Copyright Screen Rant
These are the most disliked TV series finales, but they're actually more compelling and satisfying than you think. With just a few weeks left before the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, we all know how important the last episode of a beloved series is. Even a hit show like Lost, which has epic world-building, strong character development, and moving flashbacks in most episodes, couldn't escape harsh criticism when the finale aired. However, while not everyone agrees that the ending of Lost worked for the story, there are even more finales that we're still discussing years or decades later. Whether it's the epic conclusion to a beloved fantasy or a sitcom finale that quickly became iconic, these episodes deserve more praise than they get. Castle Castle is still a comforting binge-watch all these years later, but many fans didn't like the structure of the finale, "Crossfire." Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) survive being shot and, in a flash-forward, we see them with their three kids eating breakfast. There's no doubt this is cheesy, but that's in line with the whole tone of the series, and it's hard to think of a more satisfying ending for Castle. Since the show is about the pair working together on various cases, it's easy to understand why the writers put their lives in danger for the last episode. The stakes had to be raised, after all. It's also easy to see why the couple gets a happy ending. Since so many episodes feature Kate and Castle bantering and eventually, dating, we wanted to know that they would still be together. Sure, it might not be the most exciting episode of the entire series, but it's not as terrible as some fans think. Dexter If we assumed that Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) would die at the end of Dexter, that came true... well, kind of. After it seems that his life is over, there's one final twist, and we learn that he's actually alive and is a lumberjack in Oregon. Many also dislike the Dexter finale because Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) dies, which feels particularly tragic. However, when we reflect on it, it's hard to say that this last episode is as awful as people say. When we tune into a series finale of a show that has run for eight seasons, don't we want some big surprises? We also know that even if the character's demise had been final in "Remember the Morgans?", he would have come back from the spinoff series Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection. Weeds Fans didn't enjoy the Weeds series finale due to the unhappy spot Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise-Parker) is in and the devastating end of her complicated relationship with Andy (Justin Kirk). It's also tough to watch Shane (Alexander Gould) struggle so much. However, although it's horrible to find out that Andy and Nancy haven't talked in a long time, it's hard not to admit that this was the right ending. Throughout all eight seasons of Weeds, Nancy takes advantage of Andy's feelings for her. She likes knowing that he's always there, and he becomes a comforting presence in her life. This isn't fair, though, and it would have felt wrong if the two had gotten a happy ending. It's great that Andy takes control of his life and decides to leave Nancy behind. Shane's storyline works, too, and although we're sad to see him as an alcoholic, it's a realistic portrayal of someone who grew up in such an unstable home. Nancy grows up for the first time in the last episode and learns to let Andy go, which was the right move. It's beautiful to see her come to terms with her mistakes. The last scene of Nancy sitting with Shane, Andy, Doug (Kevin Nealson), and Silas (Hunter Parrish) is also great. It shows they'll still be in each other's lives, although they all need some space in order to heal and move forward. Game Of Thrones There's no doubt that the Game of Thrones series finale is intense. Many question why so many big plot points happen in only a few episodes and think that the storylines should have been more carefully constructed. It's hard to believe that the last season had only six episodes when we think about the show's pop culture legacy and how many people were anticipating the ending. At least eight or 10 would have been a better idea, and then maybe we would have felt that the final season was as good as the rest of the show. While fans disagree with the main storylines, including Jon Snow (Kit Harington) murdering Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), it's not the worst episode of Game of Thrones. It's honestly not even a terrible finale when we take into account that it goes to an unexpected place. Roseanne The famous ending of Roseanne, "Into That Good Night," upset fans when it aired in May 1997, and it remains one of the most reviled series finales of all time. It's definitely surprising to learn that even though we thought Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and her family became rich by winning the lottery, that didn't actually happen. Instead, Dan's (Dan Goodman) heart attack was fatal, and Roseanne has been writing a book inspired by her experiences. Although it's not ideal to tell viewers that the events of the past season weren't real, it does make sense. Roseanne has always been a raw, gritty sitcom about class differences and financial problems. When we reflect on season 9, it's hard to believe that the Conners' luck would really change this quickly. The Roseanne series finale also works because it explores grief and loss, and it's interesting to see her reflect on her life. Squid Game When Squid Game season 3 arrived on Netflix in June 2025, we knew we would all have strong opinions about the finale, thanks to the intense and dark nature of the popular series. The response was definitely negative. There's no doubt it's surprising to see Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) choose to die, and this is the main issue that many have with the last episode. After watching Gi-hun survive so many deadly games, and becoming invested in his mental and physical strength, it was tough to say goodbye to him. However, since he's ensuring that Jun-hee's (Jo Yu-ri) baby is fine, it works for the story. Ever since it became clear that Jun-hee was pregnant, we were nervous about what would happen to the infant. If another outcome had put the baby in jeopardy, that would have been a lot worse. Everything gets wrapped up properly, from Jun-hee's baby winning the devastating competition to a hint that this terrible game will be played in the U.S. Since we know Netflix might make a U.S. spinoff, which seems to be why Cate Blanchett makes a cameo at the end of Squid Game, the last moments matter a lot. How I Met Your Mother There's no doubt that the series finale of How I Met Your Mother is one of the most controversial in television history. After watching Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) recount his most significant love story for nine seasons, how could the show kill off his soulmate? Many of us felt we had just gotten to know Tracy McConnell (Cristin Milioti) and then she was gone. Throughout every episode, the show makes it seem like Ted and The Mother had a happy ending. Learning that she has passed away from an illness is shocking and horrifying. However, the HIMYM finale itself isn't that bad. It's a compelling meditation on how you never know what's going to happen in life, and Ted makes it clear that he and Tracy had a beautiful relationship. They loved being with each other, had many great experiences, and enjoyed embarking on parenthood together. If you hoped Ted and Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) would get back together, then you have to admit the part of the finale when they find their way back to each other is romantic and moving. The main problem with the HIMYM finale is actually the entire ninth and final season, which isn't up to the storytelling standards of the sitcom. Since all 24 episodes take place over the weekend of Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin's wedding, it doesn't have the show's typical tone, and it feels off. None of the season 9 storylines are particularly interesting, and the first episode's plotline about Barney and Robin wondering if they're related is awkward and gross. If we ignore these episodes and focus on the finale, it's a satisfying ending because we get a complete picture of Ted's story and find out the truth about his future.
