14 Controversial TV Season Finales That Still Spark Debates Today

You dedicate entire years to your favorite TV shows (or binge them in a weekend), and you're left with your eyes peeled and your mouth agape when the credits come on the screen following the finale. A little mystery might be fine, but vagueness can really polarize an audience. A death could be bittersweet, depending on the circumstances. Sometimes, a show's creator has a final trick up their sleeve, which, if you look closely, is a nod to a real-life situation. The title suggests it, but to be clear, this article is full of spoilers. So, if there's a show listed that you haven't yet watched, don't read through the description.

To put this list together, 247 Tempo reviewed several sources, including E! Online, Screen Rant, IMDb, and Reddit, where fans of these shows share their thoughts on these TV season finales.

The infamous feud between Charlie Sheen and the creator of the show led to Sheen being written off. He was replaced by actor Ashton Kutcher, and the show took a turn. Sheen had a public breakdown while actively addicted, and later, his character returned to the show (with his back turned) in the finale. Except, instead of leaving viewers with a smile on their faces, he was killed off one last time.

When you follow the relationship between two dynamic characters, you either love or hate a tragic ending. In the finale for True Blood, Bill Compton asks Sookie Stackhouse to kill him. She tried to follow through with his request, and fans were left with their jaws on the floor, unsure how to feel about it.

Ambiguity allows for interpretation, but when it's used in a finale, it can leave fans feeling unsettled. While Draper is seated, smiling contentedly, you think he may have found some semblance of inner calm. Yet, the camera pans to the infamous Coke ad, and you're left to wonder exactly what that means.

It's an iconic show that ran for nine seasons, and the finale left a bit to be desired. The characters, each with distinct personalities, became fast favorites. It was the must-see show of the time when you wanted a good belly laugh. But the season finale saw them getting locked up for the mistakes they had made along the way. Fans were not thrilled about that ending.

Fans knew he was a calculated killer. He had to master his "dark passenger" by channeling his will to kill to those he confirmed deserved it. Yet, his humanity managed to shine through. The ending was a rough watch. Not only did he abandon Hannah and Harrison, his son, but he also mercy killed Debra and left her in her final resting place—the ocean.

The build-up is slow to figure out who the mother is in the show. Fans were left guessing as each season passed, and when the finale aired, they were left feeling a bit betrayed. It's revealed that the mother had passed, and Ted and Robin had rekindled their relationship.

When your favorite characters are up against the worst they've encountered, you expect them to come out on the other side victorious. However, this wasn't the case for the show's finale. Instead of a resolution, it was left on a cliffhanger, which upset fans.

The original narrative of a show is important as it creates a baseline and a sense of direction. When the finale diverges, it can feel inauthentic. Although season six is underway, fans are still troubled by the way season five ended.

In this finale, Jenn Tran commits to Devin Strader; however, their relationship didn't last. Fans invest time in these romantic relationships, and when they crumble shortly thereafter, they're left wondering if they believed a lie. Some ethical concerns were raised as well when, post-show, Strader uploaded a video sharing details about personal conversations.

Fans dedicated themselves to 121 episodes across six years, eagerly waiting to understand the fate of the characters. When it was revealed they were in a type of purgatory, fans were divided. While some appreciated the philosophical intent, others felt it left too much unresolved.

This show comes to an abrupt end when the screen suddenly cuts to black, leaving fans to wonder exactly what occurred. While Tony Soprano's fate was not clearly revealed, fans speculated that the cut to black meant his sudden demise.

Fans were outraged by the finale of this show and were quick to voice their displeasure. The series was spectacular, and they wanted something equally marvelous. However, what they got was Bran Stark as the new ruler of Westeros and Khaleesi dead. They were so upset that they demanded a remake.

Fans called the finale "creepy" and "depressing." Others express that it made them tear up. Roseanne's fantastical storytelling was interesting to viewers, but it left them heartbroken at the same time. They weren't quite sure how to feel about it all.

When a finale attempts to do too much, it can fall flat. While some audience members felt somewhat satisfied, others were understandably irked by the lack of finality. One Redditor says it's a "choose your own ending, because the actual ending sucks." Per usual, Redditors don't mince words.