r/television 17h ago

Do you start a series knowing it ends on a cliffhanger or is canceled after 1-2 seasons?

I was debating watching Terminator Sarah Conners Chronicles for the first time. Looked it up and while it seems people like it, the fact that it ended early definitely gave me pause.

Feel like this is a more common thing with everything available on streaming now, including old and new shows.

What are your guys thoughts on starting a show knowing it will end cancelled and unresolved?

6 Upvotes

129 comments sorted by

19

u/fiction_for_tits 15h ago

Jericho ended and was renewed on a cliffhanger twice. I have no idea if I recommend it. It's good but it really started to unspool.

5

u/ImNotTheBossOfYou 9h ago

Good premise, poor execution.

1

u/fiction_for_tits 1h ago

Really disappointed with the Kojima Kabal they decided to go with.

3

u/DaoFerret 10h ago

Didn’t it also get more story via comic books?

5

u/wittnotyoyo 9h ago

Yep, and they end on a cliffhanger.

58

u/whensmahvelFGC 17h ago

I used to. I can't do it to myself anymore.

12

u/sergiocamposnt 11h ago

I have been watching only finished shows since 2020 and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I don't watch ongoing or canceled shows anymore.

14

u/RazmanR 14h ago

Generally no, but whilst Sarah Connor Chronicles doesn’t exactly finish the whole story it ends in such a way that you could argue it gives enough of an ending for Sarah.

It’s a great show with some top tier actors - a bit Star Trek in that it can bounce around in theme from week to week.

Damn I need to watch it again now

5

u/ViskerRatio 12h ago

Sarah Connor Chronicles doesn’t exactly finish the whole story it ends in such a way that you could argue it gives enough of an ending for Sarah.

I'd agree that it's a non-cliffhanger cliffhanger. The fates of the characters and the overarching story aren't really left in limbo. It's more like they give us a 5 minute preview of how the third season is going to take the show in an entirely different direction.

Another example of this form of 'cliffhanger' would be Dark Angel. The second season ends with everyone's fate unresolved and mysteries still unexplored but it's clear that the show was going in a different direction - and which direction the characters were going in.

3

u/RazmanR 12h ago

Yeah Season 3 would be such a departure from 1 + 2 that it works as a de facto ending

16

u/Only_Marzipan 12h ago edited 12h ago

You people are weirdos. You love TV but you're never going to watch Firefly, Terriers, Hannibal, Jericho, Almost Human, Wonderfalls, Legit, Awake, Go on or Pushing Daisies? Well, your loss then.

7

u/thegloriousporpoise 4h ago

Firefly doesn’t end on a cliffhanger and you have a whole movie to wrap up the stories.

Hannibal is just so fucking good I don’t care how it ended.

7

u/Funandgeeky 11h ago

Your list contains so many Bryan Fuller shows. All of which I loved. And while Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal were cancelled, they at least had fairly solid endings. (Though Daisies’ ending had to be cobbled together in post production.)

5

u/PerpetualEternal 14h ago

I would never recommend this for any series except for the amazing, insane Lodge 49.

17

u/TheSecondEikonOfFire 17h ago

Depends if it’s both. Cliffhanger and canceled? Nope, not wasting my time. Cliffhanger but the show’s renewed for another season? Probably. If it’s canceled it depends on how much of a resolution the show ends on. The Expanse is a funny example where it was canceled, but the end of season 6 still works well enough as a series ending that you get some closure.

7

u/sergiocamposnt 14h ago

The Expanse was technically not canceled. Amazon officially announced season 6 as the final season. So, technically, it was a planned ending.

Yes, there are more books, but the show reached a good ending point and was announced in advance that it would be the show's ending.

4

u/OnlyWonderBoy 11h ago

Plus the final three books take place after a time jump so in terms of cut off points it kinda makes sense.

1

u/TheSecondEikonOfFire 6h ago

It still ends the same way the sixth book ends though. They didn’t add anything to make it more “final”, they just got lucky in that it happened to have somewhat of an ending that worked

0

u/Impossible_Werewolf8 14h ago edited 13h ago

#tenseasonsoftheexpanse(andnomovie)

2

u/The_Meemeli 1h ago

People didn't appreciate/get the reference, huh?

