Nowadays, “Dinosaurs,” a TV show on ABC depicting a dinosaur family using intricate animatronics, isn’t as famous, particularly among younger audiences. The adventures of Earl and Fran Sinclair and their quirky clan haven’t achieved the enduring popularity in pop culture that shows like “The Simpsons” or “Bob’s Burgers” have. Nevertheless, during its tenure, this show (created by Jim Henson) managed a commendable four-season run with 65 episodes. These segments tackled diverse, thought-provoking themes such as political scandals and drug use, contributing to the program’s broad audience appeal.
Just as dinosaur-themed sitcom ‘Dinosaurs’ didn’t shy away from tackling difficult subjects, episodes like ‘The Greatest Story Ever Sold’ and ‘The Last Temptation of Ethyl’ took on organized religion. However, even dedicated viewers wouldn’t have predicted the final episode’s direction, titled “Changing Natures,” which was so shocking that it left many adult viewers traumatized upon its original broadcast.
What Happened With “Changing Natures”?
Common sitcom series endings often feature heartfelt farewells, acknowledge that child characters have grown up, and wrap up long-standing jokes. Unconventional versions of this format, such as the eccentric finale of Two and a Half Men, usually head towards a more acceptable meta-storyline. However, Dinosaurs, with its audience primarily consisting of kids and their parents, chose a darker route by portraying the Sinclair family and neighbors as victims of a terrifying mass extinction during the Ice Age, as depicted by director Tom Trvoich and writer Kirk Thatcher.
The story starts off showing that the company where main character Earl Sinclair works, WESAYSO, has killed the Bunch Beetles to establish a factory producing wax fruit. This act of corporate selfishness leads to the Cider Poppies, previously tended by the Bunch Beetles, wreaking havoc on the environment. When Earl is put in charge of resolving this predicament, he chooses a hasty remedy which not only eradicates the Cider Poppies but also all the vegetation. This action, in turn, leads to more complications, prompting Earl to devise additional disastrous plans that ultimately result in an Ice Age triggered by volcanic activity.
In the Sinclair family’s troubled times, it seems no quick fix is available to restore their normal life. As the story unfolds, Earl, their father, acknowledges and regrets his mistakes by confessing them to his youngest child, Baby Sinclair. He explains that he failed in his responsibility as a caretaker of the world, leading to potential devastation for future generations, including Baby and his siblings. Despite the grim outlook, Earl’s other children promise to stay with Baby through thick and thin, ensuring he will never be left on his own during hard times.
The final scene shows the Sinclair family inside their home with snow piling up outside. News anchor Howard Handupme delivers a grim weather forecast before signing off. There’s no funny ending, just a solemn acknowledgment of inevitable mortality. Since the Dinosaurs characters were designed to mirror human beings and real-life issues, this bleak finale symbolizes the grim reality of environmental destruction in the real world. It’s one of the saddest sitcom endings ever, and surprisingly, it was part of a premeditated plan for Dinosaurs.
The Dinosaurs Ending Was Always In The Cards
In 2022, Kirk Thatcher shared with Collider that he and Jim Henson initially conceptualized the creation of Dinosaurs by contemplating what they referred to as “dinosaur-thinking.” This mindset was characterized by the belief that one could do whatever they wanted, acting as an apex predator who owned the planet. They reasoned that this way of life would lead to devastating outcomes, even potentially causing the end of the world.
The origin of such an unusual ending can be traced back to Thatcher’s remarks, as he pointed out that the series Dinosaurs often delved into deep social commentary. This allowed the creative team to take such a drastic departure from typical sitcom tones. Despite this finale being significantly different in tone compared to conventional sitcom endings, Thatcher’s observations suggest that it was actually the most fitting way for Dinosaurs to conclude. Given the show’s exploration of human flaws and the inherent mortality of dinosaurs, a happy ending with everyone walking off into the sunset was never a realistic option.
In the grand tradition of seemingly “whimsical” productions by the Jim Henson Company, the series finale of Dinosaurs proved surprisingly poignant. I’ve shed tears listening to Kermit the Frog croon “Rainbow Connection,” so it came as no surprise that a puppet dinosaur drama could tug at heartstrings too. Just like the heavy topics handled in various Sesame Street segments, such as the loss of a loved one, found a deep emotional resonance in the most unexpected forms – “silly” puppets, in this case. So, it was fitting that the cast of puppet prehistoric pals in Dinosaurs would commit to a grim and realistic conclusion, aligning perfectly with this phenomenon. While it may have left an entire generation feeling a little traumatized, I believe that this bleak ending was a brave and well-considered decision on numerous levels.
Dinosaurs is now streaming on Disney+.
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2025-02-08 18:40