The 10 Most Shocking Twists in Sci-Fi TV Shows

Sci Fi TV shows have famously included shocking plot twists that are ridiculously unexpected. The power of science fiction allowed TV writers to switch their storylines with ease, and the genre was so full of possibilities that literally anything could happen. Massive plot twists have ruined TV shows in the past, and so their executions needed to be handled carefully.

The most ambitious sci-fi TV shows ever are often remembered for their Baffling and inventive plot twists. With concepts like time travel, aliens, and immortality, the TV show characters are exposed to all manner of fate or obstacles. While some of the best TV shows of all time provided some great plot twists, sci-fi titles have done it better than any other genre.

10

The Doctor regenerates into a previously seen body

Doctor Who / 2023 Special, “The Power of the Doctor”

David Tennant’s return to Doctor Who The end of “The Power of the Doctor” was a massively unexpected moment in the show for several reasons. First, it is already known that Jodie Whittaker’s thirteenth Doctor has left, and Ncuti Gatwa has been announced as her successor. So, when the first female Doctor’s regeneration process began, Audience expected these Sex education Star to appear in her place once the golden lights faded away. Instead, a familiar face is left on the edge of the cliff, looking as confused as viewers.

This was a groundbreaking moment for Doctor Who. Time Lords has changed genders and races before, and the Tenth Doctor even had his Metacrisis, but This was the first time a Gallifrian regenerated into a body they’d already had before. However, the tenth and fourteenth versions of the character shared only an appearance, and were technically different incarnations of the Doctor. The Doctor’s next death was just as shocking, too, and Doctor WhoS bi-dur was another completely unexpected moment that impacted the overall lore of the show forever.

9

The cigarette smoking man is the father of Scully’s son

The X-Files / Season 11, Episode 1 – “My Struggles III”

12w The introduction of Mulder and Scully’s baby in The X-Files Was a jarring and surprising twist by itself, as in the season 5 episode “A Christmas Carol,” Scully announced that she was infertile. This was a result of her being abducted in season 2, thus young William’s arrival in The X-Files It was an amazing moment. From his birth, it was clear that William was not a normal child.

He developed strange abilities like telekinesis and could even operate extraterrestrial technology. Scully later gave her child away, hoping he would be safe away from her. However, when William’s story was revisited in The X-Files reboot, details of his parentage were devolved that altered both the characters and the audiences’ perceptions of past seasons.

“My struggles where” saw The return of The X-Files villain, the cigarette smoking man, and it was revealed that he is William’s biological father. That was a huge twist, especially as It was implied, as well as accepted by Scully, that either the IVF attempt or suspected sexual encounters she had with Mulder were miraculously successful. It made sense because of William’s strange powers, but it was still unexpected.

8

Bernard was always a host

Westworld / Season 1, Episode 7 – “Trompe L’Oil”

Westworld Season 1 was full of complex reveals, but the episode “Trompe L’Oeil” contained a TV show plot twist that should never be spoiled for new viewers. Over the first six episodes of Westworld, Bernard Lowe was simply the head of the Westworld programming division. Although he was behind the creation of the artificial people, he was always established as just another person who worked in the park. But when Ford ordered Bernard to kill Teresa, and he followed the directive, the illusion was destroyed.

Bernard always served as a moral compass in WestworldWhich made the twist even more unexpected. In some ways, it was a significant betrayal to the audience, which had invested in this man and believed that he was with humanity. What was even more unanticipated, however, is that Bernard was just as unaware that he was a host as the viewers. Bernard was a recreation of Westworld Arnold Weber, one of the host’s original creators, which was a detail that many missed initially and created a bit of a plot hole.

7

Laura Palmer’s Killer

Twin Peaks / Season 2, Episode 7 – “Lonely Souls”

The mystery surrounding who killed Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks was the driving force of the earlier seasons of the show. Although the identity of her killer is not the most satisfying, The truth behind how the ghost Bob came about was a harrowing plot twist. Season 2, episode 7 finally explained to viewers that Bob possessed Laura’s father, Leland.

For years, Leland sexually abused Laura, which sent her down a destructive path. She is later taken by Leland and tortured, and although Mike gives her a ring to protect her from Bob, it is not enough to save her. Bob was furious at Mike’s attempts to help Laura and, through Leland, stabbed the homecoming queen to death.

It was one of the most disturbing moments in television history Because even though Bob was to blame, Laura’s blood is actually on Leland’s hands. It was even more jarring when it became clear that Leland had been possessed at a young age, years earlier. Twin PeaksFirst episode, and so it was really Bob who was interacting with Dale Cooper the whole time.

6

It’s Agatha all along

WandaVision / Season 1, Episode 7 – “Break the Fourth Wall”

While the nosy neighbor Agnes revealing herself as Agatha was a TV plot twist that some viewers predicted, it was also far too obvious to be correct. Agnes signed up WandaVisions sitcom world beautiful, and so it seemed like her main purpose was for comic relief.

She was so grossly exaggerated that it was easy to regard Agnes as an attachment to constructed reality. And nothing more than a caricature or sitcom trope, especially as this was what WandaVisions format relied on. Agnes revealed her true self in the ironically titled episode “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” in a musical sequence in which she spoke directly to the audience in WandaVisionThe musical sequence of “Agata All Together”.