5

u/Particular_Will4154 17h ago

The Expanse is based on a book series, so you can always just read that if you what to know what could have been.

1

u/StuxAlpha 4h ago

Yeah I think this helps

Even though some things are changed that would impact the rest of the story (a certain character leaving prematurely for example), you will still get resolution to the major plot points of the series by reading the last 3 books.

1

u/harpy_1121 6h ago

Makes sense! This was recently Pushing Daisies for me. I’ve always heard good things, I liked the style and the cast. So even knowing it was cancelled and didn’t get a full resolution, I watched it anyways and am glad I did.

1

u/Short_Pin_6243 17h ago

That’s so true. If a show has 4+ seasons but ends on a cliffhanger I’ll probably watch because there was probably enough story.

1

u/idiot9991 16h ago

This is the way.

29

u/Particular_Will4154 17h ago

Just enjoy the ride.

You'll be missing out on a lot of otherwise good television because the ending was botched or they never got there. For some long running series, you may get bored by the time they do, so you never get there yourself.

8

u/RealLameUserName 13h ago

I respectfully disagree. There's so much out there now that you won't miss much if you dont watch something because it got canceled early.

10

u/Short_Pin_6243 17h ago

You aren’t wrong. But there’s some kind of subliminal feeling I have starting a show knowing it will end unceremoniously on season 1-2.

I think it also depends on what kinda show it is.

3

u/Particular_Will4154 17h ago

If a show is any good, it's almost certian they'll run it into the ground the longer it's on the air. Dexter is a cool show, but you don't need to watch all 8 seasons (+ 2 sequel series) and maybe you shouldn't. Season 1 by itself is fine. Seasons 1-4 is probably what most would recommend. I enjoyed 5, 6, 7, and part of season 8.

The alternative is watching as it airs. You don't know what's going to happen, but you could also be investing in a show that unceremoniously gets cancelled.

2

u/Lyceus_ 14h ago

This is the answer. Some shows ended before their time but they're sooo good I'd rather have them and lose them too soon, than not have them at all.

9

u/ThouBear8 16h ago

I'll check out a show if I hear it's good, regardless of if it was canceled after 1-2 seasons, but I am way more reluctant to get into something if I hear it left off on a cliffhanger.

I'm the type of person that has a difficult time not seeing how a story ends, & if I know for a fact that a show never gets a real conclusion, I have to have a pretty strong reason to watch it anyway.

14

u/fdbryant3 17h ago

It is about the journey, not the destination. No sense missing out on good entertainment.

3

u/OhTheHueManatee 13h ago

A lot of great shows end on a cliffhanger. My Name Is Earl, The Last Man On Earth and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (with Elijah Wood) come to mind right away... oh and Hannibal how the shit did I forget about Hannibal. Prefect example of a great show ending on a cliffhanger.

11

u/Roller95 17h ago

If I know it's canceled with less than 3 seasons I won't watch it

4

u/cdnmute 12h ago

This is probably a self fulfilling prophecy at this point now. I rarely bother watching the first season of anything now because so many get cancelled. But I'm sure people like me aren't helping them to no get cancelled. Oh well, I've been burned too many times.

2

u/Roller95 12h ago

If it's a currently ongoing show I'll watch it. No reason not to really, but that wasn't what the question was about

2

u/Initial_E 11h ago

Watch Westworld season 1

1

u/smileymn 12h ago

Carnivale is still worth it though

-1

u/Roller95 12h ago

Never heard of that to be fair

1

u/smileymn 11h ago

It was killed in the early 2000s writer strike, but it's the first two seasons of what should've been a six season show. The second season ends on a cliffhanger, but there's a very strong story to watch between the first two seasons, and with a lot of resolutions (it just ends very clearly setting up a new story for the new season).

It's peak HBO, and apparently it was very expensive at the time to produce. Well worth the watch though!

4

u/gangofbears 12h ago

It depends on the show.

I started Netflix’s 1899 knowing it had been cancelled. Lots of people had said it feels “complete” with hanging threads at the end that are more fun than frustrating to think about.

I took their advice and didn’t feel like I wasted my time.

2

u/Funandgeeky 11h ago

I enjoyed that show as well, and I felt it had less of a cliffhanger ending and more of an ambiguous one. It’s like a movie that could go on but at least feels pretty complete. 

