A new analysis has revealed the worst TV show finales of all time, and the results are unexpected.
A list compiled by Bo McCready compares the average episode ratings to finale ratings on IMDB, and surprisingly, Game of Thrones and How I Met Your Mother are not at the top – however they both feature in the top 10.
House of Cards, however, takes the crown for the biggest drop in ratings for its controversial finale.
The show’s clunky final season came after the abrupt exit of its star Kevin Spacey over past sexual assault allegations.
These are the TV’s most disappointing conclusions:
A new analysis has revealed the worst TV show finales of all time, and the results are unexpected. A list compiled by Bo McCready compares the average episode ratings to finale ratings on IMDB, and the results are in
1. House of Cards
Fans were left disappointed as the political drama’s final season limped to a close without its disgraced star, Kevin Spacey
Fans were left disappointed as the political drama’s final season limped to a close without its disgraced star, Kevin Spacey.
The finale, which aired on November 2, 2018, received a 2.6 out of 10 rating on IMDB, a shocking 55 percent dip from its average episode rating of 8.1.
The ending had political fixer Doug Stamper admitting to Claire Hale (now president) that he had her husband, Frank Underwood (previously portrayed by Spacey), poisoned after realizing he was going to kill her. Claire then stabs Doug to death.
One disgruntled ranted on Reddit, writing: ‘What an absolutely terrible ending. I would rather watch David Attenborough narrate paint dry.’
Vox’s damning review said House of Cards’ ‘dismal ending proves it never had anything to say,’ claiming the Netflix drama’s final season saved the worst for last.
2. The Promised Neverland
This anime adaptation started strong but ended on a sour note. Fans accused the beloved manga adaptation of having a ‘rushed pacing’, ‘significant deviations from the source material’, and an ‘unsatisfying ending’
The anime adaptation The Promised Neverland started strong but ended on a sour note.
Fans accused the beloved manga adaptation of having a ‘rushed pacing’, ‘significant deviations from the source material’, and an ‘unsatisfying ending.’
In the ending, which aired on March 26, 2021, the lead character Emma makes a new promise to the show’s world of demons, sacrificing her memory of her family so that children won’t be eaten by demons in the future.
While the average episode rated an 8/10 on IMDB, the finale dropped to 2.8 – a shocking 52 percent drop.
Comic Book Resources said the Promised Neverland had a controversial ending that disappointed fans. ‘The series ends with Emma making a new Promise in exchange for the safety of her loved ones,’ but they said despite the divisive ending, ‘The Promised Neverland is still praised as a classic and successful franchise.’
3. Game of Thrones
The cultural phenomenon that was Game of Thrones came crashing down with its final season which became the talk of the town for its ‘terrible’ ending
The cultural phenomenon that was Game of Thrones came crashing down with its final season which became the talk of the town for its ‘terrible’ ending, which aired on May 19, 2019.
After nine-years, eight seasons and hundreds of brutal deaths it was never going to please everyone, and the Game Of Thrones finale inevitably divided fans after it aired.
While the show had a high 8.8 average episode rating, the finale was a rate 4.
The sixth and final episode in its much vaunted farewell season concluded with the expected death of Daenerys Targaryen, the surprise anointment of crippled Bran Stark to King of Westeros and the rather symbolic destruction of the Iron Throne.
The Atlantic’s damning review boldly stated: ‘This drama turned into a sitcom. Not a slick HBO sitcom either, but a cheapo network affair or maybe even a webisode of outtakes from one.’
‘Tonally odd, logically strained, and emotionally thin, “The Iron Throne” felt like the first draft of a finale.’
4. Killing Eve
Fans were left shocked by the spy thriller’s poor conclusion. One Reddit user raged: ‘This is a worse ending than the end of Game of Thrones!’
Fans were left shocked by the spy thriller Killing Eve’s poor conclusion that aired on April 10, 2022.
In the end, Eve and Villanelle manage to exact revenge on The Twelve, the string-pullers who trained the assassin Villanelle. However, their celebration – and rekindled onscreen romance – is short-lived when a sniper shoots and kills Villanelle.
One Reddit user raged: ‘This is a worse ending than the end of Game of Thrones!’
Another added: ‘Entire season was absurd and poorly written.’
But others enjoyed the ending. The Guardian defended the finale, writing: ‘To fans, the brutal end of the Eve-Villanelle story was an unforgivable betrayal. To me, it was brilliantly blunt TV – and one of the boldest things I’ve seen in years.’
