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word of advice : This list hold spoilers for several tv set show .
Summary
cliffhanger are the bread and butter of television receiver shows that want to keep an consultation operate , which is whythere is much disputation skirt the biggest TV cliffhanger of all sentence . Inherently , TV show cliffhanger annoy fansbecause it means they have to wait calendar month , if not years , to find out what happen next . Some of the big cliffhanger are skirt in controversy due to what people see as fabricated suspense that does n’t serve the story otherwise .
However , cliffhangers that are well - executed make for a large scene in their own right wing , in summation to keeping the argument alive . Landmark TV appearance can create monolithic cliffhanger not just because of what the scene is on its own , but by the magnitude of the fan response to it . Finally , some Brobdingnagian cliffhanger stand out in the cultural zeitgeist because they were never generate any follow - up .
10Meredith Meets Addison (Grey’s Anatomy)
Season 1, Episode 9: “Who’s Zoomin' Who?”
Cast
A high - intensity medical dramatic event which keep up Meredith Grey and the squad of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial , who are faced with life story - or - last decision on a everyday basis . They essay quilt from one another , and , at times , more than just friendship . Together they discover that neither medicament nor relationships can be defined in disastrous and clean .
TheGrey ’s Anatomyseason 1 finale shocked viewers , where the blissful romanticism betweenMeredith and Derekis derailed by the arrival of Derek ’s wife Addison . It was a primal here and now for the bud aesculapian liquid ecstasy opera house that grew to become one of the longest - running dramatic TV shows ever . Grey’sfans were doubtlessly eager to see what happened next , but in retrospect , the cliffhanger loses some of its impact because the subsequent event are moderately obvious . Meredith intelligibly is mad at Derek , but Derek has the predictable explanation that his wife cheat on him first , and more drama ensues .
9Miguel’s Injury (Cobra Kai)
Season 2, Episode 10: “No Mercy”
Cobra Kai is a sequel serial publication continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga , set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament . It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seek salvation by reopen the Cobra Kai dojo , reignite his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso , who strives to maintain balance in his life .
The surprise success of the first two season ofCobra Kaiends with the show ’s most docking second : A fight fracture out at the eminent school among the karate students of rival dojos , resulting in Miguel being critically injured . This game point is the climax of several storylines , including Miguel ’s relationship with Johnnyand the show ’s major themes of rivalry . The tension around Miguel ’s temporary palsy was both deflate and elevate by theCobra Kaiseason 3 video sneak peek . However , the cliffhanger precipitate flat when the injury at last only affects Miguel for a few episode .
8Buffy Sacrifices Herself (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Season 5, Episode 22: “The Gift”
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television serial created by Joss Whedon , focusing on Buffy Summers , portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar , a young woman chosen to battle against vampires , demons , and other supernatural force while navigating the complexities of teenage life .
Buffy ’s forfeit has the gravitas of the real thing , and her gravestone is a persistent final shot .
TheBuffy the Vampire Slayerseason 5 finalewas followed by a surprisal renewal , prompting the question of how the show would even bear on without Buffy . The answer is that it does n’t , and in a show with illusion on hand , the obvious finish is that she is going to be resurrected . Buffy even antecedently , albeit briefly , die midway through time of year 1 but was right away resuscitate . Despite all this , the notable “ The Gift ” episode still structures itself as a dramatic , massive cliffhanger . Buffy ’s sacrifice has the gravitas of the real affair , and her tombstone is a persistent final pellet .
Most show while actively broadcast will be released close to each year , but for some , despite leaving fans on a cliffhanger , the postponement can be much longer .
7Sherlock Appears At The Cemetery (Sherlock)
Season 2, Episode 3: “The Reichenbach Fall”
In this avatar of Sherlock from Jehovah Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss , Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and lead off solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond . Set in a more 2010 ’s mod mount , Sherlock ’s off-the-wall and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to plug into with others on a human level . Meanwhile , Watson blogs the stories sum their cases while build a labored but like friendly relationship with his new pardner .
Sherlock’sinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes ’ death has turn a loss its impact with time . If the biggest question left by the cliffhanger was how Sherlock make it ( because he clearly did ) , then that question still has n’t been answered . However , at the time , whenSherlockwas still in its efflorescence , it was surely a big cliffhanger . The installment is carried by the stellar performances of Benedict Cumberbatch , Martin Freeman , and Andrew Scott , portray some of the most maniac and aroused moments of these iterations of the quality ’ lives .
6Flash-Forwards Of Jack & Kate (Lost)
Season 3, Episode 23: “Through the Looking Glass: Part 2”
Lost is a mystery dramatic play series created for tv set that follows a group of survivors of a sheet smash and tells its story between the past , present , and future via flashback . When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 smash and lands on a mystifying island in the pacific ocean , the pariah bring out their new temporary home may have a mind of its own , as unknown supernatural events keep them lock away to the island . From an unsung black smoke puppet to unsafe islander , the passengers must go together to survive the island ’s ostensibly deadly intentions .
TheLostseason 3 last builds the shock value of its cliffhanger on the audience ’s impropriety with the show ’s formula . It has been nothing but flashbacks up until then , startling everyone when the installment ’s parallel storyline turns out to be news bulletin - forwardsand the season finish with Jack pronounce something no one ever expected . In the ending , this turned out to make as trivial sense as everything that happened on the island . Yet , between the famous“We have to go back”and“Not Penny ’s Boat”moments , “ Through the Looking Glass ” makes for one ofLost’sbest episodes .
5Ross Says Rachel (Friends)
Season 4, Episode 24: “The One With Ross’s Wedding: Part 2”
Friends is the democratic situation comedy created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman , release back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons . The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their clock time spent between their two apartments and their local chocolate workshop . The show features the group navigating foxy relationship with one another and comical mischance .
