A well-planned and well-executed cliffhanger can turn a good TV show into a pop-cultural phenomenon. Series that release episodes weekly are perfect for water cooler talk, as audiences tune in and discuss the plot and characters at length. Cliffhangers especially spark discussions and keep audiences invested. Moreover, incredible cliffhangers can change the fate of beloved characters in TV shows forever and may transform the show’s entire landscape. The best cliffhangers change the course of the entire story.
Strategically planned cliffhangers and a satisfying conclusion can also cement a TV show’s status as legendary. On the other hand, certain shows become overly reliant on usingfrustrating TV cliffhangersthat can be resolved instantly. However,the best cliffhangers have a massive impact on the plot, characters, and fanbase of the show.From mind-bending reveals andshocking plot twiststo long-awaited confrontations, some cliffhangers completely changed the game.
The Good Place (2016-2020)
Eleanor Shellstrop, the self-proclaimed “Arizona dirtbag” does not deserve to wind up in the titular “The Good Place"surrounded by philanthropists and do-gooders who spent their whole lives putting others first. After Eleanor accidentally ends up in the Good Place, she struggles to fit in and hide that she doesn’t belong, and gets help from her supposed soulmate Chidi, a moral philosopher who teaches her about ethics.
One Of The Greatest Plot Twists In Television History Somehow Becomes Even Better On A Rewatch
Although it’s a massive plot twist, one of the best reveals in TV history doesn’t ruin the show when rewatching it – it makes it better.
The Good Placeis a high-stakes sitcom as Eleanor making a mistake could get her sent to the Bad Place,and the first season is filled with plot twists and revelations. However, the season 1 finale turns the entire premise on its head. The seemingly kind Good Place architect Michael is actually a demon torturing them and the fourmain characters are in the Bad Place. The shocking cliffhanger ofThe Good Placeseason finale thus changed the entire nature of the show and the character dynamics.
9Alison DiLaurentis Is Alive
Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
The mystery of Alison DiLaurentis' disappearanceis central to the plot ofPretty Little Liars.As Rosewood’s queen bee, Alison wielded an iron fist as she blackmailed, schemed, and manipulated her way through life before she went missing. A year after Alison’s disappearance, her friends Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily are stalked and harassed by the mysterious figure “A,” who seems to know their darkest secrets. Assuming Alison is behind the “A” texts, the four friends are proved wrong after Alison’s body is found.
Alison haunts the narrative, as her past actions and behavior continue to impact the people who were closest to her. However, after catching glimpses of someone who might be Alison wearing a red coat, the girls finally confirm that Alison has been alive the whole time in season 4, episode 13, “Grave New World.“The addition of Alison to the main cast as a permanent fixture changes the group’s friendship and throws the town of Rosewood into chaos,as they figure out who tried to kill Alison.
8Sherlock Fakes His Death
Sherlock (2010-2017)
BBCSherlock’s iconic season 2 finale cliffhanger quickly became one of the most discussed and well-known examples in television history. In the episode “The Reichenbach Fall”, Sherlock Holmes seemingly jumps off a building to his death to protect his friends from his nemesis James Moriarty’s evil and deadly schemes. Three months after Sherlock’s death, Dr. John Watson visits the grave, andthe episode ends with Sherlock watching John and walking away without revealing that he is alive.
How Sherlock Faked His Death In The Reichenbach Fall
Sherlock’s “death” after the Reichenbach fall made way for a lot of fan theories, and the writers took some of these to build an explanation.
The cliffhanger of Sherlock faking his death sparked intense discussion about how he might have pulled the trick off.Three possible theories are given in theSherlockseason 3 premiere, but none of them were ever confirmed, leaving the plot beat an unsolved mystery forever. While the season 2 finale’s conclusion was unsatisfactory, the cliffhanger itself became a cultural phenomenon as fans debated theories for two years before the next season aired.
7Ross Accidentally Says Rachel’s Name At The Altar
Friends (1994-2004)
Ross Geller and Rachel Green’s will-they-won’t-they relationship was a constant source of entertainment and suspense for fans ofFriends.InFriendsseason 4, Ross and Rachel’s happy ending seems unlikely, as Ross falls for Emily and the two are set to get married in London. In one of the most iconic scenes in the long-running sitcom,Ross and Emily are at the altar about to get married when Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name instead of Emily’s.
The words “I, Ross, take thee, Rachel” wreak havoc on Ross and Emily’s relationship, and the cliffhanger adds a thrilling element toRoss and Rachel’s storyand their dynamic. The cliffhanger drastically changes the trajectory of one ofFriends’best components, the tumultuous romance between Ross and Rachel. It resulted in endless debates about the future of Ross and Emily’s recent marriage and Ross and Rachel’s status.
6Derek Is Married To Addison
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
First premiering in 2005, the popular medical drama seriesGrey’s Anatomyhas had its fair share of jaw-dropping plot twists and dramatic cliffhangers in its 21 seasons.Grey’s Anatomyseason 1 consisted of only 9 such episodes filled with drama and romance. While the character dynamics and plot already had audiences hooked,the season 1 finale episode’s cliffhanger solidifiedGrey’s Anatomy’sstatus as a thrilling show that could keep everyone at the edge of their seats.
Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Derek Shepherd’s budding relationship is going well until Dr. Addison Montgomery, previously known as Shepherd, shows up and reveals that she is Derek’s wife. The firstGrey’s Anatomyseason finaleset the benchmark for cliffhangers high, without having to resort to near-death experiences or emergencies in the future. The cliffhanger also resulted in Addison being added as a series regular, the introduction of Mark Sloan, and the iconic love triangle between Meredith, Derek, and Addison.
5Jon Snow’s Death
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Jon Snow quickly rose through the ranks to become a fan favorite inGame of Thrones.Despite the series being based on the fantasy novelsA Song of Ice and Fireby George R. R. Martin, and Jon’s death therefore being written in the books, the scene of him being betrayed by members of the Night’s Watch and assassinated remains one ofGame of Thrones’most iconic cliffhangers.
Jon’s resurrection was highly anticipated and changed the course of the show, asthe series had caught up with Martin’s books and the future events inGame of Throneswere truly unpredictable even for readers,now entirely up to the showrunners and writers. WhileJon Snow’s deathand resurrection didn’t change the show in the way fans thought it would, as Jon faced none of the consequences that should come with dying and being resurrected, the cliffhanger did set him up to further be essential to the story.
4Hank Figures Out Walt Is Heisenberg
SinceBreaking Badseason 1, the show had been building the tension and conflict between high school chemistry teacher turned drug lord Walter White and his brother-in-law Henry “Hank” Schrader. Hank is a Drug Enforcement Administration agent hunting down Heisenberg, not knowing that the drug kingpin is Walter. However, inBreaking Badseason 5, episode 8, “Gliding Over All”,Hank pieces together that Walt is the elusive Heisenbergafter finding his copy of Walt Whitman’sLeaves of Grasswith a note from Gale Boetticher.
The cliffhanger transformed the show, asWalter’s closely hidden secret identity and criminal activities become exposed to Hank.The shocking revelation means that Hank is no longer hunting down an unknown and mysterious cook; he is now working to take down a family member. The cliffhanger forces all the characters to confront reality with devastating consequences in the final episodes of the show.
3Buffy Sacrifices Herself To Save The World
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’stitular character Buffy Summers is constantly facing death and world-ending apocalypses. With the constant danger she’s surrounded by, it’s no surprise that Buffy isn’t untouchable. Buffy first dies in the season 1 finale “Prophecy Girl”, and is resuscitated shortly afterward by Xander. However,Buffy Summer’s deathin the season 5 finale is a completely different story, as she throws herself into the portal. The final shot of Buffy’s gravestone makes the death feel permanent.
While Buffy is eventually resurrected again, her sacrifice isn’t brushed over, and she is changed by her death and subsequent return.Buffy is forced to deal with adjusting to being alive again and being ripped out of a peaceful afterlifeto fight demons and live a dangerous life. The cliffhanger of Buffy sacrificing herself changes the tone of the show, leaving the future of Sunnydale and the world uncertain.
2J.R. Gets Shot
Dallas (1978-1991)
TheDallasseason 3 finale “A House Divided” features one of themost influential cliffhangers in the history of television. The episode ends with a cliffhanger of J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, being shot by an unknown assailant and collapsing.The ending makes it unclear who the perpetrator is, and whether J.R. survivedthe attack. With J.R. being a ruthless and villainous businessman, there is no shortage of suspects who would want to kill the oil baron.
The catchphrase “Who shot J.R.?” became a cultural phenomenon, and the mystery was only solved eight months later inDallasseason 4, episode 4 “Who Done It.” The concluding episode remains one of themost-watched episodes in American TVhistory. Furthermore, the cliffhanger changed how television formatted their seasons and told stories as the mystery managed to retain audience interest, garnered significant media attention, and popularized cliffhangers as a narrative device.
1Jack Wants To Return To The Island
Lost (2004-2010)
The sci-fi survival showLostis known for its incredible mind-bending plot twistsand cliffhangers. However, one cliffhanger remains unforgettably iconic, as the shocking plot twist changes the show’s entire premise and narrative structure.TheLostseason 3 finale “Through the Looking Glass” is filled with surprising and incredible moments,including the death of a beloved character, Charlie Pace.
“Not Penny’s Boat”: What Charlie’s Message Means In Lost Season 3
“Not Penny’s Boat” is one of the most famous moments from Lost, with a shocking plot twist concluding a major character arc. Here’s what it means.
What seems to be flashbacks shows a depressed Jack Shephard struggling after learning about the death of someone he knows. However, the cliffhanger ending reveals that the flashbacks are flash-forwards, as Jack and Kate Austen discuss the island; Jack says they should have never left the island and exclaims: “We have to go back!” The cliffhanger ending completely changes the narrative, as it reveals that the survivor’s ordeal doesn’t end after they’re rescued, and introduces flash-forwards, and later flash-sideways as a narrative device.
