Few moments are more exciting in the world of television than the dramatic reveal of a well-executed plot twist. Part of the beauty of incorporating twists into TV shows is that creators can spend entire episodes or even seasons building them up. They produce hours of content designed to make the public believe one thing, only to pull the rug out from under them, revealing something entirely different to be true.
Unfortunately, Not every plot twist that occurs on television has the same impact upon rewatch. Because so much emphasis is placed on its surprising nature, too many twists and turns can make the build-up feel somewhat dull when revisiting the series later. However, some of these massive series-changing events are even better when rewatched. This is often achieved when surprising moments are carefully foreshadowed, as this gives the audience clues to look for when revisiting the shows. These ten TV plot twists are so effective that they become even more fun the second time around.
10
The good place is the bad place
The good place
Eleanor Shellstrop finds in The Good Place both the name of creator Michael Schur’s fantasy comedy series and a fictional paradise where those who have done good in life will end up. However, Eleanor discovers that the life she was believed to have led was a lie, as it appears The Good Place got “Eleanor Shellstrop” wrong. When it is revealed that three others are there under the same false pretenses, they devise a plan to become truly “good” and earn their place there – while hiding the truth.
- Release date
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September 19, 2016
- Seasons
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4
In terms of modern comedy series, there are few as unique as The good placea four-season NBC series from Michael Schur. Fans will no doubt remember the shock they felt upon discovering the plot twist at the end of the first season. Up until that point, the main characters had been led to believe that they were in the Good Place, a Heaven-like realm where their spirits reside after their deaths. In the end, it is shockingly revealed that they have been in the Bad Place the whole time, an experimental kingdom operated by demons designed to psychologically torture them.
It’s highly unlikely that viewers would have even considered the idea that the characters were actually in the Bad Place the whole time, especially considering the show is literally named after The good place. That’s not to say there weren’t hints about this throughout the season. When rewatching the first season, viewers will notice that the characters often get on each other’s nerves and that they rarely get what they really want. So many small interactions take on entirely new meanings when the truth about The good place is revealed.
9
River Song is the daughter of Amy and Rory
Doctor Who
Working in various roles since 1963, It’s safe to say that the popular British sci-fi show, Doctor Who Has had its fair share of twists and turns over the years. Among the most prominent of these shocking moments was the discovery that River Song was actually the son of Rory Williams and Amy Pond (or at least a version of their son), who had been kidnapped when she was very young and used as a tool in an effort to assassinate the Doctor.
For one thing, River’s clear and consistent concern for Amy starts to make a lot more sense upon revisiting the series, as it’s now known that River wouldn’t even exist if Amy had never had the chance to give birth.
Although the reveal came as a big surprise to many, the creators of Doctor Who they clearly knew what they were doing, dropping subtle hints about connection along the way. For one thing, River’s clear and consistent concern for Amy starts to make a lot more sense upon revisiting the series, as it’s now known that River wouldn’t even exist if Amy had never had the chance to give birth. Additionally, Amy and River often demonstrate very similar thought processes and mannerisms. While easy to overlook the first time, these little moments become incredibly meaningful on rewatch.
8
The “Flashbacks” were from the future
Lost
The popular drama series, Lostis far from a typical plane crash survival story. The series is filled with dramatic revelations about the true nature of the island, as well as the often disturbing realities of the people who live on it. One of the most unexpected revelations comes during the third season finale. Throughout the episode, viewers see various scenes from Jack’s life at home. The end of the episode shockingly reveals that these are not flashbacks, but rather visions of the future, meaning that Jack eventually makes it off the island.
Even though this particular twist is largely contained within the singular episode, it still makes the episode exciting to watch a second time. On first viewing, audiences will assume that the off-island scenes with Jack are just flashbacks to his life before the accident, as many of these scenes have been shown with various characters throughout the series. However, Jack’s depression, attending a funeral, and substance abuse problem take on a whole new meaning when you realize it all happened. after he landed on the island.
7
Gemma is alive (maybe)
Termination
For a recent example of a twist that fans have already begun to revisit relentlessly, audiences need look no further Terminationa futuristic sci-fi thriller from Apple TV+. The show follows the lives of a group of employees from a mysterious company that allows its employees to go through a “firing” procedure; a medical operation designed to clearly divide a person’s mind between their professional life and their personal life. The protagonist, Mark (played by Adam Scott), agrees to undergo the procedure after the death of his wife, Gemma – or so he thought.
The end of TerminationThe first season reveals that Gemma may not be dead, with Mark discovering that she appears to be alive and working at the same company. Unfortunately, fans are still waiting for answers as to how this is possible, as the second season won’t be released until January 2025. Of course, the most dedicated viewers went back and scoured the first season for hints that foreshadowed this reveal. The writers certainly left several clues (like the fact that the audience never sees Gemma’s face until the end), making Termination a great show to watch again.
6
Walt poisoned Brock
Breaking Bad
The fourth season of the acclaimed drama series Breaking Badcomes to a very eventful end over the last few episodes. Much of the season’s deadly climax begins when Brock, the son of Jesse’s girlfriend, is nearly fatally poisoned. It appears Gus is to blame, which leads Jesse to help Walt finally kill Gus.
