Did the Season 36 finale of The Simpsons say goodbye to two classic characters? Here's what we know

Over the course of 36 seasons, and after years of being part of pop culture, The Simpsons continues to be a popular show. However, the Season 36 finale, titled Estranger Things, might be the last time for two of the show’s original and most iconic characters. Their fans are now asking: Did The Simpsons really make a parting gesture to Itchy and Scratchy?

The animated pair — known for their extreme acts of violence in the segment, The Itchy & Scratchy Show — has been a satirical feature of The Simpsons since early on in the series.

However, now it feels like the showrunners have subtly said goodbye to them in the final episode, which takes a surprising turn in terms of emotion. Even though there have been no official statements from creators, several elements from the episode indicate this could be the end of Itchy and Scratchy.

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A nostalgic yet somber tribute

Estranger Things is an episode that delves into the deteriorating rapport between Bart and Lisa, seen through the prism of their shared childhood traditions — mostly, The Itchy & Scratchy Show. A new, hand-drawn version of the toon starts airing with catchy music and a different character, but neither Simpson sibling is impressed.

What we see here is a breakup of the tie that held Bart and Lisa's feelings together. The most poignant moment is the credits: A quiet, slow visual representation of original Itchy and Scratchy scenes played out to Sarah McLachlan’s sad and touching song, I Will Remember You.

The whole thing sounds more like a funeral oration than just a postscript. The audience on social media was in a hurry to predict if this was the last time the cartoon cat and mouse would appear.

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The evolution of Krusty's show

The possible retirement of Itchy and Scratchy also poses the concern regarding Krusty the Clown. For many years, Krusty has incorporated The Itchy & Scratchy Show as the flagship animated feature of his program. Their absence could either force a significant alteration to the in-universe format or perhaps change the assumption that The Simpsons is moving away from some of its traditional features.

Although Krusty’s character has for long been considered a caricature of the television industry, the finale hints rather delicately that certain comedic tropes, especially those considered evergreen, are pushed to their limits. Regardless of the fate bestowed upon Itchy and Scratchy, their lesser participation seems to capture the the logic behind the decision — the series needs to change, to appeal to younger audiences.

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A new voice for Milhouse

The finale was not just important in terms of what it could have brought to a close, it also represented a new beginning. Longtime voice actress Pamela Hayden, who voiced Milhouse Van Houten from Season 1, officially handed the baton to Kelly MacLeod, a veteran in the industry. The episode itself masked this pretty well, but it was just enough to prompt a buzz on the internet. Hayden’s retirement after 35 years is yet another landmark shift for the series.

MacLeod's entry marks a generational change — indicative of how The Simpsons continues to change its voice actors while keeping a seamless identity of the characters for the younger and older audiences.

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A gentle goodbye or a temporary pause?

While there has been no irrefutable evidence suggesting The Itchy and Scratchy Show has been permanently discontinued, Estranger Things offers clues that lean towards an intentional goodbye. If this is the case, it would mark an understated yet powerful ending for two figures who, regardless of being fictional even within The Simpsons world, have come to personify the show’s satirical humor.

Moreover, this is also a reminder that The Simpsons as a franchise, despite its longevity, is alterable. Alongside the changed Milhouse voice and the overly tender sendoff to the most meta cartoon in history, the finale episode concluded Season 36 on an unusually sentimental note.

Regardless of whether Itchy and Scratchy are truly retired or if they are just on a hiatus, one thing is for sure: The unrivaled mix of emotions, rich comedic contexts, and cultural critique delivered through the production is still alive.