It’s why you typically hear those same TV series when people talk about the greatest of all time.

Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos, Seinfeld, and Mad Men — these series stayed consistent and kept audiences engrossed from start to finish.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case across the board.

More than likely, a series never finds its footing or lives up to its potential. Or it’s inconsistent at best, with a sluggish start and better finish.

And sometimes a show starts wonderfully, with acclaim and devotion from fans, only to stumble somewhere along the way and never truly recover.

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There are several series like that, and we’ve compiled a list of a few of the most egregious. Those shows that were so good until they just weren’t.

Please look at our list below, and make sure you drop your thoughts in the comment section! There are lots of shows out there, so let us know if we missed any!

Empire

There’s a joke that everyone missed an Empire episode and never returned. And the funniest thing about that joke is that it’s true.

When Empire premiered on FOX, it was one of the biggest hits of its time. They had movie star leads in Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, alongside a talented cast of up-and-comers who gave credence to a dysfunctional family knee-deep in the toxicity of the music business.

The series peaked in its first season with compelling storylines that touched on abuse, homophobia, mental health, and many other topics.

They also had an exhilarating soundtrack of songs, and some cast members even went on the road to perform for the fans. (Think of those Glee concerts that used to take place but on a smaller stage.)

The bottom line is Empire was a cultural phenomenon, but they struggled to keep that first season momentum up through the rest of their run.

Cast turnover in subsequent seasons didn’t help, and the real issues began during Season 3 when the magic ran out. The shocking stories that were once a staple became predictable and cringeworthy.

By the time Empire limped to the finish line in Season 6 amidst a scandal with one of its cast members, ratings were nowhere near what they once were, and many people weren’t even aware the series was still on.

If you stopped watching after one of the earlier seasons, you saw the best Empire had to offer.

True Blood

Based on the Charlaine Harris book series, True Blood was a damn good show when it first premiered.

Sookie, Bill, Eric, Jason, Tara, Sam, Lafayette, and so many others created an entertaining look at life in the Deep South, where vampires roamed free and existed on synthetic blood called, you guessed it, true blood.

The best seasons of the series had the best villains, and the first three had tremendous villains, from Rene Lenier to Maryann and Russell Edington.

But Season 4 was the beginning of the end, and if we’re being honest, the series just got a little bit worse each season.

Season 4 had a weird time jump, Eric with amnesia and only concerned about Sookie, Bill as the King of Louisiana, and a bunch of side plots that weren’t interesting.

Each season got more convoluted than the last, and even the Sookie/Bill/Eric/Alcide love square couldn’t save it. The various time jumps didn’t help, especially during Season 6, which saw Sookie committed to Alcide without us seeing any of the buildup to that decision. We were just dropped into their relationship. 

Seasons 1-3 are solid and easily some of the best fantasy horror television you’ll see, but from there, things took a nosedive, leaving fans to wonder what the hell happened.

Elite

Now, you could say this one doesn’t belong on the list because it’s still airing, but it’s impossible to imagine this series ever reaching the heights of its first three, and for that reason alone, it deserves a spot on the list.

The first season of Elite is almost perfect. The cast had tremendous chemistry, and the mystery of who killed Marina and the various relationships and clash of personalities and lifestyles made the season a must-watch.

From there, with increased popularity, the series continued to cruise for two more seasons, losing some cast members and gaining new ones but keeping the early seasons’ mysteries, surprises, and lively personalities intact.

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But Season 3 saw the core group of students start to fracture, with Polo dead and Carla and Lu moving on.

The new crop of characters brought in is a phenomenon that continues each season, but they’ve never been able to capture the essence of what made that first season so memorable.

Scandal

Scandal started red-hot with a promising premise, a strong cast, and positive word of mouth. The Shondaland series rolled out fascinating episodes weekly, with shocking developments and steamy scenes that had everyone talking.

The series may have peaked in its second season with the stunning reveal that Olivia Pope and a group of wily politicians stole the presidential election for Fitzgerald Grant.

The series was never hotter than during this time, before Jake, B613, Eli becoming the big bad, and the monotony of Olivia and Fitz’s off-on relationship.

Everything from Season 3 onward never reached the heights of the second season. It’s almost as if they bit off more than they could chew.  

While the series continued to provide entertainment, each passing season became mudded and often confusing, resulting in a final season that many fans would like to forget.

To this day, the series finale remains an unfortunate coda to what was once the most talk-about show on television. 

L.A. Law

For those of you who missed this legal juggernaut in the ’80s (so, almost all of you), it’s now available on Hulu.

It’s a great experience and well worth the watch — to a point. Watching the show on streaming is an excellent reminder of how different TV was when streaming was unavailable.

The first five seasons of LA Law could be included in the best TV ever produced. Complex characters handled the biggest legal challenges of the day and were put through emotional and moral wringers.

Unfortunately, the contracts of its most valued stars — Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, and Jimmy Smits — were up at the end of Season 5. Although they were wrapped up in significant storylines that closed it out, those stories collapsed in on themselves that summer.

Watching it on Hulu gives you whiplash. Nothing makes sense, as Season 6 premieres without much (unwelcome) exposition. Now, that’s not to say there isn’t some value in continuing the show, but it is remarkable how quickly a show can pivot quality-wise to something based on cast alone.

New Amsterdam

It feels like every decade, there’s that one medical series that is critically acclaimed and a fan favorite, too. When New Amsterdam debuted, it fit the bill, providing saccharine storytelling that left you misty-eyed and feeling fuzzy.

Its premise tapped into something that resonated with viewers at large, particularly with the general malaise, frustration, and distrust toward the U.S. Healthcare system.

New Amsterdam fed us what, more often than not, feels like a delusion about a system that can change within many doctors led by the optimistic Max Goodwin.

The first season was wonderful because of that, so much so that the series got an automatic three-year reveal. It was as if there was a deep understanding of this series’s importance, its long-lasting impact, and so forth.

And while the sophomore season had some bumps here and there, it was still a solid offering. However, the transparent attempt to cover every conceivable “hot button” issue via some form of healthcare had Max’s idealism venturing into toxic positivity and unrealism.

Attempts to cover things like the Black Lives Matter movement, and poorly, made the series political for the sake of it without actually having anything of value to say.

The nail in the coffin was the series finally putting fan-favorite couple Sharpwin together and then utterly ruining their relationship by having them take off to London for some unfathomable reason.

Their relationship fell apart as Max got stood up at the altar of their surprise wedding in New Amsterdam, on the rooftop, during a hurricane. 

By the time we got the complete denigration they did to Helen Sharpe in the fifth season and the horrendous storytelling of the fifth season that had most of the actors phoning it in, it was torturous to continue the series. 

In the Dark

When In the Dark broke onto the scene it felt like something refreshing and new for The CW. Led by an impossibly gorgeous Perry Mattfeld as the polarizing hot mess that is Murphy Mason, the series was truly unique in concept and execution.

The first season was great. We followed a blind Murphy and her trusty seeing-eye dog, Pretzel, through a murder investigation into one of the few characters we’d come to learn who genuinely loved the complex woman.

In the Dark was a dark comedy throughout, wading into crooked cops, the criminal underbelly of drug dealing, and murder. It was a fascinating look at how relatively decent people could descend into immorality.

By the third season, the shenanigans Murphy and the gang got into were getting so insanely ridiculous that one was well past having to suspend belief. Things fell apart when Murphy’s best friend, roommate/enabler, and hater, Jessica, disappeared.

By the time the truth behind Jessica’s disappearance was brought to light, the series had reached a point of insufferable, and the final season was nothing short of an unbearable shit show leading to one of the worst series finales in existence. 

Nashville

When Nashville premiered on ABC, it captured hearts with well-acted storylines and soulful songs.

It appealed to many viewers because, with three main couples (Deacon/Reyna, Gunnar/Scarlett, and Juliette/Avery), one of their stories appealed to them.

Whether it was the star-crossed lovers trying to reunite, the screw-ups trying to bond, or the couple who bonded over tragedies, there was something for everyone.

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While the drama was the pull, the duets on the show also drew viewers in. Initially, we were crushed when ABC canceled the series and relieved when CMT saved it, but now we wish it ended in Season 4.

If it had, we wouldn’t have had to endure Rayna’s death, Scarlett’s miscarriage, or Juliette joining a cult. Only Deacon received layered storylines in the last two seasons.

Game of Thrones

This may be a controversial entry because Game of Thrones is a must-watch series that some will say is one of the best of the 2010s.

HBO series have a history of being really good, and the first seasons of Game of Thrones are genuinely excellent. From Ned’s death to the mother of dragons and ultimately one of the most shocking episodes of all time in Season 3’s The Rain of Castamere, the series was appointment television.

While death was rampant, cast members were coming and going, and storylines were constantly in flux, the series remained relevant and intriguing.

Long breaks between seasons didn’t deter fans from salivating for new seasons. And even now, some five-plus years after it ended, starting a re-watch or diving into the series for the first time will result in long binge sessions because the series is just that addictive.

But the final season, which came out nearly two years after Season 7, felt rushed from the jump and just got increasingly worse as the season went on.

The battle at Winterfell has its moments, but the lighting of the episode is still mocked to this day, and the White Walker conflict failed to live up to the years of buildup.