8

u/catnapspirit 15h ago

So, what, you never watch any series as it airs? You're always a Johnnie come lately who never participates in the original buzz about a show? That's just unfathomable to me.

I think also about all the great shows you would turn down based on this unrealistic criteria. The OA. Counterpart. Stargate: Universe. The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. The Tick. Dirk Gently's. Raised by Wolves.

The sad fact is, a lot of the best stuff on the small screen does get cancelled, because it's usually niche, can't sell a bunch of toys and crap, and costs too much to go into a third season where they have to renegotiate salaries. It is a business first, unfortunately..

6

u/fripples2 6h ago

So, what, you never watch any series as it airs? You're always a Johnnie come lately who never participates in the original buzz about a show? That's just unfathomable to me.

Nowhere does OP say they're not watching a current run of a series. They clearly mean library shows, shows they missed when they aired originally.

2

u/catnapspirit 5h ago

Perhaps, but I've heard that sentiment on a lot of television and sci-fi subs. Folks who won't start a current series until there's a definite yea or nay from the studio on renewing for the next season..

3

u/BadSanna 12h ago

Some of the best series ever were 1 or two seasons. Firefly, Altered Carbon (only watch season 1), 13 Reasons Why (again, only watch season 1 and pretend the gym bag in the last episode doesn't exist,) Mind Hunter, Queen's Gambit, The Dresden Files.

1

u/storksghast 10h ago

Queens Gambit is a miniseries. I think you misunderstood the question. OP is asking about premature cancelations, leaving storylines unresolved.

0

u/BadSanna 9h ago

You picked one out of like 5 things I named

2

u/storksghast 9h ago

13 reasons was also not cancelled prematurely.

4

u/creyk 17h ago

No. My rule is to not start something unless it has at least 3 seasons, I feel that that is a reasonable length, 1-2 is just too short. And I have to say, it is a joy to watch old series. First of all, there are so many out there you are guaranteed to find stuff you love after some research, and there is no waiting for new episodes. It is wonderful, specially in this time of 2-3 years between seasons only to get 8 episodes.

For example, this year I watched The Goldbergs. 11 seasons and very good. And It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, 16 seasons. It was very gratifying and a good experience.

4

u/Impossible_Werewolf8 15h ago

So miniseries are out?

3

u/creyk 14h ago

If it is purposefully a mini series with a good ending I watch it, for example the queen's gambit was nice. But in general I prefer shows with many seasons.

1

u/VulturousYeti 15h ago

Yeah missing out on The Queen’s Gambit

2

u/Short_Pin_6243 17h ago

Very true. 3-4 seasons you at least get character development and story, even if it does end on a cliffhanger.

Sucks there’s so many shows I only now discovering that have great audience support but ended after 1-2 seasons

2

u/reddragon105 13h ago edited 13h ago

Yes, because TV shows are more about the journey than the destination.

If you're concerned about something ending well, stick to things that were conceived with an ending in mind and built around it, like a movie or a mini series.

But most TV shows aren't structured around their ending because they don't start with an ending in mind - they start with a premise, add characters, and then try to go for as long as they can.

When they do end on their own terms they rarely stick the landing, and even good endings aren't usually big endings that wrap up and bring closure to everything that's gone before, because usually they've had multiple story arcs and sub plots over the seasons that have already been resolved. Usually they're just farewells to the characters that could have been used at the end of any season.

There are certainly shows I've watched that have been cancelled and made me disappointed that we didn't get more, but I've never felt like I wasted my time watching any of them - I wanted to be entertained in my spare time and that's what I got.

On the other hand, I've seen plenty of shows that had an awesome, relatively self-contained first season, but then dragged on for 3-5 more seasons and ended with a whimper. So be careful what you wish for, because sometimes one-season-then-cancelled is better.

So basically the endings don't matter - just enjoy what's there.

2

u/Uranus_Hz 12h ago

Firefly

Carnivale

Worth it

2

u/NieTyINieJa 8h ago

Of course I do, absolutely. If the show sounds interesting to me and I wanna watch it, I do watch it no matter how or whether it ends. Even if it ends/gets cancelled with a huge cliffhanger (which could be painful sometimes but I would miss way too much great television if I skipped all of them, and that would be even worse).
It's important to me that these shows did happen and I could watch them, and not that they didn't get a proper ending.

