The episode begins with Homer and Marge playing bubbles with young Bart and Lisa in the backyard. Bart suddenly gets stuck inside a giant bubble, which bursts, and Marge wakes up from this dream, revealing it was a nightmare about Bart's childhood slipping away.

Marge then wakes up fully and goes downstairs, telling the family that despite feeling sick, she plans to attend the upcoming Bounce-A-Thon event. Homer is preparing snacks for the event but accidentally blows up the rice cooker. To cover up the burnt rice, he pours egg nog over it, which makes Marge feel even worse.

Homer insists Marge stay home to rest and offers to take a picture of Bart and Lisa giving a thumbs-up as they cross the finish line at the Bounce-A-Thon. Bart, however, refuses to do a thumbs-up for the photo, wanting instead to do something funny. Marge becomes upset by this, then falls asleep again.

In this second dream, Marge and Homer are chased by a bear. Marge stops the bear, realizing the dream symbolizes her fears about her children growing up and leaving her. Lisa tries to comfort Marge, but Homer points out that Lisa and Maggie will also grow up and leave eventually, deepening Marge's anxiety.

Marge then dreams she is running through the house, which is empty except for vacant bedrooms. The house begins to collapse around her, and she finds herself trapped in the rubble. Homer again tries to reassure her, but Marge's fear intensifies.

Next, Marge sees Bart at the playground. She urges him to ride the springy duck, a nostalgic childhood activity, but Bart ignores her and instead spends time on his phone. This leaves Marge feeling upset and overwhelmed, culminating in an emotional outburst.

The episode closes with Marge confronting her dread about the end of Bart's childhood and the inevitable changes in her family. The story highlights Marge's internal struggle with letting go as her children grow older, framed through her dreams and interactions with Homer, Bart, and Lisa throughout the day. The episode ends on a poignant note emphasizing Marge's emotional journey.

Short, Simple Narrative of the Ending

Marge, sick with food poisoning, experiences a series of vivid dreams that force her to confront her fear of Bart growing up and leaving childhood behind. In the final dream, she sees Bart as a teenager, distant and absorbed in his phone, no longer interested in the playful activities they once shared. Marge wakes up, still unwell, but decides to attend Bart's school event, the Bounce-A-Thon, despite her illness. At the event, Bart, though initially reluctant, participates and, in a moment of connection, gives Marge a genuine thumbs-up as he crosses the finish line--a small but meaningful gesture that reassures her. The episode ends with Marge accepting that her children are growing up, but also realizing that their bond can endure change.

Expanded, Chronological, Scene-by-Scene Narrative of the Ending

Marge Simpson, weakened by food poisoning after eating Homer's ill-fated rice concoction, lies in bed, drifting in and out of feverish dreams. Each dream is more unsettling than the last, reflecting her deep anxiety about Bart's impending transition out of childhood. In one dream, she chases after Bart and Lisa as they are carried away in giant bubbles, symbolizing her fear of losing them to time. In another, the children suddenly age before her eyes, becoming teenagers who no longer need her in the same way. The house itself crumbles around her, leaving Marge alone in the rubble--a stark visual metaphor for her sense of loss as her role as a mother evolves.

Marge wakes, still feeling unwell, but insists on attending the Bounce-A-Thon, a school event where Bart and Lisa are participating. Homer, concerned for her health, urges her to stay home, but Marge is determined not to miss this moment. Before leaving, she asks Homer to take a photo of the kids giving a thumbs-up as they finish the race--a request that carries emotional weight, as it represents her desire to hold onto a piece of their childhood.

At the Bounce-A-Thon, Marge, visibly ill, watches from the sidelines. Bart, initially resistant and sarcastic about the event, participates half-heartedly. As he approaches the finish line, Marge, despite her discomfort, musters a smile and raises her camera. Bart, seeing his mother's effort, hesitates--then, in a quiet, genuine moment, gives her the thumbs-up she asked for. This small act is a departure from his usual antics; it is sincere, a subtle acknowledgment of her feelings.

Lisa, observant and empathetic, tries to comfort Marge, recognizing her mother's emotional struggle. Homer, though often oblivious, does his best to support Marge, even as he grapples with his own clumsiness and the aftermath of the food poisoning incident. Maggie, present but silent as always, is a constant reminder that the cycle of childhood and letting go will repeat.

