The following contains spoilers for The Simpsons season 36 episode 18, “Estranger Things,” now streaming on HuluThe Simpsonsdidn’t kill off Marge, but it should revisit the timeline where that did happen.The Simpsonshas always benefited from a loose canon, which has allowed the show to move alongside real-world history and society, but keep the characters relatively static. However, there are some pretty big events that have reflected serious change in Springfield, such as the passing of Edna Krabappel, the divorce (and eventual reunion) of the Van Houtens, orthe phasing out of characters like Apu.
This means that whenever the show really wants to experiment, it can visit other universes and timelines, with possible futures being a repeated element of the series. Episodes like season 6’s “Lisa’s Wedding” and season 27’s “Barthood” explore alternate worlds for the characters, with the one appearing in season 36’s “Estranger Things” standing out for its somber status quo afterthe death of Marge. While this doesn’t mean Marge is dead in the show, it introduces a potential creative sandbox ripe for return visits.
Marge’s Off-Screen Death In Season 36 Takes Place In A Different Timeline From The Main Show
Marge Simpson’s “death” onThe Simpsonsis only in a possible future instead of the main continuity, but the show should revisit that timeline in upcoming seasons. InTheSimpsons’season 36 finale, “Estranger Things,” the show explores a possible future whereBart and Lisa have splintered apart in the years since Marge’s passing, leaving Homer a widower.
This isn’t the first timeThe Simpsonshas explored a possible future for the family, with this timeline having some notable differences from universes visited in episodes like season 35’s “It’s a Blunderful Life.” The future seen in that episode, set further into the future, features a reality with new generations of Simpsons kids and Marge as a widow.
Other episodes, like season 29’s “Bart’s Ladder,” have even shown other potential deaths for Marge where she outlived Homer.The Simpsonshas always enjoyed a flexible canon in its primary continuity, andthere have been plenty of episodes that have visited other timelines or universes.
Reports thatThe Simpsonshad killed off Marge were exaggerated, and the character will remain a fixture of the show. However, that doesn’t mean occasionally visiting the timeline established in “Estranger Things” would necessarily be a bad thing, as it could offer the show some unique storytelling opportunities.
The Simpsons Should Revisit Their Saddest Possible Future
The Springfield Of “Estranger Things” Is An Interesting Version Of The Iconic Town
Similar to howThe Simpsonshas repeatedly returned to the timeline established in season 16’s “Future-Drama” for multiple episodes over the course of the show, upcoming seasons should revisit the timeline established in “Estranger Things.“It’s a surprisingly somber and grounded location, which is more reflective of the show’s early seasons.
In the other future timelines, the Simpsons family has largely remained united. This carries over into the main continuity as well, where arguably the closest thing to a central thesis for the long-running show could be argued to be “family is vital.” However,this universe introduces some interesting wrinkles into the dynamics.
Some of the potential futures in other episodes ofThe Simpsonsinclude timelines where Lisa became President, ended up with Nelson, or eventually had a daughter with Milhouse.
With no Marge, the family has splintered apart. Maggie isn’t even seen, even if a jokey reference to her choice of career confirms she’s still alive. Bart and Lisa have drifted apart, with Lisa implied to have avoided Springfield (and her family) for years.This is a timeline where the closest family relationship is seemingly between Bart and Homer, itself a twist on the usual dynamics.
The Simpsonsshouldn’t shift their entire focus to this timeline, and it shouldn’t necessarily come at the cost of revisiting the happier possible futures established previously. However,this more low-key somber universe is a potentially fertile settingfor the kind of storytelling thatThe Simpsonscan’t easily tackle with the main cast.
Bart And Lisa’s New Springfield Should Be Explored More
“Estranger Things” Could Be An Interesting New Glimpse Into What Happened To Springfield’s Younger Generation
Because of the static elements ofThe Simpsons' design, the main characters can never truly age or mature in permanent ways that could mess with the show’s typical tropes and relationships. In the future of “Estranger Things,” however,Bart and Lisa can embark on some genuinely adult storylines.
Neither of them is shown with families,a telling difference between this future and the other ones glimpsed elsewhere in the show’s history. It bears some notable similarities to the vision glimpsed by Bart in season 11’s “Bart to the Future,” with an immature Bart partying well into middle age while Lisa gains a prestigious job.
A return to this timeline could explore more about their place in the world and any connections they have. While Bart is confirmed to still be hanging out with Milhouse, Lisa’s own social circle outside of Springfield (lack thereof) could make fora compelling story about an adult Lisa dealing with the real world.
Bart’s lack of prospects could be explored further. Bart has always had untapped potential, with some futures showing he could become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. However,Bart has also found a surprisingly great role as a caretaker of the elderly, something that could be unpacked in a timeline divorced from the main continuity.
This New Somber Simpsons Timeline Could Be A Satirical Gold Mine
The Simpsons Could Make Lots Of Jokes And Commentary About America’s Future In This World
The Simpsonssets up a surprisingly dour future for Springfield in “Estranger Things.” Many other visits to possible futures in the show have portrayed Springfield’s tomorrow as a technologically advanced (if still silly) place.The Springfield of “Estranger Things” is, by contrast, a far more realistic settingwhose biggest changes are great little set-ups for satire.
This is clear in “Estranger Things,” where the state of Florida is revealed to have been effectively refashioned into a prison for the elderly.Expanding on the other aspects of this could be comedy gold for the creatives, giving them plenty of runway to poke fun at the ways society is evolving and changing.
Even if a return to this timeline is rooted in Springfield, it’d be fascinating to see how the town evolved. Characters like Nelson are shown to have suffered serious setbacks, but Rod and Todd Flanders are implied to be highly successful.A return to this timeline could paint a better picture of everything that’s happened to Springfield over the years.
The Simpsons Could Tell An Impossible Homer Story In This Timeline
The Simpsons Could Give Homer His Saddest Story Ever In This Marge-Less Future
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this timeline without Marge is the way it would open up an entirely new world of storylines for Homer.Homer’s status as an unexpected widower is a heartbreaking turn, especially once it’s revealed that he now spends all of his time with Bart and his friends.
There’s an implication that Homer has never really moved past Marge’s passing, simply living life without her. An episode exploring how someone like Homer could even attempt to make peace with Marge’s passing would be fascinating,especially if it found a way to incorporate his relationship with Ned Flandersnow that they’ve shared the experience of losing a wife.
This alternate future could be a great place to experiment with plots that can’t happen in most episodes.
There’s also the fact thatMoe is shown to have also passed away in this timeline. Moe has steadily become one of Homer’s best friends over the course of the show, potentially explaining why he’s so eager to have Lenny and Carl live with him and Bart.This is another reminder of how much this Springfield has changed.
It’d be impossible to do these kinds of plots in the main continuity without losing fixtures of the show, butthis alternate future could be a great place to experiment with plots that can’t happen in most episodes. Homer being forced to confront morality has always produced great episodes ofThe Simpsons, and this offers fresh ways to do it.
The Simpsons
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The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
