The best TV shows leave a lasting impression on their viewers, ensuring the episodes linger in their minds long after each installment concludes. After Maria Hill's shocking fate in Secret Invasion's first episode, viewers are discussing some of their favorite TV episode endings.
Great episodes can conclude with a shocking revelation, a surprising death, or even a satisfying redemption that changes how fans view a character. Between Secret Invasion, The Simpsons, and WandaVision, fans have been thrilled by certain episodes' conclusions.
10 Mona's Hidden Message To Homer (The Simpsons)
Season 15, Episode 2 - "My Mother The Carjacker"
Homer's parents proved somewhat problematic in The Simpsons, and his father Abe cruelly declared that Homer's mother Mona had passed away. Fortunately, the mother and son later reunite. After Mona is arrested for signing in to a national park using a fake name, Homer and Bart trick the bus driver who is transferring Mona to jail, which results in a crash.
"My Mother The Carjacker"'s final scene is one of The Simpsons' most uplifting moments. Mona hides a message inside a newspaper confirming that she survived the seemingly-fatal bus crash. The Simpsons episode concludes triumphantly when Mona once again reclaims her freedom, leaving the authorities to believe that she is dead.
9 Bobbi And Hunter Leave SHIELD Behind (Agents of SHIELD)
Season 3, Episode 13 - "Parting Shot"
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD was an action-packed caper. Its seven seasons introduced audiences to some of Marvel's most beloved characters, and chief among them are Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter. Sadly, the couple departs the series in the Agents of SHIELD episode "Parting Shot," which was a difficult watch.
Bobbi and Hunter's exit is one of convenience rather than choice. They're forced to end all contact with SHIELD after they are blamed for the deaths of three government agents. "Parting Shot"'s final scene is a deeply emotional affair, as the agents bid farewell to Bobbi and Hunter in the bar before they leave their comrades forever.
8 Lyra's Parents Sacrifice Themselves (His Dark Materials)
Season 3, Episode 7 - "The Clouded Mountain"
Philip Pullman's beloved fantasy novels are beautifully realized in the HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials. The show follows Lyra and Will's journey to discover the truth behind "Dust" and comes to a spectacular climax with His Dark Materials' third season. "The Clouded Mountain" is a particular standout, as it tragically ends with the deaths of Lyra's parents Asriel and Marisa.
Asriel and Marisa sacrifice themselves to remove the devious Metatron's hold over the multiverse, pushing him into the Abyss. Asriel and Marisa committed several atrocious acts throughout His Dark Materials, including Marisa's cruel experiments and Asriel's brutal murder of Roger. Their noble actions finally redeem the duo and bring their journey to a satisfying end.
7 M'yrnn J'onzz Has Dementia (Supergirl)
Season 3, Episode 14 - "Schott Through The Heart"
Supergirl was a solid series, but "Schott Through The Heart" brought some real-world anguish to this otherwise cheery superhero program. After first discussing his diagnosis with Alex, M'yrnn J'onzz drops a giant bombshell on his distraught son J'onn J'onzz, disclosing that he has dementia.
"Schott Through The Heart's" ending is devastatingly realistic. J'onn's life is flipped upside down as he faces the unfortunate tragedy that his father will forget who he is. Supergirl tackles dementia with sensitivity and grace, but "Schott Through The Heart" is one of the most shocking episode endings of all time.
6 Tom Is Goliath (Bloodlands)
Season 1, Episode 2 - "The Island"
British television has delivered some of the greatest crime dramas, and among the best is Bloodlands. This gritty program follows DCI Tom Brannick, who investigates a kidnapping with connections to an infamous assassin called Goliath. "The Island's" conclusion is utterly jaw-dropping, showing Tom shooting the elderly pensioner Adam Cory after he reveals that he knows Tom is Goliath.
Bloodlands' exciting revelations are truly game-changing. Fans previously saw Tom as a man plagued by the disappearance of his wife. By making Tom Goliath, Bloodlands' second episode left audiences with many intriguing questions about what truly happened to Tom's wife, which was later resolved in the fourth episode.
5 Wanda Says 'No' (WandaVision)
Episode 2 - "Don't Touch That Dial"
WandaVision greatly impressed audiences and offered a unique format alongside an interesting mystery. Many superhero fans consider it to be the best comic book show, as it brilliantly demonstrates the MCU's willingness to deliver wacky narratives. WandaVision's second episode, "Don't Touch That Dial," finishes on a somewhat unnerving note.
Upon seeing a mysterious beekeeper emerge from the sewers, Wanda says "No" and rewinds the WandaVision episode. It's a disturbing scene that highlights how there's something deeply wrong with this otherwise joyful sitcom world. "Don't Touch The Dial" displays the power Wanda holds over this fabricated reality, making viewers doubt whether the Scarlet Witch can be trusted.
4 Captain Cold's Sacrifice (Legends of Tomorrow)
Season 1, Episode 16 - "Legendary"
Captain Cold has one of the most engaging character arcs within the Arrowverse. Legends of Tomorrow's Season 1 finale "Legendary" involves Snart making a noble sacrifice. He takes drastic action to destroy the Oculus device, which grants the ruthless Time Masters control over the Legends' timelines.
Cold's sacrifice reflects how much he has grown as a character throughout Legends of Tomorrow as he ensures the Oculus's destruction to free the Legends from the Time Masters. Captain Cold grew throughout Legends of Tomorrowfrom an opportunistic criminal to a selfless hero, and his final actions brought tears to the eyes of manyfans.
3 Maria Hill's Death (Secret Invasion)
Season 1, Episode 1 - "Resurrection"
Maria Hill has long been a fan-favorite MCU character. Nick Fury's right-hand woman returns in Secret Invasion and enlists Fury's help in taking on a Skrull terror group. Secret Invasion's first episode, "Resurrection," ends on a shocking cliffhanger when a Skrull shoots Maria Hill.
Maria Hill's murder in Secret Invasionis startling and unexpected. Her death hits hard because the Skrull kills her while impersonating Nick Fury, meaning that Maria's last sight was seeing her longtime friend pulling the trigger. It also helps to raise the stakes considerably for the rest of Secret Invasion, establishing that anybody can die, no matter how important they may seem.
2 Adric's Death (Doctor Who)
Season 19, Episode 22 - "Earthshock Part Four"
Doctor Who's John Nathan-Turner era featured some very dark storylines, and one of the most grim is "Earthshock." This beloved serial sees the Fifth Doctor and his companions uncover the Cybermen's plot to destroy the Earth. "Earthshock" provides an emotional conclusion to Adric's Doctor Who adventures, trapping the young lad onboard a crashing space freighter.
The mathematical genius bravely volunteers to stay behind on the space freighter but fails to solve the logic puzzles before the ship crashes into the Earth. Adric dies in the resulting collision and becomes the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. It remains one of Doctor Who's bleakest and best endings.
1 The Tenth Doctor's Regeneration (Doctor Who)
Series 4, Episode 18 - "The End of Time: Part Two"
Although there are a few issues with David Tennant's return to Doctor Who, the Tenth Doctor remains one of the show's most popular incarnations. The Scottish actor won fans over with his happy-go-lucky demeanor, and audiences were devastated when he later regenerated in "The End of Time: Part Two."
The Tenth Doctor's regeneration is an especially upsetting scene. David Tennant's tearful delivery is heartbreaking, especially when he declares that he "doesn't want to go." This tragic Doctor Who sequence is made more difficult to watch by Murray Gold's emotional score, "Vale Decem," which adds a melancholic feel. "The End of Time: Part Two"\s conclusion remains a deeply powerful Doctor Who ending.