Flashing back to 1974, it is shown how Homer falls in love with Marge in high school and tries to get close to her by enlisting her as his French tutor.

The episode was written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss, and Sam Simon, and directed by David Silverman.

The episode features cultural references to songs such as "The Joker" and "(They Long to Be) Close to You", and the television series Siskel & Ebert & the Movies.

To impress Marge, Homer joins her debate team, where he learns she is romantically interested in the more articulate Artie Ziff.

However, when Homer confesses that he was not enrolled in French class and was only using the ruse to spend time with her, Marge scolds him for lying to her and making her needlessly stay awake late the night before an important debate tournament.

Realizing she is actually in love with Homer, and spurred on by overhearing her parents Clancy and Jacqueline criticize him, Marge returns in her car to pick him up and apologizes for the foolish mistake she made.

The episode was written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss, and Sam Simon, and directed by David Silverman.

[2] Characters making their first appearance on the show in this episode are Wiseguy, Artie, Rainier Wolfcastle (as the fictional action hero McBain), Principal Dondelinger, and Marge's father Clancy Bouvier.

[3] Artie's appearance and body language is based on a man Silverman went to high school with named Mark Eisenberg.

[8] In April 2002, as part of an EB Games exclusive, action figures of Marge and Homer in their prom outfits were released by Playmates Toys.

At the debate, Homer disagrees about the idea of lowering the United States national speed limit to 55 mph (89 km/h), arguing that "Sure, it'll save a few lives, but millions will be late!"

"[11] Songs played in the episode include "The Streak" by Ray Stevens, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John,[13] "Colour My World" by Chicago,[14] "Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band,[13] and "The Hustle" by Van McCoy.

[16] The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote: "A superb episode.

"[1] DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson thought the episode was a "fine program", and added that Lovitz made Artie "amusingly annoying".

Jacobson thought the episode captured the "tone of the mid-seventies with warmth and insight", and the courtship "seemed charming but not sappy, and the show worked well overall".

Jacobson's favorite line of the episode was Grampa's advice to Homer about Marge, "Oh, son, don't overreach!