There are some shows that instantly hook audiences. Breaking Bad, Lost and Game of Thrones are a few of the most popular television shows of all time, and they each managed to reel viewers in from the very first episode. But unfortunately, not every series that starts off with a bang manages to keep that momentum up all the way to the finale.
Below, you’ll find a list that Bored Panda compiled, using data from Episode Hive, featuring shows that started on a high note but started to leave a bad taste in viewers’ mouths in their final seasons or episodes. We hope you enjoy scrolling through and finding out how audiences ranked each episode of these series, and keep reading to find a conversation with Thomas Barlow, creator of Episode Hive!
#1 Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Strong Start: "Game of Thrones" began with intricate storytelling, deep character development, and a richly detailed world, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Weak Ending: The final season, especially the last few episodes, was criticized for rushed storylines, character arcs that felt unearned, and a conclusion that left many fans unsatisfied.
Weak Ending: The final season, especially the last few episodes, was criticized for rushed storylines, character arcs that felt unearned, and a conclusion that left many fans unsatisfied.
Report
58points
#2 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
Strong Start: This sitcom was beloved for its innovative storytelling, humor, and relatable characters, especially the chemistry between the main cast.
Weak Ending: The finale was widely panned for its abrupt character changes and for the way it seemingly undid years of character development in its final moments.
Weak Ending: The finale was widely panned for its abrupt character changes and for the way it seemingly undid years of character development in its final moments.
Report
54points
#3 The Witcher (2019-Present)
Strong Start: "The Witcher" captivated audiences with its high production values, complex characters, and Henry Cavill’s charismatic performance as Geralt of Rivia, quickly gaining a strong fanbase.
Weak Ending: The show has seen declining ratings and mixed reviews in its later seasons, with some fans feeling that it lost its narrative focus and failed to deliver on the promise of its early episodes.
Weak Ending: The show has seen declining ratings and mixed reviews in its later seasons, with some fans feeling that it lost its narrative focus and failed to deliver on the promise of its early episodes.
Report
42points
To learn more about shows that started off on a high note and went downhill at the end, we got in touch with Thomas Barlow, creator of Episode Hive.
"Honestly, Game of Thrones is the big one that comes to mind, even though I never actually watched it myself," the CEO told Bored Panda. "The internet absolutely lost it over that finale - probably the biggest TV ending meltdown in my lifetime. It's actually the main reason I never got around to starting the show."
#4 True Blood (2008-2014)
Strong Start: The show was praised for its original take on vampire lore, blending horror with Southern gothic elements, and its exploration of social issues through supernatural allegories.
Weak Ending: The final season and especially the finale were criticized for abandoning many of the show’s earlier themes and for providing a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.
Weak Ending: The final season and especially the finale were criticized for abandoning many of the show’s earlier themes and for providing a rushed and unsatisfying conclusion.
Report
38points
#5 Scrubs (2001-2010)
Strong Start: "Scrubs" was beloved for its unique blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy, and it was praised for its emotional depth and character development.
Weak Ending: The show originally ended on a high note, but the ninth season reboot, featuring a mostly new cast, was poorly received and seen as unnecessary.
Weak Ending: The show originally ended on a high note, but the ninth season reboot, featuring a mostly new cast, was poorly received and seen as unnecessary.
Report
37points
#6 House Of Cards (2013-2018)
Strong Start: "House of Cards" was lauded for its sharp political drama, intense performances (especially by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright), and dark, Machiavellian storytelling.
Weak Ending: The show’s final season, which had to be restructured following Kevin Spacey’s departure, was criticized for its disjointed plot and unsatisfying resolution, failing to match the intensity and intrigue of earlier seasons.
Weak Ending: The show’s final season, which had to be restructured following Kevin Spacey’s departure, was criticized for its disjointed plot and unsatisfying resolution, failing to match the intensity and intrigue of earlier seasons.
Report
35points
On the other hand, we asked Tom about any shows that managed to stay strong from the pilot episode all the way to the finale.
"On the flip side, Breaking Bad is the poster child for a show that just kept getting better. That finale perfectly closed off the story," the creator shared. "Vince Gilligan is a master of pacing and storytelling."
#7 Lost (2004-2010)
Strong Start: "Lost" captivated audiences with its mysterious island setting, compelling characters, and complex narrative structure that combined science fiction with human drama.
Weak Ending: The finale was polarizing, with many fans feeling that it failed to adequately resolve the show’s many mysteries, leading to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Weak Ending: The finale was polarizing, with many fans feeling that it failed to adequately resolve the show’s many mysteries, leading to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Report
34points
#8 Two And A Half Men (2003-2015)
Strong Start: The show was a massive hit in its early years, largely due to Charlie Sheen’s comedic timing and the chemistry between the cast.
Weak Ending: After Sheen’s departure, the show struggled to find its footing, and the finale, which mocked Sheen’s character, was seen as a spiteful and disappointing conclusion.
Weak Ending: After Sheen’s departure, the show struggled to find its footing, and the finale, which mocked Sheen’s character, was seen as a spiteful and disappointing conclusion.
Report
32points
#9 Supernatural (2005-2020)
Strong Start: "Supernatural" built a dedicated fanbase with its mix of horror, humor, and strong brotherly bond between the two leads.
Weak Ending: After 15 seasons, the finale was divisive, with some fans feeling it didn’t do justice to the show’s legacy or its beloved characters.
Weak Ending: After 15 seasons, the finale was divisive, with some fans feeling it didn’t do justice to the show’s legacy or its beloved characters.
Report
31points
As far as why it's so difficult for writers to craft an excellent finale, Tom says, "I think it's just really tough to wrap up something people have loved for so long."
"Writing a strong finale for a TV show is challenging for several reasons: It's difficult to wrap up multiple storylines and character arcs in a way that satisfies all viewers," he explained.
