# The Wayz We Were > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Wayz_We_Were > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Wayz_We_Were.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wayz_We_Were > Source revision: 1316981420 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 4th episode of the 33rd season of The Simpsons "The Wayz We Were" The Simpsons episode Episode no. Season 33 Episode 4 Directed by Matthew Nastuk Written by Joel H. Cohen Production code QABF19 Original air date October 17, 2021 (2021-10-17) Guest appearances Trey Anastasio as himself Pamela Reed as Ruth Powers Episode features Couch gag Stop-motion animation of the family as wooden figurines in a medieval castle, attempting to entertain "Princess Maggie". Episode chronology ← Previous "Treehouse of Horror XXXII" Next → "Lisa's Belly" The Simpsons season 33 List of episodes "**The Wayz We Were**" is the fourth episode of the [thirty-third season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_33) of the American animated television series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)*, and the 710th episode overall. It aired in the United States on [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) on October 17, 2021.[1] The episode was directed by [Matthew Nastuk](/source/Matthew_Nastuk) and written by [Joel H. Cohen](/source/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](/source/Pamela_Reed) guest starred as [Ruth Powers](/source/Ruth_Powers). Musician [Trey Anastasio](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Homer_Simpson) promises to redeem themselves. Afterwards, he goes to [Professor Frink](/source/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 [short](/source/Dwarfism) girlfriend Maya, from "[Eeny Teeny Maya Moe](/source/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](/source/Bart_Simpson)'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](/source/Stoopid_Buddy_Stoodios). Produced with [stop-motion](/source/Stop-motion) animation and made entirely from wood, the gag was directed by [John Harvatine IV](/source/John_Harvatine_IV) and written by [Tom Root](/source/Tom_Root).[2] [Pamela Reed](/source/Pamela_Reed) reprised her role as [Ruth Powers](/source/Ruth_Powers). The character previously appeared in the [fourth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_4) episode "[New Kid on the Block](/source/New_Kid_on_the_Block)", the [fifth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_5) episode "[Marge on the Lam](/source/Marge_on_the_Lam)", and the [fourteenth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_14) episode "[The Strong Arms of the Ma](/source/The_Strong_Arms_of_the_Ma)".[3] Musician [Trey Anastasio](/source/Trey_Anastasio) appeared as himself. Anastasio previously appeared with his band [Phish](/source/Phish) in the [thirteenth season](/source/The_Simpsons_season_13) episode "[Weekend at Burnsie's](/source/Weekend_at_Burnsie's)".[4] ## Reception ### Viewing figures The viewing figures for this episode is 1.51 million and was the highest-rated show on [Animation Domination](/source/Animation_Domination) that night.[5] ### 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."[6] [Tony Sokol](/source/Tony_Sokol) of *[Den of Geek](/source/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."[7] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Futon_Critic_1-0)** ["(SI-3219) "The Wayz We Were""](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210924fox15/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240806040648/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20210924fox15/) from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Milligan, Mercedes (October 14, 2021). ["BTS: Stoopid Buddy Hatches New 'Simpsons' Couch Gag"](https://www.animationmagazine.net/2021/10/bts-stoopid-buddy-hatches-new-simpsons-couch-gag/). *[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230703051143/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2021/10/bts-stoopid-buddy-hatches-new-simpsons-couch-gag/) from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Moore, Harry (October 15, 2021). ["The Simpsons Brings Back Ruth Powers For Season 33"](https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-ruth-powers-return-details/). *[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211019222455/https://screenrant.com/simpsons-season-33-ruth-powers-return-details/) from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Lynch, Joe (March 21, 2022). ["Here's Every Musical Guest on 'The Simpsons,' in Chronological Order"](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-simpsons-every-music-guest-chronological-order-6228944/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230806005624/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-simpsons-every-music-guest-chronological-order-6228944/) from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-33.04_5-0)** Metcalf, Mitch (October 19, 2021). ["ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.17.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated"](https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-10-17-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html). *Showbuzz Daily*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211019141711/https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-10-17-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html) from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Gibson, Marcus (October 18, 2021). ["Review: The Simpsons "The Wayz We Were""](https://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-the-wayz-we-were/). *Bubbleblabber*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211029020601/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/review-the-simpsons-the-wayz-we-were/) from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Sokol, Tony](/source/Tony_Sokol) (October 18, 2021). ["The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 4 Review: The Wayz We Were"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-33-episode-4-review-the-wayz-we-were/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211027113825/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-33-episode-4-review-the-wayz-we-were/) from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021. ## External links - [The Simpsons portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:The_Simpsons) - ["The Wayz We Were"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14457882/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) v t e The Simpsons episodes Seasons 1–20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Season 21–present 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Season 33 "The Star of the Backstage" "Bart's in Jail!" "Treehouse of Horror XXXII" "The Wayz We Were" "Lisa's Belly" "A Serious Flanders" "Portrait of a Lackey on Fire" "Mothers and Other Strangers" "A Made Maggie" "The Longest Marge" "Pixelated and Afraid" "Boyz N the Highlands" "You Won't Believe What This Episode Is About – Act Three Will Shock You!" "Bart the Cool Kid" "Pretty Whittle Liar" "The Sound of Bleeding Gums" "My Octopus and a Teacher" "Girls Just Shauna Have Fun" "Marge the Meanie" "Meat Is Murder" "Poorhouse Rock" See also Treehouse of Horror list The Simpsons episode guides "The Simpsons Guy" Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Wayz We Were](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wayz_We_Were) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wayz_We_Were?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.