You fall in love with a show. You fall in love with the characters. You fall in love with a UNIVERSE. And then, suddenly, without warning, your favorite show is canceled, and you feel a tremendous loss.

Television can be a comfort to many, and when you find that show or that perfect character that you connect with, it downright sucks to know you won't get to see them anymore.

Over the years, many shows have been cut short ahead of their time.

While others may have had a decent run, with years under their belt, the cancellation can still feel abrupt, especially when they don't get to end the series on their own terms.

We've seen fan campaigns change studios' minds (we're looking at you, Jericho) and cancellations reversed at the last minute (S.W.A.T. says hi!), but unfortunately, most shows don't have that same luck.

Their cancellations sometimes led them to a popularity they never achieved while the show aired.

Related: S.W.A.T Rolls Again as CBS Rescinds Cancellation, Orders Eighth Season

Adding every canceled show is impossible, as there are far too many to list. And there are no criteria outside of quality television that deserved better, as we lament what could have been.

After you've checked out our list (in no particular order), let us know which cancellations still haunt you!

Pitch

One thing you'll see repeatedly on this list are shows that came out way ahead of their time. If you put Pitch on today, it would do much better.

Dan Fogelman, of This Is Us fame, created this gem of a series, which followed Ginny Baker as she became the first woman to play in the Major Leagues.

The series was a showcase for Kylie Bunbury, who stepped into Ginny's shoes beautifully, playing the young pitcher as the emotional, confident, and slightly terrified rookie she was.

Fans will never forget the finale, which leaned into the chemistry between Ginny and catcher Mike Lawson, played by TV veteran Mark-Paul Gosselaar. They left us on a cliffhanger as the will-they/won't-they couple got closer than ever.

But outside of the popular ship, there was an earnestness to the series, which was very popular with men and women alike, though that didn't necessarily translate to the viewership numbers.

If the show were on today, with baseball's increased popularity, there would be a lot more eyeballs on the series, and it would have found its niche.

The Big Leap

Sometimes, a show comes along that fills you with joy and is so brilliantly made that you can tell everyone involved truly loved what they were doing.

The Big Leap was that show.

As with most cancellations, the series couldn't find a consistent audience, which was a shame because the aspirational story had a little something for everyone to enjoy.

A diverse cast full of extremely talented actors brought the story of a ragtag group working to put together a remake of Swan Lake to life, and those who fell in love with the series still mourn its early demise to this day.

Related: The Big Leap's Quiet Brilliance and Why It Deserved Your Attention & Viewership

This list is filled with unique series, and in the age of remakes and reboots, they're needed more than ever.

The Big Leap was a series that took a chance, and we're still saddened we didn't get to see this story through.

Roswell, New Mexico

This is a case of a series having a decent run (52 episodes of the sci-fi drama ran during its four seasons), but there was still story to tell about the infamous town home to aliens and the humans that loved them.

Purged during the great CW cancellation season, Roswell, New Mexico didn't necessarily get to end how it wanted to, which meant the series finale was nice but not wholly satisfying.

For starters, so much of the series revolves around Liz Ortecho, a human scientist, and Max Evans, a sheriff/alien, and the series ends with them on two different planets. Literally.

The ending wasn't all bad, with fan-favorites Malex getting married and other pairings setting sail, but the series could have used one final season to wrap everything up in a more fulfilling way.

Splitting that final season between the alien's home planet and Earth would have been monumental and wrapped the end of the series nicely.

Happy Endings

We were AH-MAHZINGLY disappointed when ABC canceled this ambitious and hilarious comedy after only three seasons.

This is another series that had a decent run but deserved better because it was that funny.

The cast was a who's who of young actors with chemistry like nothing we'd seen since Friends. And they deserved that kind of longevity.

We could have watched many more years of Brad and Jane navigating marriage, Max floating through life, and Penny just happy to be there.

This is one best friend group we desperately miss.

Twisted

Can we get some justice for Kylie Bunbury? She's got two shows on this list that deserved so much better by us.

Remember when Freeform was THE place to be for teenage drama?

Once upon a time, Twisted was one of its best, but it never caught on with audiences, perhaps because there were too many similar shows on the same network at that time.

Avan Jogia (why is he not a bigger star?) was the lead in the somewhat frightening thriller as a teenager recently released from juvenile detention. Said teenager was charged with killing his aunt, but that little factoid was only the tip of the iceberg.

Related: Cruel Summer and Good Trouble Cancellations Signal the End Is Near for Freeform

The series had a lot going on. There was the usual teenage drama that these kinds of shows highlight, but there was also deception, murder, and plot twists galore.

Perhaps because it existed at the same time as Pretty Little Liars, it could never find its audience. The two series were different but also similar in certain aspects.

Either way, the series had a fun cast and a decent premise that should have kept it on the air for many years.

The Secret Circle

In the era of The Vampire Diaries, supernatural series centered around teens were never more popular, and The Secret Circle came along at a time when it should have been a hit.

And it did start strong, though this was another case of a series coming in hot but then cooling off as the season waned on.

Instead of vampires or werewolves, the series revolved around teenage witches and a coven called The Circle.

Of course, there was a lot of danger lurking around the corners in Chance Harbor, Washington, and the young coven of witches found themselves battling dangerous forces while still having to go to high school.

Unfortunately, the series, based on the same name written by L.J. Smith (who also penned The Vampire Diaries novel series), never could gain the sort of widespread support its sister series did.

Still Star-Crossed

Forgive us for not moving on from this Shondaland period drama, which never got the credit it deserved!

Period drams on broadcast television are HARD to pull off, but there was such a lightness and true romantic feel about Still Star-Crossed that it has stayed with us for some ten-plus years since ABC dumped it after a single season.

Following two of the most famous families in literary history, the Capulets and Montagues, the series had a diverse cast. They pushed romance to the forefront while also focusing on the dreams and aspirations of his large cast of colorful characters.

Visually, it was stunning, but unfortunately, critics were never sold on the Shakespearean tale or the drama that came with it.

Vampire Academy

Listen, was Vampire Academy the best fantasy horror show ever? No. But it was a good time and only scratched the surface of what it could have been.

The show's vampire lore, taken from the popular novel series, was engaging and set it apart from many of the vampire shows we're used to seeing.

There was action, romance, and mystery at the heart of things, which revolved around the morois, the dhampirs, and the happenings at St. Vladimir's Academy.

Vampire Academy started great but lost momentum as the first season raged on.

And you have to wonder, if they keep up the pace and excitement of the first few episodes, whether they could have been given a second chance to build their world more.

Good Girls

Good Girls was never the hit it should have been.

The premise was wild: Three moms and their best friends robbed a grocery store to help with their various financial issues.

Related: Good Girls Series Chat: The Good, The Bad, and What Could Have Been

What ensued was four seasons and 50 episodes of plot twists, wacky shenanigans, and one of the weirdest series finales to date.

It wasn't bad, per se, but there was room to continue the story and not end things with everyone so fractured.

This series just needed ONE more season to wrap everything up and give closure to fans who rallied around this series season after season, even when things went off the rail sometimes.

Technically, this show's conclusion worked, but we're haunted by what could have been had they ended the series the way they wanted to.

Station 19

The #SaveStation19 campaign still wages on, as the veteran series was unceremoniously canceled, catching its ardent fans off-guard.