#10 Dexter (2006-2013)
Strong Start: Dexter was praised for its unique premise, following a serial killer who only targets other criminals, and Michael C. Hall’s performance was widely lauded.
Weak Ending: The original series finale was criticized for being anticlimactic and leaving too many questions unanswered, disappointing fans who had invested in the character’s journey.
Weak Ending: The original series finale was criticized for being anticlimactic and leaving too many questions unanswered, disappointing fans who had invested in the character’s journey.
Report
30points
#11 The Umbrella Academy (2019-Present)
Strong Start: "The Umbrella Academy" was praised for its quirky characters, inventive storyline, and unique take on the superhero genre, quickly becoming a fan favorite on Netflix.
Weak Ending: While still ongoing, recent seasons have received more mixed reviews, with some fans and critics noting a decline in narrative coherence and character development, raising concerns about how the series might conclude.
Weak Ending: While still ongoing, recent seasons have received more mixed reviews, with some fans and critics noting a decline in narrative coherence and character development, raising concerns about how the series might conclude.
Report
29points
#12 Heroes (2006-2010)
Strong Start: The first season of "Heroes" was a massive hit, with its fresh take on superheroes in the real world and its serialized storytelling drawing in a large, dedicated fanbase.
Weak Ending: The series struggled after its first season, with declining quality and viewership, leading to a finale that felt like a whimper rather than the bang it started with.
Weak Ending: The series struggled after its first season, with declining quality and viewership, leading to a finale that felt like a whimper rather than the bang it started with.
Report
28points
Tom also noted that "there's immense pressure to live up to fans' expectations, which have built up over years of investment in the show."
"Sometimes shows run for too long and lose their initial spark or vision, making it hard to conclude. Changes in writing staff over a show's lifespan can lead to inconsistencies or a departure from the original tone and direction," he added.
#13 The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
Strong Start: "The Walking Dead" was praised for its intense drama, strong characters, and its ability to mix horror with human emotion.
Weak Ending: As the show progressed, viewership declined due to repetitive storylines and character decisions. The final episodes received mixed reviews, with some fans feeling the ending didn’t live up to the show’s earlier seasons.
Weak Ending: As the show progressed, viewership declined due to repetitive storylines and character decisions. The final episodes received mixed reviews, with some fans feeling the ending didn’t live up to the show’s earlier seasons.
Report
26points
#14 American Horror Story (2011-Present)
Strong Start: Each season of "American Horror Story" introduced a fresh and intriguing concept, with the first few seasons, particularly "Murder House" and "Asylum," receiving widespread acclaim.
Weak Ending: While the anthology format allows for varied storytelling, some later seasons, such as "Roanoke" and "Apocalypse," were criticized for convoluted plots and lackluster conclusions, leaving some storylines unresolved.
Weak Ending: While the anthology format allows for varied storytelling, some later seasons, such as "Roanoke" and "Apocalypse," were criticized for convoluted plots and lackluster conclusions, leaving some storylines unresolved.
Report
25points
#15 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)
Strong Start: The first season was praised for its bold and unflinching portrayal of sensitive topics like suicide and bullying.
Weak Ending: Later seasons were seen as unnecessary, and the show was criticized for its handling of certain issues, leading to a finale that many felt was drawn out and unsatisfying.
Weak Ending: Later seasons were seen as unnecessary, and the show was criticized for its handling of certain issues, leading to a finale that many felt was drawn out and unsatisfying.
Report
24points
#16 Glee (2009-2015)
Strong Start: "Glee" was celebrated for its energetic musical numbers, diverse cast, and its positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters.
Weak Ending: The later seasons struggled with inconsistent writing and character development, and the finale was seen as a lackluster end to a once-popular show.
Weak Ending: The later seasons struggled with inconsistent writing and character development, and the finale was seen as a lackluster end to a once-popular show.
Report
22points
#17 Westworld (2016-Present)
Strong Start: The first season of "Westworld" was praised for its complex narrative, philosophical themes, and high production values, quickly becoming a critical and popular hit.
Weak Ending: Subsequent seasons were seen as overly complicated and lacking the emotional depth of the first, leading to a decline in viewership and critical reception.
Weak Ending: Subsequent seasons were seen as overly complicated and lacking the emotional depth of the first, leading to a decline in viewership and critical reception.
Report
22points
#18 The X-Files (1993-2018)
Strong Start: The early seasons of "The X-Files" were groundbreaking, blending horror, sci-fi, and procedural drama in a way that captivated audiences.
Weak Ending: The original series finale, and later the revival’s finale, were criticized for leaving many questions unanswered and not providing a satisfying closure to the overarching mythology.
Weak Ending: The original series finale, and later the revival’s finale, were criticized for leaving many questions unanswered and not providing a satisfying closure to the overarching mythology.
Report
21points
#19 The 100 (2014-2020)
Strong Start: "The 100" was initially praised for its dark and gritty take on post-apocalyptic survival, with morally complex characters and unpredictable plot twists.
Weak Ending: The final season was criticized for inconsistent character arcs and a confusing, unsatisfying finale that didn’t live up to the show’s earlier promise.
Weak Ending: The final season was criticized for inconsistent character arcs and a confusing, unsatisfying finale that didn’t live up to the show’s earlier promise.
Report
21points
#20 Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
Strong Start: The show drew in a large, devoted fanbase with its intriguing mystery, relatable characters, and constant twists and turns.
Weak Ending: As the series progressed, the plot became increasingly convoluted, and the final reveal of the main antagonist was widely panned by fans, leaving many unsatisfied.
Weak Ending: As the series progressed, the plot became increasingly convoluted, and the final reveal of the main antagonist was widely panned by fans, leaving many unsatisfied.
Report
19points