10 Saddest TV Character Exits That Made You Cry
4. Mona Simpson - The Simpsons
The Simpsons has always had some emotional moments sprinkled in with the comedy, but Mona's exit could be the most poignant of their 30 season run.
She's returned several times, even reappearing in flashbacks after her passing, but that first cut is always the deepest. Homer gets the heartstrings warmed up early as he suggests to Marge the reason Mona left when he was a boy is because he was 'a horrible son and no mother would want him'. It turns out though, that Mona had been on the run from the law and had not forgotten Homer for a second.
Unfortunately, this reunion is short lived as her felonious, if well intentioned, past catches up with her. The eye waterfall factor here is not the sadness; Mona has done well enough on the run all these years and Homer has a happy and fulfilling life in Springfield. Instead, it's how tender this moment is, and the wonderful imagery as the credits roll. Mona tells Homer 'you'll always be a part of me' before stepping on the bus with a trademark Simpson 'Do'h!'.
From there, Homer sits and watches the sun set and the stars come out as his mother drives away.