The series will wrap up its run with over 100 episodes, which should be celebrated and appreciated.

But we can't help but wonder what new heights the show could have reached if it continued its trajectory and reached the heights of its predecessor, Grey's Anatomy.

There's still a lot of life left in this series, which leaves its cancelation all the more upsetting and puzzling.

We haven't seen how things will end as of this date, but we feel confident stating that there were still stories to tell with and around the Seattle Fire Department, and we'll never stop wondering where these characters could have gone if they'd gotten more time.

Prodigal Son

As previously mentioned, some canceled shows over the years got a second chance at life due to tremendous campaigns put together by devoted fans.

The fans of Prodigal Son tried their best to save the FOX procedural after it was canceled, but unfortunately, a streamer never picked up the series, and we were all left to wonder what could have been.

The series finale ended on a crazy cliffhanger, with father and son Martin and Malcolm coming to blow, and Malcolm stabbing his father in the stomach. Fate unknown. It was one hell of an ending to one of the more clever television series of the time.

Related: Prodigal Son Four Years Later: Everything We Miss About The Killer Series!

There was no show like it, and no show has replaced it, as it's not easy to create a twisty, creepy broadcast drama that feels like a premium drama without the nudity and swearing.

There was something special about seeing the delectable Martin, a wondrous Martin Sheen, opposite strongwilled Malcolm, played to perfection by Tom Payne. There are a lot of procedurals on the air today, and none are as unique and entertaining as this series was.

Kevin (Probably) Saves the World

Kevin (Probably) Saves the World was kind of a perfect show.

Kevin was a guy who was down on his luck and came to live with his sister and his niece after a suicide attempt.

While trying to get his feet back under him, he was visited by a woman who told him that God needed him to save the world.

From there, Kevin was off on a quest to complete good deeds, and in the process, he learned about himself and became a better person. As the audience, we were better off from having watched such a good-natured series take flight.

Jason Ritter has been and will always be a phenomenal actor, and this was the perfect vehicle for him to show his dramatic chops and comedic timing.

It was a lovely show, with many life lessons learned each week, and more than one season was needed with the quirky cast of characters.

So Help Me Todd

Words can't express how sad it was to hear that So Help Me Todd would be wrapping up at the end of its sophomore season.

The CBS dramedy was actually a hit with viewers, but unfortunately, CBS had many series that were pulling in great numbers, and the delightful Todd drew the short straw.

Skylar Astin and Marcia Gay Harden was a dream duo as the titular Todd, a well-meaning but slightly chaotic private investigator, and his overbearing mother, Margaret, worked together to solve several wacky cases.

Related: Is It A Mistake To Cancel So Help Me Todd?

The series stood out as a true dramedy and could bring a tear to your eye through sheer emotions or laugh-out-loud comedy every week.

We're very disappointed we never got to see Todd get his happily ever after and Margaret settle down with the lovable Gus.

There were so many stories left to tell in Portland, and it's disappointing that we'll never get to see how everything turned out for the beautiful characters created in this universe.

Was the show who's cancellation broke your heart on this list? Let us know in the comments!

The post These Cancellations Still Haunt Us appeared first on TV Fanatic.

However, a select few are so charismatic and good at their jobs that they make us wonder if they are the true heroes of their shows.

These characters are in it for the long haul, living out in the open and evading capture.

They may build a business empire or just maintain the solitary life of a freelance assassin, but whatever they do, it's done with style and a certain "why didn't I think of that" cleverness.

A fair number of these criminals inhabit shows that carry their names, like Dexter, Barry, and Ripley.

But many more operate within larger fictitious worlds that center law-enforcement heroes and recognizable moral codes.

Here are four of our favorite smooth TV criminals. We definitely shouldn't love them as much as we do, but what can we say — our hearts are the first thing they stole!

Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), Justified

The GOAT of smooth TV criminals is from down in the holler of Harlan County, Kentucky.

Boyd, the former high school friend and current nemesis of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant), hails from a long line of drug runners but began the series as a bank robber.

Boyd is a slightly tarnished version of Raylan. The two share a history of mining coal as young men and are intelligent, attractive, and excessively articulate.

After a near-death experience, Boyd cycles through finding religion, going to jail, and running a bar before becoming a major local crime boss. He and Raylan are often at a standoff, but their mutual respect keeps them from fully destroying the other.

Boyd always presents a sharp figure no matter where he's currently located on the income spectrum. His neat, perfectly fitted attire contrasts with the shock of hair standing straight up from his head, a sign that all is not as it seems with him.

Boyd's mythic sense of self and complicated code of ethics make him a fascinating criminal. He is often funny and poetic during his frequent contraction-free and preacher-cadenced monologues.

Various setbacks occur during Boyd's criminal career, but he uses his hometown connections to great effect. It's mesmerizing to watch him leverage old ties and suggest mutually beneficial compromises between local factions that would never occur to outsiders.

Boyd's situational intelligence and twisted moral core make him compelling, but his business acumen takes him to the next level as a villain. Like Raylan, we secretly want Boyd to escape the law and maybe just be satisfied with running that darned bar.

Villanelle (Jodie Comer), Killing Eve

Villanelle is the apex predator of the smooth criminal set. A remorseless killing machine, she also boasts a wry sense of humor and a preternaturally excellent sense of fashion.

Her exuberance is matched only by her skill as an assassin.

Villanelle kills those she is paid to but somehow ends up leaving several other bodies in her wake with every assignment.

The kills are usually instinctual and clean, as if operating from muscle memory.

Villanelle's competence and insouciance are what draw British Intelligence Investigator Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) to a point bordering on obsession.

The two play cat-and-mouse all over Europe, with Eve always a step behind.

It is tempting to label Villanelle a sociopath and be done with it, but she is far too complicated for that description to be either accurate or fair.

Villanelle's orphaned childhood, constant lies from her handlers, and the different personas she's assumed to complete assignments have all contributed to a fractured view of life and her place in it.

She is also genuinely curious about people, even if that doesn't stop her from killing them.

Villanelle and Eve mirror each other much as Boyd and Raylan do in Justified.

Villanelle is an expert assassin who moves through the world stylishly and mostly without consequences, but it takes Eve some time to stop making mistakes in her new globetrotting job.

Villanelle is initially intrigued by Eve's flawless hair but soon senses that her nemesis has an enviable core of decency.

The possibility that Villanelle might reform keeps Eve and the audience invested in an otherwise monstrous criminal character — well, that and her outfits!

Berlin (Pedro Alonso), Money Heist and Berlin

Suave, sophisticated, and sadistic, Berlin's character stood out among the red jumpsuits and Dali masks of his fellow bank robbers in the hit series Money Heist.

Berlin is one of the masterminds behind a daring plan to infiltrate the Royal Mint of Spain. Armed with those red jumpsuits and guns, a group of thieves take the Mint's employees hostage while they try to steal 2.4 billion euros.

Berlin is as charming and assured as a gameshow host with the hostages, but he can instantly turn threatening when challenged. He is a volatile bon vivant who lives in the moment even more ferociously now after a dire medical diagnosis.

In what is starting to look like a pattern for these characters, Berlin is brilliant, scathingly funny, and extremely good at his job.

Criminal characters also share the lack of a moral compass, but Berlin conveys a palpable sense of danger that keeps his odds of redemption low. 

