10 Shocking Changes in The Simpsons Season 36 That Will Leave You Speechless!

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In season 36, currently streaming on Hulu, The Simpsons made some surprising alterations to their long-established storyline. This show has always been known for its flexibility with continuity, which enables character development and growth while maintaining the characters’ unchanging ages or adapting their backgrounds to fit contemporary times. These retcons, or revisions of past events, usually blend seamlessly into the overall narrative (though they may occasionally leave viewers wondering about the authenticity of certain earlier episodes).

Season 36 introduces numerous alterations, revising many aspects of Springfield‘s past and reshaping the role of the Simpson family within it. These modifications affect character origins such as Maggie and Fat Tony, while also offering possible explanations for ongoing mysteries—like why Homer has never been dismissed from the Nuclear Power Plant. Here’s a rundown of the most significant historical changes in Springfield that unfold throughout Season 36 of The Simpsons.

10. Sideshow Bob’s New Wife Ignores His Old One

Tasha Debuts In “The Yellow Lotus” As Bob’s New Spouse, Ignoring Francesca

In “The Yellow Lotus,” Sideshow Bob is seen with a new spouse, Tasha, marking a change from his character’s past portrayals in the series. During this episode, the Simpson family cross paths with Bob while he’s enjoying a holiday with Tasha. Initially, they suspect that Bob plans to harm Tasha, but eventually, it is revealed that Bob truly cherishes her. However, this truth isn’t discovered until the end of the episode when Tasha admits she has mental health issues and pushes Bob off a cliff.

The joke involving Sideshow Bob is amusing, yet it seems to disregard his two previously acknowledged romantic interests – Francesca from Season 16 and Cassandra from Season 31. Notably, Bob had a child with Francesca, forming an alliance with the rest of Bob’s family to assassinate Bart in Season 21’s “Funeral for a Fiend.” In contrast, Season 36 mentions Bob’s brief marriage to Selma more than it does Francesca, which might imply that she will not play as significant a role in Bob’s character development moving forward.

9. Nick Callahan Looks Different And Has A Different Job

Nick Returns After Multiple Decades As Almost A New Character In “The Yellow Lotus”

In both instances, the character Nick Callahan was initially portrayed by Hank Azaria as a minor figure in the “Realty Bites” storyline from season 9. A seemingly unremarkable resident of Springfield, he later reappeared in the episode “The Yellow Lotus.” However, the character underwent significant changes, as he was reimagined as a swindler who exploited Homer and Marge’s naivety during their early marriage through a timeshare scam, making him a minor adversary in the episode.

In spite of Homer and Marge challenging him, Nick remains unapologetic for his behavior. In fact, he intensifies his negative demeanor even further, redefining himself as a more hostile character. This could be because an otter in the water becomes enraged due to Bernice Hibbert’s medications, which ultimately leads to Nick’s demise in their satire of the TV show The White Lotus.

8. Abe Simpson Was A Private Investigator

Abe Simpson’s New Backstory In “Shoddy Heat” Changes His Place In The Timeline

In the 36th season of “The Simpsons,” the timeline was frequently adjusted, particularly concerning Abe Simpson. Although earlier episodes portrayed him as a soldier, a farmer, and an aspiring musician, in the episode “Shoddy Heat,” Abe takes on the role of a private investigator in the 1980s. This new character depiction aligns with some aspects of his history, such as being a single father and having a secret connection to Mr. Burns. However, it does significantly alter certain parts of Abe’s backstory.

In this revised narrative, Abe finds himself at his peak during the 1980s – an era when early versions of The Simpsons skits were being shown on The Carol Burnett Show. The time-shifting element has consistently been a factor in The Simpsons, as evidenced by Season 36’s “Bart’s Birthday,” which explicitly highlights its impact on the show’s chronology. Despite this shift, the new Abe storyline remains faithful to his character, depicting the significant sacrifices Abe made for his son, such as temporarily halting his investigation into Burns in exchange for a lifelong job promise from the billionaire for Homer.

7. Abe & Agnes Had A Romance In The 1980s

“Shoddy Heat” Made Agnes Into A Noir Villain

One intriguing revelation in “Shoddy Heat” is uncovered when it’s disclosed that Abe Simpson had a brief romantic entanglement with Agnes Skinner. The main enigma of this episode takes us on a journey through flashbacks to Abe’s past work as an investigator, including one case where Agnes approached him and his partner about probing Mr. Burns. During this time, Abe and Agnes were involved romantically while she was also in a relationship with Burns. In the end of the episode, it’s exposed that Agnes had been orchestrating events to drive the men apart, ultimately aiming to have Burns murdered so she could claim his wealth.

This new development in the universe presents an intriguing progression for the relationship between Abe and Burns, which has long depicted them as adversaries dating back to the Golden Age of “The Simpsons.” They’ve been shown clashing over romantic interests, such as in season 5’s “Lady Bouvier’s Lover.” Furthermore, it adds an entertaining twist to Agnes, a character who seems to have led a more adventurous life before her frequent appearances as Springfield’s grumpy critic, hinted at through various flashbacks.

6. Maggie’s Conception Is Changed

Season 36’s “Women In Shorts” Changes The Details Surrounding Maggie’s Conception

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the quirky anthology episode titled “Women in Shorts,” we follow the unexpected escapades of diverse women residing in Springfield. The episode concludes with a humorous twist when Homer and Marge, engrossed in their TV time, lead to an intriguing revelation: Marge admits she finds Jake from State Farm alluring. This twist is set on the very night Maggie was conceived, giving this ordinary evening an extraordinary origin story. However, it’s worth noting that this plot point somewhat revises one of the more emotionally impactful episodes from the show’s Golden Age.

