On screen — a funeral, a headstone, tears from grown-up Lisa and Bart. Everything points to one thing: Marge Simpson is dead. But did we really lose one of the show's main characters?
The events of the season finale called "Stranger Things" unfold in the future, 35 years later. Lisa is an NBA commissioner, Bart owns an underground nursing home where Homer is living out his final days.
Source:
Fox
The episode also features a scene where Marge watches over her children from Heaven, marries Ringo Starr, and heads off with him to a "heavenly buffet" complete with a shrimp tower. All of this feels more like metaphor than a final goodbye.
According to CNN, the show's creators confirmed that Marge's death is just one possible future, not a definitive farewell episode. "The Simpsons" has been renewed for several more years, and the character will continue appearing in new episodes. So you can breathe easy: Marge isn't going anywhere. Not yet, anyway.
Source:
Fox
Maude Flanders
Ned's wife died in Season 11 — falling from the bleachers after being hit by a T-shirt cannon. The death was sudden and reportedly connected to behind-the-scenes conflicts.
Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky
Krusty's father passed away in Season 26. His death wasn't shocking, more like the logical end for an aging character. Still hit hard, though.
Dr. Nick Riviera
The questionable doctor died in the feature film — or at least that's what fans think. His final line: "Bye, everybody!" became a meme.
Mona Simpson
Homer's mother died off-screen in Season 19. The episode was touching, and the character still returned in flashbacks.
Edna Krabappel
Bart's teacher was "written out" of the show after actress Marcia Wallace's death. Her farewell was a silent scene with a message board.
Fat Tony
Died of a heart attack in Season 22. His cousin stepped in, becoming the new "Fat Tony."
So yeah, there have been plenty of losses over nearly 800 episodes (and that's not even everyone I mentioned). But as long as "The Simpsons" is alive — almost no one leaves forever. Not even Marge. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com reported on the "Buffy" reboot, where even dead characters might return.