Every time you are charmed into liking his character and wishing him well, he performs a brutal act that will leave you speechless.

His character benefits from flashbacks showing preparations for this and other heists.

While not entirely stripped of his cruelty, Berlin presents as a debauched dilettante still in love with life in these scenes of earlier times.

This is perhaps the best (and only) excuse for a prequel series starring this mercurial but always-entertaining character.

Berlin (the show) returned to a jewelry heist years before the events at the Royal Mint and was recently renewed for a second season on Netflix.

Rio (Manny Montana), Good Girls

Honestly, all three women in this show deserve to be on this list.

But it did take them some time to work out the kinks of their criminal enterprise, while Rio was smooth from the get-go.

When three friends and suburban mothers at the end of their financial ropes rob a grocery store and get away with it, the last thing they expect is to wind up in debt to a sexy crime boss. 

Rio is a gang leader who uses the grocery store as a money-laundering front.

The women discover a talent for counterfeiting and keep working for Rio after their debt is paid.

Rio's dealings with the women tend to be more dangerous than humorous.

Still, Rio sees a kindred spirit in Beth (Christina Hendricks) and slowly opens up to her throughout the series, revealing different aspects of his character.

Beth is also drawn to him, but their mutual attraction never becomes more than a power battle.

He is taciturn but compelling, letting his presence and physicality silently convey dominance better than any words could.

Rio can still be quite funny, and he enjoys upending Beth's expectations, such as taking her to meet his grandmother at a backyard family dinner.

He maintains a large criminal organization with seeming ease, although the FBI might have taken notice.

Rio is another example of how appealing it is when characters play outside the rules.

They give us the vicarious thrill of skirting mundanity in everyday life without consequences, or at least fewer than we'd meet if we tried the same.

Smooth criminals tend to be impressively competent but are also multi-faceted characters who often help balance out their misdeeds with charm and humor.

Who are some of your favorite criminal characters?

We'd love to know!

The post Hero or Smooth Criminal? These TV Characters Make It Hard to Tell appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Retta, who starred in all four seasons of the dramedy, admitted this week that she is "salty" over how the series' demise played out.

On Monday's episode of Live With Kelly and Ryan, the actress said the series was "very close" to returning for Season 5.

However, "One person ruined it for all of cast and crew, and so it's not back."

Ripa questioned whether the person in question could simply be removed from the final season.

“I think it was a little too close to when [the writers] would have to start [Season 5 scripts] and figure out story, so… no. Trust me, Kelly, I’m salty," Retta said, according to TV Line.

As for how Retta would have written the cast member out, the star shared the following:

“I was literally like, ‘OK, maybe there was a bomb scare at some point, and then a bomb actually went off, and that’s why that person’s gone.'"

Many of the show's fans are likely still salty about the way things played out, especially given that it was more likely to snag a renewal than not.

Despite losing on-air ratings on NBC, the series was a mammoth with delayed viewing factored in, regularly showing up on the Nielsen streaming chart.

As a result, it seemed like there was a desire to tell a complete story.

TV Line shared a year ago that the series was inching closer to a pickup, and that Retta, Christina Hendricks, and Mae Whitman were all on board to take pay cuts to keep the show on the air.

That would have been for a shortened final season, which in this day and age, seems to be the norm for long-running shows that lose some ground in the ratings.

Ultimately, the outlet revealed that negotiations between Manny Montana and the show did not pan out.

Around that time, there had been reports that Hendricks and Montana didn't get on.

The pair played the show's core couple, and it sounds like NBC didn't think there was any value in continuing the show without Montana.

What are your thoughts on this development?

Hit the comments below.

Remember, you can watch Good Girls online right here via TV Fanatic.

The post Retta Explains Good Girls Cancellation: ‘One Person Ruined It for All Cast and Crew appeared first on TV Fanatic.

We also lost a lot of shows that were starting to become must-see TV.

Now, we're left with only the cliffhangers and the wasted potential.

Scroll down to find out our picks for the TV cancellations we can't get over. 

Good Girls

Good Girls deserved to ride off into the sunset, telling its completed story.

After a fantastic first season, Good Girls struggled over the following seasons, primarily due to repetitive storylines and somewhat stagnant character growth. But Good Girls Season 4 was a lot of fun.

We finally got an expanded look into primary antagonist Rio's personal life, and the ladies were at their very best, giving us a lot of solid episodes over their longest season.

There were more stories to tell, and it truly sucks we're cheated out of more time with Beth, Ruby, Stan, Rio, and even Dean. But we'll always have Good Girls Season 1 to watch forever and ever. 

Prodigal Son

We were so devastated by this cancellation; we wrote a love letter about it to describe our feelings. Prodigal Son deserved more seasons. It was one of the most unique series we've seen on network TV in years.

Sadly, no one knew what to do with a show you couldn't typecast in any way. It was funny, thrilling, emotional, a bit spooky, and more. It had one of the best casts on TV.

Tom Payne poured his all into the role of Malcolm Bright, and he didn't disappoint as one of the best characters ever. Michael Sheen Sheen is a gem who delivered an iconic performance as cuddly but terrifying, serial killing dad, Martin Whitly.

It had one of the most fascinating but realistic depictions of complex PTSD on TV, and the show gave you some of everything: romance, drama, a procedural meets family dramedy with a darkly humorous spin. You'll never find another series like it! 

It's the most upsetting cancellation in years, and fans are still fighting for closure. Don't touch us; we're still not over this one.

MacGyver

Fans are still reeling from the cancellation of one of the few reboots that were a success.

MacGyver had so many more stories to tell.

They had only just begun to explore its dynamic characters.

Sadly, it seemed as though the behind-the-scenes controversies and issues impacted the nature of the series moving forward, and there was no quick fix that could have this show seeing the light of day again. 

Y: The Last Man

It was clear how much love and talent went into adapting Y: The Last Man for the small screen.

The cancellation announcement was made before the entire season even aired, which some felt was an unfair move by the network, as many fans had been waiting for the release of all ten episodes in order to binge.

It was a meticulously crafted, thoroughly planned, and brilliantly acted show, but the high concept and depressing subject matter may have kept viewers from tuning in.

For something helmed mainly by a female production/creative team and cast, this cancellation really hurt. 

Jupiter's Legacy

Jupiter's Legacy was snuffed out before it even had time to begin.

The series was poised to be the next, big, gritty superhero tale, almost in the style of The Boys. But it ended abruptly on several huge cliffhangers.

The first season spent so much time building the world and legacy of the superheroes for all of it to amount to nothing. Worse yet, the creators are shifting focus to the villains in a spinoff series.

What was the point of setting up an arc if there was no payoff? Jupiter's Legacy needed an ending, even if it's a short one.

Panic

Panic Season 1's story seemed like a one-and-done limited series based on its plot.

After a winner was named from the game, there wasn't much room for the characters to grow since that summer's Panic ended.

However, the series finished on a cliffhanger, teasing more chaos and trouble coming to the town.

It got us excited to see hoe Heather and her friends would deal with the strange corruption in Carp, Texas. Instead, we're left with a cliffhanger that will never be answered.

Bonding

Not many knew about Bonding's audience, but it's an unusual gem in Netflix's roster.

It's a funny and witty take on BDSM culture and two very unlikely dominatrix-in-training best friends. The second season grew on its storyline and developed Tiff and Pete into well-defined characters with their own aspirations.