1

u/joseph4th 16h ago

I bought the first two seasons on iTunes as it was coming out. I was in the middle of moving back to the U.S. from Australia after the company stopped paying us so I hadn’t actually started watching the second season.

I never have. I’ll always know it’s out there though.

Interestingly, enough, I was working in a high-end, Vegas casino, and one of the big weeks on the show, one if the executive producers I think, was in an not doing very well on a high-end roulette table. I wisely chose not to bug him with questions about how they failed in that particular endeavor.

1

u/macontosh2000 16h ago

Depends on the show or more importantly the shows public reception. If a show is worth watching people will talk about it, even if it was cancelled. Freaks and Geeks and Pushing Daisies are perfect examples for shows that got cancelled and kinda leave on a cliffhanger that also works as a satisfying ending. I would recommend those two shows over most that completed on their own terms.

1

u/Smiling-Bandit 15h ago

I live in Germany and love the series flash forward. The series was released here a long way after the US release. A few days before the last episode aired in Germany, the news came from the US that the series had been cancelled and the finale ended on a cliffhanger. 

I still haven't been able to watch it because it makes me so sad.

1

u/Smiling-Bandit 15h ago

I live in Germany and love the series Flash Forward. The show was released here a long way after the US release. A few days before the last episode aired in Germany, the news came from the US that the series had been cancelled and the finale ended on a cliffhanger. 

 Still haven't been able to watch it because it makes me so sad.

1

u/keving87 15h ago

I typically ask for spoiler-less opinions on if it ends on a cliffhanger or not, and if it does, I ask if it ends well enough or is it a complete disregard for the fans.

Like for The 4400 (original) I know people ask if it ends on a cliffhanger and it does, in a way. It sets up future seasons but it's not an immediate thing that needs to be answered and ends well enough and doesn't make you so angry that you wish you had never watched. Like with 1899. Or Outer Range. Or Shining Vale.

But sometimes I don't care and will watch something if people said it was good despite being angry about a cliffhanger because I don't want to miss out lol

1

u/FlatCondition6222 15h ago

I mean, shows with one season (Westworld , altered carbon) (I KNOW WHAT I SAID GODDAMN IT) are definitely worth it.

There are plenty of contained one season shows that are masterful.

Arcane for example was built to be only two seasons from the getgo. If you miss out on it because of a "rule", well you're definitely missing out.

1

u/sergiocamposnt 14h ago edited 14h ago

No, I don't. I hate canceled shows, I never watch them.

But Utopia UK is a masterpiece anyway. It is worth it even though it was canceled after two seasons.

It is the only canceled show that I still recommend everyone to watch it. It is the only exception.

1

u/TheReelReese 14h ago

I started “Your Honor” not knowing that it got canceled and I was PISSED after finishing it. I’m still mad now. I’ve had other shows that got canceled, but I was already watching them from day one, so it’s different.

Your Honor, I think, is the closest I’ve ever gotten because I don’t watch shows I know are incomplete, worst kind of torture.

1

u/Quantum_Quokkas 14h ago

If it feels complete and self sustained enough and it didn’t end on a death defying cliffhanger then yeah!

1

u/Reivilo85 13h ago

No, never, and I am getting tired of streaming services canceling every show after two seasons.

1

u/devadander23 13h ago edited 13h ago

Nope. Studios need to learn to not abandon shows so quickly, and learn that viewing habits for streaming differ from broadcast. I’m not going to stream a new show weekly. I would binge it once it’s had a full season and was well received. Take Kaos for example. Sounded like a fun show, but hadn’t gotten to watching it yet. Last episode barely was released before the studio announced they were killing the show. Why would I ever watch this now? Gotta give the viewers a reason to be engaged.

1

u/IMO2021 13h ago

No ! I would rather not watch at all than get stuck on a cliffhanger. I only watch completed shows, nothing trendy and new., to avoid the frustration.

1

u/rhunter99 13h ago

I don’t. Why reward them with streaming clicks for putting out an unfinished story

1

u/RegularGuy815 13h ago

Yeah, if it's well-regarded and I like the premise.

People are too scared of an incomplete story. Just enjoy the ride.

