10 Fantasy TV Episodes That Changed Their Shows Forever

fantasy TV shows can change quickly, and when big plot twists and narrative changes are written into the story, they have a major impact. The magic systems and rules of the realities that the fantastic worlds exist in allow the writers and creators to experiment with story and character dynamics, leading to episodes that change everything for the series. These episodes typically incorporate a tone shift and switch the show’s focus to a new set of character dynamics. Changing a series so drastically can save and extend the run or be the beginning of the end for the show.

The fantasy TV shows that deserved more seasons rarely get the chance to reinvent themselves and adapt to significant changes. However, a long-running series must quickly adjust when actors decide to leave the show or a detailed story arc reaches its end. Although it can be daunting to take on the challenge of changing a series drastically, It’s also a chance to start fresh and explore new facets of the story. Depending on when the pivotal episodes occur, or the beginning or end of the show, this will often determine how the audience reacts to the unexpected new direction.

10

The Rains Of Castamere – Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

Season 3, Episode 9

Since the beginning, Game of Thrones Was a TV show where no one is safe, and Audiences have grown used to the main characters being killed off all the time at the end of season 3. However, that doesn’t make it any less shocking or devastating when it happens, especially for the characters who were set to be vital parts of the series. While book readers are aware that the tragedy is coming, “The Rains of Castamere” remains one of the most unexpected twists in the series.

Up until this point, Robb Stark had been one of the biggest threats to the Lannisters’ claim to the Iron Throne, and The Red Wedding was the event that ended the unification of House Stark until the final season. Despite the surprising events of the episode, it is still considered one of the best series and direction Game of Thrones Taking after this is better for the show. After the red wedding, Game of Thrones Narrowed in on the remaining storylines and focused on the mysteries outside the Seven Kingdoms.

9

I Think Of You All The Time – The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)

Season 6, Episode 22

Nina Dobrev’s performance as Elena in The Vampire Diaries Defined the show for the first six seasonsAs she was the center of the love triangle and the character that almost every plot revolved around. However, Dobrev eventually left the show, and the creators of the series had to think of a way for Elena to disappear during the show. in The Vampire Diaries Season 6 finale, “I Think of You All the Time,” Elena is put under a curse and is put into a magical sleep for the rest of the series.

It was a turn of events, and unfortunately, The Vampire Diaries became a fantasy television show that ran for too many seasons after Dobrev left the series. The series was declining in quality before this, as the plot lines became even more outlandish and a bit repetitive. however, Without Elena, the series lost a central part of the enduring conflict And created a vacuum that the show wasn’t ready to fill. Although Dobrev made an appearance in the series finale, it was difficult to sustain interest in The Vampire Diaries Without you.

8

The Venom – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Season 2, Episode 22

throughout Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5 Buffy ponders what it means when the spirit guide tells her, “Death is your gift.” Initially, she believes this means that physical prowess and slaying demons is all she offers to the world: that she is merely an agent of death. in the Buffy Season 5 finale, she understands The sacrifice she makes to save both Dawn and the entire world is her true gift, Capture her as a paragon of bravery and self-sufficiency. However, the death of the protagonist usually heralds the conclusion of a series.

Part of the reason Buffy Season 5 has such a dramatic finale is because The show was officially canceled on the Web and moved to UPN for seasons six and seven. While audience was somewhat surprised at the serious and dark nature of Buffy Season 6, this switch-up was what the series needed to justify two more installments. The Buffy who comes back from the grave is not the same person who left the Earth, but it gave Buffy the Vampire Slayer The opportunity to develop into a mature show and shake off its high school roots.

7

A Curious Thing – Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)

Season 3, Episode 19

Regina and Emma are two of the most important characters in Once upon a timeAs they work well as foils, being the evil queen and the savior, and have great chemistry on screen. In season 1, Regina is inarguably the antagonist, as she casts the curse that condemns the residents of the Enchanted Forest and will do anything to keep Emma away from Henry. This culminates in Emma breaking the curse by kissing Henry on the head, What is the kiss of true love thanks to the mother-son bond they have developed.

That moment comes full circle in the season 3 episode “A Curious Thing,” vi The roles are finally reversed, and Regina is the one to break the new curse with her own true love kiss, How she became an unreliable mother to Henry. Finally, Regina can fully accept herself as a hero and a 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 everyone else. The show could then focus on developing other villains.

