Plot Goes Pop
Not every TV show gets to take a victory lap. Even highly rated series stumble when it matters most—at the finish line. So, according to viewers across the globe, here are some endings that could’ve been better.
Game Of Thrones
Many people have ripped into the final season of Game of Thrones for various reasons, leaving fans and critics feeling super let down. One of the most significant criticisms is that Season 8 felt rushed, as only six episodes were used to conclude a complex narrative.
Game of Thrones | Season 8 | Official Trailer (HBO) by GameofThrones
Game Of Thrones (Cont.)
Others also felt that the character arcs and plotlines were not given enough time to develop properly. This led to abrupt changes in character behavior and motivations that seemed inconsistent with their established personas, leaving the audience confused.
Game of Thrones | Season 8 | Official Trailer (HBO) by GameofThrones
Game Of Thrones (Cont.)
For instance, Daenerys Targaryen's descent into the "Mad Queen" felt abrupt and poorly justified. Viewers argued that her previous actions did not align with her sudden decision to burn King's Landing, as she had previously fought for the innocent.
Game of Thrones | Official Daenerys Targaryen Trailer (HBO) by GameofThrones
The Walking Dead
Developed by Frank Darabont, this is a well-known American post-apocalyptic horror drama television show that debuted on October 31, 2010 and concluded on November 20, 2022. Over its run, it produced 11 seasons and 177 episodes in all.
The Walking Dead Season 11 Teaser | 'The Final Episodes' | Rotten Tomatoes TV by Rotten Tomatoes TV
The Walking Dead (Cont.)
As the series progressed, many original characters were written out or sidelined, diminishing the emotional stakes for long-time viewers. Besides, what critics noted is that the pacing of the last season was chaotic, making it tough for viewers to fully engage with the story.
The Walking Dead Season 11 Comic-Con Trailer | 'Finish the Fight' by Rotten Tomatoes TV
The Walking Dead (Cont.)
They were not permitted to feel the emotional weight of key moments, and hence, this rush contributed to a lack of depth in the finale. Many scenes felt superficial and underdeveloped. The absence of central figures like Rick Grimes also brought about disinterest.
Rick Grimes - The Walking Dead Finale (TWD Finale) | Ending Escene by 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗫𝗫𝗫𝗢
Westworld
Based on the 1973 movie of the same name, Westworld is set in a technologically advanced Wild West-themed amusement park called Westworld. Over here, wealthy visitors can live out their most extravagant fantasies without worrying about reprisals from the park's artificial "hosts".
Westworld | Season 4 In The Weeks Ahead | HBO by HBO
Westworld (Cont.)
The finale, in the opinion of many fans, lowered the emotional stakes. Because of the rushed pacing, the deaths of the prominent individuals, though meant to have an impact, lacked the essential buildup and resonance. Viewers consequently felt detached from the story's climax.
Westworld | Season 4 In The Weeks Ahead | HBO by HBO
Westworld (Cont.)
After all, they were unable to relate to the characters' outcomes. The focus on apocalyptic stakes overshadowed character-driven narratives. Also, the reveal that Dolores had become a god-like figure for hosts in a simulation raised questions about the implications of her character arc.
WESTWORLD Season 4 Trailer (2022) Sci-Fi Action Series by FilmIsNow Movies
Riverdale
If you’ve watched the show, you might be one of those fans who were disappointed by the lack of definitive endings for key relationships among the core four characters—Archie, Betty, Jughead, and Veronica. Many had hoped for clear, romantic resolutions.
Riverdale (Cont.)
But instead, the finale presented a quad relationship that reduced their deep connections to something more superficial. The finale, titled "Goodbye, Riverdale," featured a huge time jump of 67 years, which brought about a disconnection feeling.
Riverdale (Cont.)
It is believed that key characters like Ethel were not given closure, and main events from earlier seasons were glossed over or ignored entirely. Based on characters from Archie Comics, the show was initiated for The CW by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Ethel Performs Who Will Love Me As I Am - Riverdale 7x15 Scene by Kai Cooper
Orange Is the New Black
In this series, Taylor Schilling plays Piper Chapman, a woman in her 30s who is given a 15-month term at Litchfield Penitentiary. The reason for this is that she transported narcotics money for her then-girlfriend, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon).
Orange Is the New Black (Cont.)
Well, the final season did attempt to address numerous complex themes, such as immigration, mental health, and systemic marginalization. But it would’ve all been good if the execution was disjointed. It was trying to tackle too much at once without focusing enough on individual storylines.
Orange Is the New Black | Official Season 7 Trailer | Netflix by Netflix
The Flash
Confrontations with speedy enemies in the series finale of this show lacked the ferocity and stakes of previous seasons. Some fans even thought these fights lacked the exciting confrontations that one would anticipate from a superhero series and were poorly done.
