Marge Simpson, the longtime matriarch of the Simpson family, was revealed to be dead in a flash-forward sequence during the Season 36 finale of The Simpsons, sparking widespread reactions from fans across social media, as reported by The New York Post.

The finale, titled “Estranger Things,” centers on Bart and Lisa Simpson drifting apart as children after they stop watching The Itchy & Scratchy Show together.

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The episode jumps ahead 35 years, showing a future in which Marge has passed away and her fear of her children growing estranged has become a reality.

In the flash-forward, Lisa is depicted as the commissioner of the NBA and supports her father, Homer, who is living in an unlicensed retirement home run by Bart. A brief scene shows Homer standing tearfully at Marge’s grave during her funeral, surrounded by their family.

The storyline later follows Lisa rescuing Homer from being relocated to Florida by Senior Protective Services. After reuniting with Bart, the siblings take Homer home and watch a reboot of their childhood cartoon, rekindling their bond.

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A key emotional moment occurs when Lisa discovers an old video from Marge instructing her children to always depend on one another. The video motivates Lisa and Bart to reconcile and bring their father home.

In the final scene, Marge appears in Heaven, observing her reunited family. “I’m so happy my kids are close again,” she says. The moment shifts when Beatles member Ringo Starr appears beside Marge.

“Love, we’ll be late for the Heaven Buffett. There’s a shrimp tower,” Starr says.

Marge responds, “Okay Ringo. I’m just so glad that we’re allowed to marry different people in Heaven,” before kissing him.

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The unexpected twist has triggered a wave of online commentary. One viewer posted, “I haven’t even watched The Simpsons in 10+ years but they really killed MARGE?!”

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Others expressed confusion or frustration. “What’s this I’m hearing they killed Marge Simpson off????” one person wrote.

Another called the episode “utter woke nonsense.”

Julie Kavner has voiced Marge since the show’s debut in 1989.

The finale aired after Fox renewed the series for four additional seasons in April. The Simpsons remains the longest-running animated series on television. A premiere date for Season 37 has not yet been announced.