The episode closes with Marge, though still sick, feeling a sense of acceptance. She has faced her fear of her children growing up, and while the pain of that transition is real, the connection with Bart--symbolized by his thumbs-up--offers reassurance. The family leaves the event together, Marge leaning on Homer for support, Bart walking ahead but occasionally glancing back, Lisa thoughtful, and Maggie in her stroller. Life goes on, but the episode leaves the impression that, for now, the bonds of family remain intact even as change looms.

Fate of Each Main Character at the End

• Marge: Physically unwell but emotionally somewhat at peace, having confronted her fear of her children growing up. She leaves the event supported by Homer, having received the reassurance she needed from Bart.
• Bart: Participates in the Bounce-A-Thon despite his reluctance. He gives Marge a genuine thumbs-up at the finish line, signaling a moment of connection and maturity.
• Lisa: Observes her mother's distress and offers comfort, demonstrating her empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Homer: Supports Marge as best he can, both at home and at the event, despite his earlier mishap with the food. He remains a steady, if imperfect, presence.
• Maggie: Present throughout, a silent symbol of the ongoing cycle of childhood in the Simpson family.

The episode does not resolve the larger question of whether the Simpsons will age canonically, but it does allow Marge--and the audience--to sit with the bittersweet reality of children growing up, and the enduring, if changing, nature of family bonds.

There is no evidence of a post-credit scene in The Simpsons, Season 35, Episode 2, "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream" (2023). The episode concludes with Marge's emotional journey as she grapples with the realization that her children, especially Bart, are growing up and that she is not ready for them to leave home. The final scenes focus on Marge's internal conflict--her dread of the "empty nest" and her struggle to accept the inevitable passage of time. After a series of vivid, anxiety-driven dreams in which she envisions Bart as a teenager and then as an adult, Marge wakes up to find Bart still a child, but the experience leaves her with a bittersweet awareness of how fleeting childhood is. The episode ends on a quiet, reflective note, with Marge hugging Bart, cherishing the present moment, and the family together in their living room. There is no indication in any official episode summary, wiki, or fan discussion that the credits are followed by an additional scene or gag.

If you are seeking confirmation from the episode itself, a YouTube video titled "The Simpsons Season 35 Episode 2 Ending Credits" simply shows the standard end credits sequence without any post-credit content. Therefore, "A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream" does not contain a post-credit scene.

Marge receives worrying news from Bart's teacher, Rayshelle Peyton, that Bart is not progressing well in school and is heading toward fifth grade soon, which triggers Marge's anxiety about her children growing up and moving on.

Marge experiences a series of surreal and hallucinatory dreams where she sees her children growing up and becoming distant, including scenes where the house falls apart and bedrooms are empty, symbolizing her fear of losing touch with them as they mature.

Ms. Peyton, voiced by Kerry Washington, appears as a towering figure in a stripped-down classroom during a tense scene with Marge, emphasizing the reality of Bart's academic challenges and the impending changes as he approaches middle school.

Homer tries to comfort Marge throughout her ordeal, including encouraging her to stay home when she is sick and attempting to reassure her about the inevitable growing up of their children, though Marge's fears persist despite his efforts.

The Bounce-A-Thon is an event Marge insists on attending despite being sick, which leads to a comedic moment where Homer burns the rice cooker and inadvertently makes Marge sicker, setting the stage for her subsequent dream sequences and emotional reflections.

"A Mid-Childhood Night's Dream" from Season 35 of "The Simpsons" is generally family-friendly, but it may contain some elements that could be considered mildly objectionable or upsetting for very young or sensitive viewers. Here are some aspects to consider:

1. Emotional Themes: The episode explores themes of parental anxiety and the fear of children growing up, which might resonate more with adults but could also be emotionally impactful for children who are sensitive to family dynamics.

2. Mild Profanity and Violence: The episode is rated TV-PG, indicating that it may include mild profanity and some violence, though these elements are typically not extreme in "The Simpsons."

3. Humor and Satire: The show often uses satire and humor that might not be suitable for all ages, but in this episode, the focus is more on emotional depth rather than explicit content.

Overall, while the episode is not excessively violent or explicit, it deals with mature emotional themes that might require some parental discretion for very young viewers.