Mary Murphy
17 TV Characters Who Deserved Much Better Endings
Television shows have the power to make us fall deeply in love with characters over years of storytelling.
We watch them grow, struggle, triumph, and change, investing countless hours in their journeys.
Yet sometimes, writers deliver endings that feel rushed, unfair, or completely out of character, leaving fans frustrated and disappointed.
These 17 beloved TV characters experienced conclusions that simply didn’t do justice to their arcs or the time viewers spent caring about them.
1. Dexter Morgan from Dexter
Miami’s favorite serial killer captivated viewers with his dark passenger and moral code.
Dexter’s internal struggle between his murderous urges and desire for normalcy created eight seasons of compelling television.
His relationships with Rita, Debra, and Harrison added emotional depth to a killer’s story.
The original finale disappointed nearly everyone who watched.
Dexter faked his death and became a lumberjack, abandoning his son and leaving countless questions unanswered.
The conclusion felt lazy and unsatisfying.
Even the network recognized this mistake.
Years later, they produced a revival series attempting to give Dexter the ending he deserved, proving how badly the original finale missed the mark.
2. Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother
Legendary! Barney started as a shallow womanizer obsessed with suits and elaborate schemes.
Over nine seasons, he evolved into someone capable of genuine love and commitment.
His relationship with Robin showed real emotional growth and vulnerability beneath the bravado.
The finale destroyed all that development in minutes.
His marriage dissolved offscreen, and he immediately returned to his old playboy ways.
The character regression felt cruel and pointless.
What truly hurt was how the show treated his transformation into a father as a punchline.
After years of growth, Barney deserved better than being reset to his season one personality, erasing everything fans loved about his journey.
3. Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Everyone’s favorite bookworm from Stars Hollow returned years later, and fans expected to see her thriving.
The original series ended with Rory heading off to follow Barack Obama’s campaign, full of promise and potential.
Viewers anticipated seeing her journalistic success.
Instead, the revival showed Rory floundering professionally and making questionable personal choices.
She was unemployed, entitled, and involved in an affair.
Her character seemed to have learned nothing from her earlier mistakes.
The infamous final four words felt more shocking than satisfying.
After all those years, Rory deserved a conclusion showing maturity and accomplishment, not stagnation and poor judgment that disappointed longtime fans.
4. Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones
For eight seasons, audiences watched the Mother of Dragons fight for justice and freedom.
She broke chains, liberated cities, and positioned herself as a different kind of ruler. Her compassion defined her character through countless decisions.
Then everything changed in just two episodes.
The show rushed her transformation into a villain, burning innocents without proper buildup.
Years of carefully crafted development vanished almost overnight.
Fans felt betrayed because the change happened too quickly.
The writers compressed what should have been a season-long descent into madness into mere hours of screen time, making one of television’s most compelling heroes suddenly unrecognizable.
5. Poussey Washington from Orange Is the New Black
Sweet, intelligent, and full of hope, Poussey brought light to Litchfield Penitentiary.
Her friendship with Taystee formed the emotional heart of the show.
She dreamed of opening a restaurant and building a life after prison, making her one of the most sympathetic characters.
Her death during a peaceful protest felt unnecessarily brutal.
A correctional officer accidentally suffocated her while breaking up the demonstration.
The scene was difficult to watch and sparked important conversations about police brutality.
However, many viewers felt her death served more as a plot device than a necessary story beat.
Poussey had so much potential, and losing her felt cruel rather than meaningful to her character’s journey.
6. Sayid Jarrah from Lost
The Iraqi communications officer brought complexity and depth to Lost’s ensemble cast.
Sayid’s tortured past and quest for redemption made him fascinating.
His love for Nadia and later Shannon added emotional layers to his character throughout the series.
His ending in the finale felt rushed and emotionally hollow.
After being infected by darkness and briefly becoming a villain, Sayid sacrificed himself in an explosion.
The redemption moment happened too quickly to feel earned.
Fans who loved Sayid for six seasons deserved to see more of his journey back to humanity.
Instead, his death felt like the writers checking a box rather than honoring a beloved character’s complete arc.
7. Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad
Walter White’s former student endured unimaginable trauma throughout Breaking Bad.
Jesse lost girlfriends, friends, and his innocence while being manipulated by Mr. White.
His emotional journey from small-time dealer to broken survivor was heartbreaking to witness.
Yes, Jesse survived the series finale and escaped to Alaska.
However, many fans felt this wasn’t true resolution.
He drove away screaming and crying, completely shattered by his experiences with no real healing shown.
The character deserved more than just survival.
After everything he suffered, Jesse needed a glimpse of actual peace or recovery, not just freedom while still carrying overwhelming psychological damage and trauma.
8. Andrea from The Walking Dead
In the comics, Andrea becomes one of the most skilled survivors and Rick’s romantic partner.
The TV version started strong, showing promise as a capable fighter and leader.
She had potential to become a central figure in the group’s survival.
Instead, the show gave her frustrating storylines and poor decision-making.
Her relationship with the Governor made her seem naive.
Then she died in season three, bitten and left to turn in a tragic scene.
Andrea never reached the heights her comic counterpart achieved.
TV fans were robbed of seeing her become the sharpshooter and leader she was meant to be, cutting short a character with far more potential than realized.
9. Abbie Mills from Sleepy Hollow
Lieutenant Abbie Mills was the true heart and hero of Sleepy Hollow.
Her partnership with Ichabod Crane drove the show’s success for three seasons.
She balanced skepticism with belief, making her the perfect anchor for the supernatural storylines that defined the series.
