10 Series Finales That Are Hard To Watch Today

It’s tough saying goodbye to a show you love, and even great finales can be sad because they mark the end of the series. While some shows continue with spinoffs, offering a way to revisit that world, many truly exceptional shows are one-of-a-kind and can’t be revived.

While many TV show finales are memorable, there’s usually at least one that significantly damages the show’s overall legacy. A poor finale is often more disappointing than a bad beginning, as it’s the lasting impression viewers are left with. These finales can be difficult to watch for a variety of reasons.

“Goodbyeee”

Blackadder Goes Forth

It’s unusual to describe a sitcom as “heartbreaking,” but that word perfectly fits the ending of Blackadder. After four seasons of making audiences laugh, we’ve grown to love the characters, which makes the finale so impactful. Blackadder is widely considered one of the greatest British sitcoms ever created, offering a unique blend of dry wit, absurd humor, and performances from talented actors like Hugh Laurie (known for House).

The last season of Blackadder is set during World War One, and follows Blackadder’s desperate attempts to avoid fighting in the trenches – he even pretends to be insane! In the final episode, “Goodbyeee,” his luck runs out, and the series ends with a heartbreaking slow-motion charge to certain death, fading to a scene of poppies. It remains a difficult watch even today, almost 37 years later.

“Objects In Space”

Firefly

Rewatching the final episode of Firefly, “Objects in Space,” is difficult because it highlights just how great the show could have been if it hadn’t been canceled so soon. Firefly is still considered one of the most frustrating sci-fi cancellations, and even the upcoming animated continuation doesn’t make the finale any less heartbreaking.

Each episode of the series improved upon the last, and “Objects in Space” was a real turning point for Firefly. The episode brought River’s story to a head as those hunting her seemed to be closing in, and finally offered a glimpse into her thoughts. It hinted at many exciting possibilities for a second season, which unfortunately never materialized.

“Overview”

The OA

The OA was a remarkably ambitious TV series. It explored complex themes like different dimensions, religion, and the meaning of life, but could be quite confusing at times. While some viewers were captivated by its unfolding mysteries, it wasn’t a show for everyone. Sadly, it was canceled after only two seasons, right after ending on a truly shocking cliffhanger.

Just when you thought The OA couldn’t get any weirder, the show took things to another level by introducing a new dimension where the actors played versions of themselves, using their real names. It’s definitely worth revisiting, but be warned: the final episode is tough to watch because of its unresolved cliffhanger, which may never get a conclusion.

“The Getaway”

Dexter

The show Dexter started strong with a gripping storyline, surprising twists, and a talented cast. Many consider it Michael C. Hall’s best work, as he brilliantly played the complex role of a serial killer who is also the protagonist. However, the show’s quality dipped over its eight seasons. Some fans think it went downhill after the second season, while others point to season four, featuring the Trinity Killer, as the show’s peak.

Despite its initial success, the series finale of Dexter was widely disliked. Viewers found the characters behaving strangely, most notably Debra developing romantic feelings for her stepbrother, Dexter. The ending felt like it erased everything that had made the show unique, leaving Dexter in a quiet and unsatisfying conclusion. Several spin-off shows have since attempted to address the issues with the original finale.

“The Iron Throne”

Game Of Thrones

The ending of Game of Thrones is famously controversial. While the show was a groundbreaking fantasy series for most of its run, many viewers felt the finale didn’t live up to expectations. Although visually impressive, the sudden shift in Daenerys Targaryen’s character – her becoming the ‘Mad Queen’ – felt rushed and didn’t quite fit with her established personality.

Daenerys’ storyline is difficult to watch, but a major flaw in the final season of Game of Thrones was the way Jaime and Cersei Lannister died. While it felt right that they died together, the scene itself didn’t make sense – it looked like they could have easily moved out of the way of the falling rocks. This turned a potentially powerful and memorable moment into something unintentionally silly.

“The Stockholm Syndrome Part 2”

The Big Bang Theory

While many of the jokes in The Big Bang Theory haven’t held up well over time, the characters generally grew and improved, which makes the series finale particularly difficult to watch. Even after Sheldon accomplished his lifelong dream of winning a Nobel Prize, he still came across as self-centered and petty for not making a minor issue involving Howard and Bernadette’s kids a priority.

The biggest problem with the moment everyone was supposed to rally around Sheldon wasn’t even that he was playing the wrong role. It was more frustrating that the show suddenly made Penny pregnant, seemingly out of nowhere. This mirrored Bernadette’s earlier unplanned pregnancy and felt like it disregarded Penny’s established choice to not have children, a decision the show rarely portrayed as something she was happy with.

“Carry On”

Supernatural

After fifteen seasons, ending Supernatural was always going to be difficult, and no conclusion could have satisfied every fan. Whether you loved or disliked the finale, it’s a tough episode to watch. Seeing both Sam and Dean’s stories end is deeply emotional, and realizing the show is truly over makes it even harder.

The series ends with the brothers meeting again on a bridge, in a reimagined Heaven that’s free from the red tape of the old one. Originally, the showrunners had planned for them to reunite with many more familiar faces, but filming during the 2020 pandemic made that impossible. It’s a bittersweet finale, knowing we missed out on one last glimpse of some beloved characters.

“The Last Farewell”

Little House On The Prairie

It’s common for TV shows to leave the door open for a revival, but Little House on the Prairie took a different approach. The series finale, a TV movie called “The Last Farewell,” definitively ended the show with a dramatic event: the destruction of most of the buildings in Walnut Grove.

Despite being known as a heartwarming show, many episodes of Little House on the Prairie were surprisingly sad and moved viewers to tears. The final scene, showing the entire town destroyed except for the church and the Ingalls’ house, powerfully emphasized the show’s tragic ending – a developer had bought the town and its fate was sealed.

“Happy Ending”

Schitt’s Creek

Many people consider Schitt’s Creek to be one of the best sitcoms ever made. Throughout the series, each of the main characters grows and changes, and by the end, they’re all heading in different directions. The final episode shows them saying goodbye, knowing they won’t see each other for a while. Though the show ends happily, it’s also a little sad for viewers.

The last episode of the show is famously emotional because the series was so beloved. Although it could have continued, the show ended at just the right moment, but it’s still hard to say goodbye to the characters. With the recent passing of Catherine O’Hara, who played Moira, the ending of Schitt’s Creek is likely to be even more heartbreaking for viewers.

“Saul Gone”

Better Call Saul

It’s rare for a spinoff to be better than the show it came from, but Better Call Saul proved to be an exception. Some viewers even believe Vince Gilligan’s follow-up to Breaking Bad, centered on the character Jimmy McGill (also known as Saul Goodman), was actually superior. While that’s debatable, it consistently received higher praise from critics – 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Breaking Bad‘s 96%. Though the finale wasn’t as action-packed, many found it more emotionally impactful.

Many viewers wondered if the show’s main character would avoid punishment for his actions, but the ending of Better Call Saul was actually much sadder for both Jimmy and Kim. Although Jimmy will probably adapt to life in prison and make friends, it’s heartbreaking to see Kim Wexler, once a powerful lawyer, now living a quiet suburban life and unable to make even simple choices.

2026-04-13 02:41