From there, Daenerys’ destruction of King’s Landing was unsatisfying at best, and Jon then subsequently stabbing Daenerys felt like a stab to all of our hearts, even if she was a far cry from the character we’d come to know at that point.

Perhaps, the icing on the crap cake was Bran becoming the king of the Seven Kingdoms. No shade to Bran, but it just was not the ending anyone wanted.

Game of Thrones will always remain a good show, but it lost its claim to great when it put out those final six episodes to close things out.

Picket Fences

This show aired in the early 1990s and was the first major show produced by David E. Kelley, fresh from his writing for L.A. Law. It’s often unfairly compared to Twin Peaks because it takes place in a small town where strange things happen.

However, it’s more of a lawyer/family drama, and some of the drama comes from weirdness, especially in the first season.

The idea is that Rome, Wisconsin, is a small, Midwestern town that seems idyllic on the surface, but all sorts of crime and unethical activity are happening behind closed doors.

The show addressed social issues of the time and was ahead of its time in many ways until it was ruined in the final season.

Picket Fences was always on the bubble, and the third season finale felt like a series finale (ironically, it aired on CBS in the spot that Blue Bloods has dominated for 14 years).

The town was in shock after the priest was murdered in the confessional after resisting a mugger’s demands, and the episode ended with a pageant where the characters celebrated the unique nature of their town.

Fans were thrilled to learn it was coming back until it did. Season 4 was written by entirely new writers, who turned it into a generic, boring, and disappointing family drama that was more like a soap opera than anything else.

The series wrapped up with a stupid, unnecessary series of weddings (and Tom Skerritt’s character having liver cancer).

It should have ended the season before, which would have been a brilliant and uplifting ending that actually fit the show and its premise.

The post These Shows Are Excellent — As Long As You Don’t Finish Them appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It can be difficult when a show we love betrays its characters for the sake of drama or when certain aspects feel phoned-in.

From awful characters, overly traumatic plotlines, terrible episodes, and more — sometimes we have to call it as we see it.

The Orville: New Horizons Season 3 Episode 4 – "Gently Falling Rain" (Hulu)

Of the numerous problematic plot lines The Orville introduced, the Planetary Union's interactions with the Krill are the worst.

Specifically, Captain Mercer commits mass murder aboard a Krill ship, then unknowingly becomes emotionally and physically involved with a Krill spy, and then tops it off with some general war crimes.

As if that wasn't enough, the writers somehow thought adding a child to the mix was a good idea — one born of Mercer and Teleya's relationship before she was revealed to be a Krill survivor of the Yakar.

It might have been an attempt to give Mercer a sympathetic storyline — and, at the same time, open discourse on unwanted/unplanned pregnancies.

Unfortunately, MacFarlane hasn't got the acting chops to carry off an emotionally torn father while commanding a starship AND carrying out a subversive mission. Everything about Anaya's backstory and potential future in the series is painfully awful.

The Essex Serpent (Apple TV+)

A hot priest, played by Tom Hiddleston, sounded very promising, but sadly, nothing really happened in The Essex Serpent.

Claire Danes and Hiddleston valiantly tried to save a horrible script, but their chemistry was non-existent, and the whole thing fell flat.

The show managed to morph from an enticing religious/political small-town storyline to a trite and banal romance in only six episodes.

Fantastic visuals couldn't save the romance from feeling forced, with the entire miniseries culminating in one of the worst finales in recent memory.

Call Me Kat (Fox)

Memo to all Hollywood actresses not named Zooey Deschanel (Lizzy Caplan gets a case-by-case exemption): Quirky can't just be done by anyone.

The problem with Mayim Bialik's interpretation of the character is that she seems to be quirky for quirkiness' sake.

At times, the broadness of Kat and her cohorts carries charm, but it's also pretty cringy.

As the show has gone on, it has leaned more and more into the hammy camp of it all, which is a shame because the show initially had some promising moments.

Survivor Season 43 (CBS)

After the post-pandemic return of Survivor with two fantastic seasons (41 & 42), it stands to reason that Season 43 fell into a bit of s slump.

The cast was great, but the rapid gameplay came at the expense of the relationships, and it all felt very paint-by-numbers.

Add a truly out-of-left field winner and possibly the most brutal final four fire-making challenge since it was introduced, and you have a lackluster entry into CBS's most consistent reality franchise.

Here's hoping Season 44 will re-ignite the spark!

Josh Wallace – In the Dark (The CW)

Josh became one of the most loathsome characters of the series — which says a lot when Dean was a cop who killed an unarmed Black teen.

Josh became so deranged and unhinged that it was stressful to watch.

His vendetta against Murphy was downright disturbing, and he's the reason Max got killed.

A large portion of the series' unwatchable final season was because of him.

Rutherford and Tendi – Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)

It's nice that SNL one-season wonder Noel Wells is getting voice-over work and solidifying her place in the Star Trek canon. Ditto Eugene Cordero, but, well, he has plenty of other gigs.

No offense to these two actors, but the third season of this animated parody of Star Trek has done nothing to make the cases that Tendi and Rutherford offer anything of value.

Also, the two characters have pretty much the same perky and agreeable personality. Beckett likes to do things her own way, and Boimlier is a long-term thinker.

The motivations of Tendi and Rutherford are still a blank and the same blank at that. Also, these two are adults who are clearly into each other. So get on with it.

Captain Strand – 9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox)

Owen is one of those characters who are so one-dimensional, and it gets old quickly.

Despite offering little to progress the narrative or entertainment, the character has so much screen time.

How much longer can we watch him try to capture his youth despite his age? His obsession with hair and women is tiring to watch.

The focus on Owen comes at the expense of interesting characters like Carlos, Mateo, and Marjan. It is time he got reinvented or written off entirely.

Conrad/BIllie/Cade Love Triangle – The Resident (Fox)

The love triangle shone a light on what's wrong with the show now compared to its earlier seasons. The inherent problem with these three is that neither Billie nor Cade was fully developed in their own right before becoming romantic fodder.

Billie's arc was built around the damage a man did to her and the son she gave up for adoption. Cade's was built around her messed up youth because of her father and her resulting commitment issues, which kept her on the move and in fear of building a life.

That their next story revolved around Conrad did nothing for the characters and even less for the triangle. None of it was earned, and all three characters and their actors deserved better.

The Resident was built around strong, self-sufficient women who didn't need men to exist but chose to include them in their lives. All of that has gone, and the show is suffering.

Helen Sharpe's Departure – New Amsterdam (NBC)

The character assassination of Helen is one of the year's most egregious offenses and cast a shadow over the final season of this formerly great series.

It is unfathomable to any fan of the character that she'd abandon both Max and Luna and flee the country.

Freema Agyeman's departure was unavoidable, but the writers gleefully burning years' worth of character development and the primary ship to the ground and repeatedly stomping on them is just unforgivable.

Even with the tease of her return, there's little faith they'll handle it well.

Carina and Maya's Fertility/Marriage Issues – Station 19 (ABC)

Carina and Maya are one of the most beloved couples and few remaining WLW relationships.

Unfortunately, they are routinely bogged down with frustrating arcs.

Their fertility journey got derailed with the puzzling decision to insert Jack and push a questionable narrative about sperm donors vs. fathers.

Now, Maya's grueling and draining arc about her mental health and demotion woes are unbearable.

Halstead's Departure – Chicago PD (NBC)

Fans were stunned at the news that Jesse Lee Soffer was exiting the series. Halstead and Upton had gotten married, and he was on track to be the unit's successor.

His exit felt out of nowhere, and sadly, it was — and poorly handled.

Halstead's conscience caught up to him after another questionable situation with Hailey and Voight, and he fled to South America on some military assignment without saying goodbye to most of the unit.

He hasn't been heard from since.

The Boys Season 3 Episode 6 – "Herogasm" (Prime Video)

This is what happens when you're trying harder to make viewers' eyes pop than develop characters and plot.

It was like they were trying to see how disgusting and out there they could be, and they achieved it mightily. Sure, it was an attention grabber, but to what purpose?

Sometimes, less is more, and this would have been one of those times.

It cast a pall on the series as a whole, sucking some of the fun out of it (pun intended).

Warner Media/Discovery HBO cancellations

Back in April 2022, Warner Media (parent company of HBO Max) merged with Discovery.

The fallout meant the cancellation and removal of dozens of HBO and Cartoon Network shows from their platform.

Previous seasons of some shows, such as Westworld and Raised by Wolves, will still exist on third-party streaming services. However, others, like Minx and Made For Love, still have uncertain fates.

It's chilling that in this digital age, the decline of physical media can mean that some shows will effectively "cease to exist."

These Shows Should Be Igniting Conversation!

Open List

Do you agree with our gripes, Fanatics?

Are we off-base or out of line?

Did we miss anything that got you upset this year?

Vent your TV-related frustrations in the comments!

The post 2022’s Worst of TV appeared first on TV Fanatic.

That's an emotional storyline when a character dies, and there isn't a dry eye while watching.

Some of these characters were beloved, while others finally had a chance to be a hero in death.

The TV Fanatic staff compiled a list of the saddest character deaths of 2022.

