The Ultimate TV Debacles: 10 Final Seasons That Disappointed Beyond Measure

Summary

Some of the best television shows experience disappointing final seasons, leaving viewers wishing they could go back before watching the end.

In their final seasons, shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls, and Glee were plagued by hastily crafted narratives, superfluous character additions, and underwhelming performances. Similarly, formerly adored shows like The 100, Teen Wolf, and Game of Thrones veered off course, presenting bewildering mythologies, character inconsistencies, and hastily executed plotlines in their concluding installments.

Regrettably, a number of highly-regarded TV shows falter in their last seasons, and the same was true for these ten series. These shows had previously delivered exceptional seasons and episodes that were praised by both critics and fans, which made their downfall in their final moments all the more disappointing. Whether it was due to a loss of creative inspiration, the introduction of unnecessary characters, confusing plot twists, or a combination of these factors, the end result was the same, leaving some viewers yearning for a time machine to go back before they watched those last episodes.

Certain TV shows have set a higher standard for themselves based on the quality they achieved in their prime. So, when their last seasons are rather lackluster (or memorable for all the wrong reasons), it's particularly disheartening for viewers. Unfortunately, these ten shows nearly stained their reputations due to their abysmal final episodes.

10 How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother proved to be a major success for CBS, capturing the attention of viewers throughout its nine-season run consisting of 208 episodes. Audiences were enthralled by the quest to uncover the identity of Ted Mosby's true love and the mother of his children. The revelation finally came in a shocking fashion during the concluding moments of the season 8 finale, laying the groundwork for the ninth and final season, which predominantly revolved around the wedding weekend of Barney Stinson and Robin Scherbatsky. However, the conclusion of the series in season 9 left many feeling disappointed.

The focus on Barney and Robin's wedding throughout the entirety of the 24 episodes of season 9 felt excessively prolonged. Moreover, the series finale seemed hastily constructed as it rapidly skimmed through Ted and Tracy's life together, tragically abbreviated due to her untimely demise. Furthermore, the unexpected twist ending, which unveiled Tracy's death throughout the entirety of Ted's storytelling to his children and his lingering desire to reunite with Robin, resulted in an overwhelmingly negative reception.

9 Gilmore Girls

8 That '70s Show

: Gilmore Girls season 7 truly marked a low point for the beloved series, mainly due to creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's absence from the final episodes. Her departure could not go unnoticed, as the show's trademark sharp and clever dialogue was noticeably absent, leaving almost every character feeling out of touch with their usual selves. Furthermore, the storylines in this season, such as Lorelai and Christopher's rushed and unnecessary marriage, only added to the frustration of dedicated fans. Regrettably, even the much-anticipated Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life failed to rectify the damage caused by the disappointing seventh season.

Predictably, the quality of That '70s Show season 8 suffered after the departure of its central character, Eric Forman, portrayed by Topher Grace. Despite the producers' attempt to fill the void with Randy Pearson, it was an almost insurmountable task, leaving a noticeable absence of Eric's charm throughout the final season. Furthermore, Ashton Kutcher's character, Michael Kelso, made only sporadic appearances, compounding the loss. Consequently, the show lost its essence - the exceptional chemistry among the main cast.

7 The 100

The writers of the 100 botched their job so spectacularly in season 7 that it almost seemed as if they were intentionally trying to create the worst season of the CW television show. To begin with, the character of Bellamy Blake was completely ruined in the final episodes. He made rare appearances and when he did show up, he was portrayed in such a way that it was difficult to even recognize him. Bellamy had undoubtedly one of the most compelling character arcs in the entire series, so it was incredibly perplexing to witness his unnecessary downfall. Additionally, season 7 of the 100 was overflowing with bewildering mythology, tangled storylines, and a disappointingly unsatisfying finale.

6 Glee

Glee had a phenomenal debut season, but it unfortunately failed to maintain its initial brilliance thereafter. While Seasons 2 and 3 were decent, they paled in comparison to the captivating entertainment offered by the show's premiere episodes. However, as a handful of characters departed for college and the narrative began to alternate between New York City and McKinley High School's New Directions group, the show lost its spark entirely. Despite its gradual decline, Glee managed to last six seasons, with its final installment undoubtedly being its weakest. Season 6 showcased lackluster performances, perplexing relationships, inconsistency, and weary plotlines.

5 Once Upon A Time

4 Teen Wolf

: The final season of Once Upon a Time was marred by the departure of key cast members, resulting in a significant blow to the ABC fantasy adventure series. Jennifer Morrison, who portrayed Emma Swan, along with Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming, and Emilie de Ravin as Belle, bid farewell to the show before season 7. Consequently, the remaining episodes of the series were noticeably affected by their absence. Season 7 of Once Upon a Time felt like an entirely different entity, leaving fans with mixed feelings and perhaps even prompting them to consider abandoning ship following the culmination of season 6.

Teen Wolf suffered a setback in its final season, losing only one key character compared to Once Upon a Time's four. However, the absence of that particular character had a major impact on the series. Although Tyler Posey's Scott McCall was technically the main character of the MTV supernatural teen drama, it was Dylan O'Brien's portrayal of Stiles Stilinski that truly captivated viewers. Unfortunately, in season 6, O'Brien's role was downgraded to a recurring character, despite being billed as a series regular. This decision had a profound effect on Teen Wolf, as the episodes lacked the excitement and charm that Stiles brought to the show. Additionally, the villains and the overarching storyline paled in comparison to previous seasons.

3 Scrubs

Scrubs season 9 should have been restructured as a spinoff, as it featured the exits of most of the original cast members and writing staff. This resulted in a final set of episodes that made the sitcom almost unrecognizable compared to its previous seasons. Instead of being considered the popular sitcom's last season, it failed to live up to the greatness of the comedy show's first eight seasons. Many prefer to forget that Scrubs season 9 ever existed.

2 Lost

Lost had immense potential in its earlier seasons, but unfortunately, it gradually lost its way as the episodes progressed. This ultimately led to a disappointing conclusion for the ABC science fiction drama series. The intricate storytelling in Lost season 6 became overwhelming for some viewers, and the final twist failed to deliver the satisfaction they were hoping for. In the end, what was once considered one of the finest television shows concluded on a frustrating note, making it the weakest season in its entire repertoire.

1 Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones, like many other shows on this list, has been widely praised as one of the greatest series ever made. However, its final season garnered almost universal hatred due to its disappointing character progressions, perplexing plot twists, and rushed narratives. It's truly astonishing to witness the colossal failure of Game of Thrones season 8, especially considering the immense adoration for its preceding seven seasons. Regrettably, the concluding episodes of this HBO fantasy drama were so abysmal that they tainted the entire series for certain viewers.