6 Unanswered Questions from Pushing Daisies That Still Haunt Fans 16 Years Later!

Pushing Daisies, created by Brian Fuller, remains a beloved cult favorite even after it was unexpectedly ended in 2009, with fans still craving more. Starring Lee Pace, who gained recognition for his role in The Hobbit following his performance in this series, he portrays Ned, a pie maker gifted with the power to revive the deceased with a single touch, but causing them to die again permanently upon a second touch. When he resurrects Charlotte “Chuck” Charles (Anna Friel), his long-lost love, he decides to keep her and endure the supernatural repercussions.

As a film enthusiast who’s deeply fond of visually captivating dark comedies, I can’t help but miss “Pushing Daisies” – a series that, unfortunately, left numerous plot threads unresolved when it was abruptly canceled. Despite the brilliant mind behind it, Bryan Fuller, making multiple efforts to revive the series in various formats, such as proposing a “Pushing Daisies” stage musical, the show remains dormant. I can only hope that someday this underrated gem will see the light of day again, but until then, the unanswered mysteries from its storyline keep me restless at night.

6. Will Ned And Chuck Ever Be Able To Touch?

Pushing Daisies Likely Would Have Found A Loophole

A significant allure and sweetness in the show Pushing Daisies comes from the fact that the main characters, Ned and Chuck, can’t touch each other because if they do, Ned’s unique supernatural power would take Chuck’s life again. Instead, these two passionate individuals discover innovative ways to convey their love without actually touching. The desire to witness these star-crossed lovers finally enjoy a physical relationship became one of the series’ most eagerly awaited mysteries to unravel.

Despite the fact that the unique aspect of the show, where the characters can’t physically touch each other, is a significant part of its charm, I often find myself pondering if the series Pushing Daisies might have discovered a solution to allow Chuck and Ned to interact physically. Perhaps the writers could have written an episode where Ned temporarily loses his ability for a day. Alternatively, they could have delved deeper into understanding the source of his powers and potentially found a way to reverse them. Given that the origin of Ned’s abilities remains unknown, it seems plausible that they could concoct a storyline to enable Chuck and Ned to hold hands, if not more.

5. How Do The Aunts React To Chuck Being Alive?

They’re Reunited In The Season 2 Finale

Aunts Lily (Swoozie Kurtz) and Vivian (Ellen Greene), once famed synchronized swimmers called the Darling Mermaid Darlings, had secluded themselves after an accident left Aunt Lily without an eye. They were contemplating a grand return to the spotlight when, tragically, Chuck was killed on a cruise ship, forcing them back into their solitary lives.

In the final episode of season 1 for “Pushing Daisies,” there was a major revelation: Lily confessed her hidden truth to Olive – she is not Chuck’s aunt, but his mother. In season 2, Olive shares this secret with Chuck, which only strengthens her desire to meet Lily despite Ned’s persistent requests for her to remain concealed. In the finale of season 2, titled “Kerplunk,” Ned reluctantly grants Chuck’s wish and they both go to the house of Chuck’s aunts. To their surprise, Lily and Vivian find Chuck alive and well on their doorstep.

Regrettably, we missed out on witnessing Chuck’s reunion with Aunt Vivian and her mother Lily, as the show was terminated before it could continue. Besides seeing mother and daughter reunited, there were many other loose ends to tie up, like Lily admitting to Aunt Vivian that she had an affair with her fiancé, Charles Charles. It’s a pity that another season of Pushing Daisies might have provided some closure, but now we can only speculate about what could have been.

4. Whatever Happened To Alfredo, Olive’s True Soulmate?

Olive Deserved A Second Chance With Him

At the Pie Hole, the exceptional waitress Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) harbors a deep, unrequited love for Ned. Despite this, she clings to the belief that he might return her feelings someday. In the series finale of Pushing Daisies, Olive eventually moves on from Ned and finds happiness with her new partner, Randy Mann – a taxidermist, portrayed by David Arquette.

Though I was glad to see Olive find affection with a new person, I’m convinced that she chose incorrectly. In my opinion, her real love was none other than Alfredo Aldarisio (played by Raúl Esparza) from season 1. A salesman of homeopathic medicine, Alfredo felt an instant connection to Olive when they first met. Unfortunately, Olive remained fixated on Ned and failed to recognize her ideal match standing before her. In the episode “Bitter Sweets,” Alfredo disclosed his intention to depart town due to work commitments, suggesting he may not return. It wasn’t until after he had left for good that Olive finally grasped the magnitude of what she had let go.

