Many controversial twists in TV shows divided their respective fandoms, and while some hated a specific storyline, others were in favor of it. The best TV shows of all time have, at one time or another, introduced a twist that left audiences perplexed, whether in a good way or a bad way. However, there have also been cases where a TV show’s plot twist was so wild that viewers discussed it long after its broadcast.
From deaths to pregnancies, certain shows wrote stories or moments that the fandom interpreted in different ways. This created a huge discussion in the community that had members debating whether it worked, was in character, or made sense. Regardless of whether it was a brief moment or a monumental occasion, these controversial twists divided their audience base.
10
The timeless child
Doctor Who
Doctor WhoThe Timeless Child storyline was one of the most controversial points in the show’s history. The Timeless Child has been suggested for quite a while, but in “The Timeless Children,” the Master revealed to the Thirteenth Doctor that there was more to her past than she remembered.
This was a shocking moment that impacted the entire tradition of Doctor Whoas it established that the Doctor had several other lives before becoming the titular figure.
It turns out that years earlier, the Doctor was found on another planet as a young man and taken to Gallifrey, and through experimentation, the Time Lords adopted the boy’s ability to change his entire appearance after death. This was a shocking moment that impacted the entire tradition of Doctor Who, as it established that the Doctor had several other lives before becoming the titular figure.
Doctor Who (2005)
An alien from the planet Gallifrey travels through time and space to explore, solve problems and fight injustice, all while befriending humans. His ship, called the TARDIS, resembles a police box, but it is much more than it seems.
- Cast
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Jodie Whittaker, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Billie Piper, Karen Gillan, Catherine Tate, Jenna Coleman, Alex Kingston, John Barrowman, Tosin Cole, Arthur Darvill
- Release date
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March 26, 2005
- Seasons
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13
It continued to divide audiences long afterward, and there was still some confusion about which parts of the Doctor WhoThe Timeless Child plot has been retconned, as season 14 made a nod to the Doctor’s adoption. However, some agreed with this idea, as it allowed for much more flexibility around the Doctor’s past and even his future.
9
Daenerys Targaryen breaks
Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen’s deep-rooted need to avoid her fate as the Mad Queen in Game of Thrones it was a logical part of his character development. For years, she had seen how her father’s downfall tarnished her family’s name, so it made sense that she would be desperate not to follow in his footsteps.
However, for Game of Thrones‘penultimate season, all of your hard work was set aside, and she was a victim of her own destiny. Daenerys burning down King’s Landing was a surprising moment during Season 8, and she gave in to madness. Audiences were surprised by her actions, especially when Cersei surrendered.
Many believe this massively ruined Daenerys’ character progression, although others argued it was a fitting climax for her. Daenerys’s succumbing to her fate was not as abrupt as some thought, and even though she didn’t want to be compared to her family, her actions were necessary to end the Lannister tyranny.
8
Tracy’s death
how I Met Your Mother
how I Met Your MotherThe controversial ending of was widely discussed years after the sitcom’s final episodes for several reasons, but the most prominent was easily Tracy’s death. After a 9-season run, Ted Mosby finally met “that one” at Barney and Robin’s wedding. However, the show revealed that Tracy died a few years before Ted’s endless stories to his children even began.
That was an extremely frustrating turn of events because Ted’s journey to find Tracy was the main premise of the show, and many felt that her death was just an excuse for him to end Robin. However, one of the harsh realities how I Met Your MotherThe ending was that Tracy’s death made sense.
How I Met Your Mother is a sitcom initially created for CBS by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. Five friends living in New York City navigate their twenties and thirties as they try to find love, success, and purpose. The show is framed through the eyes of a friend, Ted Mosby, as he tells his children the story of how he met his wife.
- Release date
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September 19, 2005
- Seasons
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9
- Directors
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Carter Bays
Viewers continued to disagree about this, but there were signs that Tracy no longer existed in 2030. Ted and Robin’s relationship was a completely separate complaint in the fandom, but killing Tracy made Ted reminisce about the good times in a much deeper way. Many were furious that Tracy didn’t survive, but the backlash was also the reason why how I Met Your MotherThe alternate ending was later posted online.
7
Brian dies and returns soon after
Family Guy
Family Guy it contained the death of a memorable TV character that left fans reeling, and it was a deeply emotional moment that many didn’t see coming. Brian’s horrifically brutal death was unexpected, but the Griffin family’s heartbreaking goodbye at the vet’s was even more shocking.
The show has never been more serious, and Family Guy Killing Brian massively changed the overall tone of the animated title. Even Seth McFarlane expressed his surprise at the public’s response. However, Brain’s sudden revival just two episodes later divided the fandom. Several people were happy to see Family Guythe iconic talking dog is back, especially since it ran in a classic Stewie time travel episode.
Others, however, were angered that the show made them go through such a turbulent experience, only for Brian to return so quickly. There were complaints that the pacing of Brian’s return was off, and although some were pleased, they were confused as to why Family Guy created so much noise.
6
Angela reveals that Dwight is Phillip’s father
The office
After Angela was adamant that Dwight was not Phillip’s father in The officeshe suddenly announced that she was lying after he proposed. The public was furious at this revelation, as DNA tests concluded that Dwight was not Phillip’s biological father, although The office the creators claimed that the sample he stole was actually from Pam and Jim’s son.
Many were delighted that Dwight got a happy ending with Angela, but others were angered by the sudden change and the fact that Angela lied in the first place. Angela’s pride made a lot of sense for her character, but it was also incredibly cruel that she kept Dwight in the dark.