Then the show inexplicably sidelined her in favor of other characters.
Her sudden death in season four felt like a betrayal.
The series lost its way without her, and fans knew it.
Abbie deserved to see her story through to the end.
Removing the show’s lead and most compelling character without proper closure angered devoted viewers who recognized her as Sleepy Hollow’s foundation and soul.
10. Marissa Cooper from The O.C.
The troubled teen from Newport Beach defined The O.C. alongside Ryan Atwood.
Marissa’s struggles with family drama, relationships, and self-destructive behavior made her relatable despite her wealthy background.
Her romance with Ryan formed the show’s emotional core for three seasons.
Her shocking death in a car accident ended one of television’s most central storylines.
The accident happened after Volchok ran them off the road.
Ryan held Marissa as she died, devastating viewers.
Many felt the show killed Marissa for shock value rather than narrative necessity.
She deserved a chance at growth and recovery, not a tragic ending that chose drama over character development and healing.
11. Kara Thrace (Starbuck) from Battlestar Galactica
The hotshot viper pilot brought attitude, skill, and complexity to Battlestar Galactica’s reimagined series.
Starbuck’s journey included death, mysterious resurrection, and a prophesied destiny.
Her relationship with Apollo and search for Earth captivated audiences through four intense seasons.
Then she simply vanished in the finale.
After leading humanity to Earth, Starbuck disappeared mid-conversation with Lee, leaving everyone confused.
Was she an angel?
A ghost?
The show never explained.
Fans debated the ambiguous ending for years.
While some appreciated the mystery, many felt frustrated by the lack of answers.
Starbuck deserved a concrete conclusion after everything she endured and accomplished throughout the series.
12. Toby Ziegler from The West Wing
The brilliant, grumpy Communications Director served President Bartlet with unwavering loyalty and idealism.
Toby’s sharp mind and moral compass made him essential to the Bartlet administration.
His speeches and strategic thinking shaped some of The West Wing’s most memorable moments.
Late in the series, Toby leaked classified information about a military space shuttle.
This betrayal felt completely out of character for someone so dedicated to the President.
His prosecution and disgrace shocked viewers.
The storyline seemed designed to create drama rather than serve Toby’s character.
After years of faithful service and friendship, he deserved better than an ending that made him look like a traitor to everything he believed in.
13. Michael Scott from The Office
That’s what she said! Michael Gary Scott managed Dunder Mifflin Scranton with heart, humor, and occasional incompetence.
Despite his cringe-worthy moments, Michael genuinely cared about his employees.
His departure in season seven left a massive hole in the show.
His goodbye episode was touching but understated.
Michael quietly removed his microphone and left for Colorado with Holly.
He appeared briefly in the finale, saying little.
While some appreciated the subtle sendoff, others felt television’s most quotable boss deserved a bigger moment.
After seven seasons of making us laugh and cry, Michael’s quiet exit felt too small for such a defining character who shaped the entire series.
14. Nate Archibald from Gossip Girl
The golden boy of Manhattan’s Upper East Side started as Chuck’s best friend and Serena’s ex.
Throughout six seasons, Nate searched for purpose beyond his family name and good looks.
He tried journalism, business, and various relationships seeking meaningful direction.
His ending lacked any real payoff or resolution.
Nate ran for mayor in a rushed storyline that felt tacked on.
The show never properly concluded his romantic life or career ambitions.
As one of the core four characters, Nate deserved better than drifting through the finale without meaningful closure.
His storylines always felt secondary, and his ending reflected that unfortunate pattern, leaving him without satisfying resolution.
15. Hannah Baker from 13 Reasons Why
The subject of thirteen tapes explaining her suicide, Hannah’s story launched a controversial series.
Her experiences with bullying, assault, and betrayal sparked important conversations about teen mental health.
The show’s unflinching portrayal of her pain resonated with many young viewers.
However, critics questioned whether the graphic depiction of her death was responsible.
Mental health experts worried about contagion effects.
The show’s handling of suicide became intensely debated in psychological and educational communities.
Whether the ending served Hannah’s character or exploited it remains controversial.
Some felt it raised awareness, while others believed it romanticized suicide.
Hannah deserved a story that helped rather than potentially harmed vulnerable viewers struggling similarly.
16. Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy
Meredith’s person and a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, Cristina Yang prioritized her career over everything else.
Her relationship with Owen Hunt and friendship with Meredith defined much of Grey’s Anatomy’s emotional landscape.
She represented women who choose professional ambition unapologetically.
Cristina left for Switzerland to run a hospital, achieving professional success.
While career-wise satisfying, her emotional goodbye to Meredith felt rushed.
The show moved on quickly after losing such a central character.
Many fans wished for more closure on her personal growth beyond surgery.
After ten seasons of watching Cristina evolve, her departure felt too abrupt emotionally, even if professionally triumphant.
She deserved more time for a proper farewell.
17. JJ Maybank from Outer Banks
The loyal Pogue with a troubled home life quickly became a fan favorite.
JJ’s humor masked deep pain from his abusive father.
His fierce loyalty to John B and the Pogues, combined with reckless bravery, made him the group’s wild card and heart.
Recent seasons gave JJ increasingly difficult storylines without proper resolution or care.
His trauma remained largely unaddressed while he faced more danger and hardship.
The character deserved more thoughtful handling of his emotional wounds.
Fans connected deeply with JJ’s vulnerability beneath his tough exterior.
His storylines deserved more attention to healing and growth rather than piling on additional trauma without meaningful character development or support from the narrative.
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