The Simpsons has a long-standing reputation for unexpectedly eliminating fan-favorite characters from the show. Some of these characters, like “Bleeding Gums” Murphy, made only a few memorable appearances, while others, such as Edna Krabappel, were integral to the series for many seasons. There have even been shocking departures, like that of Moe’s barfly Larry, whose demise in the previous season ignited backlash from dedicated Simpsons fans. Recently, the show’s narrative has led to speculation regarding Marge Simpson — who, contrary to rumors, is not actually deceased, despite implications made in the season 36 finale aired last month.
To provide some context, in the episode titled “Estranger Things,” which concluded a season filled with unconventional storytelling, the plot takes a leap into the future. In this timeline, we find Marge Simpson in heaven, notably alongside Ringo Starr, as she observes Bart and Lisa working to heal their strained sibling relationship. The notion that Marge, the beloved matriarch of the Simpson family, might be dead sent shockwaves through the fanbase, prompting those involved with the show to clarify that this depiction is not to be considered canon. As The Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman explained, “Obviously since the future episodes of ‘The Simpsons’ are all speculative fantasies, they’re all different every time. Marge will probably never be dead ever again. The only place Marge is dead is in one future episode that aired six weeks ago.”
The ongoing discourse surrounding the supposed “death” of Marge Simpson persists weeks after the episode’s airing, largely fueled by media sensationalism and clickbait headlines. As it turns out, many fingers can be pointed at various media outlets that have mishandled the narrative for the sake of drawing traffic. “Here’s my take: Websites need traffic, and headlines equal traffic. And then you can explain that the headline was misleading at the very end of the article. Every single media outlet that ran this story knew that in no way was Marge dead. They all knew it, but they ran the headline anyway.”
As the storyline of Marge Simpson evolves, it seems certain that her character will continue to thrive, as many expected. Currently, The Simpsons has been renewed for seasons up to 40, which is projected to extend the series until 2029, inching closer to the monumental milestone of 1,000 episodes. (“Estranger Things” marked episode 790, indicating that there is still a considerable journey ahead for the iconic residents of Springfield to reach that impressive count.)
What are your thoughts on how The Simpsons addressed the topic of Marge’s non-canonical death? Do you foresee any significant characters facing elimination in upcoming episodes?
