Doing a shocking cliffhanger is relatively easy, but committing to it is far more difficult. There have been several unpopular TV show choices that should’ve been retconned and weren’t, which frustrated audiences. However, it is often even more infuriating when a show introduces a bold, game-changing storyline only to quickly undo it.
From Game of Thrones to Cobra Kai, there are different reasons why a show chooses to reverse things back to the status quo. Sometimes, it was because the storyline didn’t work or got such a bad reception from viewers that writers were forced to alter it. Others, however, were simply because the show picked the easy route. Unfortunately, this is a mistake that even some of the best TV shows of all time have made.
10
Bringing Back Gallifrey
Doctor Who
The destruction of Gallifrey after Doctor Who’s first Time War was a groundbreaking moment for the show when it was rebooted in 2005. The Doctor’s grief over his people, and the heart-wrenching guilt the Time Lord carried across multiple incarnations for his actions during the war, was a huge part of the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Doctors’ character arcs.
While it was great to see the Doctor get some peace over the events of the Time War, it was odd that Chris Chibnall reversed Gallifrey being saved when he took over as showrunner.
However, in the 50th anniversary special “The Day of the Doctor,” an incredible 13 versions of the Doctor (at the time) worked together to save Gallifrey. Rather than letting the planet burn, Gallifrey and the Time Lords were frozen in time instead. But this didn’t last long, as the Master destroyed Gallifrey in Doctor Who just a few seasons later, as was revealed in the season 12 episode “Spyfall: Part Two.”
The Master’s reasoning for this was that he’d discovered the Time Lord’s origins and the Doctor’s involvement as the Timeless Child. While it was great to see the Doctor get some peace over the events of the Time War, it was odd that Chris Chibnall reversed Gallifrey being saved when he took over as showrunner.
9
Killing Brian Griffin
Family Guy
Brian Griffin being hit by a car in Family Guy was a historical moment and one that was retconned rather quickly. As he played with Stewie in the street in the episode “Life of Brian,” the Griffins’ dog was hit by a car, and the family said goodbye to him at the vet in an incredibly heartbreaking scene. While audiences were shocked by this decision, nobody struggled with Brian’s death more than Stewie. Just two episodes later, in “Christmas Guy,” Stewie used his time-travel capabilities to go back and save his friend.
It was a risky move for Family Guy to kill off Brian, especially for a show that generally uses a floating timeline, but this moment was particularly notable because it was so violent. Even the show’s creator, Seth McFarlane, was surprised at the audience’s response to Brian’s death. There was no doubt that this storyline was an intense experience, and while I liked the risk the show took, I’m glad it wasn’t permanent.
8
Bobby Ewing’s Death
Dallas
Bobby Ewing’s death in Dallas was a TV choice so unpopular that it was retconned, and his return to the show was one of the wildest moments in TV history. Audiences were devastated when Katherine ran Bobby over in the season 8 finale, and alongside the other characters, they grieved for him throughout season 9. Dallas season 9 focused a lot on the fallout of Bobby’s demise, especially how Pam handled her grief following his death.
This impacted the show’s ratings massively, but thankfully, Patrick Duffy wanted to return to Dallas. Initially, the actor had no plans to come back, but following the public response to his absence, he agreed to reprise his role. Bobby Ewing made a rather unexpected appearance at the end of season 9 when he stepped out of the shower, and it was revealed that the events of the entire season were Pam’s dream. It was a rare occurrence for a TV show to do such a thing, but it paid off for Dallas, luckily.
7
Rachel & Joey’s Relationship
Friends
Rachel and Joey’s romance in Friends was a hugely controversial storyline, especially as it was something the show had touched on before, didn’t pursue, and then later revisited. While Ross was far from an ideal partner to Rachel, it was saddening to see him break down over the love of his life and one of his best friends being together. This storyline didn’t last very long as the pair realized they weren’t meant to be and were better off as friends, which was a sigh of relief for many.
Rachel and Joey’s relationship was a step too far for Friends, and it felt like a last-minute attempt to try something new, but unfortunately, the storyline was introduced far too late into the show’s run. The two had a solid platonic relationship, and even Jennifer Anniston and Matt LeBlanc found it hard to get on board with the storyline.
6
Penny & Raj’s Hookup
The Big Bang Theory
Penny and Raj sleeping together in The Big Bang Theory was a massive shock. At the end of the season 4 finale, “The Roommate Transmogrification,” Raj emerged from Leonard’s room (because he felt forced out of his own apartment and was staying there) with Penny in tow. Both the other characters and viewers alike were floored by the clear signs that the pair had spent the night together, and it was an astonishing way for The Big Bang Theory to wrap up the season with such a baffling cliffhanger.
