TV’s Worst Endings EVER?! You Won’t Believe #1!

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A conclusion can either elevate a series to greatness or leave it falling flat, but occasionally, it may simply leave the audience questioning, “Is that all?” Rather than addressing significant questions, tying up loose plotlines, or concluding character journeys, certain shows instead conclude in an unexpected and often perplexing manner, causing viewers to ponder why they invested their time in watching.

The diverse factors leading to a series’ unsatisfying conclusion include premature cancellations, creative disagreements among showrunners, and main actors deciding to depart. While we may comprehend how such outcomes transpired, it is hard to find anything more aggravating than an underwhelming ending, especially when compared to the disappointing conclusions on this list.

10
‘Game of Thrones’ (2010 – 2018)

The TV series “Game of Thrones” transported viewers to the magical realm of Westeros, where winters were harsh, White Walkers and dragons posed continuous perils. Spanning eight seasons, it was filled with memorable scenes such as the Red Wedding and Battle of the Bastards. Despite these thrilling peaks, “Game of Thrones” concluded unexpectedly with a rather underwhelming finale.

Game Over

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Though the climax of “Game of Thrones” was thrilling, it didn’t necessarily meet expectations. It felt unevenly structured, questionable in terms of character development, and underwhelming overall. Granted, the ending might have been acceptable, but there were numerous logistical problems and insufficient lead-up. Fortunately, the prequel series, “House of the Dragon,” seems to be addressing these issues, aiming to avoid a similar disappointing outcome as its predecessor.

9
‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005 – 2013)

The TV show “How I Met Your Mother” narrates the tale of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), who shares with his kids the captivating story of how he came across their mother. Each episode delves into Ted’s pursuit of true love, often intertwined with amusing anecdotes about his escapades and friendships, particularly with Robin (Cobie Smulders). The sitcom effectively depicted Ted’s romantic journey, but the series finale did not live up to a traditional fairy tale ending for its audience.

How He Met Robin

Following nine seasons filled with unsuccessful dates, squandered chances, and the recurring enigma of “Who is the mother?”, viewers learned that Ted’s children’s mother was Tracy McConnell (played by Cristin Milioti). A surprising twist followed, as Ted ended up with Robin instead. This development appeared to nullify the character arcs for Ted, Robin, and Barney, while simultaneously diminishing the show’s primary mystery. It seemed disappointing to many fans that a series primarily focused on the kids’ mother ultimately didn’t delve deeply into her story.

8
‘Seinfeld’ (1989 – 1997)

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’d say that Seinfeld, co-created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, is all about four friends navigating the bustling streets of New York City. It delves into the absurdities and quirks that often arise from their everyday lives, transforming even the most trivial incidents – like a botched date or a lost item – into hilarious narratives. The series, famously known as “a show about nothing,” initially seemed humorous, but by its conclusion, the description felt eerily spot-on.

A Show, Ultimately, About Nothing

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In simpler terms, “Even for a series with little plot, the finale was disappointing.” The four main characters ended up in jail due to breaking a Good Samaritan Law, which wasn’t entirely unexpected given their past antics. However, it seemed crueler and less humorous than usual compared to earlier episodes. On a positive note, David made a reference to the finale in another show called “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” providing both shows with a more satisfying conclusion.

7
‘Heroes’ (2006 – 2009)

For four seasons, the TV series titled “Heroes” unfolds a tale about an assortment of individuals who appear ordinary but uncover extraordinary abilities within themselves. Designed to resemble a comic book, it follows multiple characters as they explore their powers, evade those intent on their annihilation, and strive to save the world (and the cheerleader). Initially, the show garnered massive popularity, however, as the story progressed, its audience gradually decreased, culminating in the series’ termination. The final episodes concluded matters rather hastily and contrived, leaving many plot threads unresolved.

Couldn’t Save the Show

The 2007 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike significantly contributed to the downfall of “Heroes.” This labor action resulted in numerous script revisions and reshoots, which caused delays, less engaging storylines, and reduced viewership. It’s a pity that “Heroes” concluded so unspectacularly when Season 1 hinted at something extraordinary. Fortunately for fans, a revival of the series is underway.

6
‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010 – 2016)

Approximately a year following Alison’s unexplained disappearance, an enigmatic character known as “A” starts tormenting Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna. Spanning over seven seasons, the series left a lasting impact, leading to multiple spin-offs such as Ravenswood and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. However, these offshoots didn’t quite replicate the original’s popularity, sharing one common trait: underwhelming conclusions.

Pretty Underwhelming Ending

In the television series “Pretty Little Liars”, various characters were unmasked as ‘A’, including the enigmatic ‘A’ in Season 7, known as ‘Uber A’. However, the revelation of ‘Uber A’ left many viewers unsatisfied, as they found it emotionally unsatisfying and somewhat random. Moreover, the conclusions for the ‘Liars’ seemed vague and impersonal, contributing to a general feeling that the ending was more of an abrupt stop than a deliberate conclusion.

