Doing a shocking cliffhanger is relatively easy, but committing to it is far more difficult. There have been severalunpopular TV show choices that should’ve been retconnedand weren’t, which frustrated audiences. However, it is often even more infuriatingwhen a show introduces a bold, game-changing storyline only to quickly undo it.
FromGame of ThronestoCobra Kai, there are different reasons why a show chooses to reverse things back to the status quo. Sometimes, it was because the storyline didn’t work or got such a bad reception from viewers that writers were forced to alter it. Others, however, were simply because the show picked the easy route. Unfortunately, this is a mistake that even some of thebest TV shows of all timehave made.
10Bringing Back Gallifrey
Doctor Who
The destruction of Gallifrey afterDoctor Who’s first Time Warwas a groundbreaking moment for the show when it was rebooted in 2005. The Doctor’s grief over his people, and the heart-wrenching guilt the Time Lord carried across multiple incarnations for his actions during the war, was a huge part of the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Doctors’ character arcs.
While it was great to see the Doctor get some peace over the events of the Time War, it was odd that Chris Chibnall reversed Gallifrey being saved when he took over as showrunner.
However, in the 50th anniversary special “The Day of the Doctor,” an incredible 13 versions of the Doctor (at the time) worked together to save Gallifrey. Rather than letting the planet burn, Gallifrey and the Time Lords were frozen in time instead. Butthis didn’t last long, as the Master destroyed Gallifrey in Doctor Whojust a few seasons later, as was revealed in the season 12 episode “Spyfall: Part Two.”
Cast
An alien from the planet Gallifrey travels through time and space to explore, solve problems and fight injustice while also making friends with human beings. His spaceship, called TARDIS, resembles a police box, but it is much more than it appears to be.
The Master’s reasoning for this was that he’d discovered the Time Lord’s origins and the Doctor’s involvement as the Timeless Child. While it was great to see the Doctor get some peace over the events of the Time War, it was odd thatChris Chibnall reversed Gallifrey being savedwhen he took over as showrunner.
9Killing Brian Griffin
Family Guy
Brian Griffin being hit by a car inFamily Guywas a historical moment and one that was retconned rather quickly. As he played with Stewie in the street in the episode “Life of Brian,” the Griffins’ dog was hit by a car, and the family said goodbye to him at the vet in an incredibly heartbreaking scene. While audiences were shocked by this decision, nobody struggled with Brian’s death more than Stewie.Just two episodes later, in “Christmas Guy,” Stewie used his time-travel capabilities to go back and save his friend.
Family Guy is an animated series following the eccentric Griffin family. Led by bumbling patriarch Peter and long-suffering Lois, the family includes the sadistic baby Stewie, unpopular teenager Meg, dim-witted Chris, and Brian, their talking dog. The show explores their outlandish adventures in the fictional town of Quahog.
It was a risky move forFamily Guyto kill off Brian, especially for a show that generally uses a floating timeline, but this moment was particularly notable because it was so violent. Even the show’s creator, Seth McFarlane, was surprised at the audience’s response to Brian’s death. There was no doubt that this storyline was an intense experience, and while I liked the risk the show took, I’m glad it wasn’t permanent.
8Bobby Ewing’s Death
Dallas
Bobby Ewing’s death inDallaswas aTV choice so unpopular that it was retconned, and his return to the show was one of the wildest moments in TV history. Audiences were devastated when Katherine ran Bobby over in the season 8 finale, and alongside the other characters, they grieved for him throughout season 9.Dallasseason 9 focused a lot on the fallout of Bobby’s demise, especially how Pam handled her grief following his death.
One of the most popular soap opera series of all time, Dallas aired in 1978 as a part of CBS' line up and follows the wealthy oil baron family, the Ewings, as those from within and close to them plot and scheme their way to the top of the social ladder. The series ran for fourteen seasons before it concluded in 1991.
This impacted the show’s ratings massively, but thankfully,Patrick Duffy wanted to return toDallas. Initially, the actor had no plans to come back, but following the public response to his absence, he agreed to reprise his role. Bobby Ewing made a rather unexpected appearance at the end of season 9 when he stepped out of the shower, andit was revealed that the events of the entire season were Pam’s dream. It was a rare occurrence for a TV show to do such a thing, but it paid off forDallas, luckily.
7Rachel & Joey’s Relationship
Friends
Rachel and Joey’s romance inFriendswas a hugely controversial storyline, especially as it was something the show had touched on before, didn’t pursue, and then later revisited. While Ross was far from an ideal partner to Rachel, it was saddening to see him break down over the love of his life and one of his best friends being together.This storyline didn’t last very long as the pair realized they weren’t meant to beand were better off as friends, which was a sigh of relief for many.
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
Rachel and Joey’s relationship was a step too far forFriends, and it felt like a last-minute attempt to try something new, but unfortunately, the storyline was introduced far too late into the show’s run. The two had a solid platonic relationship, and even Jennifer Anniston and Matt LeBlanc found it hard to get on board with the storyline.
6Penny & Raj’s Hookup
The Big Bang Theory
Penny and Raj sleeping together inThe Big Bang Theorywas a massive shock. At the end of the season 4 finale, “The Roommate Transmogrification,” Raj emerged from Leonard’s room (because he felt forced out of his own apartment and was staying there) with Penny in tow. Both the other characters and viewers alike were floored by the clear signs that the pair had spent the night together, and it was an astonishing way forThe Big Bang Theoryto wrap up the season withsuch a baffling cliffhanger.
The Big Bang Theory: This sitcom follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with each other and the people around them. Centered on physicists Sheldon and Leonard, the series humorously explores friendship, romance, and the quirks of life among an eclectic group of academics.