This unexpected twist was made much better by the fact that it was revealed just seconds before Breaking Bad had a months-long gap between seasons, forcing fans to wait nearly a year before seeing how the shocking twist would be resolved. The twist not only makes logical (albeit evil) sense, since Walt knew that poisoning Brock would lead Jesse to want to kill Gus, but it forces the audience to completely reevaluate the true nature of the series’ main character. The last two episodes of the season become much more complex, knowing that Walt orchestrated everything.
5
Oh Il-nam created the squid game
squid game
In squid gameIt’s never easy to tell who can really be trusted and who will do what is necessary to survive. IIf first-time viewers were asked which characters they found most trustworthy, many would likely have mentioned Player 001, aka Oh Il-nam, the seemingly good-natured old man who claims to have a brain tumor. This makes it all the more surprising when it’s finally revealed that Il-nam was actually the mastermind behind the games all along, devising them as a form of sadistic entertainment for the extremely wealthy.
Discovering the truth behind Il-nam’s character forces viewers to reevaluate everything he has done so far. In fact, many of his actions make a lot more sense knowing that he planned the entire event. He clearly has a deep knowledge and love for all the games the contestants must participate in, which adds up considering he chose them himself. There are also several blink-and-you’ll-miss-it clues, like the Red Light Green Light doll not scanning him and his handcuffs being unlocked during Tug of War.
4
Maggie shot Mr.
The Simpsons
Sometimes even comedy series can contain plot twists that catch everyone off guard. In a rare move for the beloved sitcom, The Simpsons decided to end its sixth season on a cliffhanger that would take months to resolve. At the end of the episode, wealthy mill owner Mr. Burns is shot in the chest. With each member of the town having a motive, viewers were puzzled for months as to who could have carried out the grim deed. Near the end of the seventh season opener, it is finally revealed that Maggie Simpson (Homer and Marge’s daughter) was responsible.
Although the culprit reveal was quite silly, the writers of The Simpsons went to great lengths to find many clues that went over viewers’ heads the first time around. In the first part of the two-part episode, Mr. Burns openly asks the entire town who has the courage to stop what they are doing. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice that the only Springfield resident who doesn’t look away is little Maggie. This is just one of the crumbs the writers left for the most determined fans of The Simpsons to sniff.
3
Nell is the lady with the crooked neck
The Haunting of Hill House
Nothing contributes to the lasting impact of a horror TV show like a scary plot twist. In the Netflix miniseries, The Haunting of Hill HouseOne of the characters, Nell, spends much of her life being tormented by a spirit known as the “Lady with the Crooked Neck”. As Nell’s mental state begins to worsen, she finds herself drawn back to Hill House, her mysterious former residence. Once there, she is finally killed, and the audience discovers that the Crooked Neck Lady is the ghost of Nell herself and that her death in the house was inevitable.
This twist in the fifth episode of The Haunting of Hill House is so disturbing to the audience because of the way it manages to make perfect sense and at the same time be completely unexpected. It also makes Nell’s story even scarier upon watching it a second time, as it becomes increasingly clear how doomed she was from the beginning. Like any great work of horror, this twist will linger in viewers’ memories long after the series ends.
2
Amma is the real killer
Sharp objects
Sharp Objects is an HBO thriller miniseries centered on reporter Camille Preaker, a woman with a dark past returning to her hometown. Returning to Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate two murders, she returns to her childhood home, where she must now face her mother, who will force her to deal with her past.
- Cast
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Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina, Eliza Scanlen, Matt Craven, Henry Czerny, Taylor John Smith, Madison Davenport, Miguel Sandoval, Will Chase
- Seasons
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1
- Creator(s)
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Martin Noxon
A good plot twist can make or break any mystery-based movie or TV show. Happily, Sharp object is significantly boosted by its final clever twist. Throughout the emotional miniseries, viewers follow Camille (played by Amy Adams), a reporter covering the story of two girls who were murdered in their hometown. Although the series seems to consistently point to Camille’s overbearing mother Adora as the killer, it is ultimately revealed (after Adora is arrested) that Camille’s half-sister Amma was the culprit all along.
Camille’s discovery that Amma has been using her victims’ teeth to pad the floor of her dollhouse is permanently chilling, as is the way Amma tells her half-sister not to tell their mother when she realizes Camille has found out. the truth.
Regardless of how many times viewers watch the end of Sharp objectsthe final scenes never seem to lose their dramatic impact. Camille’s discovery that Amma has been using her victims’ teeth to pad the floor of her dollhouse is permanently chilling, as is the way Amma tells her half-sister not to tell their mother when she realizes Camille has found out. the truth. The series further capitalizes on the chilling twist by including a mid-credits sequence that forces the audience to reevaluate many seemingly minor details of what they are watching.
1
Ellie must be killed to find a cure
The last of us
The last of us, The HBO drama series based on the video game of the same name captivated viewers from start to finish with its powerful story of survival and human connection. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world and follows a man named Joel (played by Pedro Pascal) who must escort a girl named Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey) across the destroyed country in an effort to find a cure for the infection. . that destroyed the world. Only when they finally complete their journey does Joel realize that the scientists had been planning to kill Ellie all along.
Even though some viewers anticipated this ending, it’s totally moving to see how Joel reacts when he realizes what’s about to happen. His sadness quickly turns to violence as he goes on a brutal murder spree, exterminating anyone who could pose a threat to Ellie’s life. The sudden change forces the audience to not only reevaluate Joel’s character, but to reconsider the entire journey that led them to this point.