Bonding Season 2 gave us much more than sex jokes, so it was sad when the series was canceled.

And, it ended on a note where their friendship seemed over and uncertain if they'd reunite. It hurts that the main highlight of Bonding (i.e., their friendship) didn't survive its cancellation.  

Rebel

Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich, Rebel's met its potential during the middle of the season, and Sagal impressed.

ABC didn't give the show enough to grow. Its ratings weren't even as bad as some other shows this year.

The cancellation angered fans and non-fans alike!

Yes, it was another law drama, but the brilliant performances made it quality TV. 

Good Witch

We never saw this coming.

Cassie Nightengale was essential to the Hallmark Channel we know and love.

Saying goodbye to the entire franchise was hard.

Saying goodbye without fanfare was too painful to bear. 

American Gods

Creatively, American Gods Season 3 was beautifully done. 

However, there was so much damage done after its announcement because of the character and story focus.

It was killed before it finished.

Shadow Moon didn't deserve that ending.

For Life

For Life was one of the best legal dramas not enough people watched.

Its powerful storytelling about a man wrongfully incarcerated for over a decade, earning his law degree, fighting his way out of prison, and representing others had emotional, provocative storytelling that moved you with each installment.

Nicholas Pinnock shined in this series, along with Joy Bryant, Dorian Missick, and Indira Varma.

We barely scratched the surface of Aaron's journey as a free man and lawyer for the people fighting for justice while balancing his family life as he got reacquainted with his wife, teen daughter, and grandchild.  

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

Is it just us, or does it seem like networks are allergic to joy? After two seasons, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist was one of the most devastating cancellations in years.

Fans made sure to raise a stink about it too.

Fortunately, Roku picked up the series for a Christmas movie, and it feels like we can get another movie or two out of them in the future if we keep our fingers crossed.

But it's not the same as the series carrying on as it deserved on network TV for all to enjoy. There isn't anything else like it currently on the air.

Trickster

Sometimes we can't have nice things.

The CW renewed Trickster after an incredible first season and then said "Psyche!" because of the bad press and drama behind the scenes. 

The supernatural, coming of age show was one of a kind — featuring artful and authentic Indigenous representation.

It was brimming with potential, intrigue, and was a perfect fit for The CW. It's frustrating as hell the stories can't continue.

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

What shows do you think should have received another season?

Hit the comments below.

The post 2021 Cancellations: These Shows Deserved Better appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This year we had to bid farewell to some fan favorites and some we didn't even have a chance to be fans of before cancellation.

The real question is whether these finales provided a satisfying resolution for their respective series?

Scroll down to find out which shows made our best and worst list.

Queen of the South – Best

Queen of the South had one of the best finales of 2021.

The final episode was an intriguing, heart-pounding ride that managed to stay true to its drug cartel roots, answer the flash-forwards fans have pondered for years, and give us an epic happy ending.

Every twist and turn from Teresa's "death" to Pote's capture left us on the edge of our seats.

And even though we lost some of our favorite characters this season (it's a narco show, so that's to be expected), our hearts sored as Pote finally got to meet his daughter. Teresa's inner circle found their version of Zihuatanejo. 

Good Witch – Worst

Most of the couples ended up happy.

However, Hallmark broke up Abigail and Donovan in the series finale.

This after they spent three years trying to break the Merriwick and Davenport curse to get their happy ending.

We didn't appreciate them breaking up a long-term, fan-favorite couple at the end.

Wynonna Earp – Best

Wynonna Earp's finale provided such an emotional ride for fans.

Of course we want more, but the emotional goodbyes we received were perfection. 

We will miss Wynnona, Waverly, Nicole, Doc, Jeremy, and everyone else in the Ghost River Triangle, but the finale wrapped all of the major plot threads beautifully. 

If we receive more from the Earps (in any medium), we'll be grateful, but for now, this is a brilliant ending.

Cowboy Bebop – Worst

This live-action remake of the beloved anime series was an ambitious project by any measure, and the season managed to live up to the style and pacing of the source material for the most part.

Unfortunately, the original series had a definitive end where the live-action was looking to run for a couple of seasons at least. This meant that the finale went off-the-rails as the climactic showdown between Fearless/Spike and Vicious played out.

Julia's interjection was understandable and satisfying on some levels, but her ultimate revenge on both men was disappointing and inconclusive. Worse than that, the narratives of the three core cast members were all left twisting in the wind. 

On top of that, the final scene introduces Ed and brings back Ein, teasing a new adventure with the hacker superteam. Alas, Netflix pulled the plug on the series just 21 days after its drop, effectively killing any hope of seeing what Ed and Ein were recruiting Spike for.

Supergirl – Best

Supergirl had one of the best series finales this year.

The final episode brought back fan-favorites Winn, Mon-El, and James to help defeat Lex.

Everyone was there for Alex and Kelly's wedding day. Brainy realized he loved Nia more than the future and returned, declaring his love for her.

And our heroine, Kara, finally decided to have it all. She became editor-in-chief of CatCo with Cat Grant and came clean about being Supergirl.  

Good Girls – Worst

This wasn't necessarily the worst finale, but it left a lot to be desired.

Good Girls wasn't supposed to end like this, but the series' untimely cancellation meant a season finale had to transform itself into a series finale, which is almost impossible to pull off. Annie getting arrested, and the ladies all splintered apart by the time the credits rolled was sad.

There were so many loose threads still out there, and for that reason alone, we can't possibly put this on the best list. But we say that with a very heavy heart. 

Superstore – Best

When it came to sending a series off in style with a perfect understanding of the show's mission, characters, and storylines over the years, Superstore understood the assignment.

America Ferrera returned to the series to provide fans of Jonah and Amy a satisfying reunion that they earned, followed by a time jump that revealed they had children of their own. Via that time jump, we also saw that the Cloud 9 crew were still close and met up with each other frequently, like a family. 

It was a realistic ending. The store's parent company decided to shut down physical stores and switch to online shopping, which led to mass layoffs of thousands of employees, including our beloved crew.

It was their reward for barely squeaking by, working overtime during the pandemic, as capitalism swallowed them whole and spat them out with little respect. But somehow, while staying true to the bleak reality of capitalism on the working class, the finale was still hopeful and upbeat. 

On My Block – Worst

It wasn't the absolute worst thing in the world, but it was an underwhelming finale. The core four spent the opening part of the season fractured and not working through their differences after becoming distant from each other for over a year. Most of them didn't get much of a happy ending either.

It was heartbreaking and frustrating that Jasmine had to give up her dream of going to Berkeley to stay home and care for her father. She was supposed to conquer the world, not have her light extinguished.

Oscar's demise before his child was born was one of the most devastating parts of the season, and we never found out who was behind his death. Cesar and Monse didn't exactly find their way back to each other; we lost Abuelita, have no idea what Ruby's future plans are, and storylines about the rollerworld money were incomplete.

It felt like they rushed to wrap up the series, and it was generally unfulfilling all around. 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Best

After a shortened season plagued with identity issues, Brooklyn Nine-Nine went out on a high. 

The annual heist served as the perfect vehicle for allowing the characters to say goodbye.

It was fun and poignant. 

Even though the characters will no longer all be working together daily, it's comforting to know they'll always be part of each other's lives. Nine-Nine!

