The Simpsons: Why Marge’s season 36 death isn’t just a gimmick — it’s good storytelling

When The Simpsons killed off Marge Simpson in a flash-forward during the season 36 finale “Estranger Things,” it could have felt cheap. She’s one of the show’s core characters, and her death, even in a flash-forward, could be dismissed as a twist meant to shock.

Instead, her passing serves as the episode’s emotional center, compelling us to confront how this family, driven by time and persistent unresolved conflict, learns to navigate the absence of the ultimate sort. The moment felt earned rather than disposable, and focused on how grief rewires the personal dynamics within a family system and the self-confrontation it necessitates.

With this, The Simpsons was not looking for means to shock its audience. Instead, the focus shifted towards character development, which often gets lost in the humor and history of the show. Marge’s death evoked sincere emotional transformation from Bart and Lisa, accentuating their lifelong bond and adding depth to their adult relationship while making sense in many ways.

The narrative here didn't try to start over; rather, it aimed for impact. And that impact shows how The Simpsons, more than three dozen seasons later, continues proving they know how to deliver substance.

A show that thrives when it risks breaking its own rules

For most of its existence, The Simpsons has employed a timeless structure; characters do not age, plotlines reset with little to no lasting impact, and change is infrequent. However, the last few seasons have started to experiment with that formula, and Marge’s death fits within that broader evolution. This isn’t the case of throwing away canon or continuity; it is about using animated storytelling’s imaginative potential to delve into greater emotional truths. Even temporarily killing off a central character indicates that the series is now more willing to explore risks rather than simply sidestep them.

And that is beneficial. By permitting itself to show the impact of emotional loss, grief, and family disagreements alongside humor, it deeply reconnects with viewers as to why it was significant in the first place. Marge’s death had narrative risks; however, her death did grant some form of a reward since it did not require something permanent in nature to be impactful. It also enriched the legacy of the show instead of merely appeasing it, which makes the choice bold, bright, and remarkable.

Looking ahead: What does this mean for The Simpsons season 37

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Should The Simpsons choose to take this route, the emotional storytelling they’ve incorporated will complement their iconic humor as Season 37 premieres. While Marge’s death may not officially become part of the timeline, decisions made in narratives hint that there is a willingness to explore what true change means for Springfield. What if characters really evolved, or shattered, due to the passage of time?

Such questions are definitely intriguing, especially for as old a show as The Simpsons. While not every episode needs to be character-driven or have multiple layers to the story, like the success of “Estranger Things” has shown, there is room for more character-driven episodes that take risks while maintaining what makes them beloved. If Marge’s death was any indication, The Simpsons still have the ability, and the will to surprise us in all the right ways.

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