Often, the legacy of a tv sequence rests on how effectively it delivers in the long run with its grand finale, and sadly, a unhealthy finale can find yourself ruining your entire present. After years of build-up that audiences adopted season after season, witnessing a disappointing finale was really a devastating flip of occasions. The ultimate episode of a TV sequence has so much to stay as much as, and thru lackluster storylines, nonsensical conduct, or moments that undo years of hard-earned character progress, they’ll go away viewers dumbfounded, dissatisfied, and dismissive of your entire present looking back.

A well-known instance included the How I Met Your Mother finale, which set itself a lofty problem by constructing the present’s ending into its title, which means audiences had anticipated its conclusion for the reason that pilot episode. Other widespread sequence suffered from diminishing high quality over time, and by the point it received to the ultimate episode, the present simply didn’t come collectively in a means that felt satisfying to viewers and made it exhausting to return and rewatch outdated episodes looking back. It’s notoriously tough to finish a tv sequence in a means that makes all people pleased, however these sequence missed the mark, and their finale tarnished the legacy of all the pieces that got here earlier than it.

5 My Name Is Earl (2005 – 2009)

My Name Is Earl ended on a cliffhanger

The idea behind My Name Is Earl had a transparent ending as Earl Hickey made his means via a listing of everybody he ever wronged to try to repair his unhealthy karma. While viewers eagerly awaited for Earl to make amends for all his previous deeds, this second was stolen from them as My Name Is Earl ended on a cliffhanger whereas the title card learn “to be continued.” The unfinished nature of My Name Is Earl ruined the entire present looking back, because it felt like each episode was slowly constructing in the direction of nothing.

Not solely did the My Name Is Earl finale go away the problems of Earl’s listing unfinished, but it surely additionally launched a cliffhanger that Joy had an affair and Darnell was not Earl Jr.’s organic father. The abrupt ending left viewers shocked and pissed off, and though the creators tried to work out a plan with different networks to proceed making the present, this didn’t work out. While Jason Lee talked about the potential of a My Name Is Earl film to wrap up the continuing storylines in 2011 (through E Online), this by no means occurred.

In the top, Greg Garcia, the creator of My Name Is Earl, moved on to a different sitcom, Raising Hope, the place he evenly poked enjoyable at his earlier sequence’ lack of an ending. In an episode, a tv taking part in within the background had a information reader who stated: “A small-time crook with a long list of wrongs he was making amends for has finally finished, and you’ll never guess how it ended.” While Garcia has outlined how he deliberate for My Name Is Earl to finish, looking back, watching an unfinished sequence felt disappointing.

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My Name Is Earl

My Name is Earl is an NBC comedy sequence that ran between 2005 and 2009. The sequence facilities on Earl Hickey, a resident of rural Camden, who makes use of his wealth to do good deeds round his city after recovering his stolen $100,000 lottery ticket. The sequence stars Jason Lee alongside Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Nadine Velazquez, and Eddie Steeples.

Cast

Ethan Suplee , Jason Lee

Release Date

September 20, 2005

Seasons

4

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

4 Killing Eve (2018 – 2022)

Killing Eve led to a means that left viewers underwhelmed and dissatisfied

When Killing Eve first aired in 2018, it was a unprecedented mixture of unimaginable characterization and sexual rigidity, all rooted in a incredible spy thriller sequence. Under the steering of its showrunner, Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the story of MI5 agent Eve Polastri and the sociopathic murderer Villanelle was in contrast to anything on tv because it deconstructed its game-of-cat-and-mouse narrative via the charming dynamic of its two major characters. While this made for an unimaginable watchable sequence, Killing Eve deteriorated all through its run earlier than the present was ruined totally with a lackluster finale.

With a four-season run, the cracks have been already beginning to present in Season 2 as Waller-Bridge moved on to different tasks and Killing Eve by no means once more reached the heights of its unique outing. While the performances of Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer remained distinctive, one thing was lacking even because it continued to uproot sexist tropes and act as a refreshing distinction to many different spy thriller motion pictures and TV exhibits. For all its faults, Killing Eve might have been forgiven if it delivered when it got here to the finale, however sadly, it didn’t.

