And Maggie Makes Three

While browsing through the family photo album, Lisa notices it contains no baby pictures of Maggie. Homer explains why by recounting the story of Maggie's birth: in 1993, Homer hated his job at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and dreamed of working at a bowling alley, and thus quit after receiving a paycheck clearing him of all his debts, humiliating Mr. Burns and literally burning a bridge during his departure. Homer subsequently obtained a job at a bowling alley owned by Barney's uncle, Al. After Homer and Marge had sexual intercourse to celebrate his new job, she became pregnant. Marge made Patty and Selma promise not to tell Homer, though they did not heed this advice, informing various citizens of Springfield, who were all aware of Marge's pregnancy the following day. Despite this, Homer remained oblivious to the news, even when Moe directly congratulated him. Homer returned home, where Marge's friends had thrown her a baby shower, though he remained oblivious. When Maude casually congratulated Homer on his new job, Homer suddenly realized Marge was pregnant, upsetting him, as his salary at the bowling alley would not be enough to raise more than two children. Marge urged Homer to ask Al for a raise, though Al explained the alley's profits prevented him from offering one unless Homer could find a way to increase business threefold. Homer tried to attract more customers by firing a shotgun outside the bowling alley, which only caused a massive panic and large police response - a series of events so absurd, Lisa asks Homer to tell the story right, until Marge, ashamed, confirms its veracity. Unable to drum up business, Homer quit his dream job and returned to the power plant. Mr. Burns forced Homer to beg for his job back and placed a large plaque near his desk which read: "Don't forget: you're here forever". Homer returned home depressed to find Marge's contractions had begun and took her to the hospital. His spirits were lifted when he saw Maggie for the first time and instantly fell in love with her. Back in the present, Bart and Lisa still do not understand what this story has to do with Maggie's missing baby pictures, though Homer claims the photos are safe in a location where he "needs them most". It is subsequently revealed that Homer has taped the photos to the aforementioned plaque: covering portions so that the plaque now reads "Do it for her." ==Production==

, who was then 23 The episode was written by Jennifer Crittenden, and directed by Swinton O. Scott III. Crittenden also made her debut as a writer for The Simpsons in this episode. Crittenden was taking a beginners' writing program at 20th Century Fox when The Simpsons showrunner David Mirkin hired her on the show. After Homer quits his job at the power plant, he violently tosses his old boss Mr. Burns out of the cart he is driving. Homer then drives across a wooden bridge and tosses a match onto it; the whole bridge is instantly engulfed in flames. On September 4, 2018, 23 years after the episode's original broadcast, Simpsons producer Matt Selman posted a tweet saying that he had noticed a continuity error in the episode: when Marge announces to Homer that she is pregnant with Maggie, a photo of the baby can be seen in the background. ==Cultural references==

The couch gag is a reference to the famous James Bond gun barrel sequence. Jacques from "Life on the Fast Lane" can be seen at the bowling alley. ==Continuity mistakes==

Although the episode shows Maggie's origin, several plot errors are made that contradict previous episodes. Among those mistakes are: • In one scene set in the Simpsons' living room, a picture with Maggie's face is seen on the wall. Maggie had not yet been born, although it is believed that it is possibly a photo of Lisa as a baby. • The appearance of Ruth Powers welcoming Marge with the other Springfield women. Ruth's debut took place in the episode "New Kid on the Block", which is supposed to take place after this episode in-universe. • Marge's announcement to Homer of her pregnancies at the current Simpson residence, as well as Homer tearing out his hair while shocked. In actuality, Homer was living with Barney at the time of Marge's pregnancy in the episode "I Married Marge". • In the episode "Lisa's First Word", Homer, Marge, and Bart lived in an apartment in the suburbs of Springfield, and that is when Homer really finds out about Lisa's pregnancy. In both pregnancies, Homer is happy, not shocked, and keeps his hair. Lisa's arrival in the family is what really forced Homer and Marge to look for a larger house for everyone, and that is when they find and move into the Evergreen Terrace residence. • In "Homer's Barbershop Quartet", Homer keeps his hair once more. • In "Marge on the Lam", it is suggested Homer lost his hair through experimental drugs, not tearing it out. ==Reception==

In its original broadcast, "And Maggie Makes Three" finished 47th in the ratings for the week of January 16 to January 22, 1995, with a Nielsen rating of 10.3. The episode was the fourth-highest rated show on the Fox network that week, beaten only by Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, 90210, and the ''Rock 'n' Roll Skating Championship. Gary Russell and Gareth Roberts, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', said: "A surprisingly traditional episode. The flashback to 1993 seems a bit odd, but this is a good example of a story that doesn't overly rely on set pieces and confounded expectations for its success." TV Squad's Adam Finley said the episode "manages to be both incredibly funny and incredibly touching, both signs of a great Simpsons episode". Colin Jacobson at DVD Movie Guide said in a review of the sixth season DVD: "Flashback episodes of The Simpsons usually work well, and [this episode] is no exception to that rule. Actually, at this point it’s one of my favorites, but that's partially because of overexposure to some of the other episodes. In any case, this one has many hilarious moments – such as the scene that explains Homer's hair loss." Kevin Wong at PopMatters said the episode is "a touching look at fatherhood". A 2017 Dissent review of Melinda Cooper's Family Values begins by summarizing the episode, citing the scene in which Homer returns to his old job as "a gut-wrenching reminder of the affective logic of modern capitalism", and contextualizing it with respect to the themes of familialism and the cost of raising a child that Cooper discusses. ==References==