Frankly, I’ve never found Arquette’s character appealing, as I felt they were excessively simple for my liking. Yet, there was always a glimmer of hope inside me that Alfredo might reappear someday. A third season of Pushing Daisies would not only have provided an ideal platform to bring back Alfredo, but also allowed Olive to acknowledge that he is her true destiny.

3. Will Emerson Cod Establish A Relationship With His Daughter?

She Seemingly Showed Up At His Office In The Season 2 Finale

In the TV series ‘Pushing Daisies’, Private Investigator Emerson Cod (played by Chi McBride) appears primarily focused on money. However, as the show progresses into its second season, it is revealed that Emerson harbors a tender emotion – a long-lost daughter named Penny. Years ago, his ex abandoned him and their daughter without a trace, and since then, Emerson has been relentlessly searching for her.

In “Water & Power,” Penny’s mom, Nina Robinson, engages Emerson to exonerate her from a murder charge, and in exchange, she promises him visits with Penny. However, in the finale, Nina tricks Emerson by making him think that Penny is hiding in his car, when in reality, it’s just a dummy dressed as Penny. As he discovers this, Nina speeds off, while 12-year-old Penny waves goodbye from the window with a smile.

In the season 2 finale, titled “Kerplunk,” it wasn’t so much that Nina broke her promise, but rather an opportunity presented itself for Emerson to encounter Penny. A figure of a young girl was depicted at the door of Emerson’s office, leaving us with the tantalizing possibility of their reunion. Unfortunately, we were denied the sight of father and daughter working together again. If I had my way, I would have enjoyed seeing Penny tag along with her dad on a few cases as his “mini detective.

2. Will Oscar Vibenius Ever Learn Chuck’s Secret?

He Was On The Way To Sniffing It Out

In “Pushing Daisies,” there were numerous remarkable guest appearances, including Paul Reubens in his memorable role as Oscar Vibenius, one of his finest performances apart from Pee-Wee Herman. Debuting in “Smell of Success,” Oscar is a specialist in the field of smells, particularly those unpleasant ones. He develops an intrigue towards Chuck and Digby’s natural musk since they both have a similar scent due to being resurrected.

Intrigued by a scent unlike any other he had encountered before, Oscar develops an intense curiosity about why Chuck has such a distinct aroma, prompting him to inquire if she would share a strand of her hair for testing purposes. He harbors the belief that there’s something mysterious lurking beneath Chuck’s surface and vows to uncover it, whether she assists him or not. Torn between her reluctance and curiosity, Chuck ultimately refuses Oscar’s request, leaving him no choice but to accept some of Digby’s fur clippings as a substitute for his experiments.

Following the cancellation of “Pushing Daisies,” there’s still the query: will Oscar unveil Chuck’s secret? Should he find out, one wonders what actions he might take. The potential consequences are rather ominous, but alas, they’ll be left unsolved, a mystery.

1. Who Is Ned’s Father, And What Is He Hiding?

The Man Will Remain An Enigma

The situation is as follows: At age 9, Ned was sent to boarding school by his father who later remarried and had twin sons with another woman. This abandonment left him traumatized, and even after 20 years, he hasn’t had any contact with his father. However, it seems that his father may be closer than Ned thinks, as suggested in season 2 of “Pushing Daisies.” In the episode “The Norwegians,” he saves both Olive and Ned from danger, while continuing to help his son covertly without revealing himself.

In season 2, we meet Dwight Dixton, a suspicious drifter who had past connections with Chuck’s father, Charles Charles, and Ned’s dad. All three were part of the Blue Berets, but it seems they might have been more than just that: They could have been undercover agents. Each of them possessed a pocket watch bearing their initials, which, when united, might have uncovered an explosive secret. Unfortunately, this secret remains undisclosed because the show was unexpectedly terminated.

The television series failed to provide answers regarding Ned’s father, such as why he sent Ned to boarding school, if it was to shield him from potential dangers, and why he had another family but abandoned them too. Additionally, there were enigmas surrounding the watches. Regrettably, despite Brian Fuller’s persistent efforts to produce a Pushing Daisies revival that could shed light on these unresolved issues, we remain in the dark about them.

2025-05-07 11:39