Dwight lost the opportunity to be a father because Angela was ashamed, but even after divorcing Robert, she continued to lie. However, it was argued that Dwight needed to believe that he was not Phillip’s father to realize that he had always loved Angela. Dwight and Angela’s relationship in The office it was complex, so while half the fandom was happy about it, the other found the ordeal somewhat disrespectful.
5
Skyler’s hypocrisy
Breaking Bad
Breaking BadSkyler White was a perfect example of a TV character who divided audiences, and many disliked Walter’s wife because of her hypocrisy. Before and after discovering the truth about Walt’s secret life in the drug world, Skyler was a bit boring and often presented her husband with unattainable expectations.
She wasn’t the best character, and after learning of Walt’s adventures, she tried to have an affair after kicking him out of the house. However, she quickly gave up and instead helped Walt with the financial part of his operation. The money consumed Skyler, and many viewers were shocked at how easily she gave up on her morals.
But part of the fandom sided with Skyleras they appreciated the difficult situation she found herself in and that her change in attitude was due to the fact that she felt she had no other choice. Skyler got worse over time Breaking Bad in many ways, and she was often hated for the wrong reasons, but the change in her character was constantly debated long after the show ended.
4
Rachel gets off the plane
Friends
One of Ross and Rachel’s most frustrating moments in Friends was at the end of the show. After so much back and forth, thanks to Ross’s interference, Rachel decided to move to Paris for work, but changed her mind at the last moment.. Many were angry that Rachel chose to throw away her future for a man who was undoubtedly the love of her life, but also someone who caused her a lot of pain.
Their relationship was sometimes very complicated, so it made sense that the fandom would react so badly to Rachel breaking up with Ross again.
However, others were relieved that the “lobsters” ended up together too. Ross and Rachel’s relationship in Friends it was full of pettiness and toxicity, but the two were also each other’s best partners. Their relationship was very complicated at timesSo it made sense that the fandom would react so badly to Rachel breaking up with Ross again.
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, launched in 1994 and lasted ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twenty-somethings through their lives in New York City and the time they spend between their two apartments and the local coffee shop. The show finds the group navigating complicated relationships and comedic misadventures.
- Release date
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September 22, 1994
- Seasons
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10
- Directors
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David Crane, Marta Kauffman
But it was also argued that this moment proved that Rachel had grown up and was a completely different character from the pilot, as she knew she wanted Ross, and she was willing to make their relationship work properly this time, without the triviality and ridiculousness of your relationship. past.
3
Rory’s pregnancy
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Rory and Logan’s case was a Gilmore Girls plot that fans hated, but Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life divided the audience in its last moment. Rory’s announcement that she was pregnant in the final episode was shocking, especially since it was so unexpected.
She had been an affair partner before, but it was disappointing that Rory was sleeping with a conquered man again, as she had grown so much since her affair with Dean in Gilmore Girls. Some saw Rory’s pregnancy as a brilliant parallel to Lorelai and thought it was a fitting ending for her.
Others, however, thought it was strange that Rory was preparing to be a single mother. Logan was assumed to be the father, but he left to get married. Rory’s love interests were a big focus in Gilmore Girls that it was great that she wasn’t tied into a relationship to become a mother, but at the same time, it was strange that she also scrapped her career plans.
2
Jackie ends up with Fez
That 70s show
Although That 90s show explained that Jackie and Fez had split, their relationship had been a divisive time since the end of That 70s show. Jackie Burkhart dated every male member of the group except Ericthroughout the show, and each relationship was disastrous in its own way. However, when Jackie discovered her feelings for Fez last season, it created a huge debate among viewers.
Many believed that Jackie was becoming more mature as she realized that Fez was a good match for her and wouldn’t bring any drama. Others were frustrated that Jackie was simply bored or would break Fez’s heart, which is what ended up happening.
This ’70s show was one of Fox’s most popular comedies 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 teenagers’ mishaps as they grow up in Point Place Wisconsin in the 1970s.
- Release date
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August 23, 1998
- Seasons
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8
- Directors
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David Coach, Terry Hughes
- Network
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FOX
She was definitely a very different character in That 70s showJackie’s ending compared to the pilot, and Jackie’s romances with Hyde and Kelso played a role in her development. Being with Fez highlighted Jackie’s growthbut the plot was also poorly paced and seemingly came out of nowhere. While half the fandom was correct about the two, that didn’t stop the other half from trying to justify their relationship.
1
Haley cheats on Arvin with Dylan and then gets back together with him
Modern Family
Haley and Dylan’s relationship in Modern Family it was a key part of the show, and even when they weren’t together, the two always found a way back to each other. Haley’s best character development arguably came when she dated Andy, but after that, she had a relationship with Alex’s teacher, Arvin.
While the pair weren’t always the most compatible, Haley proved that she matured when she was with Arvin. That was until she cheated on him with Dylan. The public was furious that all of Haley’s growth was wasted when she got back together with Dylan, and they believed the show tried to rely on nostalgia to justify it.
Modern Family is a comedy series that follows the unconventional Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they redefine what constitutes a family in the modern era. Divided into subfamilies, the three diverse groups shake up the nuclear formula with empty nests, adopted children, gender neutrality, and more as they try to navigate the various pitfalls and comedic misadventures of their dysfunctional but warm family dynamics.
- Release date
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September 23, 2009
- Seasons
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11
However, it has also been argued that Haley breaking up with Dylan again wasn’t the worst thing. Their relationship was wonderful in later seasons, and this was attributed to Haley getting her life together. Many thought that Haley proved that the problem with their romance wasn’t them, but rather where they were in life and that getting back together showed that they were destined for each other.