The Simpsons: 10 Characters Who Reappeared After Long Absences
6. Ruth Powers
The Simpson family's next-door neighbour, Ruth Powers, made two appearances very close to each other in the show's early days, before disappearing for nine seasons.
She moves into Evergreen Terrace in Season 4's New Kid on the Block, but that episode is more focused on her daughter, Laura, and Bart's attempts to woo her. Ruth's spotlight episode came in the very next season with Marge on the Lam, where she and the titular homemaker go on a wild night out.
Ruth's character model can be seen in many a background shot, but she only returned in a speaking role in The Strong Arms of the Ma from Season 14. Now a bodybuilder, Ruth encourages Marge to also take up the hobby in order to regain her confidence after being mugged.
Powers was a very interesting character in the early days, especially in Marge on the Lam, which explored her life as a single mother. It's a shame that we never got any further development on her character, but long-term fans of the show were no doubt pleased to see her again after such a long departure. Even if she was a little bit terrifying!