The Flash Final Run Scene | The Flash 9x13 Ending Scene [HD] by Faster Clips
The Flash (Cont.)
For example, Barry's last conflict with Cobalt Blue was critiqued for lacking a dramatic confrontation and instead relying on demeaning the antagonist. While it aimed for emotional resonance, it felt as though important moments fell flat due to rushed execution or lack of buildup.
The Flash vs Cobalt Blue - The Flash 9x13 (Series Finale) | Arrowverse Scenes by Arrowverse Scenes
The Flash (Cont.)
The Flash was out on October 7, 2014, and is part of the Arrowverse. Apparently, characters like Cisco Ramon were absent from the finale due to scheduling conflicts, which frustrated those who wanted to see the original team together one last time.
Vibe Powers and Fight Scenes - The Flash Season 4 - 6 by Rafael Ridolph
Once Upon A Time
Apparently, this show's seventh season attempted a soft reboot with new characters and storylines. However, a shift like this, away from the original ensemble cast and established narratives, made it challenging for viewers to connect with the revised direction.
ONCE UPON A TIME Full Series Recap | Season 1-7 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Once Upon A Time (Cont.)
Similarly, it was noted that the ending felt more like an epilogue rather than a cohesive conclusion to the overarching story that had been built over six seasons. The seventh and last season has a 2.8 out of 5 rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is relatively low.
ONCE UPON A TIME Full Series Recap | Season 1-7 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Once Upon A Time (Cont.)
While the deaths and sacrifices of beloved characters, such as Rumple, were intended to be poignant, they just lacked the necessary buildup and emotional resonance due to the rushed nature of the storytelling. Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz designed the show.
Rumpelstiltskin: Enter the Dark One by Electricboa
How I Met Your Mother
The famous American sitcom How I Met Your Mother faced considerable backlash regarding its finale, which was out on March 31, 2014. It follows the life of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) as he recounts to his children the events leading up to meeting their mother.
How I Met Your Mother - Final scene - Last Forever 9x24 by Beloved
How I Met Your Mother (Cont.)
Mosby’s journey was framed as a quest for true love, yet the conclusion saw him returning to Scherbatsky after the demise of his wife, Tracy McConnell. This felt like a regression for Ted, who had previously moved on from Robin and built a life with Tracy.
How I Met Your Mother - Final scene - Last Forever 9x24 by Beloved
How I Met Your Mother (Cont.)
A couple of fans felt this decision negated the emotional weight of Ted's journey and reduced Tracy to a mere plot device to facilitate Ted's reunion with Robin. Critics also felt that there was insufficient time to process these significant developments in one finale.
How I met your mother: the story of the yellow umbrella (Shake it out) by Maria Bellou
The 100
Complex issues of survival, morality, and the effects of decisions made during this series were all intended to be addressed in the finale. However, those who watched it believed the resolution did not sufficiently address these concerns.
The 100 7x16 Ending Final Scene Season 7 Episode 16 [HD]
The 100 (Cont.)
In 2014, The CW premiered the post-apocalyptic science fiction program The 100. It basically revolves around a group of juvenile delinquents who are sent back to Earth nearly a century after a nuclear apocalypse to determine if the planet is habitable.
The 100 Season 7 Trailer (HD) Final Season by TV Promos
The 100 (Cont.)
Toward the close of the season, controversial decisions were made regarding beloved characters, particularly Clarke Griffin's treatment of Bellamy Blake. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of questions that were not answered about the future of humanity and the ramifications of transcendence.
Bellamy Blake | his story by ilonaax
American Horror Story: Delicate
American Horror Story: Delicate is the twelfth season of the anthology horror series titled American Horror Story, which was launched on September 20, 2023. This season is notable for being the first to be based on a book, precisely Delicate Condition, by Danielle Valentine.
American Horror Story: Delicate | Season 12, Part 1 - Finale Trailer | FX by FX Networks
American Horror Story: Delicate (Cont.)
The finale of Delicate, titled "The Auteur," had a short runtime of only 31 minutes, which left many plot points unresolved and character arcs underdeveloped. Viewers argued that this detracted from the emotional weight of events like Anna's disturbing experiences and Dex's shocking fate.
Next on AHS Delicate: Part Two | Finale: The Auteur - Trailer by AHS Delicate
American Horror Story: Delicate (Cont.)
Secondly, key elements, such as Siobhan's motivations and the fate of various cult members, were left ambiguous or unexplained. Some also felt the season relied on predictable tropes, like the villain monologuing their evil plans before being defeated.
Siobhan Gives Anna A Pep Talk - Scene | American Horror Story: Delicate | FX by FX Networks
That '70s Show
Fox broadcast the American teen sitcom That '70s Show from August 23, 1998, to May 18, 2006. It centered mainly on the lives of six teenage pals. While some appreciated nostalgic callbacks to earlier seasons in the finale, others thought it did not truly honor the show's legacy.