Check out the list below:

Clay on SEAL Team (Paramount+)

Clay's fate was in the air ahead of Season 6 of the beloved military drama.

However, he beat the odds and survived the injury at the end of the previous season, sending his arc in a very different direction.

Unfortunately, his kind heart got him killed as he was shot by a security guard while trying to help a troubled veteran.

We should have known it was coming, especially after Max Thieriot launched Fire Country, one of the year's most successful new shows.

Zeke on Manifest (Netflix)

After Zeke survived the Death Date at the end of the second season, fans thought that they would have him forever and that he and Michaela would live a happily married life together.

Zeke was able to help a lot more thanks to the empath abilities, but they started to do more harm than good, at least to him, in the fourth season.

Cal's cancer started catching up to him, and realizing why he got his second chance, Zeke took his pain and put it on himself, later dying in Michaela's arms.

It was an emotional and sudden death, and Michaela's sobs made it even more heart-wrenching.

Agent Garrett Miller on The Cleaning Lady (FOX)

Out of the deaths predicted, no one expected Garrett to die in the Cleaning Lady's Season 2 finale.

Seeing him get Robert and die saving Thony was heartbreaking.

Unfortunately, his death made sense because it changed the stakes, and he's one of the players involved with everyone.

While he was annoying, he grew on us, and so did his and Thony's complicated friendship. Now she has to fight her own battles without his assistance.

Eddie Munson on Stranger Things (Netflix)

This truly lovable outcast was a break-out character in Season 4. Still, his fate was written the minute we saw him show remorse over being unable to save Chrissy Cunningham (RPI Chrissy, honorable mention).

His arc was incredible, and the writers expressed regrets about killing off these two in one of the most tragic moments on the show.

At least Eddie went out with a bang. He got to be a hero. He didn't run.

Principal Larissa Weems on Wednesday (Netflix)

Principal Weems was passionate about making Nevermore a place where Normies and Outcasts could live harmoniously and thrive. But in the end, that passion got her killed.

Larissa's death was tragic for several reasons, not the least of which was the chance to see Gwendoline Christie looking gorgeous in head-to-toe designer outfits and perfect hair and makeup. Fans who remember the actress as Brienne of Tarth might not even recognize her here.

But most disappointing is that there was so much of Larissa's story left to tell. How deep did her rivalry with Morticia go? How did she end up as the Principal of Nevermore? And how strong would her growing bond with Wednesday have grown if she'd lived?

Perhaps there will be a supernatural twist, and we'll magically get her back. If not, the worst part of Principal's Weems death will be that it's left us with far more questions about this fascinating character than answers.

Jess LaCroix on FBI: Most Wanted (CBS)

We knew that Julian McMahon would be exiting the series, the most shocking departure in the series revolving door exits, but nothing could prepare us for his heartbreaking and senseless death.

Everything was set up perfectly for Jess to retire, travel to Bali with his girlfriend, Sarah, and relocate to be closer to his daughter, Talia. Instead, while working his last case, he was killed protecting a civilian from her abusive husband.

We still can't think of anything sadder than the series leaving Talia, who had already lost so much, an orphan.

Liliana on Power Book IV: Force (STARZ)

When Liliana first showed up in the windy city, she and Tommy were at each other's throats. But throughout the season, they became allies and partners, and Liliana proved her loyalty to Tommy time and time again.

In the Power Universe, NO ONE is safe, but it felt like Liliana had earned her place, and her death was very disheartening for the fans who'd grown fond of her.

She may go down in Power lore as one of Tommy's greatest allies.

Elsa Dutton on 1883 (Paramount +)

Elsa Dutton was the light of the Dutton family as they made their way west. She was curious and accepting and defied family expectations every step of the way, winning the hearts of her co-travelers and viewers alike.

After losing her first love on the wagon trail, Elsa began staring death in the face, and it eventually caught up to her.

She was shot, her wound was infected, and she died before the Dutton family built Yellowstone as we know it today.

It was written so that she was vibrant and healthy and reunited with her Native American husband after her death, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Harlan Cooper on The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

It's hard while innocents suffer, and by any measure, Harlan Cooper was an innocent, a child whose life was irrevocably changed by encountering the time-traveling, superpowered Umbrella Academy.

He became an adult but was still innocent, struggling to control the powers forced on him. Those powers inadvertently killed the mothers of the Umbrella Academy, creating the Grandfather Paradox and Kugelblitz.

What makes his death even more heartbreaking is Allison murdering him for creating the timeline that no longer had her daughter in it. While Allison can no longer be considered innocent, she nevertheless is a victim of circumstances that have turned her into a killer of innocents.

Anya on The Midnight Club (Netflix)

Whenever any character left The Midnight Club Season 1, it was a sad and touching farewell to their time on the show. However, the most emotionally devastating goodbye came from Anya's death.

How could anyone hold back the tears?! Her character warmed up to Ilonka and grew to welcome the others in the group into her heart.

We all rooted for the chance that the ritual was true and Anya would be cured; however, that storyline only toyed with our emotions.

Anya's exit hung a dark cloud over the group, leaving the outlook hopeless. No one was ready to say goodbye to her.

Ruth Langmore on Ozark ( Netflix)

Arguably, we understood that Ruth was always destined to meet a tragic end.

But it was still upsetting to see her overcome so much, beat the odds, and stand tall as virtually the last of her line only to die.

She set up a remarkable life for herself and came so close to getting out and genuinely thriving, only to succumb to a hit by a queen pin.

The worst part is that she gave in to the fact that she would die and faced it like the firecracker she was.

Max Parrish on In the Dark (The CW)

All In The Dark fans wanted Murphy and Max to live happy lives with kids and a lemon tree. But we can't have nice things.

Instead, the series opted to kill Max off ahead of the series finale in a shocking moment where he tried to protect Murphy.

Instead of walking down a wedding aisle, Murphy, with Felix's guidance, walked down a hospital hallway in a blood-soaked gown to say goodbye to Max one last time.

Jackie on Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Unfortunately, suburban teenager Jackie was far more popular among her peers than wilderness Jackie. Yes, it might have been necessary for someone like Jackie to die, and we knew about it early in the season.

But Jackie was a ray of light, and it was hard to see her go, and it was even harder to see her go with so little dignity.

Watching her peers turn on her was painful, but the tragedy of Shauna's too-little-too-late heel realization that she should have been a better friend: That was especially biting.

Did we cover the characters you grieved saying goodbye to in 2022?

If not, hit the comments and tell us who we missed.

The post 2022 Saddest Character Exits appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Unfortunately, plenty of series fit the bill in 2022; if nothing else, they gave us something to complain about and discuss.

From beloved medical dramas on life support or plain DOA to reality guilty pleasures that have become hellscapes, our TV Fanatic staff had some strong thoughts.

And we've compiled a list of series that fell from grace in 2022.

Check out this potentially controversial list and share your thoughts below!

The Flight Attendant – HBO Max

It's an example of a limited series that should have remained a limited series.

The HBO Max drama dug deeper into Cassie's relationship with her mother, featuring a guest-starring turn from the incomparable Sharon Stone.

Unfortunately, the second mystery wasn't strong, and I found myself rooting for every character but Cassie. Please let the show die.

Elite – Netflix

The first three seasons of Elite were great. In season four, the show went downhill.

Season five saw a slight rejuvenation before it wore out again in season six.

The show released two seasons in one year but season six overshadowed season five. It was tragic and uninteresting.

Season seven is around the corner but has Elite overstayed its welcome?

My Unorthodox Life – Netflix

The first season of this unique reality show was about a family navigating modernity away from the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle in which they were raised.

In the second season, it's mostly just about a family falling apart. Obviously, I wish the Hart family didn't have such misfortune in their marriages, businesses, and family togetherness this season.

But at what point does it become exploitative to keep watching? At what point does it stop being a unique look at a post-Jewish family and typical reality TV?

The Resident – FOX

The Resident was a maverick, always upending expectations with heroic doctors and smart storylines.

It could have been a struggle keeping the show alive after losing two of its leading ladies, but the superb cast never missed a beat — until The Resident Season 6.

An unearned love triangle for its leading man, a difficult pregnancy for a character nobody enjoys, and cartoon villains have left viewers scratching their heads. The network hasn't even bothered to announce a renewal.

It's a simmering disappointment without relief in sight.

Love is Blind – Netflix

The guilty-pleasure reality TV show still hooks us in with its dating drama. We spend all season figuring out which couples will make it to the altar and who will say, "I do."

However, the magic of Love is Blind Season 1 (and a little bit of Love is Blind Season 2) is gone. What was once a great experiment to discover if love could be found in the pods has evolved into an emotional manipulator for its contestants.

The success rate of its matches hit a sharp wall, and as the show has grown in popularity, the integrity of those "searching for their future wife/husband" has been questioned.

Now, some contestants are only going on Love is Blind to become famous or grow their influencer followings by having their big reality TV moment. And with more contestants being left emotionally hurt or used by the time their relationships end, we have to wonder if the experiment is too far gone to be fixed.

Russian Doll – Netflix

Did anyone notice that Russian Doll Season 2 came out this year?

What was once one of the buzziest new series in 2019 soon became a new season that came and went without any fanfare.

