My Favorite Simpsons Character.

The Simpsons have been around for decades as it is, they don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon either. Now I'm sure we all have a favorite character from this show. From Homer to Moe, Bart to Skinner, even Flanders to Lovejoy. But for me, while I have followed the Simpson family on all the zany adventures they went through, I always had a place in my heart for Marge.

For me Marge Simpson was my all time favorite, sure Bart is cool and who doesn't quote Homer when we do something stupid (D'oh!). Yet every episode of the Simpsons always seemed to focus on either Bart, Lisa, or Homer. Marge was usually an extra in there stories, yet when she got the time to shine, she ran with it. She's proven she's more than just a mom, wife to the town loudmouth, she sees the good in everyone. Take Bart for example, she knows he does bad, hell he's nicknamed the devil in the blue shorts. Yet she always stood by him, knowing that his evil would lose to the good she saw. This couldn't be more true than in the early seasons, and especially the shoplifting episode.

For those that don't remember that one, Bart wants Bonestorm a game so violent that even Marge questions if he should have it. When Bart tries (and fails) to steal the game following the example of Jimbo and Nelson, he's caught, banned from the mall, and then caught again when the family goes for their Christmas picture.

While it's a Bart story, it does show that Marge was right and that he does have goodness inside him. After being caught and losing his mother's respect and somewhat love, Bart does the unthinkable. He gets a picture of himself to make sure they have a good photo. 

Now while that shows that Marge was right, there are times she's the center of attention. These episodes are honestly the rare gems of the series. Team her with Homer, Bart and Lisa and she's ok, but stand alone, she does outshine. A good example of this would be my personal favorite episode 295 (season 14 Episode 4) Large Marge.

This episode stuck with me through the years for a plethora of reasons. Firstly, it really allowed Marge to shine in a solo story. After accidentally getting breast implants meant for one of mayor Quimby's aids, she learns that she can still turn heads and was attractive. Now when I first saw this episode I was in middle school 8th grade to be exact. Middle school for me had been a huge turn for changing. I had gotten my first real friend, my classes were ok, but I was content. When this episode hit just before Thanksgiving that year, you bet I recorded it (VHS, I'm old huh?). 

It really showed me how changing one thing about you can be either good or bad (a lesson I wish I had learned in highschool). Yet in the end, it's what you think and the self confidence you have that matters.

The other reason it stuck with me was because of the implants. Ok, sure but hear me out. I had been subjected to the golden girls for years growing up, anyone that knows the name Blanche will understand. For me growing up I did like dressing up, I took health class, and yes my mom signed the permission slip so I could learn about my body. For me, up to this point I had always figured implants for the rich, celebrities, Strippers, or those doing adult media. Marge getting a set accidentally really opened my eyes to the fact that this was a procedure not really limited by who could and couldn't have it.

You could say that while I was a breast person before, I was locked in for life now. I figured why not, if Marge could get implants (granted by accident) why couldn't I? Sure, life would cause issues, and my crossdressing really hit a curve in middle and high school. Yet it was a seed planted in my mind. It would allow itself to grow slowly through anime with ecchi series like Eiken, and then later in life when I had access to the internet not owned by the school. 

Still, it planted itself and really made me look at my life. Though as I said life got in the way, but it remained there, like a lone flower wanting water and waiting for the love an attention it deserved.
Besides, I can't even begin to say how many times I traced the image of Marge just waking up while my tape was paused. I could almost draw it from memory without the image before me.

Anyway, got a bit off topic. This episode really showed that Marge wasn't just a standby character to help advance the plot of the others, this one showed how she was suffering inside being sidelined and finally getting the spotlight only to realize it's not worth it. Still she is and will always be my favorite character from the Simpsons.

If you haven't yet, I do recommend checking out episode 295, it's worth the price of admission.