YOU – Worst

YOU's Season 3 finale wasn't the worst ending in the world, but it was very underwhelming compared to Joe's adventures in the past.

The final battle against Love had been building up in the prior episodes, and we knew their toxic relationship needed to reach an end. They were not a good match for each other! 

However, when all was said and done, YOU simply washed any previous development to start fresh for Joe in a new location.

It wasn't the first time Joe moved someplace new and assumed a new identity, so this season finale felt like a cut-and-paste plot just so the show could relieve the magic of the first season. 

Midnight Mass – Best

Midnight Mass finale ended the limited series on a high note.

All of the mysteries and building supernatural tension exploded into utter chaos. 

The finale raged like a wildfire! Townsfolk turned against townfolk. Many were slaughtered, and the effects of the demon (and the growing religious fanaticism) reached its breaking point.

Midnight Mass delivered on its theme of morality, good vs. evil, and hypocrisy in a well-structured and powerful ending that served as the best episode of the season.

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

Which 2021 finales were the best?

The worst?

Hit the comments below. 

The post The Best & Worst TV Finales of 2021 appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Lucky for us, 2021 gave us a ton of fun romantic relationships to gush over, from new duos setting sail (Hi, Spelivia) to seasoned ships continuing to bring the passion (Grace and Judd for life).

And we were blessed with some of our all-time favorite ships FINALLY getting together (it's about time, Malex and Rollisi). Basically, there was a lot of love this past year, and we're not mad about it. 

But not every ship is a good ship, or even a tolerable one. And while there were a lot of amazing couples, there were, unfortunately, some not-so-great ones that stood out to us this year as well. 

The TV Fanatic staff picked out our current top couples (and a few of the worst), and you can find them all down below!

Michael and Alex – Roswell, New Mexico (The CW) – BEST 

Michael and Alex deserve their happy ending.

After two seasons of angst and more drama than any two people should have to endure, Roswell's "It" couple, Michael and Alex, found their way back to each other in Roswell, New Mexico Season 3. They spent ten years apart, dated other people, yet the love between them only grew stronger.

It was beautiful to see the two of them break down their walls brick by brick and commit to each other fully.

Michael Vlamis and Tyler Blackburn play the hell out of this relationship, their chemistry palpable from the pilot and only growing all these years later. Michael Guerin and Alex Manes are soulmates, their love written in the stars. And this feels like only the beginning for the fan-favorite couple and where they can go together.

We breathed easy when Michael proclaimed that he was finally home, just like Alex. All is finally well in the world. Malex forever and ever!

Kit and Bell – The Resident (FOX) – BEST 

In CoNic's absence, and after the end of Mina and the Raptor, fans of the series clung to the ship that stole their hearts since Jane Leeves' arrival, Kitbell. Kit and Bell's journey to one another has been one of the best arcs of the series in recent years, and there never seems to be enough of this pairing.

They've become Chastain's ultimate power couple.

Kit is the best CEO the hospital has ever had, but by her side, as her second in command always making sure she's in top form and taking care of her emotional needs while she conquers the healthcare world is Bell, who has evolved into of the best characters of the series with the best redemption arc.

They're a ship of equals who bring out and encourage the best in each other, and it's refreshing to have such a sexy, strong, powerful couple who can give the younger ships a run for the money in being the ultimate goals.

Nolan and Bailey – The Rookie (ABC) – WORST 

Nolan's love life has always been on life support with a series of relationships that weren't the most interesting. But his new relationship with Bailey is odd. They don't necessarily lack chemistry, but there's nothing particularly captivating about these two when they're together.

For one, we barely know how long they've been a couple since the timeline is all over the place, and every time we see them, they go back and forth from appearing as a casual couple dating and something more serious.

Now, Nolan wants to pop the question to Bailey, and it's hard for fans to connect with the storyline or care since it seemed as though they fast-tracked their relationship offscreen.  

Spencer and Olivia – All American (The CW) – BEST

Spelivia has captured our hearts. It took a long time for Spencer and Olivia to get together, but now that they are, all we can think about is what a shame it is that we haven't had them together all this time.

Spencer and Olivia are the perfect complements for each other, and watching them mature together, challenge one another, and work as a team has been such a treat for longtime fans of the series who have waited for this day.

The future is bright for these two, and we'll happily be along for the ride.

Max and Helen – New Amsterdam (NBC) – BEST 

Max and Helen have been dancing around each other for years now. Colleagues and confidants, the love was always there. But it took them a while to be on the same page with their feelings.

New Amsterdam Season 4 saw them finally surrendering their intense emotions and embarking on a whirlwind romance.

The season premiere was chockfull of Sharpwin goodness, highlighting their bond and giving the fans their first look into a couple they've long waited to see together. Their union hasn't been without complications, but Max and Helen have communicated and worked to make sure they are putting their relationship first.

Moving to London will be a significant change for the relatively new couple, but it's obvious they are each other's person. They are a family now, and we are so excited to continue watching their love story unfold.

Harry and Sonya – The Sinner (USA) – WORST 

They make a solid senior couple, which is nice to see. Too nice to buy that Sonya would leave to go home from "vacation" with Harry while he was in mid investigation.

She knew his work was everything and that he could never really give it up or be fully immersed, even after his retirement.

And her being gone left Harry — and us — without Honia. Er, is it Sarry? Yes, surely it's Sarry. So, the couple's cutesy catchphrase can now be "Sarry, not sorry." Hmm. Mayhaps we ought to have helped out with the writing this final season…  

Rollins and Carisi – Law and Order: SVU (NBC) – BEST 

Rollisi captured our hearts years ago as best friends and parts, but in 2021 Amanda Rollins and Sonny Carisi finally became a couple. We saw signs as soon as they spent New Years together in January, and he supported her through her dad's declining health, but they didn't officially kiss until Finn's non-wedding.

When Sonny read his speech, Amanda was so touched she kissed him.

Since then, we've seen little everyday moments of them at work and Amanda's apartment supporting each other throughout their day. Even the squad doesn't know yet, but they aren't fooling anyone.

Sara and Grissom – CSI: Vegas (CBS) – BEST 

We hadn't seen Sara and Grissom on our TV screens in over six years, and this time we were in for a treat.

We saw them work together as a married couple.

They still had the longstanding magic and banter as they solved cases.

There was nothing sweeter than hearing Grissom call Sara "darling" or "sweetheart." With their season of ups and downs, there was no better happy ending than seeing them kiss on that roller coaster.

Wanda and Vision – WandaVision (Disney+) – BEST 

Wanda and Vision are the star-crossed lovers of the MCU.

On WandaVision, we finally got the chance to have Marvel's lovable couple live their sitcom fantasy. Seeing the pair play off of the sitcom styles and adjust to the TV landscape gave them many new misadventures to bond over.

And nothing was cuter than having Wanda and Vision become new parents. Vision gives off serious "wants-to-be-a-cool-dad" energy while Wanda is a cool mom. Their relationship was the heart of the limited series.

Beth and Rio – Good Girls (NBC) – WORST

Now, Beth and Rio were never an official couple, but they were in a situationship for four seasons, and it felt like they were a couple at many times.

And for that reason alone, they have to make the worst list. Did they have chemistry? YES. But solid relationships have a lot more than just blistering chemistry.