While it took only a matter of hours in-show for the events of their rendezvous to be clarified, audiences had to wait several months for season 5 to begin. It was quickly explained that despite an attempt to have sex, Raj was done with the experience before anything actually happened between them, but a drunken Penny didn’t remember. If The Big Bang Theory had decided to pursue this further, the show would’ve gone in a very different direction, but instead, they chose to keep the possibility of Penny and Leonard’s reunification at the forefront.
5
Principal Skinner’s Identity
The Simpsons
The change to Principal Seymour Skinner’s backstory in The Simpsons didn’t work out, ultimately. While the revelation that he was actually a Vietnam veteran named Armin Tamzarian who stole the identity of the real Skinner was ambitious, unfortunately, The Simpsons’ audiences didn’t gel with the idea.
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In the season 9 episode “The Principal and the Pauper,” the real Skinner arrived in Springfield, and Tamzarian’s cushy life came to an abrupt halt. What was so strange about this was that Skinner’s relationship with his mother was such a crucial part of both of their characters, and even Agnes preferred having the imposter as a son, rather than her real child.
The Simpsons seemingly dropped this massive detail after this, and even though it was unlikely that it’d be a regular focus point going forward, it was still odd that the show didn’t reference it more often. Although The Simpsons did acknowledge it again years later, the show essentially swept it under the carpet.
4
The Conners’ Lottery Win
Roseanne
Roseanne season 9 was one big retcon in itself. While Roseanne season 10 retconned Dan’s death, thankfully, another risky story that the show undid during season 9 was The Conner family’s lottery win. At the end of season 9, it was revealed that everything that happened was simply a part of the titular character’s book, which she was writing as a distraction from her grief (and was later explained as another plot in her story).
It made more sense for the Conners to not be rich, as their financial struggles were a key part of their narrative.
In a way, it was disappointing that not even one of the good things from the events of season 9 was real. However, it made more sense for the Conners to not be rich, as their financial struggles were a key part of their narrative. Roseanne’s characters were only treated to a life of better stability for a few episodes before the finale heartlessly ripped it away from them.
Although the storyline “was all a dream,” it was surprising that Roseanne didn’t decide to keep something from season 9 as canon, especially the lottery win. Even if Dan stayed dead, at least giving the Conners a better life would’ve been a happier initial ending for Roseanne before it was later rebooted.
3
Jim & Pam’s Marriage On The Rocks
The Office
Jim and Pam’s relationship in The Office was one of the driving forces of the sitcom, and the decline in their marriage was a wild choice from the writers so late in the show’s run. The pair were pretty much always on the same page, so it felt rather out-of-place when things started to break down between them in The Office season 9. Much to the relief of audiences, this didn’t last long, but it was a painful journey to witness.
These issues appeared very suddenly, and while I admired Jim for wanting to provide a better life for his family, I was confused as to why The Office created so much conflict in order to do so. There was no way that the show would’ve headed into its finale with its most prominent couple in tatters, and even though Jim and Pam’s relationship problems made sense to some degree, it would’ve been more logical for The Office to tackle this storyline directly after Cathy tried to seduce Jim instead.
2
Dennis Goes To North Dakota
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Dennis’ absence from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia had to be acknowledged, as Glenn Howerton was off working on A.P. Bio at the time, but the show took a risk when it came to the reason for the character’s departure. Dennis left Paddy’s and the gang behind to go to North Dakota and be closer to his son, a product of a one-night stand. It was always clear that Howerton and Dennis would come back, but this was a lore-heavy explanation that couldn’t be ignored.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia didn’t completely forget about Brian Jr., but it was a huge moment in Dennis’ story. I was glad to see Dennis develop when he departed in the season 12 finale, but the show also made a massive deal about him leaving, only for him to return in the season 15 premiere. Of course, behind-the-scenes the period was much larger, but for audiences, it wasn’t that long. This was a great way to write Dennis out for a while, but it felt unnecessary and over-the-top for such a short span.
1
Donna & Randy’s Relationship
That ’70s Show
It was obvious from the beginning that Eric and Donna’s relationship in That ‘70s Show was endgame, which was what made her romance with Randy in season 8 that much more confusing. After Eric went to Africa, he and Donna broke up, and That ‘70s Show introduced newbie Randy Pearson.
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But when it was announced that Eric was returning to ring in the New Year in Point Place, Donna broke up with Randy. Donna’s relationship with Randy offered little to the show, and it would’ve made a lot more sense if she’d been alone during this time.
The entire storyline was a waste, really, and it made it seem like Randy’s only function in That ‘70s Show was to be Donna’s love interest. In fact, little else was known about Randy as a person outside of his relationship with Donna. Plus, if the writers knew Topher Grace was returning for the finale, creating Randy made no sense.