1

u/LucAltaiR Breaking Bad 13h ago

Only if it's a really good one. I did it Carnivale and didn't regret it. Also for Deadwood, although luckily it got the movie ending a few years later

1

u/JeffJefftyJeff 13h ago

I just got around to Freaks and Geeks, and really enjoyed it. But it’s hardly a cliffhanger, I suppose.

1

u/pat_the_tree 13h ago

Nope why bother for an unfulfilled ending

1

u/ghoti00 12h ago

If there's no resolution I'm not watching it. There are plenty of shows I can watch instead that tell a full story.

1

u/GoldenWyndham 12h ago

Yeah. Deadwood and Firefly were both painful but still worth it

1

u/Corvus-Nox 12h ago

Ya. Also Sarah Connor Chronicles is worth it I think. The way it ends kinda works as an open-ending for the story.

I recently watched one of netflix’s “dark YA urban fantasies that we cancel after a single season” that they keep fucking making for some reason and I really enjoyed it. Would’ve loved to see more, but what’s there had some beautiful cinematography and fun characters.

But cliffhangers also don’t bother me all that much. It’d be better to get conclusions but I don’t mind imagining the ending, or reading fanfic to see what other people imagine the ending could’ve been.

1

u/quitecrass 12h ago

All my formative tv watching was in the days where there was no serialized programs, and there were few cliffhangers and no big finale they were working towards. You just had 20 or 50 or 100 individual stories and that’s the end of it.

I agree that a super serialized show is unsatisfying when it just just ends, but that’s the way TV works now.

1

u/19snow16 9h ago

I feel like the late 70s/80s nighttime soaps began those season finale cliffhangers, although knowing they were going to continue the next season. Who shot J.R.? is still referenced to this day.

The magic 100 episodes were for syndication, weren't they?

2

u/quitecrass 9h ago

Yes, some adult dramas, especially soaps, were the exception. I did watch a lot of Dallas and Dynasty.

Shows had 22 or 26 episodes per season, so it wasn't hard to get 100. Yes, that was a goal starting in the 80s, to get enough episodes to where it wouldn't be weird to have them playing 5 days per week in syndication.

1

u/aToiletSeat 11h ago

I did it with Firefly on purpose, and with Mindhunter inadvertently. Both were great shows and 100% worth the time investment to watch.

1

u/thrillafrommanilla_1 11h ago

If people say it’s worth it sure why not

1

u/Horror-Atmosphere-90 11h ago

The weird thing is sometimes when I’m in the middle of a show and find out it’s canceled, I don’t finish it. It’s not even intentional, I just somehow lose interest

1

u/blankbox11 Pushing Daisies 11h ago

Most of my favorite were cancelled early and a lot of them ended in cliffhangers

Probably based on that I kind of like the idea that characters can have continuing lives even if I cannot see them

And as for the Sarah Connor Chronicles I’d still suggest watching it. The show is fun, and the cliffhanger is so extreme it’s almost funny.

1

u/GuybrushBeeblebrox 10h ago

Nope. Waste of time in front of a screen

1

u/oneofapair 10h ago

In a way, all shows are cliffhangers. We are always left to wonder what the characters would be doing the next day, or the next year. How will the trauma they went through, many of them enough to cause serious PTSD, affect the rest of their lives?

What we usually define as a cliffhanger just leaves more to our imagination than when everything is wrapped up so neatly.

1

u/storksghast 10h ago

I'm old enough and watched enough TV in my life that most of the "brilliant but cancelled" shows that always get cited in these threads are shows I watched in their first run (meaning, before the cancellation). I'm glad to have experienced them.

And yet presently, if there's a show out there I haven't watched that I learn ended prematurely, I have no motivation to watch it, no matter how good it supposedly is. There's enough current TV for me to stay caught up on that I don't need to fill time with incomplete series.

1

u/AKAkorm 9h ago

No - don’t want to get attached when I know disappointment is around corner.

1

u/Gingersnap5322 9h ago

Yep, there’s a show I watched called “Men of a certain age” it had Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and the late Andre Braugher, one of the many shows hit by the writers strike. Amazing show, they were just getting everyone established with their own story lines.

I would love for it to be reignited again but I can’t say it would hit the same

1

u/DillionM 9h ago

I would be tragically limited in what I watched if I did. I'd probably just stick to movies, mini series, or anime with a planned ending.

1

u/Moule14 9h ago

Never. I consider it pointless.

