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TV plot twists are some of the most interesting ways in which the makers of a show can retain the interest of a viewer. While some TV plot twists are jarring and can also set off a negative reaction, there are some iconic TV plot twists that have become a defining feature of the show and are still remembered. The 1990s were a time of great shows and experimentation. Therefore, here are 10 big TV plot twists from the shows of the 90s that shocked viewers.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
Laura Palmer's killer, Dino's murder, and other TV plot twists from the '90s that are still shocking
1. Ross says Rachel’s name - Friends
Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, Friends is one of the most loved shows from the 90s, and even though the show is a sitcom, there are some insane TV plot twists in the series as well. The show focuses on the lives of six friends in Manhattan, New York City, and out of the six, the will-they-won’t-they relationship of Ross and Rachel (played by David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston) has kept the fans invested for almost a decade. The show’s fourth season had its finale and focused on the wedding between Ross and Emily. While everything was going smoothly, Ross made the awkward and glaring mistake of saying Rachel instead of Emily during the vows. The moment is still considered an iconic part of pop culture and is one of the biggest TV plot twists, as fans did not expect such a big blunder to happen. The moment brought back hope for fans of Ross and Rachel and hinted at the duo getting back together, as clearly, Ross and Rachel were not over each other.
2. Laura Palmer’s killer is revealed – Twin Peaks
One of the defining shows of the 90s that created a revolution for the TV industry, Twin Peaks was the brainchild of David Lynch and incorporated the surreal and the mysterious brilliantly into the show. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, the show focuses on an FBI special agent, Dale Cooper, who is drawn into the mysterious world of the fictional town of Twin Peaks after he goes there to investigate the murder of a teenage girl called Laura Palmer. Lynch is known for his mind-bending works, and as such, the series had lots of TV plot twists. However, the central mystery of the show remained about who killed Laura Palmer. While agent Dale began to realize that no one was who they portrayed in the town, it was a shocking moment when it was finally revealed that it was Laura’s distraught father himself who killed his daughter. However, there was a further twist as Leland Palmer, the father, was under the influence of the evil spirit of Bob, who compelled him to commit the crime. Therefore, it was one of the big TV plot twists of the time.
3. Tony’s mom wants him dead – The Sopranos
The show that brought back quality gangster shows to television, The Sopranos, was one of the iconic late 90s series. Created by David Chase and starring James Gandolfini, the series was about a New Jersey mafia boss, Tony, who struggles to balance his personal and criminal life. Tense and action-packed, the series highlighted how many enemies Tony had in his life. However, he didn’t expect that his own mother harbored hatred towards him. Livia begins to resent her son Tony, after he places her in a retirement home. In one of the episodes, one of the major TV plot twists happens when Livia indirectly suggests to her brother-in-law Junor that Tony is having meetings behind his back, and now that he has begun seeing a therapist, Tony could leak the family’s criminal activities. Therefore, Livia hints to Junor that Tony is a liability. While Livia does not say directly but her conversation is ample evidence, and it is one of the shocking TV plot twists as no one saw it coming.
4. Everyone goes to jail – Seinfeld
Another sitcom that ruled the 90s was Seinfeld, and it was the brainchild of Jerry Seinfeld, who also starred in it. While the show did not have a fixed theme and had many episodes that ranged on a variety of topics, fans did not expect its surprising finale. The show focuses on the four friends who make a stop in Massachusetts on the way to Paris. When Jerry and his friends see a carjacking, the four mock the person being assaulted, and all of them end up on trial for breaking the Good Samaritan law. In one of the most surprising TV plot twists, the four of them end up in jail because they are found guilty. The finale was divisive, and fans expected a hearty goodbye instead of seeing their favorite characters in jail and having an unknown future. While the show made such a finale to poke fun at the inappropriate behavior of its characters, it was still one of the more shocking TV plot twists.
5. The X-Files are shut down – The X-Files
The 90s truly had some of the best shows on television, and The X-Files was one of them. A hugely popular show, it was created by Chris Carter and focused on two FBI special agents, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, played by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, who must solve fringe cases that focused on the paranormal and the supernatural. From aliens to cult societies, the show covered everything bizarre and was much-loved by critics and fans alike. As the show’s premise rested on Dana and Fox being assigned to the X-Files department, the show bombarded the fans with some major TV plot twists when, during the show’s season one finale, Fox’s source “Deep Throat” is killed, and Fox and Dana are removed from the department. The cliffhanger end of the first season was one of the major TV plot twists and left viewers on the edge of their seats, craving for more.
