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10 TV Characters Who Deserved Better Endings

Whether due to rushed writing, unexpected cancellations, or creative missteps, some characters meet unsatisfying or unjust ends that leave viewers disappointed and wondering what could have been.

Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
© IMDbDaenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones

In the world of television, characters become more than just parts of a story. They grow, evolve, and often form deep emotional connections with audiences. Viewers invest time and emotion into their journeys, rooting for them through their struggles and celebrating their victories. So when a beloved character’s storyline ends abruptly or poorly, it can feel like a betrayal.

Sometimes, the reasons behind these disappointing endings are beyond the creators’ control. Network decisions, contract disputes, or last-minute plot shifts can derail even the most carefully constructed character development. Other times, the problem lies in the writing itself, where an ending may sacrifice character integrity for shock value or convenience.

Spoilers ahead!

Michael Scott – The Office (US)

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While Michael Scott’s departure in Season 7 was heartfelt, his brief and silent cameo in the series finale left many wanting more. Given his central role, a more emotionally engaging final appearance would have offered stronger closure to the character and his relationships.

Daenerys Targaryen – Game of Thrones

IMDb

IMDb

After eight seasons of growth from a powerless exile to a revolutionary queen, Daenerys’ rapid descent into tyranny in the final episodes felt jarringly unearned. Her character arc was complex and layered, but the show’s rushed pacing in its conclusion denied her a more nuanced ending.

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Dexter Morgan – Dexter

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IMDb

Dexter’s original series finale saw him abandon his son and fake his death to live as a lumberjack, an ending that left many viewers baffled. While Dexter: New Blood aimed to correct course, many fans still feel the original run never gave the complex anti-hero the resolution he deserved.

Andrea – The Walking Dead

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In the comics, Andrea plays a vital leadership role, but the TV adaptation killed her off prematurely and clumsily. Her death felt rushed and out of sync with her potential, reducing a strong female character to a plot device in service of others’ storylines.

Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad

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IMDb

Although El Camino gave Jesse some redemption, the original finale left him emotionally wrecked and physically battered. Jesse Pinkman’s journey was one of the most emotionally complex in Breaking Bad, evolving from a reckless small-time dealer to a deeply traumatized man seeking redemption. While the series finale gave him a moment of liberation as he escaped captivity, it left much of his future uncertain. Many fans still felt his pain and suffering were never fully acknowledged or healed.

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JJ Maybank – Outer Banks

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IMDb

JJ Maybank, the reckless yet fiercely loyal member of the Pogues, was often the emotional heart of Outer Banks. Despite his tough exterior and impulsive behavior, his character was deeply shaped by trauma, especially from his abusive home life. Over the seasons, JJ evolved into more than just comic relief—he became a symbol of resilience and fierce loyalty. In a shocking turn at the end of Season 4 (released in late 2024), JJ Maybank dies after heroically sacrificing himself to save Kiara. His biological father, Chandler Groff, stabs him despite JJ relinquishing the powerful Blue Crown.

Barney Stinson – How I Met Your Mother

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Barney’s development across nine seasons was undone in mere minutes when the finale reversed his growth, leading him back to his womanizing ways. While a baby softened the blow, the ending didn’t reflect the mature version he had become.

Nate Archibald – Gossip Girl

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IMDb

Nate began the series as a central character, but by the finale, he felt like an afterthought. Despite being consistently loyal and kind, he never had a strong final arc or satisfying romantic resolution, leaving fans underwhelmed.

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Sayid Jarrah – Lost

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IMDb

Sayid Jarrah was one of the most complex and compelling characters on Lost, a former Iraqi soldier haunted by his past, yet striving for redemption. Despite his inner turmoil, Sayid often acted selflessly, serving as both protector and moral compass. However, in the final season, his storyline was derailed by a supernatural “darkness” that turned him into a hollow version of himself. His eventual death, while heroic, felt like a rushed end to a character who had carried so much emotional weight throughout the series.

Cristina Yang – Grey’s Anatomy

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Cristina’s exit, while more graceful than most, still left a void and didn’t fully honor her character’s complexity. She moved to Zurich to run a hospital, but viewers were left without a true goodbye or emotional depth that her arc demanded.

Carolina is a bilingual entertainment and sports writer fluent in English and Spanish. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication from Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (UCES) in Buenos Aires and has a solid background in media and public affairs. In 2020, she won first place in journalistic feature writing at the EXPOCOM-FADECCOS competition, which brings together student work from universities across Argentina. She also completed a year-and-a-half internship in the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, where she worked closely with journalists and media operations. Carolina specializes in entertainment writing, with a focus on celebrity news, as well as romantic and drama films.

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