While it took only a matter of hours in-show for the events of their rendezvous to be clarified, audiences had to wait several months for season 5 to begin. It was quickly explained that despite an attempt to have sex, Raj was done with the experience beforeanything actually happened between them, but a drunken Penny didn’t remember. IfThe Big Bang Theoryhad decided to pursue this further, the show would’ve gone in a very different direction, but instead, they chose to keep the possibility of Penny and Leonard’s reunification at the forefront.
5Principal Skinner’s Identity
The Simpsons
The change to Principal Seymour Skinner’s backstory inThe Simpsonsdidn’t work out, ultimately. While the revelation thathe was actually a Vietnam veteran named Armin Tamzarianwho stole the identity of the real Skinner was ambitious, unfortunately,The Simpsons’ audiences didn’t gel with the idea.
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One character was singled out as the cause of The Simpsons' downfall and, shockingly, The Simpsons season 36 episode 1 brought them back for a cameo.
In the season 9 episode “The Principal and the Pauper,” the real Skinner arrived in Springfield, and Tamzarian’s cushy life came to an abrupt halt. What was so strange about this was that Skinner’s relationship with his mother was such a crucial part of both of their characters, and even Agnes preferred having the imposter as a son, rather than her real child.
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
The Simpsonsseemingly dropped this massive detail after this, and even though it was unlikely that it’d be a regular focus point going forward, it was still odd that the show didn’t reference it more often. AlthoughThe Simpsonsdid acknowledge it again years later, the show essentially swept it under the carpet.
4The Conners' Lottery Win
Roseanne
Roseanneseason 9 was one big retcon in itself. WhileRoseanneseason 10 retconned Dan’s death, thankfully, another risky story that the show undid during season 9 was The Conner family’s lottery win. At the end of season 9, it was revealed that everything that happened was simply a part of the titular character’s book, which she was writing as a distraction from her grief (and was later explained as another plot in her story).
It made more sense for the Conners to not be rich, as their financial struggles were a key part of their narrative.
In a way, it was disappointing thatnot even one of the good things from the events of season 9 was real. However,it made more sense for the Conners to not be rich, as their financial struggles were a key part of their narrative.Roseanne’s characters were only treated to a life of better stability for a few episodes before the finale heartlessly ripped it away from them.
Roseanne was a late 80s Sitcom created by Matt Williams and starring Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert. The show followed a character created by Roseanne Barr herself as she attempted to navigate her family life in a fictional town in Illinois.
Althoughthe storyline “was all a dream,”it was surprising thatRoseannedidn’t decide to keep something from season 9 as canon, especially the lottery win. Even if Dan stayed dead, at least giving the Conners a better life would’ve been a happier initial ending forRoseannebefore it was later rebooted.
3Jim & Pam’s Marriage On The Rocks
The Office
Jim and Pam’s relationship inThe Officewas one of the driving forces of the sitcom, and the decline in their marriage was a wild choice from the writers so late in the show’s run. The pair were pretty much always on the same page, soit felt rather out-of-place when things started to break down between them inThe Officeseason 9. Much to the relief of audiences,this didn’t last long, but it was a painful journey to witness.
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
These issues appeared very suddenly, and while I admired Jim for wanting to provide a better life for his family,I was confused as to whyThe Officecreated so much conflictin order to do so. There was no way that the show would’ve headed into its finale with its most prominent couple in tatters, and even thoughJim and Pam’s relationship problems made senseto some degree, it would’ve been more logical forThe Officeto tackle this storyline directly after Cathy tried to seduce Jim instead.
2Dennis Goes To North Dakota
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Dennis’ absence fromIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiahad to be acknowledged, as Glenn Howerton was off working onA.P. Bioat the time, but the show took a risk when it came to the reason for the character’s departure. Dennis left Paddy’s and the gang behind to go to North Dakota and be closer to his son, a product of a one-night stand.It was always clear that Howerton and Dennis would come back, but this was a lore-heavy explanation that couldn’t be ignored.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a television series that premiered in 2005, chronicling the chaotic lives of four self-involved friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia. Their misguided decisions and skewed perspectives often result in amusing and uncomfortable situations, complicating their professional and personal relationships.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiadidn’t completely forget about Brian Jr., but it was a huge moment in Dennis’ story. I was glad to see Dennis develop when he departed in the season 12 finale, butthe show also made a massive deal about him leaving, only for him to return in the season 15 premiere. Of course, behind-the-scenes the period was much larger, but for audiences, it wasn’t that long. This was a great way to write Dennis out for a while, but it felt unnecessary and over-the-top for such a short span.
1Donna & Randy’s Relationship
That ’70s Show
It was obvious from the beginning thatEric and Donna’s relationship inThat ‘70s Showwas endgame, which was what made her romance with Randy in season 8 that much more confusing. After Eric went to Africa, he and Donna broke up, andThat ‘70s Showintroduced newbie Randy Pearson.
That ’70s Show Struggle To Replace Eric Forman Led To Two Character Failures
That ’70s Show used two different characters to replace Topher Grace’s Eric Forman after the actor left the sitcom, but both somehow failed.
Butwhen it was announced that Eric was returning to ring in the New Year in Point Place, Donna broke up with Randy. Donna’s relationship with Randy offered little to the show, and it would’ve made a lot more sense if she’d been alone during this time.
That ‘70s Show was one of Fox’s most popular sitcoms upon its release in 1998. Starring Topher Grace (Eric Forman), Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti), Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart), Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso), That ‘70s Show revolves around the teens’ mishaps as they grow up in Point Place Wisconsin in the 1970s.
The entire storyline was a waste, really, and it made it seem like Randy’s only function inThat ‘70s Showwas to be Donna’s love interest. In fact, little else was known about Randy as a person outside of his relationship with Donna. Plus, if the writers knew Topher Grace was returning for the finale, creating Randy made no sense.
