Twists are a common and important part of many TV shows. Because series often unfold over many episodes or seasons, a surprising plot twist helps maintain audience engagement and propels the story. A well-executed twist can create truly memorable moments and spark conversations long after the show has ended.
Not all plot twists work well, and this is particularly true when they involve science fiction. Even in shows that aren’t usually sci-fi, a sci-fi twist can sometimes ruin an episode or even damage an entire series. These twists often come in the form of confusing retcons or unexpected character revelations that feel out of place. Whatever the issue, a bad twist pulls viewers out of the story, and here are seven of the worst examples.
7) St. Elsewhere Was a Figment of a Child’s Imagination (St. Elsewhere)
Okay, let’s be honest: *St. Elsewhere* isn’t science fiction, but its finale took a bizarre turn that many fans consider a mistake. The last episode tied up loose ends – the hospital was sold, characters moved on, and one even died – which seemed like a fitting conclusion. However, the episode then revealed that *everything* we’d seen – the hospital, the doctors, all of it – was just the daydream of an autistic boy looking at a snow globe containing a hospital. Some viewers interpret this as the show existing within a separate, strange universe, or that the snow globe scene itself was the unreal part. Regardless, this twist dramatically altered the impact of the finale and, for many, ruined the entire series.
6) Sam Beckett Never Makes It Home (Quantum Leap)
The series finale of *Quantum Leap*, titled “Mirror Image,” left viewers disappointed and ultimately damaged the show’s legacy with a surprising twist. The series centered around Dr. Sam Beckett, who traveled through time inhabiting other people’s bodies in an attempt to fix past mistakes, all while hoping to eventually return to his own life. However, the finale took an unexpected turn: even though Sam was told he could go home at any time, he instead leaped into another person to deliver the news that his friend Al was still alive. The show concludes with a brief statement revealing that “Dr. Sam Beckett never returned home.”
5) Jack and the 456 (Torchwood)
The third season of *Torchwood* introduced the 456, an alien race, and a shocking revelation about Captain Jack Harkness. It wasn’t a plot twist that ruined the whole story, but one that fundamentally changed a beloved character. The show revealed that the 456 had once offered a cure for a dangerous illness in exchange for children, whom they used as a drug. Even more surprisingly, it was revealed that Jack had previously given the aliens a group of children in exchange for the cure. This was particularly shocking because Jack had always been shown as a compassionate character, never cruel.
4) Elliot is Mr. Robot (Mr. Robot)
The show *Mr. Robot* was known for its surprising twists, but the biggest shock for many viewers came in season 1 when it was revealed that Mr. Robot and Elliot were the same person. The enigmatic Mr. Robot, who had convinced Elliot to target E Corp, wasn’t a separate individual at all-he was a creation of Elliot’s own mental illness, essentially a persona Elliot adopted based on his deceased father. Knowing this completely changes how you view the entire series.
3) Madi’s Fate (The 100)
The final season of The CW’s The 100 wasn’t well-received, but a shocking twist in the second-to-last episode completely derailed the story. Clarke’s adopted daughter, Madi, was captured by a group called the Children of Gabriel, and in an attempt to protect others, she allowed them to extract her memories. This procedure caused a severe stroke, leaving her permanently paralyzed. The heartbreaking part was that Clarke and Octavia arrived just in time to try and save her, but they failed. The finale didn’t improve things; while Clarke and her friends chose to return to Earth, Madi was left behind. It felt like a series of unfortunate events piled on top of each other at the very end.
2) The Thirteenth Doctor’s Regeneration (Doctor Who)
Fans were eager to see Jodi Whittaker’s time as the Thirteenth Doctor come to an end and Ncuti Gatwa take over the role. Everyone expected a straightforward transition, with Whittaker regenerating into Gatwa. However, the finale, “The Power of the Doctor,” surprised everyone by bringing back David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor instead. The episode concluded with Tennant’s Doctor looking bewildered, mirroring the confusion felt by the audience at this unexpected turn of events.
1) The Cigarette Man is the Father of Scully’s Son (The X-Files)
Throughout *The X-Files*, there are many surprising plot twists, but one stands out as particularly damaging to the show’s narrative. In season 5, it was established that Scully couldn’t have children, making her pregnancy in season 8 a major shock. However, the season 11 premiere went even further, revealing that Scully’s son, William, wasn’t actually Mulder’s child. Instead, he was conceived through artificial insemination by the Smoking Man, using alien technology. Because of the questionable circumstances surrounding this event, it’s a disturbing twist that many viewers found difficult to accept.
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2025-09-28 23:13