SEASON 1, EPISODE 2: THINERGY

The topic most frequently visited during Married With Children's long run was first probed on the second episode of the show. Specifically, we are talking about Peggy's lack of a sex life...and Al's disinterest in one. Steve and Marcy visit while Al is watching a (made up) 80's bubble-brained bimbo bash about stewardesses. Marcy is deeply offended and makes sure Peg knows it. Peg isn't exactly opposed to Al watching such sleazy trash; her real issue, as she opens up to Marcy, is the fact that Al has no interest in being sleazy with her. In one of the few times during the history of the show, Marcy gives Peggy the advice, instead of the other way around. She gives Peggy a book titled Thinergy, which describes food you should outlaw (because it saps your energy) and food you should digest (food that gives energy). Marcy claims that after going on the diet, Steve is always ready to do it--he's become a sort of sexual superman. Peggy instantly goes on the diet without telling Al and the rest of the family. Naturally, when Al is given a salad and a granola bar for dinner, he explodes. Not willing to be pushed around, Al and the kids continue feasting on hamburgers and pizza while Peggy valiantly forges on with the diet. In a few seasons, the Bundy's will go on another diet (again instigated by Peggy; Al's reaction then is quite different from his reaction in this episode). The diet makes everyone angry--it gets so unpleasant in the house that Al resorts to going to Steve for advice! Steve recommends that Al go on the diet for just a couple of days and then try to convince her to end it with him. It doesn't work, and Peggy and Al are still at each other throats. For the second straight episode, the conclusion has Al and Peggy getting romantic in the bedroom. Which puts in question Peggy's complaint's about Al sexual apathy; during the two first episodes to air, Al is actually the instigator in both--two for two isn't so shabby of a record. He even seems to enjoy the foreplay! Again, the show combines some especially harsh humor for network TV (note the moment where Peggy refers to a vibrator) and the typical sitcom happy ending. Again, this strange mix is not exactly a success. Aside form the main plot, the rest of the cast remains on the sidelines. The kids are barely involved, Steve becomes a huge fan of the stewardess series of films (but little is done with it) and Al's coworker is used as nothing more than failed comic relief. Married With Children was still getting its feet wet.