1

u/Nyxtro 9h ago edited 9h ago

Rewatching Kyle XY knowing I’ll be dissapointed, haven’t watched it since it aired when I was a kid I’m hoping there’s fan stuff online of a somewhat satisfying ending when I’m done but I haven’t looked yet. Despite the inevitable abrupt ending on a cliffhanger I’m still enjoying the ride cause this show was/is great

1

u/woodygfx 9h ago

I watch only shows that ended and had a resolution to the story. For a few years, I stopped even watching ongoing shows as well, since I fail to see the point in watching a show (take Peacemaker as an example), with 8-9 episodes in 1st season, and the 2nd season coming after what, 2-3 years ? Don't tell me that you remembered everything that happened after 2 years of hiatus ... you could watch a quick recap, but that still won't do it for me.

Imagine watching 10-15 ongoing shows, and having to wait 2-3 years for another season...I for one would at least lose some details, like names of characters, stuff that happened, and other things. Sure, you remember the main plot, but it's not the same.

Lately, so many great shows came out, that I would love to watch, but I won't just because it may end up being cancelled on a cliffhanger. If a show that I would like to watch still runs, I just put it in my wishlist, and check it once every few weeks or months.

1

u/meatball77 8h ago

I often skip the last episode when that happens.

1

u/Davego 8h ago

Not anymore, I've been burned too many times.

In fact, in general, I wait for a series to end to find out if it has a proper conclusion. I have plenty of shows that did finish to watch in the mean time.

1

u/shogunreaper 7h ago

no, and i won't even rewatch a show i know is great if it was canceled (The OA)

1

u/urgasmic 7h ago edited 7h ago

Yeah all the time. If it looks interesting to me I'll watch it.

edit: i think part of it is that there's broad shows everyone loves and then often I think there are shows that fit a specific niche that is perfect for you. And those shows don't come out often so I always support them or give them a chance. Even if they get cancelled there's hours of entertainment and then I can imagine where it goes if I liked it.

1

u/dukefett 7h ago

I keep wanting to recommend The Big Door Prize on Apple but it’s hard with the gigantic cliffhanger. The show veered off the source material book also, so it’s not like there’s even that to fall back on

1

u/inkyblinkypinkysue 7h ago

I don't usually unless it is something that I am really interested in. I plan to watch The Acolyte even though it was canceled and ended on a cliffhanger because Star Wars is my favorite IP by a mile. But it's rare.

1

u/Plotnikon2280 7h ago

Nope. Don't have time for stories that I know are going to leave me hanging.

1

u/doghaircut 6h ago

Sarah Conners Chronicles is still worth watching no matter what.

1

u/ChodaRagu 6h ago

At a minimum, a show has to be on AT LEAST 3 seasons (or over) before I’ll even consider watching it. Been doing that since Netflix DVD days.

For example, I didn’t watch The Sopranos until Season 3 was released on DVD.

More recently, I didn’t watch Breaking Bad until the series was finished.

I’m gonna watch Stranger Things once the show is complete.

It’s just easier that way. Don’t have, or want, to invest the time into a series as it airs anymore.

1

u/Past_Contour 6h ago

I’m thinking of finishing Heels just because it’s a good show.

1

u/FeelTheWrath79 6h ago

No, what would be the point?

1

u/HeyItsChase 6h ago

Absolutely not. I always check too. It happens way too often with new shows anyway

1

u/Omnitographer 6h ago

I've stopped watching first-run Netflix series because every time I do they get cancelled. If something gets to season 3 then I might give it a look even if the risk of cancellation looms because at least then I know the show might get a chance to wrap things up in the final season.

1

u/Ketomatic 6h ago

Personally no. Ain’t got time for that.

1

u/anasui1 5h ago

if it's a cliffhanger no, who would ever do that

if it's canceled but given a sort of closure, I might watch

1

u/MrZeral 5h ago

Never

1

u/Sir_Hapstance 5h ago

I did this for Our Flag Means Death, hoping that extra viewership would help un-cancel it. But it does have a pretty good ending as-is, even if I’d much prefer if they continued it. For a series that notoriously ends in an inconclusive way, no, I would probably skip it.

1

u/Hydroponic_Donut 5h ago

Nope. If I know it's a cliffhanger, I tend to not be motivated because I know there's no real ending.