WHY THAT 70S SHOW FINALE WAS THE WORST by Vee Infuso
That '70s Show (Cont.)
So, the show's last season struggled greatly after the main characters, Eric Forman (Topher Grace) and Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), departed. The introduction of the new character, Randy (Josh Meyers), did not compensate for this loss, causing disconnection among the remaining cast members.
Arrow
Even though some fans think otherwise, "Fadeout," the finale, was seen as more of an epilogue than a climactic denouement. After the happenings of the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, fans mentioned that the conclusion missed out on the energy and resolve they were expecting.
Arrow S08 E10 Series Finale Trailer | 'Fadeout' | Rotten Tomatoes TV by Rotten Tomatoes TV
Arrow (Cont.)
Rather than offering a final farewell to Oliver Queen and his trip, the end was more concerned with fresh starts. Slade Wilson, one of the show's most interesting antagonists, was also absent, which was perceived as a lost chance to serve a more comprehensive story.
(Arrow) Oliver Queen - The Green Arrow by The Rusty Lion
Grey's Anatomy
As everyone’s favorite series progressed, particularly in its later seasons, a couple of viewers noted a lack of coherent storytelling. The attempt to juggle numerous plotlines and character developments brought about disjointed episodes. Not forgetting the predictable or formulaic plot twists.
Grey's Anatomy Season 21 - Full Trailer | Shondaland by Shondaland
Grey's Anatomy (Cont.)
It was noted that in the recent season 20 finale, titled "Burn It Down," the episode felt cluttered with too many storylines and characters, which led to a lack of emotional depth. Major characters faced pivotal moments, such as Catherine Fox firing Teddy Altman.
Teddy Wins Her Negotiation to Become Chief - Grey's Anatomy by ABC
Grey's Anatomy (Cont.)
So, this American medical drama television series premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC. It revolves around love, loss, friendship, and the ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals. Meredith Grey, Derek Shepherd, Cristina Yang, and Miranda Bailey are some of the main characters.
6 Must-Watch Derek Episodes for Grey's Anatomy Fans! by Cinemaclipsai
Suits
Suits apparently faced issues in its series finale, "One Last Con”. Created by Aaron Korsh, the show follows Mike Ross, a college dropout possessing a photographic memory, who gets a job as an associate for one of NYC’s top lawyers, Harvey Specter, despite never attending law school.
Harvey Specter & Mike Ross' Bromance Highlights | Suits by Suits Official
Suits (Cont.)
Although Harvey Specter was given a lot of attention in the finale, commentators felt that this came at the price of other beloved characters. Harvey's character growth was significant, of course, but people preferred a fairer ending that emphasized the accomplishments of the entire group.
Suits - 'I Think It's Time For One Last Con' (9x10) by DVD Collector 96
Gossip Girl
Here comes another controversy. The identity of Gossip Girl, revealed to be Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), was met with widespread disappointment. Fans worldwide felt that this twist undermined the show's premise, as Dan had been an outsider throughout the series, and it was a central mystery.
Gossip Girl: How Dan Was Right About Everything (Unfortunately...) by The Take
Gossip Girl (Cont.)
Additionally, following years of turbulent relationship dynamics, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) had to deal with a complicated love denouement that felt hurried and unjustified. Key relationships and character fates were seen as being resolved hastily.
Chuck & Blair | Gossip Girl by Warner Bros. TV
Dexter
For this one, it felt as if the final season had already been lackluster, with the finale not improving upon this trend. Some even called it "a dumpster fire" and "a train wreck. The beloved series also concluded with several character arcs feeling unearned or inconsistent.
Dexter | Exclusive Sneak Peek of Final Season | Season 8 | SHOWTIME by SHOWTIME
Dexter (Cont.)
For instance, Debra Morgan's (Jennifer Carpenter) fate was particularly distressing. After being shot, she suffered a stroke, and Dexter ultimately euthanized her, which many folks felt was a betrayal of her character development. The emotional weight of her passing away did not resonate as intended.
Best of Debra Morgan 🔎 Dexter | SHOWTIME by Dexter on Paramount+ with Showtime
Heroes
This show's initial success in Season 1 created high expectations, but subsequent seasons failed to maintain that momentum. Secondly, the climactic battles, mainly between Peter and Sylar, were criticized for lacking excitement and emotions. Instead of epic confrontations, underwhelming fight scenes were shown.
The Final Confrontation: Part One | Heroes by Heroes
Heroes (Cont.)
It is believed that the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike had a detrimental effect on the show. The disruption led to a shortened season and forced the writers to alter their planned plotlines. Comprising four seasons, it was initiated by Tim Kring and was released in 2006.