The intriguing mystery and plot of Russian Doll Season 1 kept us on our toes, and the characters felt so fleshed out and nuanced that you couldn't help but want to learn more about what happened.

However, the allure seemed to slip away with the latest case. Nadia's misadventure while traveling back to the 1980s didn't hit the same highs of the past, and what elements kept us interested in her first mystery held a different effect this time around.

Good Trouble – Freeform

Watching one more season of Good Trouble seems like a special kind of hell.

When it premiered in 2019, it was fresh, sexy, and very different from The Fosters. It has, however, fallen into a cycle of reusing storylines and characters; it's tiresome at this point.

When will Dennis and Davia get together? Can Alice just make it already? She seems mad doing the same thing and expecting different results. Every new character is uninteresting and only makes the show worse.

Maybe Maia Mitchell knew something we didn't when exiting, but it's slowly becoming clear.

Call Me Kat – FOX

A good sitcom is hard to find nowadays and even harder to sustain.

After two strong seasons of the whimsical yet clever exploits of cat-loving mathematician-turned-barista Kat and her friends and family, Season 3 had a hard time finding a clear direction initially and then was struck by the tragedy of Leslie Jordan's sudden death in October.

There isn't a specific element one could point out as missing this season, but rather the parts that are there aren't playing well with each other, whether it's the roommate dynamic between Randi and Max or Kat's sudden need to be pregnant while dealing with her mother's degenerative eye condition.

With production halted indefinitely in the wake of Jordan's death, there are obviously some hard decisions being made behind the scenes on how they'll move forward. Without Phil's sparkle, it'll be an even harder path to climb back to their top form.

The Blacklist – NBC

How much more of a sign does a network need to end a show than having one of the two series leads leave?

Megan Boone's Elizabeth Keen was killed off in The Blacklist Season 8. Rather than reading the writing on the wall, producers did a little character tinkering and soldiered on.

It's now two seasons later, with Amir Arison (Aram) and Laura Sohn (Alina) departing after The Blacklist Season 9.

James Spader's Raymond Reddington is a classic TV character who could read the dictionary and draw viewers. But come on. It's time.

Rutherford Falls – Peacock

It's hard to say Rutherford Falls was ever really that sure of what it wanted to be.

Was Ed Helms' character self-conscious enough of his ego?

Was it a good look for Terry and his Native American cause to be so ruthless in his legal dealings, and was his heel-face turn convincing? Was it really enjoyable watching Regan be the butt of the jokes?

The show advertises itself as one in which no big heroes and villains exist, but the show's solution to any first-season defects is moving them out of the limelight. What a cop-out!

The second season is largely about a mayoral race between two candidates — Bobby Yang and someone not appearing in the first season entirely — that had little characterization before the season started. There was just too little reason to care.

In the Dark – The CW

When In the Dark first hit the scene, it was a refreshing, original work unlike anything on the network, and you never knew what to expect.

It progressively went downhill from its laud-worthy first season, heading down a dark path of absurd and redundant storylines.

All the characters became unlikable, insufferable individuals we struggled to root for, excluding darling Pretzel, of course, who singlehandedly was in charge of the group brain cell.

We lost many characters along the way in frustrating manners, but the final season was so unwatchable it physically hurt, and the series finale has to go down as one of the most egregious offenses of television history.

New Amsterdam – NBC

By now, we've exhausted ourselves discussing just how offensively bad New Amsterdam is, but because it's puzzling how this once-great series dropped the ball so much that we always find a way to gripe more.

It's hard to believe that this series was effortlessly the most evocative, feel-good, inspiring medical drama on the air, worthy of multi-season renewal during its acclaimed first season. New Amsterdam is unrecognizable now.

The characters are either stagnant or regress beyond comprehension, the storylines have taken an exhaustive political direction that somehow manages to be offputting to everyone, and a series that used to be hopeful and joyful is a depressing mess.

The heinous mishandling of Helen's departure, poor characterization of nearly all its characters, dismantling of every relationship, forced, rushed new romance, and what genuinely feels like a complete and utter disregard and disrespect for the viewers have made this final season agonizing.

We're eagerly awaiting the second the plug is officially pulled, the code is called, and we're free from this hell.

You Season 4: Meet the Cast!

Open List

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

Do you agree with the choices on this list?

Do you have your own thoughts about who should be on the list?

Is there anything you take issue with here?

Hit the comments with your reactions!

The post 2022’s Shows That Fell From Grace appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But it's even worse when you don't get an ending that offers closure for characters you've come to know.

Sadly, we said goodbye to plenty of shows in 2022, and many didn't get the chance to have a proper series finale.

But there is good news, and the TV Fanatic staff has rounded up the shows that ended with a conclusive series finale.

Check out our thoughts below.

Animal Kingdom (TNT) 

Whether you loved it or loathed it, Animal Kingdom went out the same way the Cody boys lived their lives: on its own terms.

The final season delivered some incredible performances from the cast as the season revealed the original sin that changed everything.

While it's still debated whether or not it was the perfect ending for this series, the finality of it and the intent to wrap up the journey in an authentic way is abundantly clear.

It's not a show we'll soon forget.

Better Things (FX)

Better things was one of the best shows on TV for five seasons.

It was less than 30 minutes of joy, heartache, comedy, and drama following three generations of women who spoke their minds and opened their hearts.

Not one of the women depended on a man for their self-worth, and the finale even found Sam (Pamela Adlon) joking about a marriage she didn't need and would never happen.

The Fox women needed only each other, and all the love they could muster, which was more than most of us will ever have.

Killing Eve (BBC America)

Killing Eve dazzled us with spycraft, mysteries, and seduction for an incredible four seasons.

While the Killing Eve series finale divided many fans and ultimately wasn't as satisfying as people wanted, the show got to end on its own terms.

The show teased the lack of happy endings throughout the entirety of its run and then brought that to reality with a devastating major character death in the final five minutes.

Whether or not people were happy, the show certainly went out with a bang and ended the way it wanted.

Dead to Me (Netflix)

Dead to Me was a no-holds-barred look at grief through the eyes of female friendship.

The first two seasons established Jen and Judy as friends after Judy killed Jen's husband in a hit-and-run accident.

It seemed impossible, but anyone familiar with female friendship knows those established against all odds can be the strongest and most fulfilling.

The third season toned down the wacky as the women once again found themselves on death's doorstep, and the result was a perfect, full-circle exploration about learning from your mistakes and processing grief with grace and compassion through a once-in-a-lifetime friendship.

The Walking Dead – (AMC)

The end is just the beginning of The Walking Dead. We have at least three more spinoffs on the way that will focus on various characters we've already met.

The final season wasn't as good as the two before it, but it wasn't bad. If anything, it could have benefited from another six episodes to slow down the pace.

However, the series finale was one of the better in recent memory.

With such a big cast, it's hard to serve all of the characters, and what we got was a nice end to a chapter that gives the sense that life will go on for everyone.

In the Dark (The CW)

One can never say that In the Dark didn't end on its own terms. In the Dark was such an unexpected hit on The CW, growing into a massive one thanks to Netflix.

It had such a unique premise unlike anything we've seen, creative and original as we followed of the most complex female characters of the 21st century, Murphy Mason, down a comical and dark path into crime along with her friends, love, and trusted guide dog, Pretzel.

The series weaved a complicated web over four seasons that had everyone on the edge of their seats in anticipation of how it would end.

To the relief of devoted fans, we learned that two different endings were filmed to accommodate the cancelation. While it's still up for debate if the ending we got was satisfying, there's no denying they went out the same way they existed — full of surprises.

Motherland: Fort Salem: (Freeform)

Motherland: Fort Salem ran for three seasons, and Freeform gave the series an extraordinary ending.

During the final season, the Bellweather unit with Scylla and Nicte was on the run from the Camarilla.

Throughout the season, more allies merged together, including a resurrected Sarah Alder.

Aldi, Abigail, Raelle, and Scylla finally got the happy ending they deserved.

Derry Girls (Netflix)

The characters in this North Irish time capsule don't just talk with a distinct brogue: They embody a distinct place and time.

More importantly, the preciousness of adolescence in all its beautiful disasters. 

Rather than let the teenagers age out of our interest, Derry Girls concluded its third season at the teens' graduation with a hint that their imperfect youths are going to shape them into promising young adults and active citizens in the political sphere.

Black-ish (ABC)

The Johnsons exemplified the complexities of multigenerational family dynamics, as every member excelled within their own arena and had very different approaches to the world, but they always had each other’s back when it counted.

Over eight seasons, we saw the kids grow up, the parents evolve, and the grandparents — dare we say it? — mature. As the oldest, Zoey truly left the nest with her college life spinning off into the Freeform series Grown-ish in 2018.

As the curtain set on Grown-ish, both Andre and Bow are reevaluating their lives and choices, widening their horizons as most of their kids prepare to step out into the world on their own.

Ruby and Pops literally sailing off together is a most fitting conclusion, especially considering their history with boats. It was a finale in keeping with the show’s consistent theme of personal growth, leaning into relationships, and optimism for the future.

His Dark Materials (HBO)

With three books in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, it made sense for the series to only have three seasons, one for each novel.

