Dreamception: The Twisted Reality in 10 Mind-Blowing TV Episodes

Summary

TV shows often use tropes to engage and connect with the audience, but they must be implemented correctly to have a significant impact.

When used effectively, dream sequences can greatly enhance the story and develop the characters. The dream trope can successfully incorporate humor, parodies, and unexpected plot twists, thereby increasing the complexity and satisfaction of a series.

Many TV shows strive to avoid overused themes in order to maintain a fresh and innovative storyline. However, some shows embrace certain tropes, such as the "it was a dream all along," and manage to create a unique and captivating experience. It is crucial for TV shows to provide the audience with engagement, connection, and character development throughout the series. Without any evolution or change in characters or relationships, the show can quickly become stale and uninteresting. Therefore, incorporating tropes can be a challenging task that could potentially alienate viewers. Nevertheless, when implemented correctly and in a meaningful way, these tropes can lead to a significant payoff.

Numerous shows incorporate dream sequences, like the season finale of Breaking Bad or the "G.I. Jeff" episode of Community. However, a series that successfully convinces the audience that what they are watching may or may not be real can be incredibly satisfying. It is important to note that if this trope is misused, it can lead to frustration and hinder character progress or development. Thankfully, many shows have skillfully balanced this fine line and utilized the dream trope to create a unique and rewarding experience for viewers, while also advancing the overall story.

10 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 9, episode 1, "For Whom The Bell Trolls" exemplifies the shallow utilization of the dream trope, failing to contribute any meaningful substance to the overall narrative or character development. During hobby week at school, Trini, alongside her fellow Power Rangers, showcases her dolls. However, tragedy strikes as her dolls are mysteriously pilfered and subsequently transformed by the malevolent Rita Repulsa. Consequently, Mr. Ticklesneezer, once a diminutive plaything belonging to Trini, wreaks havoc upon the rangers until they compel it to restore order. Ultimately, Trini awakens to find her toy doll resting on the floor beside her bed.

9 Dallas

Dallas tactfully utilizes the trope to conceal necessary behind-the-scenes changes. In the concluding moments of season 8, Patrick Duffy's character, Bobby Ewing, meets his demise on screen. The actor had departed from the show to pursue other ventures. Season 9 follows the aftermath of Bobby's passing and the profound impact it has on the other characters, particularly his wife, Valerie. Due to the show's waning popularity, Duffy graciously decided to return, but a plausible explanation for his death and its vital role in season 9 was required. Hence, season 10 commences with Valerie waking up to witness her husband exiting the shower, abruptly realizing that the events of the entire preceding season were merely a figment of her imagination.

8 Family Guy

7 Married... With Children

Family Guy, an animated show, takes advantage of its format to have more freedom in its storylines, often focusing on episodic comedy rather than ongoing narratives. In season 2, episode 3, titled "Da Boom," Family Guy explores a post-apocalyptic world brought on by the Y2K bug. The main characters, who are among the few survivors, experience various absurd and exaggerated events. In one memorable scene, Stewie, one of the family members, ends up with a mutated body that includes octopus-like features. The episode combines drama and comedy with its signature over-the-top style. Towards the end, the show cleverly parodies the famous Dallas dream reveal, with the character Ewing emerging from a shower. This use of the parody not only delivers a funny moment but also references a well-known example of the same storytelling technique, enhancing the overall enjoyment for viewers.

In the sixth season of Married... with Children, a captivating storyline emerged when two of the characters unexpectedly found themselves expecting babies simultaneously. This development was a clever way to align with the real-life pregnancy of one of the show's talented actors, Katey Sagal. Throughout the season, multiple episodes revolved around this captivating plotline. However, tragedy struck when Sagal sadly suffered a miscarriage. To address this heartbreaking event, the show took an empathetic approach by having Ed O'Neill's character awaken from a nightmare and rewrite the events, effectively erasing the pregnancies from the storyline. This compassionate decision not only aligned with the essence of the series but also showcased the depth of O'Neill's character. Consequently, the trope seamlessly integrated into the overarching narrative, avoiding any sense of inept execution.

6 St. Elsewhere

In the highly acclaimed series finale of St. Elsewhere, a remarkable twist captivates and leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Continuously challenging viewers to delve deeper and contemplate the presented dilemmas, the show concludes with a thought-provoking revelation. Going beyond the realms of typical medical dramas, this hospital drama offers a profound glimpse into the personal lives of its staff.

