In the realm of television, the finale episode carries the weight of the entire series. It’s the culmination of years of investment in characters, storylines, and emotions. However, not all finales deliver the closure or satisfaction fans hope for.

In fact, some have left audiences feeling downright betrayed, confused, or downright angry due to rushed storytelling, unresolved plotlines, or misguided creative decisions.

While some series may live on in the hearts of fans despite their disappointing finales, others may forever be remembered for the bitter taste they left behind.

Here is a list of 15 Worst TV series finales ever, as revealed via a recent viral poll held by Ranker. This list contains the ending of the popular TV shows.

15/15 Quantum Leap

The finale of Quantum Leap was a major disappointment for many fans.

The show ended with the revelation that Sam Beckett never returned home, and the ambiguous note that “he never will.”

This lack of resolution for the main character’s journey was a letdown for fans who had hoped for a more definitive and uplifting conclusion to the beloved sci-fi series.

14/15 Jericho

Jericho had a passionate fanbase, but its finale failed to provide a satisfying conclusion.

The show’s abrupt cancellation meant that many of its complex storylines were left unresolved.

While a second season and a comic book series attempted to provide some closure, many fans felt that the finale was a letdown after investing so much in the show’s unique premise.

13/15 Alf

The classic sitcom about an alien life form ended on a grim note, with the titular character being captured by the government.

The episode was intended as a cliffhanger, but the series was canceled, leaving ALF’s fate unresolved.

Fans were disappointed that the lighthearted show concluded on such a dark and unresolved note, without the chance for a proper resolution.

12/15 Ghost Whisperer

Ghost Whisperer‘s finale left fans with more questions than answers.

The show’s central storyline, involving Melinda’s ability to communicate with spirits, was wrapped up in a way that felt unsatisfying and abrupt.

The series failed to provide a proper send-off for its characters, leaving fans yearning for more closure and depth.

11/15 Castle

The ending of Castle was criticized for its rushed and disjointed nature.

Following behind-the-scenes tension, the series ended with a hastily filmed montage showing Castle and Beckett living happily ever after, which felt jarring and unearned.

The abrupt shift in tone and lack of proper buildup left many fans feeling that the series deserved a more thoughtfully crafted conclusion.

10/15 Heroes

Heroes was a show that started with immense promise but stumbled along the way.

The finale did little to redeem the series, ending on a cliffhanger that was never resolved due to the show’s cancellation.

Many fans felt that the series had lost its original vision and that the finale failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the characters’ journeys.

9/15 My Name Is Earl

My Name is Earl was abruptly canceled, leaving the series with an unresolved cliffhanger.

The show’s final episode ended with a title card that read “To Be Continued…” but a continuation never came.

Fans were left hanging, with no resolution to Earl’s quest to right his past wrongs or any closure for the characters’ story arcs.

8/15 Pretty Little Liars

Pretty Little Liars ended with a convoluted twist that many fans found unsatisfying.

The reveal that Spencer Hastings had an evil twin, Alex Drake, who was the final “A,” felt forced and overly complicated.

This twist, combined with the rushed nature of the final season, left fans feeling that the series’ numerous mysteries were resolved in a way that was both confusing and disappointing.

7/15 True Blood

True Blood‘s finale left fans with a bitter taste. The show, known for its supernatural intrigue and complex characters, ended on a surprisingly mundane note.

Sookie Stackhouse uses her powers to kill Bill Compton, her vampire love, in a decision that seemed out of character and anticlimactic.

The show’s final moments, showing a nondescript future, failed to deliver the dramatic punch fans expected from the series known for its bold storytelling.

6/15 Roseanne

The original ending of Roseanne was shocking and disappointing for many fans.

It was revealed that much of the series was a figment of Roseanne’s imagination, including the death of her husband, Dan. This twist negated much of the show’s emotional journey and left fans feeling betrayed.

While the revival series retconned this ending, the original finale remains a sore point for many long-time viewers.

5/15 Two and a Half Men

The finale of Two and a Half Men took a meta approach that didn’t sit well with fans.

The episode broke the fourth wall repeatedly and ended with a grand piano falling on a character meant to represent Charlie Sheen.

The decision to focus on Sheen’s off-screen drama rather than providing closure to the show’s storylines left fans feeling that the series had lost its way and had become more about the behind-the-scenes controversies than the characters they had grown to love.

4/15 Lost

Lost captivated viewers with its mysterious island and complex narrative.

However, the series finale left many fans feeling lost themselves. The ambiguous ending, which revealed that much of the series’ events were part of a purgatorial state, failed to answer many of the show’s lingering questions.

This lack of resolution and the religious overtones of the ending alienated many viewers who had hoped for a more coherent conclusion.

3/15 Dexter

Dexter followed the life of Dexter Morgan, a forensic expert leading a double life as a vigilante serial killer. The series finale was widely panned for its lack of closure and bizarre plot choices.

Rather than facing justice or redemption, Dexter fakes his own death and becomes a lumberjack, leaving fans baffled and unsatisfied.

The conclusion felt disconnected from the show’s core themes and left many feeling the journey had been for naught.

2/15 How I Met Your Mother

After nine seasons of build-up, the finale of How I Met Your Mother delivered a twist that left fans reeling.

The entire series revolved around Ted Mosby’s recounting of how he met the mother of his children, only to reveal in the last episode that she had died, and Ted ended up with Robin.

This twist negated much of the series’ emotional journey, leading to widespread disappointment and backlash from fans who felt their investment in the storyline was undermined.

1/15 Game of Thrones

It’s no surprise that the HBO epic leads the pack. The final season of Game of Thrones faced widespread criticism, culminating in a finale that many fans found unsatisfactory.

After years of complex storytelling and character development, the rushed conclusion felt like a betrayal to many.

The unexpected and underwhelming choice of Bran Stark as the king, Daenerys Targaryen’s rapid descent into madness, and Jon Snow’s ambiguous fate all left fans feeling cheated out of a proper resolution for the epic saga.