They never trusted one another fully, hurt each other over and over again, and let their personal drama affect their lives in pretty harmful ways.

This pairing was a prime example of needing more than physical attraction to make any kind of relationship work. 

Betty and Archie – Riverdale (The CW) – BEST 

Betty Cooper and Archie Andrews are finally a couple! The era of "Barchie" became canon to the delights of longtime fans and shippers.

Their story started as the complicated boy next door/girl next door trope, but as adults, they've been more open with each other about their wants and needs.

Sure, they started as casual hookups, but the "Rivervale" storyline showed that they're aligned in their life goals and balance each other quite nicely.

It's a healthier relationship than they had with Veronica or Jughead in the past. So, for the growth alone and the potential of where they will go, they're one of Riverdale's best couples.

Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught – Wynonna Earp (SYFY) – BEST 

#Wayhaught forever! Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught have gone through so, so much during their romance, and to finally see them getting their happily-ever-after, with all of their found family attending (or officiating) their wedding.

This couple deserves forever happiness, and their wedding was perfect.

It really elevated the final season!

Buck and Taylor – 9-1-1 (FOX) – WORST 

Buck and Taylor simply don't work. Buck deserves a partner who loves him fiercely, but we don't see that in this relationship.

The chemistry is lacking, and perhaps that's due to us barely seeing their relationship at all, but either way, their pairing seems more forced than anything else.

If this couple was always going to be endgame, the series could have done a much better job of making Taylor a likable character over the years. Because coupling her with the always adorable Buck hasn't worked at all.

Grace and Judd – 9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX) – BEST 

We ride with the Ryders, who are hands down the epitome of Marriage Goals and one of the best ships in the franchise. They're the cornerstone couple of the series and the heart and soul of it.

One of the best episodes was "Saving Grace," where we finally got background as to how this unlikely couple came to be and was an ode to the enduring love between these souls who have quite literally saved one another. The culmination of it resulting in a pregnancy that had all the fans squealing in delight.

You won't find a man more devoted to his wife and willing to sing her praises as often as Judd Ryder, and the demure, sharp, wise Grace is not only a beacon of light for her husband but the very best of him.

T.K. and Carlos – 9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX) – BEST 

The best part about this spinoff is that we don't get one but rather two amazing ships. TK and Carlos have off the charts, 5-Alarm fire type of chemistry that makes them one of the hottest things on a show where there are actual fires.

Carlos is always by TK's side, from career shifts and family drama to terrifying, life-threatening situations. And TK supported Carlos through the tension between Carlos and his parents as they came to accept his sexuality and relationship with TK. It's impossible not to fall in love with their love.

Did your favorite couple make this list? Let us know in the comments who your favorite and least favorite couples were this year!

The post The Best and Worst TV Couples of 2021 appeared first on TV Fanatic.

We sure are over here at TV Fanatic. But with the finale still fresh in our minds, we decided to take some time to discuss the final episode of the series and reminiscence about the little show about Mom's just trying to survive.

Join Whitney Evans and Jasmine Blu as they talk about it all and leave us with some parting words about the beloved crime drama that didn't quite get to ride off into the sunset.

Whitney: So, first things first. Grade the series finale!

Jasmine: Oh boy. I suppose, given the circumstances, I'll give it a C+. I think they did what they could with what they had already built to give the show a final ending. But because of how the whole season played out already, it was always going to be a bit of a letdown.

Whitney: I actually didn't hate it as much as everyone else, but that could be because I had a few weeks to prepare myself. I thought it was a B/B-, but that could have been a nostalgic grade because I loved that series at the end of the day.

Jasmine: I totally get that. I was torn between nostalgia and just being so sad for all the missed potential that I wavered back and forth the entire time I was watching it.

What did you like about it? I'm curious!

Whitney: I enjoyed the whole operation to get something on Nick. And I also enjoyed the Nevada interlude, and it was confirming what we all knew all along…a change of scenery wasn't going to change much of anything for the ladies.

I also liked seeing Annie find a romantic prospect that felt right for her at that point in her life.

But as I'm saying all this, I realize how unsatisfying it is knowing we won't have any resolution for many of these storylines.

Jasmine: I did like the Nevada interlude because, you're right, it was Beth mostly coming to grips with what we already knew that she loved this too much, and changing scenery and pretending like she wasn't getting high off of this lifestyle wouldn't have changed a thing.

And I genuinely loved Annie finally finding a love interest that worked for her and being happy in that part of her life which was one of many reasons her ending upset me so much.

Whitney: Great segue into talking about Annie. I've always felt a need to protect Annie in some ways because I think of the three ladies, I understand her best. But man, the show did her no favors most of the time.

What did you think about her overall season 4 journey?

Jasmine: I just don't understand where her growth was! I don't understand why they left her as such a stagnant character. I get that she was the young screw-up with men issues, but this remained her arc every season for the entire series up until the end.

And any little bits of growth rarely had a follow-up. She got her GED, for what? She wanted to be an EMT; what difference did it make in the end?

She tried to prove to Ben that she's a good mom who has it together, and then Beth basically reinforced that same thing Annie was trying to combat when Rio kidnapped her, and Beth told Ben that she was just out with some dude and abandoned him.

I hate that she was always the comedic relief, screw-up, and irresponsible one. And then it ends with her sacrificing herself for Beth, which I thought Beth was trying to avoid, and it was just once again screwing Ben over, and catering to that narrative and now drawing parallels to Rio just when she was finding stability.

Whitney: Yeah, I can't disagree with anything you said. What frustrated me the most was what you first said; there was barely any Annie growth throughout all 50 episodes. She was the definition of stagnant, and just when you thought she was turning a corner, she would ALWAYS regress.

And it was frustrating because what was the point of that? Why couldn't Annie ever grow up essentially?

One of my overall Good Girls issues (besides the recycled storylines) was their failure to let Annie get a win. Instead, she took L after L pretty much the entire series, with romantic partners and in her life.

But even having said that, I liked Kevin. And I liked them together. If I ignore the last few minutes, I'm happy that Annie finally found someone she connected with who only wanted her and was invested in her family. I was glad she at least got that.

Jasmine: She really did. And I think because she was younger, the one closest to our age, the quintessential millennial, there was something specifically discouraging about the hopelessness surrounding her and that she NEVER got a win.

But yes, that said, I loved Kevin and that relationship. He was my favorite romantic interest of hers. I think he challenged her, but he also didn't judge her or make her feel beneath him or like something was wrong with her all of the time.

He did help her grow where there was growth. And I loved that they found some happiness with each other. He was one of my favorite parts of the season.

Whitney: If we had gotten a final season, where would you have liked to see Annie's story go?

Jasmine: I would have liked Annie to find her purpose. She always felt lost and aimless. Maybe she did do the EMT thing or, hell, worked at a nursing home or just took advantage of any of the little things we saw over the years.

I wish she would've just found a bit of happiness and stability and a healthy romantic relationship. And that she maybe knew her value without always seeking like she had something to prove or was a disappointment — if any of that makes sense.

Whitney: It makes perfect sense, and I love it. I always wanted her to feel settled. Settled financially and emotionally, and just happy. We got glimpses, but that's all I ever wanted for Annie.

Let's switch gears to a more settled relationship. Stan and Ruby have been all over the place during the series, and we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger.

