These two just straight up can't stand each other. There's even an "It's a Wonderful Life" episode when Al sees how much better Peggy is without him, and he chooses to go back to his life because he can't bear the thought of her not being miserable. Al blames her for ruining his life -- he had a promising college football scholarship until he impregnated his girlfriend, married her, broke his leg, and started working at a shoe store. Although the blame clearly falls with both partners, his resentment of both Peggy and his children is present throughout the show. They seem like they actively find ways to irritate one another. Peggy refuses to cook, claiming that she's allergic to fire, despite that fact that she smokes. She refuses to get a job even though Al makes minimum wage at the shoe store, citing laziness as a family tradition. Al's favorite television show is called Psycho Dad, which is a Western that involves a man who kills his wife and children to get revenge for their years of "torment", which is slightly telling in regards to Al's emotional stability. These two need a marriage counselor, stat, before Al decides to emulate his television hero.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