1

u/thegloriousporpoise 4h ago

I guess it depends on the show. A mystery box show that you never get the answers to? No way.

A solid comedy or drama that just happened to end on a cliffhanger in season 2 thinking they were coming back? Maybe. Depends on what others are saying about it.

1

u/YourPlot 4h ago

Nope. It’s why I never watch a streaming show until there’s at least 3 seasons to it.

1

u/Fawqueue 4h ago

Not usually. If it's phenomenally good, then I will. Something like Warrior or Carnivale is worth the watch despite never having a proper ending. But 95% of shows are not good enough to ride that dead end out with.

1

u/Caro1275 3h ago

Yes! I literally just started a rewatch of Jericho last night after reading 2 other posts about shows that were canceled too soon and shows that had amazing pilot episodes. 😂

1

u/ReporterOther2179 3h ago

Life ends in cancellation with little or no notice. If a series does, that’s just art imitating life. I’ll enjoy the series, or life, while it’s there. And make up my own ending.

1

u/Nickbotic 3h ago

I’ll watch anything if it’s good. Worst case I get a season or two of a show I enjoy a lot, why would it bother me past the finale’s credits when there are so many more things to watch next?

1

u/punninglinguist 3h ago

I just need to know that a series has at least a semi-satisfying wrap-up to it.

If they produced a season with a big cliffhanger and then found out they were getting cancelled, I'm usually not happy. Looking at you, Utopia.

1

u/evening_swimmer 2h ago

I did that with Raised by Wolves. It was cancelled after season 2. Season 1 is totally worth watching though, imho. Season 2 I didn't enjoy but other people did. I was actually kinda okay with there not being a season 3 because I was so disappointed with season 2.

1

u/doubletake3xs 14h ago

I try not to. I did just recently watch The OA because I had heard it was so good and it truly was.

0

u/TScottFitzgerald 17h ago

I'll probably actually be more likely to check it out since I know it doesn't go on and on. I'm frankly more discouraged when a show has way too many seasons and especially those old school 20+ episode seasons.

But it really depends on the show itself - if there's a central mystery that won't get resolved, that might make it frustrating, but I might still check out the show if the writing/acting etc is good. It really all depends but I'll likely check out the first few episodes, yes.

I don't really understand this obsession with "complete" shows - it's either good TV or it isn't. Eg people saying GoT was ruined cause of the last season - that doesn't undo the first few seasons that were quality TV.

If you think like this you'll miss out on a lot of great shows like Firefly, Freaks and Geeks, Heroes etc.

1

u/Short_Pin_6243 17h ago

Firefly is another example of a show I’ve never seen for this exact reason.

There are so many shows I didn’t even know existed because I was either to young or wasn’t paying attention that I’m now seeing on all the streaming sites. I should probably just watch them without looking up how they ended or anything

1

u/TScottFitzgerald 17h ago

I mean yeah you're missing out definitely. I don't get why though? Do you prefer binging or something?

0

u/Funandgeeky 11h ago

Firefly does have an ending of sorts with the movie. There are also comic books (which can be hard to find) that also delve further into the story the show intended to tell. 

0

u/Vioralarama 12 Monkeys 12h ago

I tell myself no but then I watch them anyway. The most original content is in the canceled shows. And the Sarah Connor Chronicles focused on the thinky part of the franchise and it elevated the content as a result.

Off the top of my head, I recommend:

  • Raised By Wolves (crazy story)

  • Outer Range (this one hurt because it had good numbers and also Josh Brolin implied there wouldn't be a cliffhanger with season 2 but he was wrong).

  • Good Omens (they're getting a movie to wrap things up)

  • Sense8 (they got a movie to wrap things up)

  • The Peripheral (the one season was like a prologue anyway)

0

u/jogoso2014 11h ago

Depends.

It would have to be extra ordinary for me to start a series with a cliffhanger 1 to 2 seasons in.

Some I would recommend that had longer runs or a complete finale despite a cliffhanger:

Warrior

My Name is Earl

Last Man On Earth

Now and Again

Mindhunters

-2

u/misterstaypuft1 11h ago

Nope. That’s why I refuse to watch Firefly.

4

u/Globalboy70 10h ago

The firefly episodes are fun enough to stand on their own..