For over 35 years, The Simpsons has been a cornerstone of American television, breaking records and redefining what an animated sitcom can be. With more than 780 episodes, it’s rare for the show to surprise its audience genuinely. But Season 36’s finale, titled “Estranger Things,” did just that by revealing a shocking twist about The Simpsons Marge Death
A Twist Hidden in Nostalgia
The episode begins, like many before it, with a classic sibling plot. Bart and Lisa bond over their shared love of The Itchy & Scratchy Show, a familiar dynamic that fans have watched evolve for decades. But that comforting premise is quickly upended.
When Marge buys Maggie baby-themed Itchy & Scratchy merch, Bart and Lisa rebel, abandoning the show. What starts as a humorous nod to media commercialization becomes the launching pad for one of the show’s most emotional story arcs.
Marge Dies Before Homer – A Shocking Revelation
Midway through the episode, we flash forward 35 years. Lisa is now the head of the WNBA (now simply “NBA” due to its popularity), and Bart—still living at home—is running a questionable retirement home scam with Homer and friends as the residents.
But the real twist comes during a Sarah McLachlan musical montage. Her song unexpectedly reveals that Marge died before Homer, an outcome few fans saw coming. The episode shows her funeral, though it notably does not reveal the cause of death, adding to the mystery.
McLachlan’s lyrics drive home the heartbreak, noting how unlikely it was that Marge, the family’s rock, would pass before her oafish but lovable husband. For longtime fans, it was a punch to the gut.
Family Fractures and Futuristic Fates
In the wake of Marge’s death, Bart and Lisa are more estranged than ever. Lisa accuses Bart of elder abuse, while Bart’s bizarre “nursing home” operation proves to be a heartfelt effort to give the elderly a better life.
Their relationship hits a low point when Lisa contacts Senior Services, leading to Homer’s forced removal from Bart’s care. But this sets up the most redemptive sequence of the episode—Bart and Lisa team up to rescue Homer on a bus to Florida.
In a callback to their childhood, the duo uses a classic Itchy & Scratchy episode to distract the elderly riders and sneak Homer out during a rest stop break, made possible by Bart’s intimate knowledge of Homer’s bathroom routine. It’s silly, smart, and sentimental.
Marge Marries Ringo Starr in Heaven
The finale’s last gut-punch is oddly joyful: we see Marge in Heaven, married to Ringo Starr. The moment is both emotional and hilarious, tying back to Season 2’s “Brush with Greatness,” where Marge received a fan letter from Starr decades earlier.
This moment serves as a loving homage to The Simpsons’ deep lore and playful continuity, showing that even in death, Marge finds peace—and a Beatle.
What Does This Mean for Season 37?
Fans might wonder: is this the new timeline? Will Season 37 follow through on Marge’s death?
Probably not.
The Simpsons has never committed to a fixed canon. Multiple future episodes have portrayed wildly different outcomes for the family. This finale exists more as a “what if” story—a powerful, emotionally resonant look at what could happen if the family doesn’t stick together.
That said, Season 37 has the freedom to go anywhere. The finale showed the writers still have creative surprises in store, even after nearly four decades.
Why Marge’s Death Mattered
What makes this episode stand out isn’t just that Marge died—it’s why she died in the story. Her final wish, shown via a pre-recorded message, was for her children to reconnect. That hope becomes the emotional core of the episode.
In a show filled with jokes and jabs, this finale is about reconciliation, healing, and memory—themes that resonate far beyond Springfield.
Final Thoughts
- Marge Simpson’s death, though part of a possible future, was a bold emotional swing for the show.
- It showed The Simpsons can still evolve and surprise.
- Whether canonical or not, this episode will remain one of the most memorable in recent history.
Marge may be gone in this timeline, but her legacy—as the heart of The Simpsons—is stronger than ever.
