law explains that the cracker factory caters to happy families, not miserably divorced singles. Meanwhile, Luann quickly readjusts to singles life and starts a new relationship with Chase, from American Gladiator. Kirk also tries to have a new relationship, but is unsuccessful as his girlfriend, Starla, leaves him after taking his car. While outside at Moe's, Kirk mentions that he never saw the divorce coming and regretted not having catered to Luann's needs. Homer tries to cheer him up by telling him that his marriage to Marge is strong. Kirk is less than encouraged and warns him to appreciate Marge while he still can. However, Homer begins to fear that his marriage to Marge might be next, when Homer comes home and sees frozen hot dogs thawing in the sink.
Homer enlists the aid of Lisa to help him figure out how to save his marriage. When she asks him what is wrong, Homer recalls both his wedding and reception which was nothing more than him and Marge at a truck stop eating a whale cake. Homer realized how disappointed Marge was because she had been hoping that their family and friends would jump out and yell surprise. Lisa can only tell her father that he is lucky to have Marge in his life. Homer tries to perform selfless gestures for Marge, such as making "soothing" ocean noises to lull her to sleep, but Marge acts indifferent. When Homer attempts to cut her hair, Marge finally loses her patience and tells him to leave her alone.
Thinking that their marriage is finished, Homer secretly files for a divorce from Marge. As Marge returns home later that night from Bart's dental appointment, Homer surprises her by hiding all their friends in the living room and declares that he wants to be remarried, this time with a perfect wedding. Marge is deeply moved, and assures Homer that he doesn't have to do this. Homer says that he has to because he already filed for their divorce that afternoon but also says that Marge deserves a better marriage. The two are remarried and, inspired by Homer and Marge, Kirk plans to try to get back together with Luann by singing a song he wrote. This fails when Luann objects and Kirk is escorted out of the Simpsons house by Chase.
During the end credits, a sax version of the theme song is played.
==Citations==
fr:Un Milhouse pour deux
pl:A Milhouse Divided
pt:Milhouse dividido
Category:Milhouse episodes
Category:Episodes named after a character
Category:Episodes in which a Character Gets Married
Category:Affair themed episodes
Category:Homer episodes
Category:Marge episodes
Category:Episodes in which Homer almost loses Marge
Category:Kirk Van Houten Episodes
Category:Dramatic episodes
Category:Episodes named after Milhouse
Category:Poorly-received episodes
Category:Luann Van Houten Episodes
Category:Directed by Steven Dean Moore
Category:Episodes with mixed reviews