Do you think Stan was right to give Ruby an ultimatum of sorts?

Jasmine: Oh man. The Hills were stressing me out! I love my goofy parents so much, and they couldn't even let us have that stable relationship without drama.

I was Team Stan for a lot of things this season. I do think that he wasn't holding his wife accountable for her actions, but I also understood his frustration when you consider that everyone around Beth has suffered and paid some serious consequences, whereas too often, she skated by.

But I get his frustration. Ruby kept prioritizing Beth over her family, and while Beth is family too, Ruby wasn't balancing that out well. As much as I hate ultimatums and that Stan tried to cut Ruby's SISTER out of her life, I also don't think Ruby would've ever changed anything without an ultimatum.

I think Annie going to jail, though, may have been a game-changer. I think Ruby would've picked Stan and the kids until she got sucked into that. Then, I could see her letting them go without her with a promise of getting to them after she made sure Beth and Annie were okay.

Whitney: I agree with you here. My main problem with Stan was his constant Beth blaming and refusal to see that Ruby was a willing participant in everything. I will never get on a Beth soapbox, but it was annoying how terrible he was to her.

I hate ultimatums as well, but Stan was at the end of his rope, but the timing was just all wrong. I wouldn't have blamed Ruby either way if I'm honest. Even if she left, she would always come back to try and help because leaving the ladies like that would have just been so wrong on so many levels.

But I like to think that Stan and Ruby compromised in the end.

Jasmine: Exactly. I mean, Ruby couldn't win either way here. And I just resent the idea of her being forced to choose between her family and her husband treating her like a child.

But damn, I loved someone finally calling Beth out a bit, and sweet, mild-mannered Stan at the end of his rope after everything he's endured because of all of this too just felt like a nice thing to explore even if it wasn't always executed well.

Whitney: That's very true about Beth. And let's get into the Beth of it all.

Beth as a lead was a tough pill to swallow at times, but I did like how she FINALLY accepted herself in the finale. It seemed like she was done being naïve.

What did you think about Beth's overall journey from the beginning of the series to the end?

Jasmine: Yes! Honestly, this is all I ever really wanted from her in the first place. But, sometimes, it felt like they got too caught up in the series's title and made Beth "good" or sympathetic or whatever.

There's nothing wrong with having an occasionally unlikable, messy, flawed female protagonist. She's a bad bitch. She wanted to be one. Let her!

I hated that they spent so much time trying to play both sides of the fence instead of just letting her embrace that she loves this crime life. She loves the thrill and high and will jeopardize everything and everyone to chase it.

So, in that sense, I loved that the finale gave us that for her. She wanted to be the queen, and now she is. Beth Boland stopped being a victim a long time ago. And I'm happy she stepped into that.

Whitney: 100%. They straddled the line too much with Beth, in my opinion. They had a chance back in Good Girls Season 3 after she tried to kill Rio, to lean into her "bad" side, but they shrank away from it again. And like you said, it's almost like they were afraid to make her too unlikeable, which I never understood.

All the ladies had unlikeable qualities. But I watch plenty of crime dramas with a plethora of questionable characters, and there's nothing wrong with that.

The Brio relationship will be one of the things Good Girls is most remembered for. And I LOVED the addition of Nick and finding out more about Rio. It was long overdue, and it did wonders for his character in general.

Nick's arrival, I think, also forced Rio to come to terms with just how intertwined he was with Beth through business and pleasure.

Were you a fan of the Beth/Rio/Nick semi-triangle?

Jasmine: I did like this development. For one, the show was long overdue to dig into Rio in some way. If they insisted on keeping him, which I never had a problem with, he needed more development. Nick's introduction gave us that, for sure.

It also answered some questions about who was protecting Rio all of this time. I liked that these brothers/cousins were playing tug of war with Beth, but in the end, she was the one who had all of the control.

I thought that triangle was interesting, and it was a crucial point in giving Beth some legitimate power and an upper hand with Rio. And yeah, it did make Rio realize how much he's invested in Beth personally and professionally.

Natasha and Boris, Bonnie and Clyde, whatever it is, they can't quit each other. I think it would've been stagnant and cyclical if Nick didn't enter the picture. So, I enjoyed that element.

I would watch that 1000 times over whatever the hell they were doing with Dean.

Whitney: I thought it gave the Brio relationship a much-needed boost! And while I don't think Beth and Rio would have ever seriously coupled up in any universe, I do believe that they would have at the very least had one final tryst and admitted to themselves that things between them were complicated but real.

Jasmine: Very true. Like, the sexual tension is there, but they also hate each other. So some hate sex and begrudging respect as they co-run a criminal empire works for me and feels more grounded. Brio was never a happily ever after type of ship.

Whitney: Exactly!

Do you have any parting words for the Good Girls series as a whole?

Jasmine: I think another criticism I have is the retconning of Dean. I know we love Matthew Lillard, but he gave me whiplash this season, much as he has all series.

But at the center of this show is the trio of women. I loved them, flaws and all, and I wish there were a universe where they could continue their story.

I wish more time were spent building up these women and letting them blossom into everything they could be as moms, spouses, and maybe criminal masterminds.

I critique this show so much because I loved it, and I wanted it to always live up to its full potential. Part of mourning is knowing that, in many ways, it still hadn't.

I'm truly going to miss it, though. Thank you, Good Girls, for the laughs, entertainment, exploration of womanhood and motherhood, and just realities of life within this kooky, fun series.

I'm going to really miss this cast and these characters.

Whitney: I am also going to miss this show immensely. Covering every episode of a series makes you feel so ingrained and invested in every single aspect. I loved the first season more than I have words to explain, and while I still found joy within the series, it hurt my heart to see the potential somewhat wasted as the series drew on.

Good Girls Season 4 was more fun than not, and I am glad to see they at least went out staying truer to what I feel like was the Good Girls message all along. I will miss the laughs the most and all the beautiful characters we got to meet along the way.

Drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts on the series! 

The post Good Girls Series Chat: The Good, The Bad, and What Could Have Been appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this. But here we are with Good Girls Season 4 Episode 15 and Good Girls Season 4 Episode 16, a two-hour coda to a four-season epic event.

There are questions left unanswered, and you can’t help but walk away thinking ‘what if,’ but even with that, there was a lot to enjoy about how things ended up. And plenty of pondering about where we imagine the ladies ended up.

Nabbing Nick was the goal, and to do that, the ladies had to figure out how to get dirt on him in a somewhat timely fashion.

The best part of the first hour was Annie’s fake date that turned into an oddly cathartic experience and ultimately helped Beth get the goods on Nick and Annie figure out that Kevin just may be a guy worth fighting for.

Nick’s true, nasty colors came flying out when he realized that Beth had deceived him, and gone was the charming politician who plants trees with the youth of the city. He was quickly replaced by someone who seems much more aligned with his brother/cousin.

Rio: If you need something, darling, all you gotta do is ask.

Beth: He’s you brother.

Rio: Cousin.

Beth: Family.

Rio: He’s in our way.

_{🔗 permalink: He’s in our way.}

Bringing Beth and Rio together to go against Nick was the jolt in the arm this series needed and has always needed, if we’re honest.

The ladies were always the draw, but the Beth and Rio dynamic has always been such an essential part of the overall narrative. But the show failed to develop new dynamics to introduce in their relationship, which led to things feeling very stale the past few seasons.