It was a brilliant yet unexpected way to introduce such a fascinating plot twist, especially as it highlighted just how different Agatha and Agnes are. The witch was the main villain, and her various interruptions in Wanda’s life became much more drastic in the last two episodes, in which she went from a troublemaker to a full-blown tyrant.

5

The Alternate Universe

Fringe / Season 1, Episode 20 – “It’s More Than One of Everything”

The introduction of Fringes parallel universe was subtle yet incredibly powerful. The first installment of the show followed Olivia Dunham and her colleagues at the FBI, who investigated all the strange cases, but it was not suggested that the world they inhabited was different from our own.

That was, until One particular shot in the season 1 finale blew viewers’ minds. This unique frame explains everything, although it has a lot of questions. When people noticed that the World Trade Center was not damaged, it was immediately obvious Fringes universe was different.

Although it could be explained that it was simply a fictional change for the sake of the story, it was proved that Olivia’s unusual extended déjà vu was actually her seeing glimpses of the main universe. After a childhood of torture and trials, Olivia discovers that her painful past has left her with an ability to slide between the two worlds, even though she lacks control over it.

4

Elliot is Mr. Robot

Mr. Robot / Season 1, Episode 8 – “eps1.7_wh1ter0se.m4v”

Mr. Robot had multiple major plot twists, but the most significant was that the enigmatic Mr. Robot and Elliot were the same person. Throughout season 1, Elliot seemed to be having conversations with Mr. Robot and Bond about their past trauma. But in the penultimate episode of season 1, it was revealed that the strange figure was actually a manifestation of Elliot’s dissociative identity disorder.

While Using a mental health condition as a plot device wasn’t always a great idea in past TV shows, Mr. RobotHis execution of it was undoubtedly powerful and shocking. Only Elliot could see Mr. Robot, who assumed the form of his deceased father, but he did not understand it at first.

Issues with his memory shrouded Eliot’s truth, especially because the split part of his personality was visible to him. It wasn’t immediately obvious, but when you look back at the scenes in which Christian Slater appeared on screen as Mr. Robot, the fact that Elliott was the only other person there made things much clearer.

3

Jack’s involvement with the 456

Torchwood / Season 3, Episode 4 – “Children of Earth: Day Four”

Doctor Who Established that Captain Jack Harkness’ past was rather murky, but the spin-off Torchwood showed that not all of his worst deeds were wiped from his memory by the time agency. Torchwood Season 3, Children of Earth, introduced a mysterious alien species who are simply referred to as the 456. As the season progressed, details emerged explaining that the 456 had visited and threatened Earth before. The 456 used children as a form of medicine, and their last fix wasn’t enough, so they returned for more.

For several episodes, Jack evaded the government’s assassination, but at first it was not clear why. In the opening scenes of the first episode, 12 children are led away from a school bus and towards a bright light. This scene was revisited in Episode 4, III Jack admitted that he gave up the children in exchange for a cure for a deadly flu strain. Although Jack has never been the most morally strong character, he’s never been known for his ruthlessness, so this was an amazing moment, especially as he was waiting for the Doctor’s return at the time.

2

Nibbler causes early to end in the future

Futurama / Season 4, Episode 10 – “The Why of Free”

The pilot of Futurama See Philip J. Fry fall into a cryogenic chamber on New Year’s Eve 1999 and end up in the year 3000But it is always perceived as an accident. Frey has always been a bumbling character with little skill or talent, so it made sense that his arrival in the future was because of his clumsiness.

however, Season 10 suddenly declared That this is not the case, and Nibbler’s secret mission in Futurama was to blame. Leela’s hilarious little pet was responsible for ensuring early to his time. The Niblan race believed that Frey was the only one who could stop the Mind Spawn, a type of flying brain, from destroying the universe.

It was a brilliantly funny plot twist, but still shocking, especially as it took place Futurama Ten seasons to bring it up. Before this, it was not a particularly discussed theory, because it seemed logical that Frey’s general demeanor and character traits resulted in his accidental freezing. Of course, early fit the stereotype of the unlikely hero perfectly, but it was even better to learn that the tiny yet intelligent alien is behind it all.

1

Jack’s flashbacks are flash forwards

Lost / Season 3, Episode 22 – “Through the Looking Glass”

Lost‘s detailed ending still doesn’t make it clear whether the show is exactly sci-fi, mystery, fantasy or all three. However, there was no argument that an otherworldly force impacted the survivors’ life on the island. The show’s storytelling was exceptionally intelligent and often used flashbacks to show the characters’ backstories. Although this device was overused in the later seasons, it was the reason of one of Losts most shocking plot twists.

The season 3 finale saw Jack arrive at the airport, but when Kate appeared, it was clear that the flashbacks were actually flash-forwards. until now, Viewers thought that the jack they saw on screen was from the days before the plane crash. He was depressed and struggling with life, but as he acknowledged Kate, it was obvious that the couple had already escaped the island.

The plot twist was so simple, but it was inserted so subtly and casually that it made the moment even more impressive. This was especially so because Jack’s sudden exclamation, “We have to go back!“Was so out-of-character compared to who he was on the island, implying there was a lot more history to be revealed.