Ep 22. The Agony of Defeet

The episode "The Agony of Defeet" is the twenty-second episode of the fourth season of the iconic sitcom Married...with Children. In this episode, Al Bundy, the high school football hero turned shoe salesman, faces one of the biggest challenges of his life: losing a shoe.

The episode starts with Al enjoying his day off by lounging on the couch and watching a football game. However, his relaxation is interrupted when his wife Peg mentions that the family has been invited to attend a party at Marcy and Steve's house that evening. Al is immediately filled with dread at the thought of having to put on his dress shoes and suffer through a night of small talk and polite socializing.

As Al prepares for the party, he realizes that his favorite shoes, a worn-out pair of sneakers, are missing. This is a huge problem for Al, who is known for his attachment to his trusty sneakers. He frantically searches the house for them, but they are nowhere to be found. In a desperate attempt to find suitable footwear, Al is forced to dig through his closet and wear a pair of dress shoes that are a size too small.

The discomfort of the shoes immediately becomes unbearable, and Al arrives at the party in excruciating pain. His discomfort is compounded by the fact that he is surrounded by people who he believes are living more fulfilling lives than he is. Marcy and Steve, his neighbors, are a newlywed couple who are in love and constantly dote on each other. Al's own marriage is far from idyllic, and he feels jealous of their happiness.

To make matters worse, Al's frequent complaints about his shoes draw unwanted attention from the other partygoers. Everyone from Marcy to the caterer seems to take joy in his discomfort, making fun of him and suggesting that he should have worn more comfortable shoes. Al feels humiliated and miserable.

Meanwhile, Peg is oblivious to Al's discomfort and is having a great time at the party. She is enjoying herself talking with Marcy and Steve and enjoying the hors d'oeuvres. However, her enjoyment of the evening is short-lived when she realizes that her shoes have gone missing as well. Peg is forced to wander around the party barefoot, which only adds to Al's humiliation.

The episode ends with Al and Peg returning home and finding Al's beloved sneakers in the kitchen. It turns out that their daughter Kelly had borrowed them without his knowledge. Al is overjoyed to have his sneakers back, and the episode concludes with him glad to be reunited with his beloved footwear.

Overall, "The Agony of Defeet" is a classic Married...with Children episode that highlights the show's humor and cutting-edge satire. The episode is centered around one of the show's most iconic characters, Al Bundy, and shows his vulnerability and weakness in a way that is relatable and amusing. The humor in the episode comes from the absurdity of the situation, as Al's attachment to his sneakers and his discomfort in dress shoes are played for comedic effect. The episode also touches on themes of envy and insecurity, as Al feels inadequate compared to his neighbor's seemingly perfect life. Overall, "The Agony of Defeet" is a hilarious and memorable episode of one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time.