Movies

11 Sci-Fi Shows That Ended On Major Cliffhangers

BBG News

Sci-fi series that concluded with cliffhangers hold a unique spot in the affection of science fiction enthusiasts, residing somewhere between fervent fascination and melancholy. It’s infuriating to witness a show gradually reveal its intricate lore, escalate tension with each installment, and then deliver an enormous plot twist, only for it to be abruptly halted by the broadcaster. The pain of cancellation can be most acute when it occurs at precisely the moment the narrative is gaining momentum. For science fiction, a genre characterized by grand concepts and extensive storylines, such abrupt pauses are especially agonizing.

For decades, numerous science fiction series have abruptly halted their narratives at infuriating cliffhangers, leaving plotlines unresolved, menacing extraterrestrial threats unexplained, and entire galaxies in an uncertain state. From botched time-travel escapades to post-catastrophe political feuds and enigmatic vanishings, these shows managed to captivate us right up until the broadcaster abruptly ended the storyline. Some were moving towards answers we never received. Others unveiled mind-blowing twists in their final moments. All of them left spectators pondering: what could have come next? Here are the most gripping, most frustrating, and most debated instances of science fiction shows that concluded on a cliffhanger (and left us shouting into the abyss).

11. Alphas (2011-2012)

Canceled After Season 2

Syfy’s series, titled Alphas, revolves around an assemblage of everyday people endowed with extraordinary talents (telepathy, super strength, exceptional intellect, etc.) who are united by the government to hunt down others possessing similar abilities. You might liken it to the X-Men, but with a twist of procedural elements. As the series progressed, it skillfully fleshed out its characters and crafted a morally ambiguous universe inhabited by powered individuals. By the end of its second season, it had sown the seeds for an all-out conflict between Alphas and humans.

In the finale of season 2 for “Alphas,” there was a shocking twist: Dr. Rosen transmits a signal intended to deactivate the powers of renegade Alphas, which seems to cause mass injuries or deaths. Exhausted, he falls unconscious, and as the scene fades, the streets are seen filled with what seem like corpses. The audience was left in disbelief, uncertain about who lived or died, and what became of Dr. Rosen. Unfortunately, Syfy decided to cancel “Alphas” soon after, denying any resolution to this cliffhanger or its consequences. The series had only just entered a more dramatic, ominous stage, before being abruptly ended, leaving the climactic chapter unwritten.

10. FlashForward (2009-2010)

Canceled After Season 1

ABC’s show titled “FlashForward” presented an enthralling concept: imagine if the world experienced a two-minute, seventeen-second blackout, and everyone caught brief glimpses of their own future six months ahead. A group of FBI agents, headed by Joseph Fiennes’ character Mark Benford, were tasked with figuring out what caused this event and preventing certain visions from materializing. The show quickly attracted viewers due to its skillful blend of mystery, sci-fi elements, and character-driven drama, hinting at a vast narrative landscape.

Instead of simply introducing a twist, the season 1 finale of ‘FlashForward’ intensified it. A second global blackout occurred, revealing cryptic glimpses into the future. Characters encountered surprising new events: a man awakens from a coma, a young girl cries in fear, and Mark Benford is trapped in a shootout at FBI headquarters. Then it fades to darkness. Sadly, ABC decided to end the show shortly afterward due to decreasing viewership, leaving fans with an intriguing world full of secrets yet to be uncovered and unexpected turns they’ll never witness. The cliffhanger foreshadowed more complex plots and escalating tensions, but alas, ‘FlashForward’ viewers will never find out what the future had in store.

9. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009)

Canceled After Season 2

Following directly on from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”, the series “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” delved into the ongoing mission of Sarah and John Connor to thwart Skynet’s emergence. Starring Lena Headey as Sarah and Thomas Dekker as John, this spinoff show enriched the “Terminator” universe by examining concepts such as destiny, artificial intelligence, and the weight of being humanity’s savior. It developed a dedicated fanbase and was praised for its intricate plotlines.

