15 TV Shows' Final Seasons That Still Make Fans Rage About How Awful They Are

Ah, the bittersweet end of a beloved TV series. It's a moment that should leave us with a sense of closure, fulfillment, and maybe even a few tears.
But let's be honest, more often than not, it's a total letdown. We're left with unanswered questions, unresolved plotlines, and a general feeling of "What the hell was that?"
And the worst part? We can't help but keep thinking about it. We rant to our friends, we post angry tweets, and we angrily type out comments on online forums. Yes, dear readers, I'm talking about TV shows with final seasons so disastrous that we still rage about them to this day.
In this post, we're going to take a look at 15 of the most disappointing, infuriating, and downright awful TV show final seasons that have left fans seething with rage. So, grab a tub of ice cream, pour yourself a stiff drink, and let's see why people hate these finales so much!

#1 The X Files, 1993–2018

Source: © The X Files / 20th Century Fox Television

From 1993 to 2001, the popular series featuring FBI agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder captivated audiences for nine seasons. However, when David Duchovny, the show's lead, departed after Season 8, the quality of the show began to decline. Season 9 was met with mixed reviews from critics and strong disapproval from fans.
Despite this, the producers persisted in their efforts to continue the series. In 2008, they released The X-Files: I Want to Believe, a feature-length sequel that performed poorly at the box office. In 2016 and 2018, the show was revived for two additional seasons with Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny reprising their roles. Unfortunately, these efforts to rekindle fans' nostalgic sentiments fell flat, and the show was ultimately canceled after 16 episodes due to poor ratings.

#2 Castle, 2009–2016

Source: © Castle / Beacon Pictures

Richard Castle, the wisecracking and charming writer, made for the perfect partner to the serious and driven detective Kate Beckett. Audiences couldn't get enough of this dynamic duo, who found themselves in all sorts of thrilling and perilous situations.
For seven seasons, the show maintained its high standards, delivering laughs, suspense, and heartwarming moments in equal measure. However, the final season proved to be a letdown, with viewers finding themselves bored and disengaged. As a result, the show's ratings began to plummet, ultimately leading to its cancellation. It was a disappointing end to a show that had brought so much joy to its fans.

#3 13 Reasons Why, 2017–2020

Source: © 13 Reasons Why / Paramount Television

Sometimes, TV showrunners need to know when to hit the brakes. The first season of 13 Reasons Why was gripping from the get-go, tackling challenging social issues in a thoughtful and compelling way. The finale wrapped things up nicely, leaving viewers satisfied and impressed with the show's intelligence.
So, why did the showrunners decide to keep going for another three seasons? Fans and critics alike were left scratching their heads, wondering what the point was. Unfortunately, the ratings for those subsequent seasons spoke volumes about the audience's disappointment and frustration.

#4 Grey’s Anatomy, 2005 — present

Source: © Grey's Anatomy / ABC Signature

The long-running medical drama has an impressive 17 seasons under its belt. For those who were born when the pilot episode first aired, they may have already graduated from high school by now. Over the years, devoted viewers have witnessed countless events, including the personal lives of the physicians, disasters, and the heart-wrenching deaths of beloved characters.
However, Grey's Anatomy's popularity began to dwindle after season 13, and the show's ratings started to decline. Despite this, the show has maintained a loyal following, and die-hard fans remain invested in the lives of their favorite doctors, hoping for more seasons to come.

#5 Sherlock, 2010–2017

Source: © Sherlock / Hartswood Films

Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's decision to update the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes for the modern age was a smart one. The series was a massive hit, launching Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman II into the stratosphere of British performers. Fans eagerly awaited each new episode, and tuning in on New Year's Eve became a beloved tradition for Sherlock devotees.
However, the excitement turned to disappointment when season 4 arrived with mixed reviews and a lackluster attempt to conclude the beloved narrative. It was a tragic ending to what had been a remarkable series.

#6 Dexter, 2006–2013

Source: © Dexter / Showtime Networks

The conclusion of the Dexter TV series is widely regarded as one of the most crushing endings in TV history. While the first season was a hit with both viewers and critics, subsequent seasons saw a decline in both ratings and quality. By the time Season 6 rolled around, the show had lost a significant portion of its audience, with the season finale earning a dismal 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Given the show's dwindling popularity, it came as a surprise when Showtime announced that Dexter would be returning for a second season. Fans were hopeful that the show could recapture its former glory, but only time would tell if this revival would be enough to make up for the disappointment of the past few seasons.

#7 True Detective, 2014 — present

Source: © True Detective / HBO Entertainment

The first season of True Detective made waves in the Entertainment world. With powerhouse performances from Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, the show was hailed as the most compelling and impactful TV drama of its era. Critics raved, awarding the show an impressive 87% "freshness" rating. Viewers were equally captivated, finding it hard to tear themselves away from the screen.
Unfortunately, subsequent seasons failed to live up to the high bar set by the first. That being said, the third season managed to win back some of the show's lost credibility, with critics and fans alike responding more positively to it than to the second season.