6. Dino is murdered – Oz
Created by Tom Fontana and one of the major TV shows for HBO, Oz was a prison drama from the 90s that highlighted the often-ignored lives of the prison inmates and the prison staff. The show’s name is a nickname for the Oswald State Correctional Facility and focuses on the inmates and the correctional staff over there during the opening of an experimental cellblock called the “Emerald City”. During its entire run, the series had a lot of twists and turns and delivered some major TV plot twists. However, one of the biggest TV plot twists occurs in the show’s first episode itself. In the episode, the viewers are introduced to a lot of characters, but the focus always returns to the perceived main character, Dino (Jon Seda), who is aggressive. As viewers begin to think that the show will revolve around Dino, it comes as a shock when he is tied to the bed and set on fire. The show therefore, makes it clear from such TV plot twists that anything can happen from the beginning of the series itself.
7. Everything was a dream – Newhart
While Newhart had the majority of its run in the 80s, the show delivered one of the biggest TV plot twists during its final episode in the 1990s. The sitcom was created by Barry Kemp and featured Bob Newhart and Mary Frann. The show was about Dick, an author, who along with his wife Joanna, move from New York City to a small town in Vermont and operate an old inn called the Stratford Inn. During the show’s entire run, Dick and Joanna meet many quirky guests and try to make their inn a success. However, the final episode threw a curveball at the viewers when it was revealed that the entire show was a dream of Bob Hartley, who was a character from Newhart’s previous sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show. Further, even Newhart’s wife from the sitcom makes an appearance and tells Bob to go back to bed. The light-hearted and simple show was never known for TV plot twists, and therefore, the wild ending was a major surprise for the viewers.
8. Maggie shot Mr. Burns – The Simpsons
One of the most culturally significant animated shows, The Simpsons, was created by Matt Groening. The series satirizes American life and focuses on the iconic characters of Homer Simpson and his family members who live in the fictional town of Springfield. The long-running show has offered plenty of surprises, but one of the major TV plot twists occurred during the season six finale and the season seven premiere. During the season six finale, Mr. Burns goes mad with power and eclipses the sun from Springfield so that all the residents are dependent on him for power. However, he has a fight with an unseen assailant and is shot. The show ended on a cliffhanger, and it was a great marketing move as lots of viewers tuned in to watch the next season’s premiere. The episode’s reveal was one of the major TV plot twists as it was Maggie who had shot him because her was trying to steal candy from her.
9. Diane leaves Sam – Cheers
Cheers is a classic sitcom created by Glen and Les Charles and James Burrows. The show aired during the 80s and 90s and starred Ted Danson and others. The series focused on a group of characters who meet at the titular bar in Boston and socialize, drink, and escape from the drudgery of day-to-day life. The main character of the show is Sam Malone, who is the bar’s owner and a womanizer and a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. The show had a famous storyline of the romantic relationship between Diane and Sam, and even though many fans know that Diane is leaving the show, the manner in which she left was one of the major TV plot twists at the time. Diane and Sam were about to get married, but she was dissuaded by the arrival of her ex-fiancé, who offered her a chance to write a novel. This plot came out of nowhere, and Sam is left to wallow in pity and encourage Diane to follow her dreams. While Diane promised that she would be back, it was all a lie. Therefore, it was one of the major TV plot twists.
10. An elevator shaft exit – LA Law
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LA Law was one of the most popular legal dramas from the mid-80s to the mid-90s that captured the cut-throat world of lawyers. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, the show focused on the partners, associates, and the staff of a Los Angeles law firm and featured an ensemble cast of Michael Kuzak, Arnie Becker, and others. While the staff at the firm handled a lot of challenging cases and eccentric characters, the biggest threat to the staff was the recurring character of Rosalind Shays. Therefore, one of the biggest TV plot twists also came due to this character. Rosalind was an antagonist on the show who sued the firm for sexual discrimination in a case. Her character made viewers hate her, and therefore her sudden death and the manner in which it happened were one of the big TV plot twists. After a talk with Leland, Rosalind turns to enter an elevator, but it is empty, and she therefore plummets to her death. The exit was shocking and has been referenced in pop culture repeatedly, and is one of the major TV plot twists.
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