{{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox Simpsons episode | image = | caption = | season = 33 | episode = 4 | director = [[Matthew Nastuk]] | writer = [[Joel H. Cohen]] | production = QABF19 | music = "Traffic Jam" by [[James Taylor]] | airdate = {{Start date|2021|10|17}} | guests = *[[Trey Anastasio]] as himself *[[Pamela Reed]] as [[Ruth Powers]] | blackboard = | couch_gag = Stop-motion animation of the family as wooden figurines in a medieval castle, attempting to entertain "Princess Maggie". | prev = [[Treehouse of Horror XXXII]] | next = [[Lisa's Belly]] }} "'''The Wayz We Were'''" is the fourth episode of the [[The Simpsons season 33|thirty-third season]] of the American animated television series ''[[The Simpsons]]'', and the 710th episode overall. It aired in the United States on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] on October 17, 2021.<ref name="Futon Critic">{{cite web|title=(SI-3219) "The Wayz We Were"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210924fox15/|access-date=October 17, 2021|work=[[The Futon Critic]]|archive-date=August 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806040648/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210924fox15/|url-status=live}}</ref> The episode was directed by [[Matthew Nastuk]] and written by [[Joel H. Cohen]].
In this episode, Moe reunites with his former love Maya while the Simpsons deal with the traffic in their neighborhood. [[Pamela Reed]] guest starred as [[Ruth Powers]]. Musician [[Trey Anastasio]] appeared as himself. The episode received mixed reviews.
==Plot== Evergreen Terrace's street is overcome by a major traffic jam and everyone is miserable. Meanwhile, [[Moe Szyslak]] is sitting in his car waiting for the traffic to move when he sees a maroon car behind him and believes he remembers it from his past.
Later that night, the [[Simpson family]] call the entire neighborhood to discuss the traffic problem, and learn that the entire family is highly disliked due to their annoying antics. After realizing the neighborhood hates them, [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] promises to redeem themselves. Afterwards, he goes to [[Professor Frink]] and Frink digitally takes the street off the maps, thus getting rid of traffic on that street. The townspeople hail Homer as a hero, but he quickly gets annoyed by their praises.
Meanwhile, Moe finds the car behind him belongs to his former [[Dwarfism|short]] girlfriend Maya, from "[[Eeny Teeny Maya Moe]]". Maya quickly asks Moe to get back together and he gladly accepts her back. The two spend a large amount of time at the bar and begin singing, but Moe worries Maya might leave him again just like every other girl in his life.
A grief stricken Moe then heads to [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s treehouse in emotional pain. Homer then convinces Moe to leave the treehouse by telling him Maya loves him and she would never leave him. The two reconcile and kiss and Moe proposes to Maya, who happily accepts.
==Production== The couch gag, titled "All Hail Princess Maggie!," was created by [[Stoopid Buddy Stoodios]]. Produced with [[stop-motion]] animation and made entirely from wood, the gag was directed by [[John Harvatine IV]] and written by [[Tom Root]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|date=October 14, 2021|title=BTS: Stoopid Buddy Hatches New 'Simpsons' Couch Gag|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2021/10/bts-stoopid-buddy-hatches-new-simpsons-couch-gag/|access-date=July 2, 2023|website=[[Animation Magazine]]|language=en-US|archive-date=July 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703051143/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2021/10/bts-stoopid-buddy-hatches-new-simpsons-couch-gag/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Pamela Reed]] reprised her role as [[Ruth Powers]]. The character previously appeared in the [[The Simpsons season 4|fourth season]] episode "[[New Kid on the Block]]", the [[The Simpsons season 5|fifth season]] episode "[[Marge on the Lam]]", and the [[The Simpsons season 14|fourteenth season]] episode "[[The Strong Arms of the Ma]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Harry|last=Moore|date=October 15, 2021|title=The Simpsons Brings Back Ruth Powers For Season 33|url=https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-ruth-powers-return-details/|website=[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=August 3, 2024|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019222455/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-ruth-powers-return-details/|url-status=live}}</ref> Musician [[Trey Anastasio]] appeared as himself. Anastasio previously appeared with his band [[Phish]] in the [[The Simpsons season 13|thirteenth season]] episode "[[Weekend at Burnsie's]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Lynch|date=March 21, 2022|title=Here's Every Musical Guest on 'The Simpsons,' in Chronological Order|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-simpsons-every-music-guest-chronological-order-6228944/|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=August 3, 2024|archive-date=August 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806005624/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-simpsons-every-music-guest-chronological-order-6228944/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== ===Viewing figures=== The viewing figures for this episode is 1.51 million and was the highest-rated show on [[Animation Domination]] that night.<ref name="33.04">{{cite web|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=October 19, 2021|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.17.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-10-17-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|access-date=October 19, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019141711/https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-10-17-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Critical response=== Marcus Gibson of ''Bubbleblabber'' gave the episode a 7.5 out of 10 stating "Overall, 'The Wayz We Were' wasn't as annoying as being stuck in an actual traffic jam. It is a funny and heartfelt episode that puts Moe's character growth in the spotlight. It would've been better off without the 'Homer solving the traffic jam' scenario as it didn't make much of an impact, in my opinion. Other than that, it's an enjoyable storyline that kicks off Moe's future with Maya."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gibson|first=Marcus|date=October 18, 2021|title=Review: The Simpsons "The Wayz We Were"|url=https://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-the-wayz-we-were/|access-date=October 27, 2021|website=Bubbleblabber|language=en-US|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029020601/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-the-wayz-we-were/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Tony Sokol]] of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' gave the episode 2.5 out of 5 starts stating "'The Wayz We Were' is a tepid episode, which is only slightly warmed by the songs. It is also a sweet episode, which explores Moe's innermost turmoil, but it doesn't bring it to a boil, much less a simmer. Moe has sex in this installment and it's still not hot enough."<ref>{{Cite web|first=Tony|last=Sokol|author-link=Tony Sokol|date=October 18, 2021|title=The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 4 Review: The Wayz We Were|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-33-episode-4-review-the-wayz-we-were/|access-date=October 27, 2021|website=[[Den of Geek]]|language=en-US|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027113825/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-33-episode-4-review-the-wayz-we-were/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|The Simpsons}} * {{IMDb episode}}
{{The Simpsons episodes|33}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wayz We Were, The}} [[Category:2021 American television episodes]] [[Category:The Simpsons season 33 episodes]] [[Category:Television episodes written by Joel H. Cohen]] [[Category:Television episodes directed by Matthew Nastuk]]