10 TV show endings that left nothing but heartache behind

It is very common for TV shows to be a part of our lives, and their characters become dear to us even after the entire episodes are over. However, not all conclusions are joyful or satisfying. Certain shows end with audience disappointment, while others leave viewers heartbroken and feeling lost.

These 10 TV show endings elicited outrage from viewers or had finales that disappointed fans somehow. Some were appreciated, but were too sorrowful and left viewers devastated.

Please note: This article is based on the writer's opinion; readers' discretion is advised.

---

The list of 10 TV show endings that left nothing but heartache

10. Six Feet Under (Season 5, Episode 12)

In the Six Feet Under episode “Everyone’s Waiting”, Claire is prepared to start a new life in New York by moving to a new city and getting a new job. Naturally, though, she gets into the car and leaves, and in many fast-forward scenes, the audience witnesses the deaths of all the important characters, including Claire, who passes away quietly at the age of 102. The song, featuring Sia's Breathe Me is a lovely parody of the transient nature of time and mortality.

Examples include Ned's death at the end of the show and Abs's reminder to the characters of their mortality and the essence of life in the finale. Such richness and honesty could not leave the audience indifferent, and left many eyes moist.

---

9. BoJack Horseman (Season 6, Episode 16)

In the "Nice While It Lasted" episode of BoJack Horseman, BoJack goes to Princess Carolyn’s wedding to see people connected to his past. One of the memorable scenes is when Martin is on the roof of the building, talking to Diane about their marital relationship. Diane says she is happily married now, meaning they might say their last goodbyes. BoJack eventually realizes that, although everyone else in his life has gone on, he is left empty and in the middle of self-examination.

Apart from the episode not portraying a happy ending for the main characters, the overall mood is relatively low. It focuses on the problems of the characters’ self-actualization and interpersonal relationships. This representation of life from the ordinary and unglamorous gave the impression of a show lacking closure. As a result, it left many audiences feeling depressed.

---

8. The Leftovers (Season 3, Episode 8)

In the "The Book of Nora" episode of The Leftovers, Nora Durst states that she found another world that became the new home to the 2% who were taken during the sudden departure. There, she discovers that her family has forgotten about her, and her adoptive father is about to get married. She returns to her reality, confused and disoriented, and finds herself with Kevin. The last scene reveals Nora telling her story, with Kevin just materializing and saying:

"I believe you."

However, this unresolved conclusion leaves the audience questioning whether Nora had an experience. The show aims to appeal to the audience's emotions, such as acceptance, love, and loss, when characters lack definitive explanations for phenomena and events, with central questions framed as matters of belief or faith.

---

7. Fleabag (Season 2 Finale)

In the season 2 finale of Fleabag, the primary female character and the priest (Andrew Scott) profess their love for each other. However, the priest turns down the sinner’s demands and remains faithful to God. They share a kiss at the bus stop, and then Fleabag turns away and leaves alone, in what appears to be the series' final scene.

This conclusion is quite delicate as it conveys passion that cannot be reciprocated due to certain values. The show also manages to shock the audience and immerse them emotionally in the depth and realistic portrayal of the characters.

---

6. Killing Eve (Series Finale)

The final episode of the Killing Eve series centers on the climactic battle between the two protagonists and the Twelve, who have significantly influenced their lives. Together, they successfully disband the group and embrace each other as a sign of triumph. However, this happiness is short-lived. Villanelle is shot dead by a sniper, leaving Eve in tears and agony. The screen fades to black without providing any ending credits.

Many viewers felt let down by this discordant scene. This show and plot triggered many viewers and fans to believe it was an example of the ‘Bury Your Gay' narrative. Most were disappointed, let down, or even offended. Audiences were devastated and unsatisfied by the abrupt death of a cherished character and the absence of resolution.

---

5. Dexter (Season 8, Episode 12)

In the "Remember the Monsters?" episode of Dexter, the main character, Dexter Morgan, faces the consequences of his actions. After being indirectly responsible for Debora’s shooting and seeing her in a state of imbecility for some time, Dexter decides to turn off her life support system and then dispose of her at sea. Dexter, who calls himself a monster and endangers others, chooses to live as a solitary lumberjack and die as a fictitious hurricane victim.

This ending was somehow unsatisfactory and left the fans feeling unsatisfied. Still, Dexter's version of justice and his lack of empathy were unappealing to many viewers of this series. Everyone felt disappointed at the end of the series since the final episode was perceived as unclear and a betrayal of all the concepts meticulously cultivated throughout.

---

4. The Sopranos (Season 6, Episode 21)

In the “Made in America” episode of The Sopranos series, viewers saw the cut mainstream America vision of Tony Soprano at a restaurant with his family, waiting for his daughter, Meadow. One can feel tension when a man wearing a Members Only jacket looks at Tony and then leaves the diner to wash his hands. At last, the music stops, the screen switches off just as Meadow appears, and Tony looks at the camera.

The crowd was taken aback by this choice, which sparked intense debate over Tony's future. In one of the dialogues, he is believed to have been killed by a colleague in cold blood, coupled with the realization that death can be abrupt.

Some people view the blackout as an image of Tony’s state of permanent stress and the themes of violence looming around him. People had something to discuss for years after watching this because of the open conclusion, which was criticized for being unclear.

---

3. How I Met Your Mother (Season 9, Episode 23)

The episode “Last Forever” in How I Met Your Mother is the one where Ted finally meets Tracy, the mother of his children, and they share a romantic ending. Ted has been narrating the story to his children, but it turns out that Tracy has been deceased for the past six years. The children conclude that the story is more about him still harboring feelings for Robin, and that it motivates him to go after her.

Viewers have seen Ted standing before Robin's building with a blue French horn. This ending was not well received by most of the audience, who saw the series as a letdown because it did not support the development of the relationship between Ted and Tracy.

The change of pace to focus on Ted and Robin's relationship after three seasons of character development made the audience feel that Tracy was being neglected. Therefore, the ending seemed rushed and unemotional.

---

2. True Blood (Series Finale)

In True Blood, Bill, who has Hepatitis V, begs Sookie to take his life so she can live freely. A touching separation scene is created when Sookie, who struggles between independence and love, grants his wish after giving it some thought. A Thanksgiving dinner flash-forward at the end of the series shows the remaining characters going about their regular lives.

Nonetheless, the scores indicated that most viewers left the eighth-season finale with a bitter taste. Bill's decision was quite uncharacteristic, and I felt that the episode ended abruptly because many arcs were left open-ended.

The off-screen death of Tara and the lack of a proper ending for other characters also contributed to this. Therefore, viewers were left with a saddening and unsatisfactory last view of the show.

---

1. Game of Thrones (Season 8, Episode 6)

In the "The Iron Throne" episode in GOT, Daenerys Targaryen dies by poison at the hands of Jon Snow after she burned numerous people in King’s Landing. After her death, Jon is sent to the Night's Watch, and Bran Stark is chosen to succeed her as King. The remaining characters are left to engage in other pursuits at the end of the episode.

Some viewers found the pacing of the events too fast and noted certain gaps in the main characters’ development. Audiences felt disappointed by the epic saga's ending due to the absence of satisfying resolutions for important characters, which drew harsh criticism.