Cliffhangers have tortured viewers since long before Negan killed someone on “The Walking Dead” — and made us wait months to find out who died. Here are some of the best cliffhangers in TV history.
“Batman”–Holy Cliffhanger, Batman!
The Adam West-Burt Ward “Batman” series is largely considered campy fun nowadays. But let’s not forget that the first of the two episodes that aired each week always ended with a cliffhanger in which our heroes were trapped in a seemingly inescapable situation
“Dallas”–Who Shot JR?
The most famous cliffhanger in TV history. JR Ewing was no angel, but viewers were left stunned when he was shot by a mystery assailant in the show’s Season 3 finale
“The Simpsons”–Who Shot Mr. Burns?
The most famous cliffhanger in animated TV history. Everyone in Springfield had a reason to kill Monty Burns after he blotted out the sun for his own selfish ends in the Season 6 finale. But who among the Simpsons’ neighbors would resort to murder?
“Star Trek: The Next Generation”–Picard Goes Borg
Jean Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise were sent to intercept the Borg cube before it reached Earth in the end of Season 3. Instead, the Borg kidnapped Picard and assimilated him, with his fate left unresolved until Season 4.
“Friends”– Best Freudian Slip Ever
Who wasn’t rooting for Ross and Rachel? Ross seemed ready to move on with Emily, but during their wedding in Season 4 he accidentally said Rachel’s name during his vows
“Lost”–Shut up, Jack
“Lost” was alwats better at cliffhangers than resolutions. The Season 3 flashforward when we learned Jack and Kate somehow escaped the island raised all-new questions for the show to try (and fail) to satisfyingly answer. Jack’s sorrowful “We have to go back” was a subtle but effective way to set up a new mystery
“The Sopranos”–Seriously?
OK, this one was problematic. The Season 6 finale was also the series finale. When the episode abruptly cut to black, fans were ready to break out the cement shoes.
“Breaking Bad”–Bathroom Reading
This show will go down as one of the best of all time, and featured the only cliffhanger on our list to take place in a bathroom. The first half of Season 5 ended with Hank finally realizing Walt is Heisenberg while reading Walt Whitman on the toilet.
“Game of Thrones”– Dear Jon
Jon Snow may know nothing, but he knew even less when he was killed at the end of Season 5. But given the show’s magical underpinnings, the chances of him being resurrected left fans salivating until Season 6.
“Orange Is the New Black”–Let’s Start a Riot
This Netflix show came roaring back in Season 4, with racial tensions and budget cuts eventually leading to a riot in the season finale.
“The Walking Dead”–Enter Negan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan made a lasting impression as the villainous Negan, but fans were left fuming when his first victim on the show was hidden until the Season 7 premiere.
