Fans of the iconic animated series The Simpsons were recently sent on an emotional rollercoaster following the Season 36 finale titled "Estranger Things," which aired on May 18, 2025. The episode depicted a future where the beloved family matriarch, Marge Simpson, had passed away — a revelation that sparked widespread online uproar and confusion. But before anyone rushes to mourn, producers and insiders have clarified that Marge isn’t actually gone and will continue to be a fixture in Springfield for years to come.
To understand the stir, it helps to know that The Simpsons has a long history of playing fast and loose with its timeline. Executive producer Matt Selman explained to Variety that after nearly 800 episodes, "there is no canon" in the series. The show has often employed flash-forwards, flashbacks, and alternate realities to explore different storylines without permanently altering its core narrative. The Season 36 finale is no exception.
"The only place Marge is dead is in one future episode that aired six weeks ago," Selman said. "Marge will probably never be dead ever again." This means that while the episode imagines a future where Marge dies, it is a speculative scenario rather than a definitive event in the show's ongoing storyline.
In "Estranger Things," viewers are taken 35 years into the future, where Bart and Lisa Simpson have grown into estranged adults. Lisa has become the commissioner of the NBA, bearing the weight of a high-profile, stressful career, while Bart runs an unlicensed retirement home where their father, Homer, resides. The siblings’ drifting apart is symbolized by their cessation of watching the childhood cartoon "Itchy & Scratchy" together — a poignant metaphor for the fraying of family bonds.
The emotional heart of the episode lies in a video message from Marge, recorded before her death, urging her children to stick together and care for their aging father. The message reads, "My dearest, my hope is that you're looking out for each other and sharing a lifelong journey together." This plea ultimately reunites Bart and Lisa, restoring their fractured relationship.
The episode also offers a tender glimpse of Marge in the afterlife, where she is happily reunited with her high school crush, Beatle Ringo Starr. Their playful exchange — including Marge’s quip, "I’m just so glad we’re allowed to marry different people in heaven" — adds a surreal yet heartwarming touch to the narrative.
Despite the episode’s emotional weight, the reaction from fans was swift and passionate. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) were abuzz with shock and sadness. One user lamented, "OMG THEY KILLED MARGE 😭 it’s a sad day for us Simpsons lovers," while another expressed disbelief: "Dude, they freaking killed Marge Simpson!" The death of Marge felt especially poignant because it was the first time a core Simpson family member was shown dying, a rarity in the show’s long history.
However, the producers have reassured fans that Marge’s death is not permanent. The episode is a "what-if" scenario, and Marge remains very much alive in the series’ present timeline. This is further supported by Fox’s recent renewal of The Simpsons through Season 40, ensuring the show will continue airing new episodes until at least 2029. Julie Kavner, who has voiced Marge for nearly four decades, will continue to bring the character to life.
Matt Selman noted that the viral, often misleading headlines about Marge’s death underscore the show’s enduring cultural significance. "I guess this speaks to the fact that people care about Marge," he said. "At the end of the day, it’s probably good for business even when these ridiculous, misleading stories go viral!"
Season 36 itself has been experimental, with the show pushing creative boundaries in its old age. Earlier in the season, the premiere featured a fake series finale hosted by Conan O’Brien, with Bart turning 11 and reacting to abrupt changes — a nod to the show’s longevity and willingness to play with its format.
The "Estranger Things" finale also subtly acknowledged the passage of time through its voice acting. Julie Kavner, now 75, has a raspier voice than in earlier seasons, reflecting the natural aging of the cast. Similarly, Harry Shearer, who voices multiple characters including Ned Flanders and Mr. Burns, sounds deeper and older. These changes add a layer of realism to the show’s fantastical elements.
One of the episode’s emotional cores is the depiction of Bart and Lisa growing out of "Itchy & Scratchy," their childhood favorite, symbolizing the bittersweet process of letting go of childhood and shared memories. This theme resonates with many viewers who have grown up with the show and are themselves navigating change and nostalgia.
While the show has seen character deaths before — like Maude Flanders and Edna Krabappel — none have hit as close to home as the imagined passing of Marge. Yet, the light touch with which "Estranger Things" handles her death, with only a brief funeral scene and a joyful afterlife moment, suggests that the show is more interested in exploring family dynamics and emotional resonance than delivering permanent losses.
As The Simpsons marches toward its 40th season, it continues to balance its rich history with fresh storytelling. The show’s ability to reinvent itself while honoring its roots keeps it relevant in a rapidly changing television landscape. Marge Simpson, the ever-patient, pork-chop seasoning matriarch, remains at the heart of Springfield’s enduring charm — alive, well, and ready for many more years of misadventures.