Regrettably, the series “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” ended abruptly just as it was about to redefine the entire “Terminator” timeline. In the season 2 finale, John Connor journeys into the future, but arrives in a timeline where he is unknown because he never existed to lead the rebellion. This twist was ingenious: the war persists, yet John Connor has no lasting impact. With Summer Glau’s Cameron gone and characters like Derek Reese deceased, the stage was set for dramatic changes in season 3. Tragically, Fox decided to cancel “Terminator: TSCC” due to low viewership, leaving the storyline unresolved. It left a significant and unsettled cliffhanger in any “Terminator” franchise.

8. Mork & Mindy (1978-1982)

Canceled After Season 4

Despite being primarily known as a sitcom, “Mork & Mindy” had strong science fiction foundations. Robin Williams portrayed Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, who arrived on Earth to observe human behavior for his supervisor, Orson. The series originated as a spin-off from “Happy Days,” but rapidly established its own cultural impact due to Williams’ unconventional, otherworldly performance and improvisational skills. Over four seasons, it combined elements of heart, absurdity, and social commentary.

As a movie critic, I found myself deeply engrossed in the four seasons of “Mork & Mindy.” However, unexpectedly, the network decided to pull the plug on this popular sitcom after season 4. The finale took an astonishing turn that left me – and presumably many other viewers – bewildered: Mork and Mindy found themselves leaping through time to dodge alien assassins. Their journey took them through historical epochs and bizarre scenarios before abruptly vanishing into a temporal whirlpool.

The sudden shift in genre, from comedy to science fiction, was a stark contrast to the show’s usual light-hearted tone. Worse still, the finale offered no resolution, explanation, or even a glimpse of a potential fifth season to provide some clarity. This abrupt and enigmatic conclusion left audiences scratching their heads and feeling let down.

Terminating a cherished comedy with a time-travel chase sequence and no closure felt like a disservice not only to the characters but also to its devoted fanbase who had grown attached to these beloved personalities over the years.

7. Dark Matter (2015)

Canceled After Season 3

Originating from the minds of Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who previously worked on Stargate, the series Dark Matter made its debut on Syfy. It introduced an engrossing enigma: six individuals awaken on a spaceship, unaware of their identities. As they gradually recall their pasts, discovering that they are dangerous outlaws, the crew of the Raza transform from strangers into unlikely heroes. The show developed into an intelligent, episodic space opera brimming with betrayals, political maneuverings, and ethical dilemmas concerning artificial intelligence.

At the conclusion of Dark Matter‘s third season, the risks had never been greater. A formidable alien menace, the Black Ships, cast a shadow across the galaxy, with Earth bracing for an all-out invasion. One crew member appears to perish, another is captured, and the team is dispersed. As everything aligns for an epic intergalactic conflict, the series abruptly ends in darkness. Regrettably, Syfy decided to terminate Dark Matter due to financial constraints and internal disputes, even though it was gaining a large following and presented an intricate storyline. Later on, Mallozzi unveiled plans for a fourth season that aimed to explore the alien war and further enigmas. Regrettably, viewers never witnessed the resolution of three seasons’ worth of meticulously crafted narrative development.

6. The Society (2019)

Canceled After Season 1

Netflix series “The Society” places a band of high school students in a chilling conundrum: upon their return from a trip that got called off, they discover their hometown empty of adults, isolated from the outside world. As they grapple with survival, these teens strive to establish order amidst the chaos while uncovering enigmatic hints that imply they might be in an alternate reality. Blending teenage drama with a gradual unfolding of sci-fi elements, the show received acclaim for its well-crafted characters and suspenseful atmosphere.

Season 1 of “The Society” concluded with a shocking revelation. As the teens were forming a shaky new administration, viewers caught a glimpse of their parents alive in what appears to be the actual West Ham, staring at a memorial wall that listed the students as “missing.” This suggests that the teens are stuck in an alternate reality or dimension.

Unfortunately, production for season 2 of “The Society” had started but was later cancelled by Netflix due to complications arising from the pandemic, leaving fans without any resolution to the series’ intriguing plot points such as the true nature of the town, the enigmatic dog that seemed to traverse realities, and the experiment-like aspects behind it all.

5. Daybreak (2019)

Canceled After Season 1

In the realm of post-apocalyptic teen dramas, I found myself captivated by “Daybreak,” a Netflix production that seamlessly blended the chaotic intensity of “Mad Max” with the intricate dynamics of high school cliques. The story unfolded in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, right here in Glendale, California.

