10 Epic TV Characters Tarnished by a Single Disastrous Plotline

Summary

Some TV shows have storylines that ruin the main characters beyond repair, leaving viewers questioning the sanity of the writers.

The finale of How I Met Your Mother undermines Ted's character development as it reverts him back to his feelings for Robin, erasing all the progress he had made. The storyline involving cheating and betrayal tarnishes the characters of Rory Gilmore, Carrie Bradshaw, and Ross Geller, breaking the trust and love that the audience had for them.

Every great show makes a few missteps along the way, but some take it a step further and completely destroy their main characters. There are certain storylines that are so strange that they make viewers question the choices of the writers, regardless of whether the show is a sitcom or a drama. Any character can fall victim to poor writing and go from being a fan favorite to being despised by audiences. While shows that run for too long are often to blame, there are other factors at play as well.

There are certain storylines that have the power to ruin main characters, and the controversial ending of How I Met Your Mother serves as evidence of this. Sometimes, creators are faced with the decision of either advancing the plot or staying true to a character. Unfortunately, more often than not, they choose the former in order to keep the show going and add some drama. This often results in well-developed TV characters being destroyed by a single storyline.

10. Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)

How I Met Your Mother's finale is undoubtedly one of the most controversial episodes in television history. It rightfully garnered such attention due to the unexpected turn of events. Ted Mosby, the protagonist, devotes nine seasons to recounting the beautiful love story between him and the mother. However, the tragic twist reveals her untimely demise, leaving Ted still harboring feelings for Robin. While Ted may have been a bit bothersome at times, his character was captivating enough to keep viewers engaged. Yet, his sudden return to pining for Robin undermines the essence of his journey and nullifies his entire character development. Astonishingly, all the progress he made on a personal level is abruptly erased.

9. Robin Scherbatsky (How I Met Your Mother)

The treatment of multiple characters in How I Met Your Mother leading up to its ending is disappointing. Robin is one of the characters who is let down by this sitcom, and it happens much earlier than the series finale. The controversial storyline in season 7 revolves around Robin and Barney cheating on Kevin and Nora. However, it becomes even worse when Robin changes her mind about being with Barney after he ends things with Nora. This plot portrays Robin in a negative light, labeling her as a cheater, a coward, and a betrayer all within a single episode. Despite viewers' fondness for Robin, she never fully recovers from this heart-wrenching turn of events.

8. Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Rory, a central character in Gilmore Girls, is known for always doing the right thing. Throughout many seasons, her strong moral compass guides her, leading to only minor mistakes. However, in season 4, Rory loses sight of what truly matters and makes a significant error by sleeping with Dean, who is married to Lindsay at the time. While Dean bears the responsibility for cheating, Rory's lack of realization about the gravity of their actions permanently alters her character.

7. Carrie Bradshaw (Sex And The City)

In the 2000s, Sex and the City's Carrie became a global icon for women. Her legendary love story with Mr. Big captured the hearts of many, creating a fairy tale-like romance that everyone desired. However, as time has passed, viewers have come to realize that Big is not the ideal partner. While there is an understanding as to why Carrie is infatuated with him, her act of cheating on the genuinely kind Aidan is difficult to overlook. Aidan, who is even more charming than Big, deserved better. It is at the point when Carrie ends her relationship with Aidan for the man who has caused nothing but trouble that her character begins to decline.

6. Michael Cordero (Jane The Virgin)

Jane the Virgin is intended to resemble a telenovela, but in season 4, it goes overboard. During season 3, Jane's husband, the charming and endearing Michael, is shot and miraculously survives, but later succumbs to complications. This unexpected twist is one of the series' highlights and is a plausible direction for a character like Michael. However, the writers push the limits by bringing him back in the season 4 finale. This storyline, along with the subsequent amnesia and everything that unfolds, completely undermines Michael's character, as he no longer feels like himself.

5. Ross Geller (Friends)

Despite their adorable lobster status, Ross and Rachel's relationship takes a disappointing turn when Ross goes and ruins everything. While the show itself may be showing its age and some storylines haven't aged well, one plotline stands out as particularly problematic—the cheating incident. Whether they were on a break or not, Ross's betrayal with the copy girl and his insistence on arguing about technicalities during their fight drastically damages his character. His claims of love for Rachel fall flat in the face of such a betrayal, and it's hard to see how he deserves a second chance with her. Even when Ross and Rachel reconcile in the Friends finale, their reunion feels unsettling.

4. Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

3. Gregory House (House)

Spike's character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer undergoes a transformation from an anti-hero requiring redemption to a beloved figure with significant personal growth. However, there is one particular storyline that diminishes this progress. The controversial scene depicting Spike's attempted sexual assault on Buffy is distressing to witness. This incident makes it challenging to empathize with Spike and raises questions about the intentions of the writers. Ultimately, this scene fails to enhance the character or further the narrative in any meaningful manner.

House's titular character is profoundly troubled, and he resides in a gray area between being a hero and a villain. Despite this, viewers are captivated by House's extraordinary intellect, clever remarks, and enigmatic charm. Although House undoubtedly has his share of problematic moments throughout the show — an unfortunate reality when revisiting House after 11 years — he receives special treatment from both his colleagues and audiences due to his unique persona. However, the writers unexpectedly deviate from his established character in the series finale, as House orchestrates a fake death to accompany Wilson during his final months. Not only is this action unlawful and bizarre, but it also lacks coherence and contradicts House's true nature.

2. Andy Bernard (The Office)

The character portrayal of Andy in The Office is notably one of the most unlikeable on TV, primarily due to his character development in the last season. Initially transforming from an entitled jerk to a compassionate individual within a few instances, his growth is ultimately undermined by his story arc in season 9. In this particular season, the show's overall quality significantly declines, with Andy suffering the most. The storyline involving a training seminar reverts Andy back to a selfish fool, undoing all the personal progress he had achieved up until that point while also damaging his relationship with Erin.

1. Eric Forman (That '70s Show)

Moreover, Eric's exit from That '70s Show season 7 not only introduces the unlikable Randy to viewers but also significantly undermines Eric's characterization and motivations. At a time when Eric's relationship with Donna, the girl he has cherished for years, is deepening, he abruptly decides to leave for Africa and break up with her, citing the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship. Despite their eventual reunion in the show's finale, this storyline proves to be a squandering of the character's potential. Eric's sudden departure and hastily executed breakup with Donna feel like a betrayal, making it harder for audiences to empathize with his character.