In 1992, The Simpsons released the tenth episode of its fourth season, “Lisa’s First Word.” In this episode, the runtime was split between two distinct storylines taking place in the present and the past.

The animated series killed off matriarch Marge Simpson (voiced by Julie Kavner) during the season finale, which aired May 18. The jaw-dropping moment comes with a caveat, however, as it happened during a flash-forward scene 35 years into the future when ...