Fantasy TV shows can change quickly, and when big plot twists and narrative changes are introduced into the story, they have a big impact. The magical systems and rules of the realities in which these fantasy worlds exist allow writers and creators to experiment with plot and character dynamics, resulting in episodes that change everything about the series. These episodes usually involve a shift in tone and shift the show’s focus to a new set of character dynamics. Such a radical change to the series can either save and prolong its existence, or be the beginning of the end. for the show.
Fantasy TV shows that deserve more seasons rarely get the opportunity to reinvent themselves and adapt to significant changes. However, a long-running series must quickly adjust when actors decide to leave the series or when a detailed storyline comes to an end. While radically changing a series may be a challenge, it’s also an opportunity to start over and explore new facets of history. Depending on when these key episodes occur, at the beginning or end of the show, it will often determine how the audience will react to the unexpected new direction.
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The Rains of Castamere – Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Season 3, Episode 9
From the very beginning Game of Thrones there was a TV show where no one was safe, and Viewers are already accustomed to the fact that by the end of the third season the main characters are constantly being killed. However, that doesn’t make it any less shocking or devastating when it happens, especially for the characters who were meant to be vital parts of the series. Although book readers knew the tragedy was coming, “The Rains of Castamere” remains one of the series’ most surprising twists.
Despite the unexpected events of this episode, it is still considered one of the best of the series. Game of Thrones took it after it was better for the show.
Until this point, Robb Stark had been one of the biggest threats to the Lannister claim to the Iron Throne. The Red Wedding was the event that ended the unification of House Stark until the final season. Despite the unexpected events of this episode, it is still considered one of the best of the series. Game of Thrones took it after it was better for the show. After the Red Wedding Game of Thrones focused on the remaining storylines and focused on the mysteries beyond the Seven Kingdoms.
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I Think About You All the Time – The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
Season 6, episode 22
Nina Dobrev played Elena in The Vampire Diaries set the show for its first six seasonsas she was the center of a love triangle and the character around whom almost every plot revolved. However, Dobrev eventually left the show, and the show’s creators had to figure out a way for Elena to disappear while keeping the show alive. IN The Vampire Diaries In the season 6 finale “I Keep Thinking About You”, Elena is cursed and falls into a magical sleep for the rest of the series.
This was an unexpected turn of events and unfortunately The Vampire Diaries turned into a fantasy TV show that continued for too many seasons after Dobrev left the series. Prior to this, the series’ quality had declined as the storylines became even more outlandish and slightly repetitive. However, without Elena, the series has lost a central piece of ongoing conflict. and created a vacuum that the show was not prepared to fill. Although Dobrev appeared in the series finale, it was difficult to maintain interest in her. The Vampire Diaries without her.
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The Gift – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Season 2, episode 22
Through Buffy the Vampire Slayer In season five, Buffy ponders what it means when her spirit guide tells her, “Death is your gift.” She initially believes this to mean that physical prowess and demon-slaying is all she has to offer to the world: that she is simply an agent of death. IN Buffy season 5 finale, she understands The sacrifice she makes to save Don and the world is her true gift. cementing her as an example of heroism and selflessness. However, the death of a main character usually marks the end of the series.
Although viewers were somewhat surprised by the serious and gloomy character Buffy In season six, this change was what the show needed to justify two more installments.
Part of the reason Buffy The season five finale was so dramatic because the show was officially canceled on the WB and moved to UPN for seasons six and seven. Although viewers were somewhat surprised by the serious and gloomy character Buffy In season six, this change was what the show needed to justify two more installments. Buffy back from the grave is not the same person who left Earth, but it gave Buffy the Vampire Slayer an opportunity to turn into a show for adults and get rid of its school roots.
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A Curious Thing – Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)
Season 3, Episode 19
Regina and Emma are the two most important characters in Once upon a timeas they work well as foils, being the Evil Queen and the Savior, and have great on-screen chemistry. In Season 1, Regina is undeniably the antagonist as she casts the curse that condemned the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest and will do anything to keep Emma away from Henry. This culminates with Emma breaking the curse by kissing Henry on the head. it is the kiss of true love because of the mother and son bond they have formed.
This point is concluded in the third season episode “A Curious Thing”. The roles were finally reversed and Regina was able to break the new curse with a kiss from her true love. as she became Henry’s selfless mother. Regina can finally fully accept herself as a hero and Savior and stop thinking of herself as the Evil Queen. Her actions also prove this to the people who doubt her and show Henry that she puts him above all else. The show could then focus on developing other villains.
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Through the Looking Glass – Lost (2004–2010)
Season 3, episodes 22 and 23
Every season finale Lost proved even more explosive than the previous one, but the third season finale, “Through the Looking Glass”, set the show on the trajectory of the last three seasons. Lost fully immersed in the supernatural elements of the island and included even more experimental storylines such as time travel, Sideways Flash, and the growing rivalry between Jack and Locke for the rest of the show.
