While The Simpsons season 37, episode 1 did technically feature a character death, the way that the series handled this revelation proves the show learned all the right lessons from season 36’s controversial Marge “Death.” In June, I published an article on ScreenRant discussing Marge’s temporary death in The Simpsons season 36 finale. Things soon got out of hand.

With almost 800 episodes and a movie spinoff to its name, The Simpsons is officially the longest-running scripted primetime American TV show in history. As such, many viewers have not kept up with the show, but they remain familiar with its main characters. This meant outlets like E!, The Guardian, Variety, and even The New York Times soon covered this story.

However, a lot of these outlets didn’t realize that The Simpsons doesn’t treat death like most TV shows. The series is a chaotic, anarchic sitcom whose canon is constantly in flux, as evidenced by the mysterious, ever-changing ages of The Simpsons characters. Thus, it was no surprise when season 37’s premiere immediately undid Marge’s temporary “Death.”

The Simpsons Season 37 Treats Mr. Largo’s “Death” As A Joke

One Character Reveals The Music Teacher Died “Or Had Jury Duty”

Not only did season 37, episode 1, “Thrifty Ways to Thieve Your Mother,” prove that Marge wasn’t permanently dead, but the show even focused the premiere’s storyline on her relationship with Lisa. Marge and Lisa began watching a ‘90s TV show that parodied Dawson’s Creek and, while searching for season 2 DVDs, came across Marge’s ’90s wardrobe.

Realizing that her mother’s adolescent fashions were back in vogue, Lisa started dressing in Marge’s old clothes and soon won the attention of some fashion snobs from Springfield Elementary. Before long, she was breaking into the houses of local boy moms and raiding their closets with her new friends.

This playful premise was a fun one, but it also allowed the show to clarify its approach to death with an unexpected, darkly comedic gag. Early on, Lisa met the school’s fashion club in the music room, which they acquired when Mr. Largo died.

Lisa was horrified to hear this news, but her new friend soon clarified that he “either died, or had jury duty, or something dumb.” This callous one-liner proved that viewers shouldn’t hold their breath for deaths that are treated like big dramatic moments by The Simpsons, a show that always leans toward irreverence rather than solemnity.

Although there are a small handful of permanent character deaths in The Simpsons, the show usually takes a less serious, reverential approach to the topic. Dr. Marvin Monroe has been killed off and brought back to life without explanation numerous times, much like Homer’s birthdate has changed repeatedly throughout the show’s 37-year run.

The Simpsons Season 37 Highlights The Show’s Changing Attitude Toward Character Deaths

Seasons 35 and 36 Featured Genuine Permanent Character Deaths

In early seasons, The Simpsons took death a little more seriously. When characters like Bleeding Gums Murphy and Maude Flanders were killed off, their deaths were treated as legitimate tragedies, and they didn’t return to the series in later episodes. However, that changed around season 13.

As the show’s tone grew zanier and more openly surreal, The Simpsons started to kill off characters and bring them back without any explanation. In one particularly strange example, Ralph Wiggum exploded onscreen, only to return unscathed in the next episode. This approach continued for numerous years, with the show laughing off the idea of permanent character deaths.

Then, the series flipped its approach on its head again. Around season 33, The Simpsons started to receive critical acclaim for its improved writing. Focusing more on characters and less on gags per minute, the series revitalized its sense of humor and won over both longtime viewers who had left the series and new fans.

With this character-centric writing came a renewed focus on storytelling, which meant that death needed to carry some weight again. While The Simpsons’ many celebrity cameos remained a series mainstay, the show also started to explore the idea of killing off existing characters permanently for tragedy or drama.

Season 35, episode 15, “Cremains of the Day,” began with the death of the longtime background character Larry the Barlfy, while season 36, episode 2, “The Yellow Lotus,” centered on the mysterious death of Nick the Realtor. These deaths were treated as real, permanent, and dramatic events, and have not since been retconned.

That said, it seems like the show’s attitude toward the sweet hereafter has shifted once again since early in season 36. In contrast with these darker storylines, season 36’s temporary Marge death and season 37’s Largo gag prove the series once again isn’t taking death seriously anymore. This allows the show to keep viewers guessing, maintaining a sense of unpredictability.

The Simpsons Season 37 Episode 1’s Marge & Lisa Story Was Perfectly Timed

The Long-running Show Followed Marge’s “Death” With A Sweet Story For Her & Lisa

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Of course, the most important element of the show’s storytelling will always be its heart. The Simpsons season 37 episode 1 ended with a dedication to series composer Alf Clausen and, despite joking about Largo’s death, “Thrifty Ways to Thieve Your Mother” had enough heartfelt moments to feel more sweet than glib.

Lisa and Marge’s struggle with seeing eye to eye, and their eventual reconciliation after Lisa almost got caught robbing Martin Prince’s house, made for a sweet coming-of-age storyline between the mother and daughter. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart’s Reacher-parodying subplot was classic Simpsons silliness.

Ultimately, the premiere struck a solid balance between goofy gags and heartfelt emotional moments, thus proving that the show learned the right lesson from all the furor surrounding Marge’s season 36 finale death. Season 37’s Mr. Largo “Death” proves The Simpsons still isn’t taking anything too seriously, but this doesn’t mean the series can’t have emotional stakes for its heroes.

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Release Date

December 17, 1989

Network

FOX

Showrunner

Al Jean

Directors

Steven Dean Moore, Mark Kirkland, Rob Oliver, Michael Polcino, Mike B. Anderson, Chris Clements, Wes Archer, Timothy Bailey, Lance Kramer, Nancy Kruse, Matthew Faughnan, Chuck Sheetz, Rich Moore, Jeffrey Lynch, Pete Michels, Susie Dietter, Raymond S. Persi, Carlos Baeza, Dominic Polcino, Lauren MacMullan, Michael Marcantel, Neil Affleck, Swinton O. Scott III, Jennifer Moeller

Writers

J. Stewart Burns, Michael Price, Brian Kelley, Bill Odenkirk, Dan Vebber, Kevin Curran, Stephanie Gillis, Dan Castellaneta, Deb Lacusta, Billy Kimball, Jessica Conrad, Cesar Mazariegos, Daniel Chun, Jennifer Crittenden, Conan O’Brien, Valentina Garza, Elisabeth Kiernan Averick, Christine Nangle, Broti Gupta, Loni Steele Sosthand, Megan Amram, Bob Kushell, David Isaacs, David Mandel

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  Homer Simpson / Abe Simpson / Barney Gumble / Krusty (voice)

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  Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)