His Dark Materials Season 3 had the difficult task of concluding the story in a narratively satisfying way within the eight-episode structure but still including enough of the book to keep fans happy.

Luckily, the team behind the series has done right by the books at every turn, and the ending is no different.

Major characters get proper narrative sendoffs, there are redemption arcs, character growth, magic, love, and heartbreak. We couldn't have asked for a better sendoff.

Claws (TNT)

The engrossing dramedy was another victim of the pandemic. It was two years in between Season 3 and its final Season 4, and any buzz the show had fled during that hiatus.

Still, that unplanned break allowed creator Eliot Laurence to craft an engrossing final season, in which the manicurists of Nail Artisans of Manatee County cleverly outfoxed the criminals and the cops that had been attempting to ensnare them.

But who knows what Claws could have become without that interruption?

Wouldn't it be great to see Niecy Nash again as mastermind Desna Sims rather than as an older but new FBI agent on The Rookie: Feds?

The post 2022’s Shows That Ended On Their Own Terms appeared first on TV Fanatic.

What was that? No, but seriously, what was it?

This formerly great series ended abruptly withIn The Dark Season 4 Episode 13. It genuinely pains me to my core to say that it was unequivocally one of the worst finales I've ever witnessed.

In the Dark has always been a series that has dabbled into so many different realms that it never knew fully what it wanted to be. And the cabin sequence of events felt like something pulled from a two-bit horror flick.

It genuinely sucks to see this series fizzle away into this. In hindsight, the longer the season progressed, the easier it was to accept that the series had to end.

After a finale like that, I don't know if this series had any more gas in the tank to pull off another season that would be remotely watchable. The series had already lost much of its appeal and luster over the past couple of seasons because of some questionable storylines, content, and execution.

Frankly, with the events of this installment that managed to fly by quickly, I truly wish the series had ended with In the Dark Season 4 Episode 12.

It would've been a tragic ending with Max's death, but we would've had all the characters involved in the installment. Murphy would've earned her freedom but at the high cost of losing Josh, and it was a visually stunning, emotional hour.

I don't know what to say about this one. The opening moments with a depressed Murphy were great. Murphy's speech at Max's funeral elicited the emotions you'd expect from the scene.

Perry Mattfeld exemplified the vengeful, grieving woman who lost her purpose. The emotions she conveyed in those scenes were enthralling, so much so that it was misleading.

Her performance during the funeral made me excited about what the rest of the hour would entail because she was delivering on the emotions. However, not even Mattfeld's skill could salvage the insipid writing that took over the rest of the finale.

By now, I'm just looking forward to Mattfeld and Krantz's next projects, so I can thoroughly enjoy them in things that rise to their skillset and talent. It's what they and their fans deserve.

In a series that has likely gotten accused of jumping the shark dozens of times for some of its batshit crazy storylines and zany plots, none of those compare to Murphy stabbing Josh to death in a deserted cabin like some scene out of a Z-list horror movie.

It's not that we didn't want Josh to die or face some form of consequence for his actions, but this wasn't the way at all. Unfortunately, there was nothing remotely satisfying about it.

For context, it was tough when the series got word that they were not getting renewed amid filming the season. However, it still feels like there was enough time to entertain something suitable to the characters or appealing to the viewers.

Murphy:I was just told that I need to find a reason, I need to find a purpose, well I’ve found one. I’ve found one. I am going to find the person who did this, and I am going to make them pay for what they’ve done.

_{🔗 permalink: I was just told that I need to find a reason, I need to find a purpose, well I’ve found one….}

As far as finales go, this hasn't achieved either of those goals, and it's incredibly disappointing. It feels like a disservice to the fans who have devoted four years of their life to this show and these characters.

It feels like it lets down the actors who have worked so hard to bring these characters and stories to life. Honestly, it feels like somewhere along the way, the writers or whoever threw in the towel upon news of cancellation and didn't even try to give us something satisfactory.

More than anything, that's what probably hurts the most. A good series finale will make you want to relive the entire series again. You'll feel the urge to start from the beginning to enjoy the storytelling trajectory and the characters' journey.

As much as these characters will stick in one's mind and hold a special place in our hearts, it's doubtful many will want to revisit this. It'll only serve as a reminder of how a unique series went off the rails and then crashed and burned with its ending.

If anything, I'm left mourning the loss of potential and what could've been, and that's never a fun place to be after four years of devotion. After Max's death, Murphy only had vengeance on her mind. The idea of Josh getting his comeuppance has fueled the fandom for most of the season.

Her steely delivery about getting payback was enough to wipe the disturbing smirk off of Josh's face and send him hightailing out of Max's funeral as he arranged his escape.

Josh was unhinged, disturbing, and despicable. Naturally, whenever you thought he'd reach a new low, he'd find a trap door and dive through it.

It takes a terrible person to show up at the funeral of someone you got killed to gloat and smirk the whole time. Seeing his facial expressions during such a somber occasion was sickening, and his lack of remorse was enough to enrage anyone.

Murphy needed a reason for living, and she settled on vengeance. It was perfectly normal for her to fixate on revenge.

Felix: I know we’ve done some very bad things in our lives, and I know you’ve seen more death than the average Joe, but you’ve never actually killed someone. Murphy, Max loved you. He loved you so much. He would not want you to spend the rest of your life behind bars on his account. He’d want you to live your life.

_{🔗 permalink: I know we’ve done some very bad things in our lives, and I know you’ve seen more death than…}

However, her steps toward it were concerning. She used that rage and got Josh's identity as the caller from McKay. But Murphy wanted blood instead of going to the police about that — something that McKay should've shared amid all of this.

But she didn't even have a feasible, realistic plan. Yes, Murphy was acting on emotion rather than rationale. Still, the storyline would've had more teeth to it if she had taken a more calculated approach to execute her vengeance.

Of course, the problem was that they spent this final hour trying to cram things in and simply make plots happen whether they made sense or not.

Murphy waking up and heading to Josh's apartment with a butcher knife was ridiculous. She couldn't even see, so how did she expect to get the jump on Josh and stab him to death in his sleep?

The butcher knife serving as her weapon of choice all the way to the end was absurd. But, of course, if the idea was never to show Murphy shooting a gun at a person because it gave credence to how insane it was that people thought she killed Nia, then something should've at least come from that.

We got all the way to the end, and Josh, the police, people who seemingly mattered, still never found out the truth about Jess shooting Nia instead of Murphy doing it.

Josh grew too unhinged for the truth to ever matter to him, but given that one of the things viewers held out for was Josh actually learning the truth and having to eat his words, not getting that was incredibly disappointing.

Murphy stated that she didn't use to be a killer until Josh made her one. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. But by then, Josh was scrambling for his life and not paying attention, so it didn't matter.

And Murphy bringing a butcher knife to a gunfight highlighted how stupid this whole thing was. If not for Felix's presence, however contrived they made it for this situation, Josh would've shot Murphy right then and there.

Felix is Murphy's ride or die until the end, and that's something the series stayed true to even when objectively, Felix didn't have any reason to be still loyal to a fault to Murphy.

However, it was ludicrous that he drove Murphy all the way to the cabin under the guise that she had regained some sanity and simply wanted to talk to him.

Felix isn't an idiot, so it's frustrating that they made him that way "for plot." His attempt to get Josh to go along with things was on brand for him.

Felix: I know I’m not Max, but, you have me. I need you. You’re kind of like my everything. Not like, you’re my best friend. You’re my only friend.

Murphy: And what has that gotten you?

_{🔗 permalink: And what has that gotten you?}

However, it was also absurdly contrived and clunky to have Felix begging Murphy not to kill Josh and then walking out of the cabin, leaving her with someone who could do anything to fight for his life as she killed him.

Of course, it was an attempt to protect and shelter Felix. He has spent the entire series with some version of innocence and purity, as much as a character can possess in this series.

Allowing Felix to escape the whole situation meant he was unsullied by it. However, it simply didn't make any sense or feel authentic.

Felix is an enabler, but he left her alone in a cabin with no phone service and a psychopath. In what universe would that make any sense?

Instead, he was there to pick her up at the dumpster, a callback to the beginning of the series, as Murphy smoked a cigarette and tossed out her trademark coat.

And then he acted as if he wasn't sure if Murphy actually did anything or not. They moved on from that and rode off into the sunset together as best friends and each other's person.

Maybe it's a semi-fitting ending for Murphy, who will always have the love and support of Felix. But it's not exactly the most ideal one for Felix. Although, they attempted to give more credence to why this ending worked for them when Felix made his plea to Murphy to live for him.

He contextualized his relationship with Murphy and what he actually gets from their friendship. Sadly, they never spent enough time throughout the series digging into why Felix values this friendship so much and gains something from it.

Lip service at the end doesn't compensate for not exploring that deeper beyond "pathetic Felix helplessly in love with Murphy to his detriment."

In fact, Felix's hopeless crush on Murphy seemed to evaporate into thin air.

Leslie, who spent the past two seasons stepping into the role that Jess left, also disappeared into thin air for most of the finale.

We didn't get any reaction from her about Max, which felt odd. And she was gone outside of supporting Murphy briefly and reminding her brother not to enable Murphy's vengeance. It feels like there are many loose ends with her character that we'll just never know.

Murphy: You turned me into the psychopath that you thought I was.