Through the Looking Glass contains two of the biggest reveals of the entire series.
Through the Looking Glass contains two of the biggest reveals of the entire series. Charlie reports that a ship is approaching “This is not Penny’s boat.” and viewers discover that the flashes in season three were not from the past, but from the future, thanks to Jack’s statement: “We must go back.” Viewers could never look at those flashes the same way again, and while it became clear that the survivors had fled the island, the nature of its secrets became even more mysterious.
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There’s no better way to be safe than sorry – Wizards (2015–2020)
Season 4, Episode 13
This is the first time viewers meet Quentin Coldwater, who was played by Jason Ralph in the first four seasons of the series. Wizardsas a lonely and misunderstood young man searching for meaning. He discovers this by discovering his affinity for magic and enrolling at Brakebills University, which sends him on quest after quest. Although Wizards This is a mystical series, it also combines elements of horror and a lot of darkness. into the narrative, and tragedy strikes as often as the triumph of the heroes.
With each season, Quentin becomes more and more confident in himself and his magic, and To Wizards The season four finale left little for Quentin’s character to do other than wrap up his storyline. This leads to Quentin making a huge sacrifice for his friends and leaving the series for good. Although there was only one season without Quentin, Wizards without it it is almost unrecognizable. However, the series did justice to his legacy by building on the stories of the remaining characters.
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4
To Kill a King – Merlin (2008–2012)
Season 1, Episode 12
The dynamic between Merlin and the woman who would become his nemesis, Morgana, is markedly different in the first season than it is by the end of the second season. Merlin. For most of the first episode of the series, Morgana appears to be Merlin’s ally and friend, but in the season one finale “To Kill a King” Morgana begins to show her potential for evil. What begins as her quest to save Gwen’s father from Uther’s execution soon turns into her aligning herself with dark magic and turning away from the side of good.
From this point on, Morgana and Merlin embark on parallel journeys that will inform the rest of the series and see how their destinies become intertwined.
This is a delicate issue, since Uther and his hatred and fear of magic turned him into a tyrant. but he is still Arthur’s father and Merlin knows that using dark magic is wrong. He needs to figure out what he wants to do next, and this is the first time Morgana and Merlin are truly at odds, but it won’t be the last. From this point on, Morgana and Merlin embark on parallel journeys that will inform the rest of the series and see how their destinies become intertwined.
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Swan Song – Supernatural (2005-2020)
Season 5, Episode 22
Initially, supernatural was written to have an intense storyline spanning five seasons, and this is clear from the events of the season 5 finale. “Swan Song” was the culmination of the Winchester brothers’ ongoing battle with the demon Azazel, who killed their mother, and their victory over Lucifer after he took control of Sam’s body. Although they are successful in preventing the apocalypse, it does not come without great cost as Sam is forever changed by the experience.
supernatural a lot changed between seasons 1 and 15, and one of the biggest shifts in storytelling occurred after the conclusion of season 5. Of course, some of the show’s best storylines occurred after Season 5, and the writing became more comedic and action-oriented. after that it worked to the series’ benefit. As the show picks up with the season six premiere, everything changes and the brothers’ dynamic needs to be rebuilt as the show finds its footing again and dives even deeper into world lore.
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The Wedding – Outlander (2014–present)
Season 1, Episode 7
When Claire is first transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland, she is unprepared to embrace her new life, let alone find love and passion. However, it doesn’t take long for Jamie, the kind and empathetic hero she meets shortly after arriving there, to become more than her ally. For various political reasons, the couple is forced to marry and Claire no longer yearns for life in the 1940s. This is the turning point Outlander the first season where Claire decides her fate.
From then on, the entire series revolves around the romance between Claire and Jamie and shows them crossing time and continents to be together.
Additionally, this episode marks the beginning of powerful scenes that Outlander quickly became famous for the chemistry between the actors playing Claire and Jamie, Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan. From then on, the entire series revolves around the romance between Claire and Jamie and shows them crossing time and continents to be together. Although their love story is not always happy, this blissful moment of their wedding became a turning point in the show.
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I Smell a Rat – True Blood (2008–2014)
Season 3, Episode 10
Although the romance between Bill and Sookie is the inciting incident in True Blood, her chemistry with the dark and mysterious vampire Eric is as much the driving force of the series. Their building dynamic finally comes to a head in “I Smell a Rat” where Eric and Sookie kiss for the first time, which is an important moment in the series, especially since Bill and Sookie were trying to build a relationship. However, that’s not the only reason this episode is so important.
It was always clear that there was something special about Sookie, as she could read people’s minds and had an affinity for supernatural beings. In “I Smell a Rat”, she finally discovers the reason for her powers and everything comes together when Bill reveals that she is half faerie. It is for this reason that her blood allows Bill to walk in the sun and changes Sookie’s perception of herself and the supernatural world. After this episode, she will have to reevaluate her feelings towards herself and many of the vampires in her life.