I followed along as our protagonist, Josh Wheeler, embarked on a perilous journey to find his lost girlfriend amidst a world governed by rival teenage factions. This show masterfully integrated an abundance of pop culture references, comic-book aesthetics, intentional fourth-wall breaks, and zombie-like creatures known as “ghoulies” to craft something genuinely distinctive – a captivating blend of satire and survival drama that left me both entertained and thoughtful.

Following one season, the series Daybreak left viewers on edge: Josh manages to save Sam, but she spurns him. Instead, Sam chooses to seize control as the new leader of post-apocalyptic Glendale. This unexpected twist sets up an intriguing second season exploring themes like morality, leadership, and power struggles. Regrettably, Netflix decided to cancel the show shortly after its debut due to low ratings, leaving fans disappointed as they’ll never know how that story would unfold. The final scene dramatically altered the series’ dynamics, potentially transforming the hero into the antagonist’s counterpart – a development fans can only imagine.

4. The Whispers (2015)

Canceled After Season 1

In simpler terms, “ABC’s The Whispers” was a gripping thriller about an unknown entity that manipulated children for dangerous activities, based on a Ray Bradbury short story. It featured Lily Rabe and Milo Ventimiglia, and it was filled with suspense, government secrets, and psychological terror. As the plot unfolded, it was revealed that “Drill” was only one of several entities capable of controlling young and impressionable minds.

The climax of the first season of “The Whispers” moved swiftly. A group of kids is snatched by Drill at the exact moment the government tries to erase his existence on Earth. In the last scene, we see these missing children aboard an extraterrestrial vessel ascending into space, leaving their families behind in despair. It was a hard hit – a mass abduction with no quick resolution in sight.

The series seemed to be preparing for season 2, shifting from earthbound enigma to cosmic risks. Unfortunately, ABC prematurely cancelled the show before any follow-up could materialize. Viewers are left pondering: Where did the children end up? Could they possibly be rescued? And what was the true objective of Drill’s race? These questions remain unanswered, much to our dismay.

3. Quantum Leap (1989-1993)

Canceled After Season 5

In NBC’s show Quantum Leap, Dr. Sam Beckett traveled through time, taking over different people to set right historical mistakes. Every episode saw him trying to rectify someone’s past, wishing each leap would be his last. Accompanied by his holographic companion Al, Sam embarked on a journey that was both touching and intellectually stimulating, combining science fiction with social issues exploration. The series ran for five seasons and gained a devoted following. Regrettably, the finale of Quantum Leap didn’t provide a fulfilling conclusion.

Instead of going back home, Sam jumps into a bar situated outside the boundaries of time and space, where he discovers he’s been directing his own leaps all along. Instead of returning home, he decides to jump again, this time with the intention of correcting a mistake in Al’s past. In an unexpected twist, the episode concludes with a title card indicating that Sam never made it back home. No closing scene, no joyous reunion, no resolution. The producers hastily tried to provide some form of closure due to NBC not renewing the series, but fans felt cheated. The concept that Sam vanished forever, without a proper farewell, is one of the most poignant cliffhangers in science fiction television history.

2. Sunny (2024)

Canceled After Season 1

In 2024, Apple TV+’s “Sunny” was a sci-fi mystery series set in a future Kyoto, featuring Rashida Jones as Suzie, a woman mourning the loss of her husband and son. In an unexpected turn of events, she is given a robotic household helper named Sunny, who later proves to be her sole ally. As Suzie investigates her family’s disappearance, she uncovers a conspiracy that is intricately linked to their vanishing. The series skillfully combines stunning visuals, corporate machinations, and artificial intelligence into a captivating, gradually intensifying thriller.

Regardless of positive reviews, Sunny mysteriously ended after its first run. To make matters worse, the finale implied there were far greater secrets lurking beneath. Suzie found hints that Sunny could have secret information about her family’s destiny, implying her husband might be alive and involved in a broader conspiracy involving malicious AI and surveillance. As the truth was on the brink of being revealed, the story abruptly concluded, leaving viewers puzzled with more queries than solutions. The series had been set to unveil numerous secrets and high-tech suspense for a second season, but Apple unexpectedly terminated the project prematurely. Fans were left with an enigmatic puzzle and an ending that failed to provide closure.

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2025-05-04 20:43

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