_{🔗 permalink: You turned me into the psychopath that you thought I was.}

It was a relief that nothing came from Sarah's boastful response to Trey, and Darnell survived the finale. However, we only saw him for two seconds, and that was it. Again, it was an unsatisfying end for such a fan-favorite character.

Gene and Sarah didn't even really show up, which was bizarre. Instead of Murphy going psycho on Josh in a cabin, it would've been nice if Gene and CPD got to arrest Josh.

They've enabled him for so long, and they were largely the reason that he went off the deep end. It would've been satisfying if they took accountability for him and were forced to do their jobs and rein in the monster they created.

Ironically, they should've already known or figured out that Josh was the one who tipped McKay off. Murphy's speech at the funeral was outright threatening.

Now Josh is dead at his cabin, and surely, Murphy's fingerprints are all over the place. It feels like all roads lead to Murphy killing Josh.

The moment they find his body, she should be the primary suspect, but Murphy and Felix are driving into the sunset as if they don't have a care in the world.

With an installment that excluded many prominent characters, it's not a surprise that Jess simply never reappeared again. But it remains disappointing how incomplete her story feels.

As for Murphy, after all this time of people assuming the worst in her, it seems she's leaned into it. It's something poetic about that, for sure.

We also know that she doesn't open up to people, and Max brought out something in her that no one else could. With him gone, so is that part of her. We can already see her slipping into her poor vices, and they squeezed in a few callbacks in that regard.

Maybe, in its own way, this finale was meant to be full circle for Murphy. Perhaps, she's right back where she started, or worse off even.

She knows what love is now, but she lost it and is actually a killer. But I can't in good conscience say anything is satisfying about that ending.

Instead, what used to be a unique, fun, interesting series, went out with a whimper rather than a bang.

Over to you, In the Dark Fanatics. What are your thoughts on this finale? Sound off below.

You can watch In The Dark online here via TV Fanatic.

The post In The Dark Season 4 Episode 13 Review: Please Shine Down on Me appeared first on TV Fanatic.

And with that devastating series of events in the show's penultimate episode, we can only brace ourselves for the myriad of emotions we'll endure when watching In the Dark's series finale tonight.

Ahead of the finale, TV Fanatic again caught up with the magnanimous, lovely star, Perry Mattfeld, to find out what's in store for the final hour.

On behalf of the fandom. What the hell, Perry?!

Oh, goodness.

Everyone's losing their collective minds. So just to confirm, Max Parish, our favorite hobosexual, is really dead? You guys aren't faking us out somehow, right?

Oh, he's gone. Oh, I know. Everybody cried real tears, even when we were filming that. It was a very emotional goodbye.

I think what people are obviously reacting to so intensely is that they had finally seemed to let themselves be in love and let themselves just say, "Okay, I'm not going to fight anymore. I love you; let's just be together."

And then that got taken away, too. So I think that was probably the most shocking and devastating for everybody.

Yeah, it was sort of teased all season, and then Murphy and Max started making those plans. By then, because the rules of television often dictate it, it wasn't that surprising per se, but it was still just such a devastating blow.

We went from Murphy set to walk down the wedding aisle to that gorgeous sequence of you, and you looked stunning, walking down the hospital aisle with the blood-stained gown. I had to look up the director because that entire sequence was just amazing.

I'm so glad you say that. I agree. It was definitely some of our most incredible cinematography as well in those last episodes there.

I was just totally caught up in that. What was it even like reading that script? Was it shocking when you read it?

Luckily, our showrunner kind of gave us a heads-up to try to ease the blow. But from reading it to rehearsing it to filming it, it still feels like it's so intense.

And speaking of cinematography, too, it was cool to film those scenes where we're kind of in Murphy's perspective in that blurred world. I actually got to operate the camera for that. I got to embody what Murphy's perspective would be from a film standpoint.

That was even representative of Murphy's chaos and how she felt. Bringing the audience into that to feel claustrophobic in her world of panic and disorientation, I think, was a really unique and special way to end the show as well.

It was well done. It reminded me of when Murphy had that moment when she first realized Jess had left her, and it was like we were right there with her with this chaos around her.

Yes, yes. Yes.

Murphy and Max had a rough season of being apart. And then it was the cheating on Leslie and being together. They have not always been the most likable throughout all of that.

Oh Yeah.

Can you talk a little bit about their journey this season?

I was just talking about how I feel like even letting Jess go and knowing, hard as that would be, letting her go was a huge part of Murphy's growth over four seasons. As hard as that goodbye was, it was Murphy knowing that even as painful as it would be for her, it would make Jess happy.

I definitely feel like there is a lot of growth for Murphy.

Even in the one episode in the motel room between Murphy and Max, there's a lot of growth in one episode. She starts off with her defensive, very closed-off self, and by the end of that episode, she is in a very vulnerable, soft, happy, happy tears moment with the love of her life.

So they have been through a lot, and I think by the finale, everyone feels like she deserves closure and wants her to get her revenge.

I would imagine. I was just going to ask; it seems like every time she gets close to some happiness, it always comes with a catch. She's free, maybe of the drug business and illegal stuff, but it's coming at the cost of the people she loves in her life.

I think it's cost her everyone except Felix, who is still hanging in there. Can a happy ending ever truly be in the cards for Murphy, or will it always be a catch?

Isn't that something that everyone can relate to, though? Feeling like they just don't get a break, you know? That's what's so cool about the finale, too.

Will the two best friends ride off into the sunset, not knowing if it's over? Do they end up married 50 years, and they get old? Who knows? Are they these best friends who decide to stick together because they're the only ones left?

It's interesting, after four seasons, even at the very end, she started smoking again. It'll be interesting to wonder if that means she kind of after everything goes back to the very beginning. It feels like a full circle whirlwind of her life before Max, and now she's right back.

We're hoping that the revenge story is sweet and satisfying because, with Josh, the fandom wants blood.

Right? That's what I mean. It's like this epic, animalistic finale that I feel everyone wants at this point.

Yeah. Theo [Bhat] is so great. He's great and too good because I can honestly say it may take a little bit before I can watch him in anything else.

[Laughs] I'll just say he is the sweetest, most lovable guy. I've actually already been to London once to visit him, and I'm going again to see him and stay with his family. In real life, he is a teddy bear.

I'm like, rationally, I know that, and I can trust that, but it's been rough.[Laughs]

He'll have to dye his hair or something for the next job.

I understand you guys filmed two different endings. Does that mean you knew the cancelation was coming? And how did you feel about that?

We were prepped that it could go either way. I think the ending that we landed on satisfied either way. It gives the audience closure. I think everyone will feel closure for Murphy and empowered for her and that everything she goes through is justified.

However, it was always written where it could have led us right into another season. But I also don't know that we could have topped it. I think it's written brilliantly.

Will there be any Jess sightings? I know fandom definitely wants to know about that.

I know. You know, Jess was always a huge part of Murphy's identity, and that was something I kept in mind playing Murphy as well through all of season four. But even when I was doing scene work, trying to always keep in mind, is she missing Jess right now, or what does Murphy think Jess is doing right now?

Does she wish she could talk to her? Did she trust anyone like she trusted Jess? Yeah, that would be cool to dream about — if there were another season, would Murphy try to find Jess and take her to coffee and start over?

If you could, of course, describe the series finale in three words, what would they be?

Oh. Animalistic. Vulnerable. And what would be the last word? I mean, it's brutal, but I'm trying to think of another word. It's Raw.

What impact has playing Murphy had on you?

I'm extremely grateful to Murphy, the character, for giving me a lot of confidence in my own life. She was written brilliantly as a flawed woman, yet she's bold, confident, and strong. I feel like I've been lucky to learn from her and bring some of that to my own life and my own voice as Perry and as a young woman.

I definitely am really grateful to Murphy and most grateful to The CW for giving us four years of support because that is very rare and an anomaly. I'm grateful to have that four years on that playground where I felt supported and loved. That was a dream.

Thank you so much for speaking with me, Perry.

Thank you so much, and thank you for continuing to support our little show. I really appreciate it.

The In the Dark series finale airs tonight at 9/8c on The CW.

If you need to catch  up ahead of time you can watch In the Dark online here via TV Fanatic. Don't forget to check back in for our final review of the series.

You can also catch Perry Mattfeld in Who Invited Them on Shudder.

The post In the Dark’s Perry Mattfeld On Murphy’s Shocking Loss and ‘Animalistic’ Series Finale! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The post In The Dark Season 4 Episode 13 Recap: Please Shine Down on Me appeared first on TV Fanatic.

After all of the ups and downs throughout the series, especially this season, the Murphy and Max romance came to an utterly tragic end during In The Dark Season 4 Episode 12 when Max died protecting Murphy.

If that was the penultimate episode of the season, one can't even fathom what the series finale will entail!

The only satisfactory end for a character like Josh is death. It's actually incredible that he's somehow managed to surpass Dean as the most loathsome character; DEAN, the dirty cop, working with a ruthless drug dealer who murdered an unarmed Black teenager in cold blood and covered it up.

How does one manage to be more detestable than that dude?

Josh's absolutely insane and unhinged obsession with destroying Murphy has reached a point where it's so irritating it has somehow become comical, but that was up until his actions led to the death of a long-term, beloved character.