Friends’unprecedented popularity signify thatRoss saying the wrong name at the communion table is a bigger cliffhanger than those that are literally matters of life and death . In some other cases of big TV cliffhangers , the audience might have a worldwide sensation of what the reference will do going forward . However , Friendsseason 4 terminate with no one having any approximation about what will happen next .
The instalment also bring down expectations : Rachel spends the episode attempt to make it to London on time , purportedly setting up Ross to leave Emilyas a continuation of theRoss and Rachelstoryline . This does n’t go on , but then the mistaken name incident takes spot . moreover , the brilliantly shocked expressions on the faces of all the grapheme — airplane propeller to theFriendscast — is the finish up touch on the infamous scene .
4Negan Kills Someone (The Walking Dead)
Season 6, Episode 16: “Last Day On Earth”
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic book of all time , AMC ’s The walk Dead capture the ongoing human drama come a zombie Revelation of Saint John the Divine . The series , developed for television by Frank Darabont , follows a group of survivors , led by police force military officer Rick Grimes ( Andrew Lincoln ) , who are travel in hunt of a safe and dependable home . However , rather of the zombies , it is the living who rest that truly become the walking deadened . The Walking Dead live for eleven season and spawned several spinoff appearance , such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead : World Beyond .
Thecontroversial season 6 finale ofThe Walking Deadcenters its cliffhanger around a very straightforward doubtfulness : Who did Negan kill in the final moment of the episode?The nervus - racking scene is drag out for several more months before the audience find out . Even with the established stage of brutality and typical episode ending of characters in deadly risk , this went beyond what had come to be bear from the show . Both forWalking Deadfans and people who have n’t even watched the show , this stands out as one of video ’s most ill-famed cliffhangers .
3Hank Finds The Walt Whitman Book (Breaking Bad)
Season 5, Episode 8: “Gliding Over All”
Breaking Bad , create by Vince Gilligan , follows a chemical science instructor turned drug kingpin named Walter White ( Bryan Cranston ) as he attempts to ply for his family following a fatal diagnosis . With nothing left to fear , White ascends to power in the world of drugs and offense , transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg .
Hank ’s discovery of the “ W.W. ” book is a moment years in the making , wherehe finally has the square revelation that his brother - in - law is the notorious methamphetamine cook " Heisenberg . “The cliffhanger is well - executed in a scene with almost no dialogue ; Dean Norris alone transmit Hank ’s shock when he reads the note from Gale Boetticher and makes the connection . The episode ends there , sending the show into a year - farseeing mid - season hiatus . Luckily , the cliffhanger holds up when the characters react in a way that heighten the tension but still get sense in the next episode .
2Jon Snow’s Death (Game Of Thrones)
Season 5, Episode 10: “Mother’s Mercy”
base on George R. R. Martin ’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series , Game of Thrones is a phantasy drama set in the fictitious continents of Westeros and Essos . It follows imposing families like the Starks , Lannisters , and Targaryen compete for control of the Iron Throne while a rising menace from the undead looms in the North . The series received pregnant critical achiever and amassed a loyal fan theme due to its in high spirits production values , sprawling Seth , iconic characters , and shocking twist .
The overpowering reaction to Jon ’s death makes it one of the big goggle box cliffhangers ever .
Thecliffhanger of Jon Snow ’s deathnow live in infamy . It spark sempiternal months of argumentation over how Kit Harington would return to the show whenmany mass decline to believe that Jon was dead for good . The scene itself is well changeable , using the iniquity , snowy environment for the maximum scarey effect , as the tension between certain members of the Night ’s Watch and Jon get to a head .
The combination ofGame of Thronesbeing the large idiot box show in the world at the time and Jon Snow being one of its most popular character made the inherently dramatic cliffhanger of his supposed demise a massive consequence in dada civilization . Stories about devotee trying to get Harington and the writers to clew them in are well - know . The overwhelming reaction to Jon ’s death makes it one of the biggest TV cliffhangers ever .
Cliffhangers are a keen estimate when they work and are resolved , but some TV display get set off before they can supply answers and closure .
1The Sopranos Series Finale (The Sopranos)
Season 6, Episode 21: “Made In America”
count to be a quintessential drama series to learn , The Sopranos is a law-breaking - drama series that follow Tony Soprano , who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian - American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey offense family . weight down by the emphasis of the expectations thrust upon him , Tony on a regular basis call a healer throughout the series running play . This helps give linguistic context to Tony ’s actions as a unpitying boss with violent tendencies .
However , Game of Thrones’biggest cliffhangersare outmatched by arguably thebest TV show of all time . One of the most far-famed cliffhanger in the history of goggle box is one that never got a follow - up . In the last moments ofThe Sopranos’series finale , the Soprano family meets for dinner party , and the scenery suddenly cuts to black , apparently because Tony dies . The Sopranosfinale ’s abrupt endingleft audience everlastingly guessing on the button what happened .
WhileThe Sopranosmight not have had the impulse ofGame of Thronesbecause of where societal medium was at the fourth dimension , the close is still the center of much attention and disputation . hypothesis aboutTony Soprano ’s fate are still circulate 17 years later . The shock of such an influential show end on such a minimalist note cementedThe Sopranosfinale as the biggest cliffhanger in television set history .
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
A high-intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010’s modern setting, Sherlock’s eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Considered to be a quintessential drama series to watch, The Sopranos is a crime-drama series that follows Tony Soprano, who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian-American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey crime family. Burdened by the stress of the expectations thrust upon him, Tony regularly visits a therapist throughout the series run. This helps give context to Tony’s actions as a ruthless boss with violent tendencies.
