Flanders maybe, to be with his wife.

One of these Flanders brats, slowly turning Ned into a wrecked, alcoholic, depressed and insane nihilist. he could find his new love in season 40, the catlady.

Edna Krabappel. Though the humor would be perhaps too dark that Ned lost both of his wives (would be something South Park would do)

Trust me, I know. But why bother killing off a small side character?

Go big or go home.

Another one that is too dark to happen: Maggie.

Ned is married to Edna now? They really don't know what to do with this show anymore.

My guess is one of the old characters like grandpa simpson or the old guy that hangs with him at the nursing home. Maybe one of marges sisters? Idk, I cant see a real core character leaving. I watched it for the first time in ages last night because of the treehouse of horrors was on, I just happened to catch it, it wasnt bad.

It did really come out of left field as a season-ender a few years back. The main trouble is that it hasn't really contributed to their characters in any way, unlike how the death of Maude changed Ned.

Well, it's ended Edna's run of desperate man-seeking, but that hasn't earned her anything either.

Apu

Whoa, when did that happen?

It's a very strange feeling, not knowing anything about a show you used to know everything about.