And it’s unfortunate because, in so many ways, that chemistry was squandered. Sure, we got our sexy times here and there, but we never got development.

Rio and Nick are grown men who have been working together for years, and yet Beth Boland is the thing that finally fractured their relationship forever. After everything that’s gone on between them, when faced with the idea of losing Beth, Rio decided that just wasn’t going to be an option.

To think he was even willing to meet with the Secret Service to help was a shock, though he ultimately did things a different way.

Painting Nick into a corner where it was him or grandma was a bold, bold move by Rio. And it showed just how badly he needed to not only best Nick but keep him away from Beth. He wasn’t going to lose anything else to Nick. Not ever again.

Nick: Why can’t it be him?

Dave: Cuz he’s got something you don’t.

_{🔗 permalink: Cuz he’s got something you don’t.}

The will-they/won’t-they Brio relationship will probably be one of the things Good Girls will always be known for, and there’s really no resolution when all is said and done.

Rio talks a big game and throws around bitch like anyone believes at this point he genuinely feels nothing for Beth. But now it’s pretty clear that there are feelings there, but what those feelings are, we’ll unfortunately never know.

Beth likes to be a bit delusional when it comes to her connection to Rio, but even she has to know now that a man who’s willing to turn on his family is a man that feels SOMETHING for you.

Speaking of Beth, she found out Dean was setting her up and took the news surprisingly well. And once she won the election and had Nick on the ropes, she had Nevada right in her sights.

But what’s that old saying? Oh yeah, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

The Nevada montage was very clearly a dream, even though Mick shooting Beth at point-blank range was very real and very jarring. If there hadn’t been still a good chunk of the episode left, I was almost convinced she was actually in real danger.

The moral of the Nevada story is that the ladies were banking on a change of scenery changing their lives for the better. They would get away from the crime and get back to the simple things in life with the people they loved most.

And that sounds wonderful on paper, but problems don’t cease to exist just because you change your zip code.

Beth: I’m not going to Nevada.

Ruby: We can get you other flowers.

Beth: Nothing’ll be different.

Ruby: Except you won’t be a criminal.

Beth: Exactly.

_{🔗 permalink: Ruby: Except you won’t be a criminal.}

For Beth, her little trip to the desert suburbia clued her in to the fact that she is who she is now. There’s not a way to go backward at this stage because she’s too far gone. And that’s something that Rio, and even the sniper, had been preaching to Beth since forever.

Her denial over the years made sense, but it’s a shame we finally got Beth Boland acknowledging the truth about herself, and we don’t get to see what that Beth looks like.

While Beth is good and even helping Dean keep his shirts from wrinkling when he packs up his bag to leave, Ruby is left with an ultimatum.

Stan and Ruby will forever be the gold standard of Good Girls relationships because even when they’ve had their lows (and damn, they had some lows), their love for each other always won out in the end.

But Stan’s stubborn refusal to not blame all things on Beth has created a divide where now he sees it as Ruby having to decide between two families; the Hill’s and the sisters.

Ruby’s packing her bags when the series fades to black, but was it fair for Stan to place that kind of decision on her shoulders? On the one hand, she has to choose her family. That’s her husband and her children, and that’s the only decision there is.

But was THIS the time to get out of dodge and leave everything behind? Probably not.

Beth just got shot, and Annie was hauled off to jail, and Ruby’s disappearing into the wind wouldn’t exactly help matters at all.

Ultimately, you have to imagine she stayed behind, reuniting with Stan and the kiddos down the line, but this is a storyline we, unfortunately, don’t get a resolution to.

Annie in jail was something I did not see coming, especially considering how this was one of the first times in the entire series she seemed settled. She and Ben have probably never been in a better place, and she had a good guy in her corner.

Kevin is quirky, and he’s kind, and he cares about Annie and her son. He’s been a rock for her, and it felt like she was well on her way to having a solid relationship for once, and now she’s had to give it all up because she’s going to jail.

It was a well-played move on Nick’s part, and again, it’s a story that’s just left up in the air for us to wonder how long Annie would be in jail for a series of crimes she didn’t commit.

Annie’s prison sentence, Ruby’s choice, and Beth’s new role as Rio’s boss are the things we’ll never get to experience, and that’s a hard pill to swallow. But everyone is alive and breathing, so that’s a small win on a show that’s been rather violent at times.

We’ll miss the laughs and the crazy shenanigans, but this show exceeded my expectations, and it should go out with its head held (mostly) high.

Odds and Ends

• Vance is an absolute weirdo. He was such an odd addition to the back half of the season, and besides exposing Dean and Stan, what was his point?

• We were not blessed with enough Rio laughter or smile over the years. We got multiple scenes throughout the finale, and it just really sunk in that we were robbed.

• Ruby and Stan’s nail salon song was one of their best song and dances yet. Man, I’m going to miss them.

That’s a wrap on an enjoyable series.

Please flood the comments with everything you loved about the finale, the season, and the series as a whole.

It’s been a pleasure to review this show since the beginning, and I appreciate everyone who’s come along for the ride! Catch you on the next one!  

You can always come back to TV Fanatic anytime to watch Good Girls online and relive all your favorite moments! 

The post Good Girls Series Finale Review: In Nevada We Trust appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Beth wins the election, and Rio gives her incriminating documents about Nick that she has spread to the press. When pressed on the money laundering and kickbacks, Nick attempts to frame Rio but doesn't once he realizes that the companies the money flows through are in his grandmother's name.

Stan and Dean try to get out of the Brotherhood, but Vance won't budge.

Realizing they have enough money for Nevada, the ladies plan to leave.

Beth is shot by Mick and seemingly left for dead.

The ladies all move to Nevada but experience troubles. While trying to rob a grocery store, Beth is shot, and it's revealed that she was only dreaming about Nevada. She recovers from her gunshot wound to the arm and decides that she no longer wants to move to Nevada.

Stan gives Ruby an ultimatum about leaving with him or staying behind.

Having left the gun at the scene, Nick ensured that Annie's prints would be found, and she is then arrested for Beth's shooting while Dean prepares to leave Beth.

Now a city council member, Beth informs Rio that she now works for him.

The post Good Girls Season 4 Episode 16 Recap: Nevada appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Ruby tries to get Stan on board with a double date night with Beth and Dean.

Annie and Kevin continue hooking up and decide not to date exclusively but to not date anyone else.

In a bid to get information from Nick’s office, Annie comes up with a plan to go on a date with his assistant, Scott. While on the date, Annie gets his wallet and gets into the building, where she helps Beth get inside. Beth gets into Nick’s office and takes pictures of incriminating paperwork.

While on the fake date with Scott, Kevin sees them. Later, he moves out of Annie’s apartment.

When Beth gets back to the car where Ruby is waiting after being in Nick’s office, she sees Vance has followed them. He tells her about the situation with Dean and wants her help once she’s on the City council in helping push the skincare line.

Both Beth and Ruby confront their husbands about the affair, while Dean and Stan agree to bring down the Brotherhood.

Nick lets Beth know that he’s on to her, while Phoebe and Dave try to figure out where the money goes after reviewing the information Beth gave them.

Rio tells Beth that Nick is standing in their way.

The post Good Girls Season 4 Episode 15 Recap: We’re Even appeared first on TV Fanatic.