Now, there will most certainly be hell to pay.

Max: Are we really about to do this?

Murphy: What, take down an entire drug trade or get married?

Max: Both.

_{🔗 permalink: Are we really about to do this?}

It's been beyond frustrating that Josh's obsession and disgusting behavior have had space to fester and grow because he's gone unchecked by the likes of Gene, Sarah, and C.P.D. for so long.

He's surpassed rationale, and his quest to take down Murphy has made him become a criminal, too. He's crossed lines; everything he proposes or executes is typically illegal. He's assaulted people, bugged officials, hacked into things he shouldn't have, and racked up a litany of things that should have him hauled away and thrown under the jail.

The irony is that by the time his actions and behavior are addressed, and he's punished for them, he'll end up in jail longer than Murphy ever was.

Of course, that's assuming that Murphy doesn't cross over to that dark side that everyone accuses or believes she's on anyway and put Josh down like a dog.

They've had teenagers and children dying from drug overdoses because of Bolt running rampant, and the need to catch and bring down that operation has been dire because of how rampant Bolt has been running in the city.

And Josh hasn't cared about any of that or the hundreds of lives lost or affected by this dangerous drug because all he could focus on was Murphy.

At what point does he realize that he's the bad person? He supposedly fixated on her taking a single life while he's been so callous about multiple lives gone or ruined.

Instead of sitting at home, listening to a podcast, and coping with the fact that he's losing his sight, Josh was stewing once again when he learned that Murphy was offered a deal and would not be going back to prison.

In his twisted little mind, he thought it made sense for him to bug his boss' office and actively unravel an open investigation, compromising a confidential informant and effectively ruining a sting.

What's grinding about his deep dive into this was that Josh could uncover everything happening in a single night. Josh proved he could be an invaluable resource and asset, but instead, he'd waste his skillset on pursuing Murphy with a disturbing vendetta.

He cannot in good conscience believe that his actions wouldn't have resulted in anything other than her death. It's not even the first time that Josh has behaved as if Murphy hurting his freaking feelings warrants a death sentence.

But it extends beyond so much of that. Josh is so blind (pardon the pun) to his laser-focused vendetta against Murphy that he doesn't even consider all the collateral damage that could exist in the process.

McKay: How could you do this to me?

Murphy: It’s pretty easy. Men are stupid.

_{🔗 permalink: It’s pretty easy. Men are stupid.}

He jeopardized every civilian, Darnell, and for all he knew, Sarah and Gene, too. He hasn't been tuned into the Bolt investigation enough to consider all the facets of what was happening and how his actions, warning a presumably dangerous and powerful man, could affect everyone around.

When does Josh realize that he's the monster? He's the bad person? He's everything he claimed he was fighting against and hated? Josh's actions came at a terrible price, a life — Max's life.

The past two installments have kicked things in gear in a significant way. It's been some of the strongest hours of the series this season.

The caper style of the hour with Darnell and Murphy going undercover and Max, Felix, and Leslie assisting, too, was genuinely entertaining.

And because we knew the infamous shooting would happen, it left you on the edge of your seat at every turn.

Keston John and Perry Mattfeld have such great chemistry that it was fun to follow along with them again. The two of them posing as a couple was enough to make you wonder what things could've been like if they were legitimately a thing.

I mean, it's Murphy, after all. In hindsight, it's shocking that she and Darnell never crossed a romantic or sexual line. Goodness knows, they would have been a gorgeous couple. They both were too pretty for words — Murphy in that yellow was simply to die for, um, pun not intended.

It's been a relief that the Darnell we liked best has been present over the past few installments, and he had his shining moments during the hour.

I could believe that he would've caused all kinds of harm to McKay if he touched a hair on Murphy's head. It felt like something beyond Darnell's role as a jealous and possessive boyfriend.

The friendship between Murphy and Darnell has been a highlight of this series over the years, and I appreciated seeing that in full display again.

They played their roles well and seemed to be having fun together despite the circumstances. The lightness and the way things were going too well, along with Darnell making up with Sarah, are the little things that made Darnell an effective red herring, however briefly, regarding the shooting.

For a few moments, it felt like Darnell could be the one to bite the bullet.

The worst part is that there's a chance he could still meet his maker thanks to Gene and Sarah taking down Trey. Obviously, Trey probably would've put two and two together anyway when Darnell didn't show up at their meeting, but the police did.

However, Sarah essentially handed Darnell up to Trey on a silver platter when she uttered that stupid line about Darnell sending his regards. Why would you do that?

She put a target on the back of the man she claims she loves because of her need to boast. Who's to say Trey won't arrange a hit or something from prison?

But no, the mystery around who got shot played out as we expected, and they set up.

It was honestly hard to redeem Max from his litany of actions throughout the season. But we have learned a significant amount about him throughout the season. It's like we got a better peek behind who he is as a person now than we've ever had in the first three seasons.

Max returned to Murphy, proposing and making all of these plans felt too good to be true. The hour started with them discussing getting married and securing that house with the lemon tree. Typically once the characters start talking about these potentially happy future plans, death is right around the corner.

And Max died protecting Murphy. He made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the woman he loved. It doesn't get more tragically poetic than that, right?

The entire situation with Murphy and McKay was a bit frustrating. Not only did McKay want to spend time with Murphy alone so he could make moves on her, but he probably wanted to cover his ass if she did flip on him because she's blind and wouldn't be able to I.D. him sufficiently.

I simply can't imagine nor fully comprehend how Sarah and Gene have served as passive participants in this elaborate plan to take down McKay.

They're the police. It made no sense that both of them had to be at the scene to bust Trey for supplying and manufacturing Bolt. Why would they leave two confidential informants uncovered at an event where they were making a buy?

What if any of Trey's people made the call to McKay that Trey got busted, and McKay freaked out and got suspicious of Murphy and Darnell? Was there no police or anything on the scene?

Murphy and Darnell's backup shouldn't have been solely Max, Felix, and Leslie — the latter two only joining along by happenstance.

I loved how Felix, Max, and Leslie collaborated to sneak into the security room to turn the cameras on. Is it ludicrous that Felix and Leslie inserted themselves into this and tagged along? Yes, but they still made a fun trio.

And if it weren't for Felix successfully pulling up those cameras, they never would've seen what was happening in that room with Murphy. She could've died right then and there.

Max and Felix's love for Murphy is always on full display. It wasn't surprising that both men went sailing out of that room and went into action, taking down the security guard and getting to McKay.

Credit where it's due, Max was determined to get to his woman and kicked all kinds of ass to do it. He could not be stopped. If Murphy hadn't said anything, he probably would've continued beating McKay to a bloody pulp.

Darnell: If you touch her, I’ll kill you.

_{🔗 permalink: If you touch her, I’ll kill you.}

And Felix gave as good as he got even though he's clearly not a fighter or brawler. Felix pulling that guard's ponytail was a moment that made you chuckle.

However, it got dicey when executing the next few moments. I understand that Murphy couldn't see and Max was only focused on getting her out of there, but it was only pure luck that Felix still pulled off restraining that guard.

Out of the two men, Max had a better shot at restraining the guard until Murphy and Felix were safely in the elevator. Leaving Felix behind was such an unusual choice, even for a Murphy-obsessed Max.

But it all led to McKay swiping the guard's gun and shooting. You could see how stunned he was that he even did it; I appreciate that choice.

Otherwise, it would be a nitpick that this powerful, well-known man casually shot a man in the middle of a hotel hallway after stepping away from his own donation party, where dozens of people were.

The moments following were some of the best sequences of the hour. Murphy's relief that they made it into the elevator juxtaposed with Max bleeding out and trying to tell her was just perfectly done and heartbreaking.

And while a part of me lost it over the constant blurriness until the final scene, I cannot deny how evocative and effective that stylistic choice was.

They transported us into Murphy's point of view. It was very much reminiscent of In the Dark Season 3 Episode 2 when Murphy realized that Jess had left her at the station and she was all alone.

I absolutely adore this stylistic choice because it heightens the emotions and anxiety of what's happening onscreen by dulling most viewers' senses.

You can't say the blurred-out nature of everything didn't add to the intensity of the situation leading to the crushing conclusion that Max was dead.

Kudos to Perry Mattfeld and Morgan Krantz for their execution of these moments via just their voices. We couldn't see anything happening, but they both conveyed so much through their tone and infliction in their voices that you hung onto every word, breath, and tone.

Murphy's watery exclaim that she was Max's wife was a gut punch. Felix's shock and genuine concern poured through each line of his dialogue.

Doctor: Mrs. Parish, Mrs. Parish, I’m so sorry. We did everything we could, but he didn’t make it.

_{🔗 permalink: Mrs. Parish, Mrs. Parish, I’m so sorry. We did everything we could, but he didn’t make it.}

And then everything cleared, and we had that visually stunning shot of the bottom of Murphy's bloodstained yellow dress as she slowly walked down the hall with Felix's assistance to feel Max one last time.

It's one of those images that will just sit with you for a bit, haunt you even. It was such a breathtaking moment; Murphy lying against Max's chest, her hair splayed on the pillow behind her, was equally as stunning.