The ultimate season of Killing Eve felt like a diluted model of the primary that centered extra on shock worth than the attention-grabbing character interaction that initially drew viewers to the present. In the final episode, Villanelle died after killing The Twelve as Eve floated within the water together with her physique, which closed the door on any likelihood of the 2 having a contented ending. Killing Eve resolved its ongoing tales on this ultimate episode, but it surely did so in a means that felt wholly out of character for many of its forged and left audiences underwhelmed after 4 seasons of buildup.

Killing Eve

Killing Eve is a black comedy thriller sequence starring Sandra Oh as British intelligence officer Eve Polastri who’s assigned to trace and seize a harmful murderer named Villanelle, performed by Jodie Comer. Bored together with her life, Eve finds herself employed by an undercover MI6 division tasked with monitoring down Villanelle – who, after only a temporary time finding out and following her, she turns into obsessed together with her. However, the obsession turns into mutual as quickly the 2 enter a recreation of cat and mouse that deviates them from their missions as they enterprise to study extra about each other.

Cast

Adrian Scarborough , Sandra Oh , Nina Sosanya , Edward Bluemel , Kirby Howell-Baptiste , Danny Sapani , Fiona Shaw , Kim Bodnia , Harriet Walter , Steve Pemberton , Sean Delaney , Henry Lloyd-Hughes , David Haig , jodie comer , turlough convery , Raj Bajaj , Gemma Whelan , Camille Cottin , Darren Boyd Owen McDonnell

Release Date

April 8, 2018

Seasons

4

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3 Dexter (2006 – 2013)

Dexter ended with out giving the viewers what they wished

The ultimate episode of the unique Dexter sequence was famously probably the most hated finales of all time. Although the sequence was as soon as top-of-the-line crime dramas on tv, the place viewers tuned in to observe the key serial killer Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) perform his type of justice on these he deemed deserved to die, all through eight seasons the present’s high quality started to dip. All these points got here to a head within the ultimate episode, which appeared to please no person.

When watching Dexter because it aired, there have been two major ways in which it regarded like it could finish: Either Dexter would die or be caught by the police and face the results of his numerous killings. When neither of these issues occurred, and as a substitute, Dexter was revealed to be alive and effectively and dwelling a brand new life as a lumberjack, many have been left scratching their heads. Not solely have been the ultimate moments disappointing however watching Dexter pull the plug on his sister Deb and throw her physique into the ocean tremendously alienated Dexter’s viewers.

For eight seasons, Dexter had constructed in the direction of its grand conclusion, and for the reason that very starting, viewers had been ready to learn how he would lastly be caught for the crimes that he had justified to himself. Never pursuing this plotline felt like a wasted alternative, and although there was an opportunity to make up for previous errors with the sequel sequence Dexter: New Blood, as soon as once more, audiences have been dissatisfied. Although the earliest seasons of Dexter are nonetheless riveting tv, it’s exhausting, looking back, to get pleasure from them realizing the way it all ended.

Dexter

Based on the character created by creator Jeff Lindsay, Showtime’s Dexter follows Miami Metro Police Department’s most expert blood spatter analyst, Dexter Morgan, as he makes an attempt to fulfill his Dark Passenger’s have to kill by searching down criminals who’ve escaped justice. However, utilizing the foundations his adoptive father taught him to stay undiscovered, Dexter should stroll the effective line of seemingly mixing into society whereas constantly feeding his darkish urges. Dexter faces a number of serial killers as his facade slowly crumbles round him; with each drawback solved by his Dark Passenger, one other one arises for his suburban fatherly life. When Dexter takes issues personally or feels that the legislation is failing, he takes issues into his personal palms and even compromises the investigations of his co-workers. Dexter aired on Showtime for eight seasons earlier than receiving a mini-sequel sequence referred to as Dexter: New Blood, which picked up ten years after the present’s occasions. You can purchase every season for simply $9.99 for Prime Day. 