6

Through The Looking Glass – Lost (2004–2010)

Season 3, Episodes 22 and 23

Every season finale of Lost Proved to be even more explosive than the last one, but the season 3 finale, “Through the Looking Glass,” set the show on track for the trajectory of ​​the last three seasons. Lost Completely delved into the supernatural elements of the island and incorporated even more experimental storylines like time travel, the Flash sideways, and the growing rivalries between Jack and Locke for the rest of the show.

“Through the Looking Glass” includes two of the biggest reveals of the entire series. Charlie reveals that the incoming ship is “Not Penny’s boat,” And the audience discovers that the flash sequences in season 3 were not from the past but from the future with Jack’s statement, “We have to go back.” The audience could never look at the flash sequences again, and although it became certain that the survivors had left the island, the nature of its secrets grew still more mysterious.

5

Better to be safe than sorry – the magicians (2015–2020)

Season 4, Episode 13

The audience first meets Quentin Coldwater, played by Jason Ralf in the first four seasons of The sorcerersAs a lonely and misunderstood young man, who is looking for meaning. He finds this through his discovery of his propensity for magic and admission to Brakebills University, which sends him on quest after quest. Although The sorcerers Being a mystical series, it also blends elements of horror and plenty of darkness Enter the story, with tragedy, which carries as often as the heroes victory.

With each season, Quentin becomes more confident of himself and his magic, and by The sorcerers Season 4 finale, there was little left to do with Quentin’s character other than complete his story arc. This leads to Quentin making the ultimate sacrifice for his friends and leaving the series for good. Although there was only one season without Quentin, The sorcerers is almost unrecognizable without him. However, the series does justice to its legacy by leaning into the stories of the remaining characters.

4

To Kill the King – Merlin (2008–2012)

Season 1, Episode 12

The dynamic between Merlin and the woman who would come to be his nemesis, Morgana, is markedly different in season 1 than it is at the end of Merlin. For most of the series’ first outing, Morgana appears as an ally and friend to Merlin, but in the season 1 finale, “To Kill the King,” Morgana begins to show her potential for evil. What begins as her quest to save Gwen’s father from being executed by Uther soon turns into her aligning herself with dark magic and turning away from the side of good.

It’s a nuanced matter, how Ather 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 must unpack what he wants to do next, and this is the first time that Morgana and Merlin are right at odds, but not the last. From here on, Morgana and Merlin are on parallel journeys that will inform the rest of the series and see their fates intertwined.

3

Swan Song – Supernatural (2005-2020)

Season 5, Episode 22

initially, Supernatural is written to have a tight five-time-long arc, And that’s clear based on the events of the season 5 finale. “Swan Song” was the culmination of the ongoing battle the Winchester brothers had with the demon Azael, who killed their mother, and their defeat of Lucifer after he took control of Sam’s body. Although they successfully prevent the apocalypse, it is not without great cost, because Sam is changed by this experience forever.

Supernatural changed a lot between seasons 1 and 15, and one of the biggest narrative shifts after the conclusion of season 5. Of course, some of the show’s best storylines took place after season 5, and the more comedic and action-oriented slant that the Writing took after the work in the series “Tova”. When the show picks up with the Season 6 premiere, things are different, and the brothers’ dynamic must be rebuilt as the show finds its footing again and delves even deeper into the world’s lore. .

2

The Wedding – Outlander (2014 – Present)

Season 1, Episode 7

When Claire first is transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland, she is not ready to embrace her new life, let alone look for love and passion. However, it doesn’t take long for Jamie, the kind and sensitive hero she meets not long after arriving there, to become much more than her ally. For a variety of political reasons, The couple is forced to get married, and Claire is no longer paying for her life in the 1940s. This is the turning point of Abroad Season 1 When Claire commits to her fate.

Additionally, this episode marks the beginning of the steamy scenes that Abroad quickly became known for, thanks to the chemistry between the actors who play Claire and Jamie, Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan. From here on out, the entire series revolves around the romance between Claire and Jamie and sees them cross time and continents to be together. While their love story is not always happy, This blissful moment from their wedding day is a seminal moment in the show.

1

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 just like a driving force in the series. Their building dynamic finally comes to a head in “I Smell a Rat,” which sees Eric and Sookie kiss for the first time, which is a huge moment in the show, especially since Bill and Sookie have been trying to build a relationship. However, that’s not the only reason this episode is so important.

It’s always clear that there’s something different about Sookie, as she can read people’s minds and has an affinity for supernatural creatures. In “I Smell a Rat,” she finally discovers the reason for her abilities, and Everything comes together when Bill reveals that she is part fairy. This is why her blood lets Bill walk into the sun and changes Sookie’s perception of herself and the supernatural world. After this episode, she must reevaluate her feelings about herself and the many vampires in her life.