Marge Truman was introduced as a friend to Lilly Bainbridge, who is coping with heavy grief following her father’s tragic passing. But as Lilly begins dealing with the aftermath of her classmates’ murders, Marge finds it difficult to connect with Lilly and joins the school’s mean girls, The Pattycakes. Many fans have written her off as an unlikable character, but Episode 6 changes things.

Marge Turned on Lilly, But Reunited Before Confronting Pennywise

Image via Brooke Palmer/HBO

In Welcome to Derry Episode 1, viewers were introduced to what was believed to be the show’s version of the Losers’ Club: Lilly Bainbridge, Teddy Uris, and Phil Malkin. The three begin investigating the disappearance of their friend, Matty, and It starts to attack them. When they go to the movie theater to investigate further, Teddy, Phil, and Phil’s little sister, Susie, are killed. Lilly is the only survivor, thanks to Ronnie saving her.

Understandably, Lilly is shaken by the incident while still mourning her father. When she starts to withdraw, Marge cannot relate and wants things to be normal, including her friendship with Lilly. Her main goal is to join The Pattycakes, a group of three snobby, seemingly affluent girls. When it’s clear that Lilly doesn’t care about the group or popularity, it pushes them further apart and makes Lilly a target.

In Welcome to Derry Episode 4, in an effort to cement her “cool girl” status with The Pattycakes, she agrees to play a mean prank on Lilly. However, her emotions get the best of her, and Marge begins to confess the truth. Before she can finish, It makes her believe her eyes are popping out, similar to a snail’s. In a panic, she uses a blade to cut her eye, and Lilly stops her from causing further damage.

Marge finally accepts and understands what Lilly and the other kids have been experiencing, and she joins them. She even ventures into the sewers with the group to confront Pennywise, while also forming a close new friendship with classmate Rich Santos. The attack on her eyes marked the beginning of Marge’s much-needed redemption.

Throughout episodes 1 to 4, Welcome to Derry viewers have been less than kind to Marge, calling her annoying, manipulative, and a frustrating character. Her betrayal of Lilly to try to gain popularity was cliché and didn’t help her. Some viewers even cheered when Pennywise attacked her eyes, calling it karma. However, following a more likable version shown in Episode 5, she (and Rich) are highlighted in the latest episode, turning her entire character arc around.

Marge and Rich Take Center Stage in Welcome to Derry Episode 6

Image via Brooke Palmer/HBO

In the newest episode of Welcome to Derry, Marge is still dealing with her disfigured eye, which is covered with taped gauze. She and Rich grow closer after she lets him help remove the dressing. As she becomes the talk of the school, The Pattycakes approach her during lunch to invite her back into their circle so they can enjoy the benefits of her popularity.

Appearing to consider their offer at first, she instead removes the bandage, exposing her eye to gross them out. She proudly tells them she’s a “freak.” Rich watches her admiringly. Later, the two end up at The Black Spot together to visit Ronnie, who is hiding out with her father, the accused murderer Hank Grogan.

Although there is some mildly risqué dancing among the adults and drinking at The Black Spot, Marge and Rich’s scenes at the venue are arguably the most wholesome and sweet in the show. It’s kids being kids, and their puppy dog crushes grow. While these aren’t the kinds of moments fans would usually seek out in a Pennywise prequel series, it’s a reminder that Stephen King’s IT has always been both a coming-of-age story and a horror.

After being one of the most dismissed and even hated characters, it’s great to see Marge get a chance to shine. Her chemistry with Rich, witty dialogue, willingness to finally be herself, and her support for Ronnie are a big boost for her arc. Marge’s cute, quirky personality is on full display, making it impossible not to enjoy every scene she and Rich share.

However, what goes up must come down, and trouble is quickly approaching. Marge, Rich, and Ronnie are at The Black Spot when a group of vigilantes shows up at the end of the episode. In Stephen King’s IT, the location was burned down by a white supremacist group. But in Welcome to Derry, the men are looking for Hank Grogan, though it’s clear some still harbor racial motives. The men were tipped off by an anonymous woman, who is likely Ingrid Kersh.

Is Marge Richie Tozier’s Mom?

Image via Brooke Palmer/HBO

Despite Derry’s dark and violent history, many families stay in town because people tend to forget the terrifying events that occur every 27 years. It’s influence also infects Derry like a heavy fog, and after being exposed to it for so long, adults tolerate and accept it. Therefore, it’s not unusual for people who experienced supernatural horrors as children to raise their kids there.

Many fans have wondered if Marge could be one of those people who stayed and raised a family. Specifically, her thick glasses have raised the question of whether she could be the mom of future Losers’ Club member Richie Tozier. In a TVLine interview with Andy Muschietti, the director stated, “There’s a specific reason that’s not going to be revealed until the very last episode for which she is wearing the Coke bottle glasses. And so we decided that [her fear] was about the eyes.”

Besides her glasses, Richie’s mom’s name is Margaret Tozier. While she goes by “Maggie,” she might have gone by “Marge” as a girl, another nickname for Margaret. It’s clear from Richie’s last name that Rich Santos isn’t his father, but she could have named her future son after her childhood friend.

If Richie is named after Rich, it hints at a disturbing theory. As they are at The Black Spot at the end of Episode 6, with the vigilantes arriving, it’s possible that Rich might not make it out alive. Perhaps Marge named her son after a friend who was gone too soon. Whether or not this theory is true, fans only need to wait one more episode to find out, since Episode 7 is titled “The Black Spot.”

It: Welcome to Derry airs every Sunday on HBO, leading up to the season finale on December 14.