In the final episode of the last season, an astonishing truth is unveiled—the entire narrative is a creation of the imaginative mind of Tommy Westphall, a young autistic boy. Tommy's father, whom the audience believed to be the esteemed top doctor, is, in reality, a humble construction worker yearning to understand his son's inner thoughts. This revelation is accompanied by a poignant scene of Tommy gazing thoughtfully out of a window, clutching a snow globe. By intertwining numerous interconnected elements, this twist provides a deeply satisfying resolution. It elevates the significance and intimacy of the relationships portrayed throughout the series, leaving viewers with a profound and meaningful experience. The introduction of the dream element adds a layer of complexity that consistently rewards and engages dedicated viewers of the entire series.

5 Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer had numerous captivating episodes that followed the adventures of the teenage slayer as she battled against evil and safeguarded humanity. However, the show ingeniously challenged its own concept in season 6, episode 17, titled "Normal Again," wherein Buffy's life splits into two distinct branches. In one branch, she finds herself in a psychiatric hospital unit, and the entire narrative of her life as a hunter is revealed as mere figments of her imagination. While one could dismiss this as the ploy of a supernatural being, it is worth noting that during the early stages of the series, Buffy was indeed admitted to a psychiatric unit after she first discovered her destiny as a slayer. This lends credence to the possibility that the entirety of the series may not have been real, and Buffy simply never overcame her delusions.

4 Futurama

Another animated series that explores the concept of dreams is Futurama. In Season 5, Episode 9 titled "The Sting," the show masterfully utilizes Fry's unwavering devotion to Leela as a pivotal moment unfolds, where he sacrifices himself to save her. The episode concludes with Leela awakening from a coma, with Fry faithfully by her side all along. Surprisingly, it is revealed that when Fry selflessly jumps in harm's way, the stinger that pierces his body also inflicts a slight injury on Leela, injecting her with venom that induces the coma. This particular episode not only brings the story to new heights but also intricately develops the deep bond between Fry and Leela, while uniquely operating on multiple narrative levels.

3 Boy Meets World

Boy Meets World is a beloved 90s family comedy, but it takes an unexpected turn in series 5, episode 17, titled "And Then There Was Shawn." In this episode, Cory's best friend Shawn, portrayed by Rider Strong, who is known for his love for classic horror slashers, finds himself in a terrifying situation when the school becomes a site for a series of horrifying murders. "And Then There Was Shawn" expertly parodies classic horror films and features shocking deaths, making it the highest-rated episode of the entire series according to IMDB.

2 Lost

Lost, created by J.J. Abrams, was a highly acclaimed television series that centered around a diverse group of survivors who found themselves stranded on an enigmatic tropical island following a plane crash. The show's conclusion, initially met with criticism from dedicated viewers, depicted a revelation that the survivors were actually deceased and had collectively transitioned into the afterlife. This twist, akin to an "it was all a dream" trope, left many feeling deceived after the extensive narrative buildup. However, revisiting the finale over time has garnered praise for its profound impact and the resolution it provides for the characters as they reconcile their past and attain inner peace.

1 Newhart

Bob Newhart, a well-known comedian in the 70s and 80s, achieved success with two hit sitcoms in which he starred. The Bob Newhart Show aired from 1972 to 1978, with Newhart playing the character Bob Hartley. Later on, from 1982 to 1990, he starred in Newhart as Dick Louden. The finale of Newhart, which took place in 1990, featured a series of unusual events. The town was unexpectedly bought by Japanese developers to be transformed into a golf course, and Louden was accidentally knocked unconscious by a stray golf ball. In a surprising turn of events, Newhart's character wakes up next to his former TV wife from his previous series. He proceeds to recount the story of his dream, which encompasses the entire Newhart series.

This twist serves as a reminder of how effective the dream trope can be, particularly in comedies, where it can deliver a final humorous punchline, or in dramas, where it can redefine the significance of earlier events. The ending of Newhart resonated so deeply with audiences that it became an iconic series finale. The ending was even parodied by Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad, who presented an alternative ending to the immensely popular series. Cranston's character awakens as Hal Jordan from Malcolm in the Middle and regales his wife with a nightmare in which he experienced life as a drug lord in New Mexico. Ultimately, the dream trope can be a brilliant and satisfying payoff when skillfully employed by a TV show.