In the realm of fantasy television, many series captivate viewers with their imaginative plots and compelling characters. However, a common pitfall arises as these shows approach their finales, often leading to consequently disappointing conclusions. Striking a balance between continuity, character development, and engaging storylines poses a considerable challenge for showrunners. This complexity intensifies for shows that blend fantasy with other genres, making it far more challenging to deliver satisfying resolutions.
10
Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)
Final Episode: Spider Wars, Chapter II: Farewell Spider-Man
This iconic animated series, airing for four years on Fox Kids Network, chronicles Peter Parker’s adventures as he navigates the duality of being a college student and a superhero. While the show enjoyed critical acclaim, it stumbled when concluding its story arc. The series finale, “Spider Wars, Chapter II: Farewell Spider-Man,”ends abruptly with Spider-Man and Madame Web seeking out Mary Jane, who has disappeared into an interdimensional portal.
The lack of resolution regarding Mary Jane’s fate, coupled with the series’ cancellation after its fifth season, left fans disheartened. Though not the most frustrating ending ever written, the unresolved cliffhanger does leave an unshakeable feeling of disappointment.
9
Merlin (2008-2012)
Final Episode: The Diamond of the Day – Part 2 (December 24, 2012)
BBC’s Merlin, rooted in the Legend of Arthur, captivated audiences for over four seasons. The series delivers a profound narrative about friendship and prophecy, with Merlin tasked to safeguard Arthur against oppressive anti-magic edicts. However, fans were left reeling when Arthur met a shockingly anticlimactic end despite fulfilling part of the prophecy.
His death lacked any significant impact, and the absence of hope for the future of magic in Albion rendered the finale unsatisfactory. Although Guinevere’s ascendancy to the throne marked a positive note, the series concluded on a lackluster note, failing to deliver an adequate resolution to the prior emotional investment.
8
True Blood (2008-2014)
Final Episode: Thank You (August 24, 2014)
HBO’s True Blood entertained viewers for seven seasons, exploring the intricate dynamics between humans and vampires amidst themes of oppression and equality. As the series wound down, however, Sookie Stackhouse’s storyline crumbled. The ultimate resolution of her character felt more like a betrayal of her development, ending up with a mundane human companion different from her previously explored connections.
Furthermore, numerous main characters were killed off without sufficient narrative justification, fostering a disjointed conclusion that did not resonate with the series’ core themes. Notably, the contrast with the original novels became apparent, as the show took a significantly different path, leaving fans divided and dissatisfied.
7
Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Final Episode: The Blessed Dark (June 19, 2016)
The creative tapestry of Penny Dreadful intricately wove together literary horror’s most famous figures into a gripping narrative. However, the series finale left viewers bewildered. Ethan’s character journey culminated in an act that contradicted his established commitment to Vanessa. Their relationship dynamics became muddled, leading to an unfulfilling resolution marked by betrayal and loss.
6
Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
Final Episode: The Wolves of War (September 24, 2017)
Teen Wolf concluded its journey in 2017 with a finale that felt more like an afterthought. The buildup towards a pivotal romance between Stiles and Lydia was undermined as the previous episodes felt more conclusive than the actual series finale, rendering the latter redundant. Additionally, the treatment of Kira Yukimura, a beloved character sidelined without explanation, frustrated loyal fans.
Moreover, the subsequent release of “Teen Wolf: The Movie” in 2023 complicated matters further, diminishing character arcs and leading many to consider the film a misstep rather than a fitting continuation.
5
Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil (2015-2019)
Final Episode: Cleaved (May 19, 2019)
Disney XD’s Star vs. the Forces of Evil blended humor and heart while following Star’s escapades as an exchange student. However, the series finale took a bizarre turn as Star opted to erase magic from existence. This decision, far from her established character, created dissatisfaction among viewers as it suggested the eradication of innocent magical beings.
The dramatic choice to unify realms and eliminate magic felt misaligned with the show’s previous values and served more as a vehicle for her romantic arc than a coherent narrative conclusion.
4
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Final Episode: The Iron Throne (May 19, 2019)
Game of Thrones stands as a prime example of a fantasy series that faltered during its finale. Despite being a cultural mainstay, the ending felt rushed and inconsistent. Major character arcs fell apart, with Daenerys’ transformation into a power-hungry tyrant alienating fans. Bran Stark’s ascension to the throne came off as a perplexing twist ingrained with ableism, leaving the audience with an ending lacking depth.
The rooted issues stemmed from deviations from George R.R. Martin’s original work, and while some standout episodes remain celebrated, the overall conclusion cemented itself as one of the most controversial endings in TV history.
3
Supernatural (2005-2020)
Final Episode: Carry On (November 19, 2020)
With its final episode, Supernatural left many viewers dissatisfied. The reunion of Dean and Sam in heaven contrasted sharply against Dean’s tragic death, which felt counterproductive to years of character growth. The show’s creator had originally envisioned a five-season arc, making the conclusion of a 15-season run feel forced and inconsistent.
Castiel’s death two episodes earlier, following a profound declaration of love, further complicated the finale, leading many fans to feel that the emotional impact of the earlier seasons had been undermined.
2
American Gods (2017-2021)
Final Episode: Tears of the Wrath-Bearing Tree (March 21, 2021)
American Gods, adapted from Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed novel, captured imaginations with its rich tapestry of mythology and modernity. Unfortunately, the show’s decline began following the departure of its original showrunners, leading to a disjointed narrative. The finale, leading to Shadow Moon’s death, lacked continuity with the source material and surprised fans with its execution.
Contrary to the book, where characters like Easter played significant roles, viewers were left feeling disconnected from a storyline that once held so much promise.
1
Riverdale (2017-2023)
Final Episode: Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Seven: Goodbye, Riverdale (August 23, 2023)
As Riverdale ventured deeper into the realm of fantasy, its narrative coherence eroded, marking a decline in quality over seven seasons. By the series finale, the promise of an epic conclusion transformed into a stretched-out collection of unresolved threads and unsatisfying character arcs. Final decisions around relationships, particularly the noncommittal quad of Archie, Betty, Jughead, and Veronica felt lackluster, failing to provide the heightened tension fans expected after years of tumultuous storylines.
The absence of a definitive endgame left viewers feeling cheated, ultimately solidifying Riverdale’s finale as an inadequate closure to what had been a wildly unpredictable yet iconic series.
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