The average episode rated a 7.9 out of 10. The finale? A measly 3.4.
5. Dexter
Dexter’s finale left fans outraged and ‘bloodthirsty’ for a better ending
Dexter’s finale, which aired on September 22, 2013, left fans outraged and ‘bloodthirsty’ for a better ending.
In the conclusion of the series, Dexter kills his own sister, Debra.
One Reddit user didn’t hold back: ‘It’s the most depressing disgraceful garbage I’ve seen in my life. I feel so sad and let down by it.’
Others said it was painfully emotional, with one Reddit user explaining: ‘The ending was devastating, Deb’s death was such a powerful scene, we want Dexter to be happy and right as he finds a way to finally move past everything and leave the killing behind, he loses everything instead, by chasing his happiness he ends up getting Deb killed.’
Once a critically hailed show, with an average episode rating of an 8.5 out of 10, the finale came in just a 4.7.
6. Two and a Half Men
Even new fans couldn’t stomach this sitcom’s finale. One Reddit user summed it up: ‘As a new fan, the finale is terrible.’ Another chimed in: ‘It’s an insult to fans’
Even new fans couldn’t stomach this sitcom’s finale, which ended with a piano falling on the head of Charlie, who had been killed off on the show after Charlie Sheen’s chaotic exit in 2011.
One Reddit user summed it up: ‘As a new fan, the finale is terrible.’ Another chimed in: ‘It’s an insult to fans.’
The finale, which aired on February 19, 2015, fell flat with viewers, earning a 3.8 out of 10. A 35 percent dip for the series that average a 7.3 episode rating during its long run.
7. Ragnarok
This Norse mythology-inspired series left viewers feeling feeling cheated. A Reddit user wrote: ‘The last episode feels like a broken promise, a missed opportunity to deliver a tale of gods and giants for the ages’
This Norse mythology-inspired series left viewers feeling feeling cheated, especially when it came to the show’s May 27, 2021 finale.
The whole show threads a fine line with viewers guessing whether or not the lead character Magne is really the incarnation of Thor or not. The finale seems to basically say he imagined it all, as he leaves his world of fantasy behind him.
A Reddit user wrote: ‘The last episode feels like a broken promise, a missed opportunity to deliver a tale of gods and giants for the ages.’
The show that average 7.3 out of 10 on IMDB bottomed out with a 3.8 episode rating for its unsettling conclusion.
8. Power
Fans were left full of rage at this crime drama’s conclusion. One Reddit user exploded: ‘Power series finale was a DISASTER! They blew it, the writers ruined the show’
Fans were left full of rage at this crime drama’s conclusion, which aired on February 9, 2020.
The finale, which ended in a flashback, also saw the answer to the show’s greatest mystery: who shot Ghost? Well, some watchers were upset at how hastily the show answered the question.
One Reddit user exploded: ‘Power series finale was a DISASTER! They blew it, the writers ruined the show.’
The conclusion earned a 5.3 rating on IMDB, a stark comparison to the average episode’s 8.4 rating.
9. Bloodline
This thriller’s ending left fans let down. One viewer complained: ‘There is no ending. They botched an excellent, intriguing storyline.’
This thriller’s ending left fans let down.
The finale ends with John coming face to face with his nephew Nolan, whose father, Danny, was killed by John (also Danny’s brother). As Nolan asks for information about who killed Danny, the show fades to black.
One viewer complained of the May 26, 2017, finale: ‘There is no ending. They botched an excellent, intriguing storyline.’
Another added: ‘Completely rushed with way too many unanswered questions.’
Despite an average episode rating of 7.9, the finale dipped in viewer’s eyes, earning a 5.1.
10. MythBusters
The beloved science show’s finale left fans with mixed feelings. While some were disappointed, others were more understanding
The beloved science show’s finale, which aired on March 5, 2016, left fans with mixed feelings.
The show ended with four experiments, one of which involved an exploding cement truck. Despite going out with a bang, some fans felt it was a whimper, while others were more understanding.
One fan noted: ‘Sometimes in the entertainment biz, we say, ‘leave them wanting more’. The show should end, and everyone should clamor, it was still great, it should have gone on.’
The ending earned a 4.4 out of 10 rating, despite its much higher 7.2 episode average.
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