In “And Maggie Makes Three” from Season 8, the narrative unfolded as an extensive flashback, centering on Homer temporarily leaving his job at the Nuclear Power Plant for a dream opportunity. However, he returns when he learns that he now needs to provide financially for a family of five rather than four. The episode depicted a more romantic evening out for Homer and Marge, which led to the conception of their third child, Maggie. This contrasts with the more lighthearted circumstances surrounding the birth of Lisa in the earlier episode “Women in Shorts.

5. Flanders Bought The Simpsons Couch

“The Flandhsees of Innersimpson” Tweaks A Golden Age Meeting Between Homer And Flanders

The Flandhsees of Innersimpson” delves into a long-standing dispute between Homer and Flanders, which gradually uncovers Ned’s growing annoyance with Homer and the extent to which Homer has taken items from his neighbor over time. Among these items, it is suggested that the Simpsons’ famous couch was the very first thing borrowed by Homer – a claim that, while not strictly accurate according to the show’s established lore, does hint at their initial encounter.

In the fourth season episode titled “Lisa’s First Word,” the family settles into their well-known house prior to Lisa’s birth. When Ned Flanders visits for an introduction, Homer requests his newly constructed TV tray and fails to return it. This incident, as well as later episodes showing they had met before, establishes that the relationship between Homer and Ned was already firmly established from their first encounter, laying the groundwork for the central conflict in “The Flandhsees of Innersimpson” where Flanders’ growing frustrations eventually explode.

4. Abe Simpson Was A Child During World War II

“Abe League Of Their Moe” Removes Abe’s History As A Soldier

In the 1980s, the television series “The Simpsons” introduced a significant change to Abe’s character by making him a single father. This shift aligns with the show’s sliding time-scale and Homer’s advanced age in the present-day of the long-running animated program. This alteration paved the way for other modifications in Abe’s background, such as the disclosure in “Abe League of their Moe” that Abe was a child during World War II, which contrasts with his earlier portrayal as a soldier in that conflict.

In Season 7, we learned that Abe Simpson had commanded soldiers during World War II, with notable characters like Monty Burns and the fathers of Chief Wiggum, Barney Gumble, and Principal Skinner among his troops. However, these previous revelations have been somewhat overturned by recent plot twists. Yet, it’s still clear that a Simpson was part of the World War II era, as depicted in Marge’s story about her grandmother during that time in Season 30’s “My Way or the Highway to Heaven.

3. Fat Tony Actually Gets An Origin Story

“Stew Lies” Gives Fat Tony A More Fleshed-Out Backstory And A New Rival

Since season 3, Fat Tony has consistently appeared in The Simpsons. However, the episode “Stew Lies” provided the character with a history that wasn’t previously established. Earlier portrayals showed Tony as part of a powerful crime family, with relatives like Tough Tony also operating within the criminal underworld (though Tough Tony seems to have been largely ignored by The Simpsons). In “Stew Lies”, it is revealed that due to a truce with a rival mafia, Tony was predominantly raised by his father’s adversary instead.

The criminal character Fat Tony on the show The Simpsons is often portrayed as a dangerous figure, but we learn that he also has a passion for cooking and food. This new aspect of his character adds depth to Tony’s backstory in an intriguing way. Additionally, it was revealed that Tony trades sons with his rival, which could be the reason why his son Michael hasn’t appeared on the show for several seasons.

2. Itchy & Scratchy Is Specifically How Bart And Lisa Bonded

Itchy & Scratchy Was The Key to Bonding Bart And Lisa Together In “Estranger Things”

In the series “Stranger Things,” we find Bart and Lisa sharing an enthusiasm for Itchy & Scratchy, a popular animated series within the universe of “The Simpsons” that has been around since the early episodes. Previous episodes hinted that Bart’s fondness for Krusty the Clown and Itchy & Scratchy stemmed from watching TV with his father Homer (as demonstrated in “Lisa’s First Word”). However, “Stranger Things” clarifies that Bart and Lisa initially discovered this show together. This shared interest formed a significant bond between them, but as they grew apart due to their decreasing interest in Itchy & Scratchy, their relationship began to falter.

It’s an intriguing concept because it seems to grant Itchy & Scratchy a more profound emotional role within The Simpsons. Previously, The Simpsons had emphasized Itchy & Scratchy as a significant pop-culture icon in Springfield that extends far beyond the family’s realm. This new development also raises questions about how Krusty’s TV persona has evolved, considering his backstory has undergone changes in previous seasons to align with the show’s sliding time-scale. Previous episodes suggest that Bart and Lisa grew up with these shows and characters rather than discovering them together.

1. Marge Dies Before Homer In The Simpsons’ Latest Future

The Simpsons’ Introduces Their Saddest Future Yet

Through the years, “The Simpsons” has shown several forward-looking episodes, painting possible scenarios of what life holds for Bart, Lisa, and other Springfield residents as they grow older. In many of these instances, Homer and Marge are portrayed living contentedly into their golden years. Contrasting this, the series “Stranger Things” proposes a timeline where, once the children have grown up, it’s revealed that Marge meets an untimely end, for reasons not specified. This leaves Homer to be cared for by Bart, who transforms their family home into a covert retirement community catering to some of Springfield’s elderly gentlemen.

In Springfield, this scenario clashes with numerous other predictions about the future we’ve seen. For instance, in scenarios where Lisa and Bart have kids of their own. The idea of Marge dying before Homer, as shown in season 35’s “It’s A Blunderful Life,” contradicts this significantly. In that episode, we learned that 60 years from now, Homer passes away and becomes a great-grandfather for the vast Simpson family. These discrepancies can occur because of the adaptable timeline in The Simpsons, but it’s interesting to reflect on how the sequence of events was portrayed earlier.

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2025-05-25 20:39