Cast

David Zayas , Michael C. Hall , Lauren Velez , C. S. Lee , James Remar , Jennifer Carpenter , Desmond Harrington , Julie Benz

Release Date

October 31, 2010

Seasons

8

2 How I Met Your Mother (2005 – 2014)

How I Met Your Mother ended after increase unrealistic expectations

While it might be true that the controversy surrounding the How I Met Your Mother ending was unimaginable to keep away from it doesn’t matter what occurred, the finale left numerous viewers dissatisfied, and looking back, it ruined individuals’s notion of your entire present. By undoing the primary characters’ arcs, shortly introducing the mom earlier than swiftly killing her, and ending at some extent viewers might have guessed from the pilot episode alone, the ending of How I Met Your Mother left a lot to be desired. The finale felt like a disservice to years of character progress, which makes it exhausting to rewatch older episodes right now.

The disappointing finale of How I Met Your Mother stemmed primarily from two sources, as Ted and Robin getting collectively harmed different vital storylines within the present. First, Ted ending up with Robin undermined her relationship and eventual marriage to Barney, whose romance began way back to the fourth season and was important to Barney’s character and progress. Second, audiences waited 9 seasons to fulfill the mom, Tracy McConnell, however she was shortly killed, and earlier than audiences had time to course of it, Ted and Robin have been reuniting.

The distinctive storytelling idea of How I Met Your Mother meant that its ending would at all times be an issue, as every growth within the story was supposed to construct towards its grand conclusion. This meant that the expectations set all through the 208 episodes would at all times be unsurmountable. While this was an comprehensible challenge, it didn’t change the truth that it’s nearly unimaginable to debate How I Met Your Mother right now with out the dialog veering in the direction of its disappointing finale.

How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother is a sitcom created initially for CBS by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. Five mates dwelling in New York City navigate their twenties and thirties as they attempt to discover love, success, and function. The present is framed via one buddy’s eyes, Ted Mosby, as he retells the story of how he met his spouse to his youngsters.

Release Date

September 19, 2005

Seasons

9

1 Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)

Game of Thrones ended on a rushed and haphazard notice

It’s no secret that so much went improper within the ultimate season of Game of Thrones, and this was greatest encapsulated by how badly obtained the finale was by audiences and critics alike. While Game of Thrones was a groundbreaking tv sequence that was massively widespread worldwide, by the point it received to the seventh and eighth seasons, the present had already surpassed its unique books by George R.R. Martin, and plotlines and characterizations began to crumble. With a rushed manufacturing and a scarcity of supply materials, the ultimate episode of Game of Thrones ruined your entire present looking back.

With self-referential allusions to Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, Bran turning into King and sitting on the Iron Throne, and the absurdly out-of-character actions of lots of an important gamers, the finale of Game of Thrones was a significant disappointment. There have been simply too many deviations from beforehand established character arcs, plot factors like Jon Snow’s resurrection felt nonsensical, and the rushed nature of all of it ruined all the pieces that got here earlier than. These have been simply among the many causes for the unhealthy reception to the disappointing finale.

The largest challenge concerning the Game of Thrones finale was that all of it got here too shortly, as showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss wrapped up the sequence a couple of seasons too early. The nature of Martin’s books was categorized by a a lot slower tempo, and as soon as Game of Thrones surpassed the books, it felt like a frantic race to the end line. If Benioff and Weiss had been given a bit extra time to plan issues out, possibly they may have caught a touchdown significantly better.

Game Of Thrones

Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones is a TV sequence based mostly on the guide “A Song of Ice of Fire” by George R. R. Martin. It tells the story of the continuing battle between the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros – as they combat for management of the coveted Iron Throne. Friction between the homes results in full-scale battle. All whereas a really historical evil awakens within the far north. Amidst the battle, a uncared for army order of misfits, the Night’s Watch, led by House Stark’s Jon Snow, is the primary to come across icy horrors that threaten all realms of males. The sequence premiered on HBO within the United States on April 17, 2011, and shortly grew to become one of many largest occasion sequence within the “Golden Age” of TV. Winner of 38 Primetime Emmy Awards, Game of Thrones has attracted file viewership on HBO and has a broad, lively, worldwide fan base.

Release Date

April 11, 2011

Seasons

8

Source: E Online