#8 Prison Break, 2005–2017

Source: © Prison Break / Adelstein-Parouse Productions

If the first two seasons of Prison Break were a thrilling escape plan, then the third season was a bungled jailbreak. Despite the series' popularity, the showrunners' decision to drag the story out for additional seasons ultimately led to its downfall.
While diehard fans stuck around until the bitter end, the third season failed to live up to expectations, with critics giving it a mere 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The storylines became repetitive, and the characters' motivations were increasingly unclear. As a result, the series lost its edge and the audience lost interest.

#9 Gossip Girl, 2007–2012

Source: © Gossip Girl / CBS Television Studios

The early seasons of Gossip Girl were a sensation, captivating viewers and critics alike with its juicy plotlines and compelling characters. But as the show progressed, it became clear that the writers were running out of steam. The once-intriguing storylines began to feel repetitive, and the characters' relationships became increasingly convoluted. It was clear that Blair, Serena, Nate, Chuck, and the rest of the gang had outgrown their Upper East Side bubble, and viewers began to lose interest.
By the time the show reached its sixth and final season, the Rotten Tomatoes score had plummeted to a mere 60%. Only a few die-hard fans stuck around until the bitter end to uncover the show's long-awaited Gossip Girl reveal, but by then, the mystery had lost much of its allure.

#10 Suits, 2011–2019

Source: © Suits / Hypnotic

Suits has an interesting premise: Self-taught lawyer Mike Ross was working at one of New York's most prestigious law firms, under the guidance of brilliant attorney Harvey Specter. Fans were enamored with the duo's razor-sharp legal prowess and their daily lives.
However, ratings began to decline after the fifth season. By the time Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle left the show, it had become so unengaging that many viewers stopped watching before reaching the finale. Unfortunately, the show's decline was undeniable, and even die-hard fans couldn't deny that something was amiss in the later seasons.

#11 Big Little Lies, 2017–2019

Source: © Big Little Lies / Home Box Office (HBO)

The first season of Big Little Lies was a hit with both audiences and critics, featuring a gripping plot that kept viewers hooked. However, some fans believe that the show should have stopped at season one, arguing that it was perfect as a standalone limited series.
While the second season did receive positive reviews, some viewers felt that it didn't quite live up to the high standards set by the first season, and that the story could have been wrapped up more effectively. Despite this, the show remains a favorite among many fans, with its powerful performances and exploration of complex themes such as motherhood, domestic violence, and the pressures of societal expectations.

#12 Once Upon a Time, 2011–2018

Source: © Once Upon a Time / ABC Signature

The ABC fantasy drama, Once Upon a Time, once captured the hearts of audiences with its unique twist on classic fairy tales. However, in its later seasons, the show began to recycle old plotlines and lose its magic. Fans were left unimpressed as the same gimmicks and tropes that once worked so well began to fall flat.
As a result, the show's ratings plummeted and it was eventually canceled. It's a shame to see a series with such potential end on a disappointing note.

#13 House of Cards, 2013–2018

Source: © House of Cards / Netflix

House of Cards was a monumental success for Netflix, with the first season becoming a game-changer for streaming services and the TV industry as a whole. Kevin Spacey's portrayal of the ambitious and morally compromised politician Frank Underwood was captivating, and the show's intricate plot kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
However, the show's success was overshadowed by the sexual assault allegations against Kevin Spacey, which led to his dismissal from the series. As a result, the final season of House of Cards had to be written and produced without its star actor, and it received mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike.

#14 THE O.C., 2003–2007

Source: © The O.C. / Warner Bros. Television

The O.C. was a hit sensation among teen drama enthusiasts during its first two seasons, earning critical acclaim for its gripping storylines and well-crafted characters. However, by the time season 3 rolled around, it became apparent that the show's writers had run out of creative steam, failing to inject any new life into the lives of Californian youths Ryan, Seth, Marissa, and Summer.
This lack of originality resulted in a significant dip in ratings, with viewers growing increasingly disenchanted with the repetitive and lackluster storylines. Despite its initial success, The O.C.'s inability to keep up with viewers' expectations ultimately led to its cancellation after just four seasons.

#15 Misfits, 2009–2013

Source: © Misfits / Clerkenwell Films

Fans of unconventional television shows will undoubtedly appreciate the darkly comedic and unapologetically politically incorrect series that revolves around a group of troubled young individuals who gain extraordinary abilities.
Nonetheless, as the series advanced into its third season, audience interest began to wane. By the time the fourth season aired, the show had entirely squandered everything that had initially captivated fans, resulting in an unfortunate loss of viewership.