There were many moments throughout the hour where there was a genuine appreciation and admiration for the directorial choices.

Offhand, I can point to Murphy and Darnell's moments in the hotel room, elevator scenes, and how they entered the caper. Josh attacking the steel door was well crafted as well the shots of him in his apartment showcasing just how far gone he was.

Max and Murphy preparing for the operation was done well too. Felix, Max, and Leslie's security room shenanigans and Murphy's time with McKay were all well-crafted.

But from the shooting onward, particularly the dress mentioned above and hospital bed shots, I looked up to see who the director behind this installment was because they absolutely slayed it.

The hour was directed by the supremely talented Malakai directed the episode and written by Yael Zinkow & Jeannine Renshaw. The D.O.P. behind this hour deserves their kudos as well.

The death outcome of this installment will likely be difficult for many viewers. Obviously, there were many Max fans, and it's heartbreaking for devoted 'shippers that Max and Murphy couldn't get their happily ever after.

Murphy: You okay?

Felix: I don’t know. No? But Trey and Jimmy were arrested so you’re actually free. Do you need anything? Food, water, anything?

Murphy: I need you to sit with me.

_{🔗 permalink: I need you to sit with me.}

Their relationship was a toxic rollercoaster ride, but it's still a devastating development. Max is a man who never got to live the simple, happy life that he aspired to have.

And Murphy can't ever seem to be happy. She keeps losing the people she loves most in this world. She's an undeniably toxic person, but she's not an inherently bad one who deserves the pain that she's been forced to endure.

As the series finale approaches, the show swung from the fences and went big with this move. When you consider how dark this series can get and the level of danger and trouble they've gotten into it, in hindsight, it's surprising that they haven't had a significant character death like this before.

Ripping the love of Murphy's life away from her in such a tragic way right before the last episode ever is a bold and controversial move.

They telegraphed and foreshadowed this death the entire season, and it was still jarring to witness it unfold before our eyes like this.

You almost anticipated that they would walk it back or fall just short. We knew someone would get shot, and the likelihood that it was Max was strong.

But for it to result in actual death — it's a lot to process. Where does this put Murphy now?

She really doesn't have anyone left but Felix. I can't imagine how she'd function anymore without him.

Max dying will break Murphy. I don't know how she carries on, and there's a legitimate concern that so much of her growth could come to a screeching halt amid her grief and rage.

Max's death sets things up for us to see and experience a side of Murphy that we've never witnessed before, which is intriguing and compelling.

It's such a turning point in the series and for Murphy's characterization that it adds to the bittersweetness of the series concluding. I have no doubt Perry Mattfeld could've worked magic with exploring the version of a grieving Murphy without Max.

Rest in peace, Max Parish, that was a rough one, and undeniably a difficult thing to process for the diehard fans and shippers.

Over to you, In the Dark Fanatics. Were you surprised by this death? How do you feel about it? Let's discuss everything and pour one out for Max Parish below.

If you need to process that shocking death or relive the best of Murphy and Max, you can watch In The Dark online here via TV Fanatic.

The post In The Dark Season 4 Episode 12 Review: Going Up appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Most of In The Dark Season 4 Episode 11 showed the events leading up to that shocking flashforward that had fans theorizing who got shot and potentially died.

And from the looks of it, that potential casualty is Max.

The hour was an exercise in following all the pieces that may lead to a conclusion with this Bolt storyline. And it got a bit convoluted and confusing along the way.

But the series intended to go for an installment that served up some Ocean's 11 quality plots.

From the think tanks and plotting to this ragtag team of misfits and unlikely individuals coming together for a common goal of taking down Trey and his supplier and pulling off their rendition of a caper, what we got was an hour that felt like something ripped from Leverage.

It made for a fun episode with many moving parts and proper usage of its core characters, particularly as everyone came together.

On a personal note, it was so good to see Felix again. He's been M.I.A for far too long, and the show suffered for it.

Murphy: I never said I was a saint. Far from it.

_{🔗 permalink: I never said I was a saint. Far from it.}

Darnell is a hell of a mastermind. He can make Gene and Sarah look foolish in comparison when he was able to orchestrate this entire plan and put it into motion.

What does he get out of all of this when all is said and done? He's salvaged this case along with Murphy, and both of them have managed to do more in a few days than the cops have done in weeks or months.

Their ragtag team of unlikely allies works out so well, and the only pity is that we didn't get to spend more time with all of these characters working together and playing off one another more.

The team doesn't feel like the team until you pull in Felix and now, by extension, Leslie, who has become one of the most likable characters of the season.

Everyone had their role and played their part in aiding things, and they each played to their strengths in talents, which was fun to watch.

Apparently, Felix and Leslie were in Anguilla, but so much for a mini-vacation when they returned to Murphy working as an informant and got dragged into this elaborate plan to catch the Bolt supplier.

The Bells have truly carried this season and made it worthwhile in many ways. I felt for Felix as he realized he was left out of the loop about Murphy's deal with the cops.

And it sucked when he learned that Murphy and Max were engaged. But he handled the news better than one could've expected.

Murphy's engagement doesn't hinder him from being the most loyal person ever to her. He jumped right into work if that's what you want to call it, securing the money they needed to put their plan into place.

And if anyone deserved to get laid by someone who genuinely liked him, it's Felix. If he had to take one for the team, then he couldn't have had a more fun way of doing that by sleeping with Jimmy's niece in exchange for money.

He also came through with his legal eagle skills drafting a fake subpoena to push Jimmy over the edge and usher him toward where they need him. And he and Leslie dealt with their grandmother to aid things along, too.

Leslie came through on multiple fronts, too, which makes her a far better person than I could ever be. Seriously, did anyone want to smack Max for even wandering into her room to apologize?

Leslie: You’re asking me to help the person that Max just cheated on me with. I’m not a robot. It’s going to take a bit to get over it.

_{🔗 permalink: You’re asking me to help the person that Max just cheated on me with. I’m not a robot. It’s…}

It was such an abrupt turnaround from the guy who couldn't care less that he hurt Leslie and came across as callous and heartless regarding her feelings because all that mattered was his love for Murphy.

Honestly, Max attempting a sincere apology felt like an attempt to soften him and endear him to viewers again. I can't say it worked in the least, but if things are headed where they appear, it's a transparent manipulation after he's been on thin ice and trying patience.

The constant need to prompt Leslie to set aside her hurt and feelings to help Murphy is irksome. She's entitled to her feelings and the option of distancing herself from everyone involved. And she's not bad if she refuses to help out, even if they play it up as if she is.

Overall, this installment was interesting because it packed so much into it that it was hard to follow.

It was annoying that they didn't address that Josh sexually assaulted Murphy, but one can forgive that if it meant we went an installment without having to spend any time with Josh at all.

After a season of filler, redundancy, and meandering storylines, it's as if they woke up, finally realized that they're nearing the end of the series, and they dumped everything at us at once, gearing up for the final episodes.

The speed by which everything is happening now is enough to make your head spin. Some of the twists were apparent. It was no way they'd miss the opportunity to give us that Jimmy twist with the mysterious uncle Felix got the money from being key to reaching the supplier.

They started the hour with that flashback and spent the rest of the installment getting us to that point. Sadly, we didn't get confirmation on what was the injured party, but all the signs point to Max.

Max: I don’t want to wake up another day and not be your husband.

_{🔗 permalink: I don’t want to wake up another day and not be your husband.}

He wore his heart on his sleeve the whole installment, and it felt like a lot of foreshadowing for him.

His amends tour with Leslie felt like it was meant to put him in the right light again. He worked under Jimmy for the sake of their sting even though he hadn't worked a job in a lifetime.

He confided in Murphy and shared his fond memories with his mother, which made him sentimental. And he also spoke about their plans to get married sooner rather than later and what their wedding day will be like.

The plans for the future seemed to seal Max's fate. Anytime there is so much discussion about happy plans for the future, it t typically means that something terrible is around the corner or death is near.

Murphy and Max cannot be happy for too long.

Murphy's visions of Max in the pool when she was high off of Bolt while manipulating Jimmy felt ominous. While one didn't know how to fully interpret those gorgeously shot moments — and as an aside, Perry Mattfeld is stunning, and the entire installment highlighted that they felt off and like something terrible would happen.

Things felt too perfect, and life has a way of hitting Murphy and the others fast and harshly.

But we still need to know how things turned pear-shaped for them. As it stands, their plan seems fool-proof. They played Jimmy perfectly, and they'll be meeting the Bolt supplier.

Darnell and Murphy are back on track as partners and friends and even got some fun banter into the mix. The lines about Murphy thought they would be a thing were funny and sweet.

Everything is in motion as it should be, and all the working parts have fallen into place. How does it get messed up, then? Does someone realize Murphy and Darnell's real identities from their other actions this season, and it becomes a violent affair where Max is accidentally shot?

Would the show be bold enough to kill off Max? It seems unthinkable. And yet that's where they're leading us. The button was the key. How do you feel about that?

Over to you, In the Dark Fanatics. Do you think Max is the one who will get shot and die? Sound off below.

You can watch In The Dark online here via TV Fanatic.

The post In The Dark Season 4 Episode 11 Review: The Deep End appeared first on TV Fanatic.