5
‘How to Get Away with Murder’

At Middleton University, renowned lawyer and law professor Annalise Keating (portrayed by Viola Davis) oversees a competition among her students for an internship opportunity with her. Throughout the series, Annalise and her pupils find themselves entangled in multiple murder cases, utilizing their legal expertise to aid not just their clients, but also themselves. Each season offers intriguing plots, and while the finale provides closure, it leaves room for further exploration rather than concluding the entire series.

How to Almost Get Away With a Finale

The finale of “How to Get Away with Murder” was generally well-executed, as it saw many characters experiencing their karmic outcomes. However, the portrayal of FBI corruption felt somewhat murky and left some questions unanswered. Furthermore, the episode concluded the trial for Annalise, only to fast-forward to her funeral years later – a leap that raised fresh inquiries about the characters’ fates during that period. In essence, it was an acceptable ending, but its potential greatness makes its shortcomings more noticeable.

4
‘Under the Dome’ (2013 – 2014)

Under Stephen King’s title “Under the Dome”, the story unfolds in a fictional town named Chester Hill. It revolves around the residents as they grapple with life under an enigmatic, uncrackable dome. The premiere episode was a smash hit, shattering viewership records and impressing both critics and audiences. However, by the third season, the show’s initial thrill had diminished, leaving viewers somewhat confused as to what they were watching towards the finale.

Underwhelming and Confusing

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that the ending of “Under the Dome” left me scratching my head a bit. It didn’t seem to make much sense, and it fell short in answering many of the questions that had been central to the show since its beginning. Now, I understand that the series was abruptly canceled, which could explain some of the finale’s peculiarities as it rushed to tie up loose ends. But let’s be honest, “Under the Dome” had already started grating on viewers well before this final episode. In a sense, the finale did manage to wrap things up—it continued to offer more of the same experience that had been frustrating us all along.

3
‘The Promised Neverland’ (2019 – 2021)

In Grace Field House, which appears as an orphanage but is actually a farm, the children reside unaware that their fate involves being devoured by monsters. When Emma, one of these kids, discovers this grim reality, she teams up with Norman and Ray to strategize an escape. However, extracting every child from the institution won’t be straightforward, and even if they manage it, there are numerous perils waiting outside the gate.

A Failed Promise​​

The concluding part of the anime series ‘The Promised Neverland’ is often criticized as one of the weakest endings in anime history. To be fair, the manga also had a comparable ending, but it benefited from more development and payoff. When transitioning to the anime, significant portions of the original story were omitted, leading to a perplexing, hastily wrapped up finale that felt devoid of impact. Consequently, it wasn’t just the finale of ‘The Promised Neverland’ that seemed underwhelming, but the entire second season as well.

2
‘Lost’ (2004 – 2009)

Among the outstanding TV series of the 21st century, “Lost” followed the tale of passengers from Oceanic Flight 815 who found themselves stranded on an island. After their plane crashed, they encountered peculiar occurrences such as encounters with strange polar bears and assaults by a mysterious figure known as the Smoke Monster. As more secrets were revealed, viewers grew excited to discover the grand finale—only to be left puzzled when “Lost” concluded, leaving us somewhat bewildered.

Unanswered Questions

A good number of fans found the ending of ‘Lost’ acceptable, yet a large group felt that it was inexplicably open-ended and unsatisfying. The show left viewers questioning its own conclusion, with many questions unanswered, such as what exactly the final scene signified. Indeed, the series provided intriguing enigmas, but the most puzzling question is why it spent so much time building anticipation just to end in an underwhelming manner.

1
‘Dexter’ (2006 – 2012)

The television series “Dexter,” featuring Michael C. Hall as a serial killer who exclusively targeted other killers, was an immediate success when it premiered in 2006. The show followed Dexter’s struggle to reconcile his murderous impulses with his longing for normalcy. However, as the series progressed, Dexter had to carry out a fatal act against his sister, sever ties with his partner, and ultimately abandon his old life. Although this plotline sounds intriguing in theory, it didn’t quite live up to expectations in practice.

A Second Missed Opportunity

To this day, viewers are left puzzled about why the main character of “Dexter” wound up as a lumberjack in Alaska at the series’ end. The announcement of “New Blood” sparked excitement among fans, who saw it as an opportunity to rectify the original ending. Although the ending of “Dexter: New Blood” is better than the first in many aspects, viewers were generally left unimpressed. Here’s hoping that the upcoming sequel, “Dexter: Resurrection,” provides a more satisfying conclusion for fans.

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2025-04-05 05:04